A few weeks ago, I drove past a property for rent downtown, and thought I'd call the property manager for "kicks and giggles." The property ended up being too much space and in need of too much work. But several doors down from that, in the historic Block Six Building, there was another business space for rent. A friend of mine called to check on that one -- we were thinking it would be way out of my price range (hardwood floors, great old building with chandeliers, the whole nine yards.) It turned out to be a great deal, and I started calling suppliers, insurance agents, phone companies, relatives, friends. And it's a go.

The building, as I mentioned, is a great oldie, and my suite has hardwood floors (it's about 22 by 45 feet). I'm decorating it with kind of a garden theme -- I have a Potter's Bench now to display products and finished pieces on, a few pieces of wonderful iron garden furniture from Pier One Imports, and there will be picket fences and the like throughout. (I even found a gigantic snipped tin turtle and ant to hang around by my feet.)

The more I thought about moving my business (out of my home), the better of an idea it seemed to be. No more answering my business phone at 8 on a Sunday morning or during dinner, or at 10 at night. No more juggling all of the housework, business, leisure and children (they hate being juggled...it makes them dizzy.) With work separate, now, from home, I'm hoping my life will maybe not feel so frantic.

Don't worry, though; I'm staying on-line, and you'll actually see very little changes on the web site, or the way my on-line business runs. You'll continue to find the Kit, Fabric and Free Chart of the Month. Specials, in addition to these, will also continue to run. My phone, e-mail and web site information will all be the same. But now, when you're driving through Fargo (come on, you might), you can stop by to visit me in my shop. Then you can go downstairs to the VIP Room for a delicious bowl of Tomato Basil Soup.

In addition to peddling my needlework wares, I will be adding custom framing to my business (I've missed it so!) as well as a few other lines of products, including Graphique de France poster prints, Lang Company stationery (including the famous Bob's Boxes), and Dovo Scissors from Germany (I love these!)

My husband is doing a great job disguising his delight at having all of this needlework nonsense out of the house, and the kids are wondering what it will be like to have a mother who "really works" for a living again. Ha!

My hours are pending at this point, but expect more "regular" business hours from me in the future (no more answering the phone late or early). I will announce those changes next newsletter. I need everyone's good prayers and wishes that this will all work (and that I'm not getting myself in over my head). If you're in the Fargo area, I may be looking for part-time help very soon...great discount on needlework supplies! I also will be looking for model stitchers, for anyone who's interested.

I joked today to my insurance agent that I'm going to have a Grand Opening and Five Year Anniversary at the end of the summer. Wish me luck!

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com