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First Step: Quit Day Job. Second Step: Make and Sell Wooden Potholder Looms
When I quit my day job in early July it was as traumatic as a birth. As I walked down the back “employees only” hallway the last time as an official staffer, I cried like a baby while trying rather unsuccessfully to hide my face behind a vase-full of sunflowers. It was a pretty pathetic scene, but at least I was fully clothed for this “rebirth” as a creative independent.
Once outside my workplace, I put on my shades and took my first breath of air as a free woman. I was immediately overwhelmed by all the possibility and creative opportunities that I now had time to pursue while being a more attentive mother to my 3- and 5-year-old daughters. One glance at my beautiful family waiting for me in the parking lot that day and I knew this next phase was going to be awesome.
Nearly two months later I’m happy to report that I’m having a blast and ready to announce my latest creative venture: I’m making oak potholder looms. Remember those looms we used to make looper potholders? Yeah, well, I never outgrew my loom and that’s what I’m making… in every size imaginable.
Surprised? Yeah, well that makes two of us. This was not part of my long-term plan. I mean, I’ve always loved weaving and have fashioned quite a few looms out of cardboard and scrap wood, but I never imagined I would be loading up on non-toxic wood glue, sand paper and spending hours pounding pegs into oak frames.
I decided to start making looms last month after I did a TV craft segment about making potholders out of recycled T-shirts. I was getting a lot of requests for wooden looms like the one I used in the segment and I couldn’t find a place to buy more in all the sizes I wanted. After deciding not to invest in a bunch of expensive tools to do it all myself, I contacted a local wood worker who agreed to make loom frames for me in all the sizes I requested. From there I take the frames home and glue in all the pegs and sand them down before rubbing on the oil finish.
So basically the last month has been a whirlwind of loom-making and branding with my new “CraftSanity.com” brand. I’ve ordered boxes for shipping and fumbled through the Etsy store setup and junked up the dining room in a most historic way.
I’ve been selling the looms at the local art market for the last couple weeks and teaching people to weave on them with recycled fabric. (Thanks to all of you have purchased looms and humored me when I’ve insisted that we set it up to weave before you leave the booth.) Reminding people how to weave on these looms has been a wonderful experience. Saturday at the farmer’s market I met a little girl named Sam who made my day. She was so excited about the looms that she was giddy. Watching her weave was like stepping back in time. I was that excited about weaving when I was a kid. Heck, I’m still giddy about it and love to introduce the skill to others.
So anyway, I just wanted to let you folks know what I’ve been up to. Don’t worry, I’m not going to abandon my podcast or stop blogging about great new books and talented crafters. I’ve just decided to make looms to help fund those activities. (Check back here tomorrow for episode 103 of the podcast.)
If you want to check out the first loom size I’m offering online, please check out my Etsy shop. I’m starting with the potholder size loom and will be adding coaster and mini-Christmas ornament sizes in the coming days.
Even if you’re not a fan of potholder looms and think I’m a little nuts for starting up a wooden loom business, I hope this post inspires you to try out that crazy idea you’ve had bouncing around in your head for a while. It’s fun to go where the wind blows you every now and then. Maybe it’s time to DO that thing you’ve been wanting to do for years.
An old boss walked by when I was selling looms on Saturday and the look he gave me could have been interpreted as though he thought it was amusing that my station in life has changed from professional journalist with a steady income to crazy freelance-writing, craft girl hawking wooden looms at a farmer’s market. But I couldn’t help but smile big at him because I’m so much happier than I ever was working for The Man. This is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing right now and I’ve never felt more certain.
Posted: August 31st, 2009 under craft business, Crafting for the Home, Crafting with Kids, Favorite Things, Going Green, Grand Rapids, Green Crafting, Made in USA, News, Potholder Looms, weaving, wood craft.
Comments: 44
Comments
Comment from Susan Moore
Time: August 31, 2009, 9:05 am
Hey, you could have been selling pencils! If you were using rubber bands to make potholders you could have used one as a slingshot.
Anyway, great idea, you’ve got my order. Keep up the good work.
sm
Comment from mjb
Time: August 31, 2009, 9:10 am
I’m excited for you! Can’t wait to see where this crafty journey takes you next.
Comment from Fanie
Time: August 31, 2009, 9:11 am
Hi Jennifer,
I just wanted to give you a path on the back and tell you that you should keep going!
I’ve been listening to your Podcast for almost 2 years now (Time goes fast, isn’t!) and my Craft Mafia group even sponsored you once, and it’s not for nothing: it’s because I believe in what you’re doing!
You’re such a passionate women that it shines through everything you’re doing. :-)
I’m sure many people are probably giving you advice for your carreer right now, so here’s my two cents if you don’t mind. :-p
I was wondering if you’ve followed a business class of some sort? I followed a business class with a specialisation for women artists. It was one of the best thing I ever did!
If there is no such class in your area, I strongly suggest that you read theses books:
“The anti 9 to 5 guide” by Michelle Goodman
“The boss of you” by Emira Mears & Lauren Bacon
You go, lady! :-)
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: August 31, 2009, 9:33 am
Thanks for the kind words of support, ladies. I really appreciate it. And, Fanie, thanks for the great book recommendations. I have tapped into the free local business resources and agree that it makes a world of difference. Thanks again!
Comment from Lisa
Time: August 31, 2009, 10:01 am
Yay for crazy ideas! :) These are adorable.
Comment from michele
Time: August 31, 2009, 8:35 pm
I made potholders and sold them as a child, would love to make them again..thanks for doing this. I went on Etsy but there wasn’t anything listed. So let me know when you post more.
Comment from Dulce
Time: September 1, 2009, 5:23 am
Congrats on your new product. I want one to make Rugs.
See you on Etsy.
Dulce
Comment from debbie
Time: September 1, 2009, 6:12 am
Way to go! If you are ever in the market for another market, the farmer’s market on Plainfield also has crafty vendors and a reasonable booth price.
The looms look great in these pics and I look forward to purchasing one soon!
Comment from Dawn Blair
Time: September 1, 2009, 7:17 am
Jennifer- YAY YAY YAY! This is so awesome! Congratulations. As well made as those looms appear to be, there should be hundreds of possibilities of how and what to weave using them!
Best wishes,
Dawn
Comment from Renee H.
Time: September 1, 2009, 5:41 pm
I’m so excited for you Jennifer!! Congrats on your new adventure. Here’s wishing you many more years of the happiness you feel right now!!
Comment from Debbie
Time: September 1, 2009, 6:26 pm
Congratulations on doing what’s best for you and your family. I love the looms but when I tried your Etsy shop, I could not connect to it. Is it just me? It’s funny but my daughter asked about potholder size looms a few weeks ago. I think we used to own one when she was little, but it must have been relocated after she went to college. Now I’d love to have all the sizes you’re making. I’ll keep checking back. Good luck and much success.
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: September 1, 2009, 8:36 pm
Thanks for all the support, folks. I updated the shop links in the post above and have added more looms including coaster-size and cute mini ornament-size looms to the shop. I apologize to those who had trouble getting to the shop. I’m an Etsy rookie, so I’m experiencing a bit of a learning curve. Thanks for your patience. Okay… back to writing the blog post about CraftSanity episode 103. We’re almost there…
Comment from Christine
Time: September 2, 2009, 8:36 am
just want to say how inspired I am by your craft ventures! It certainly gets my own creative juices flowing….thanks for your podcast & blog, I really appreciate the work you’re doing, the artisans you introduce us to and the knowledge you impart. Wishing you the best in all you do!
Comment from Bev
Time: September 3, 2009, 4:14 am
These are so satisfying and the potholders colourful. Well done; I’m really pleased and impressed to see it happening!
Comment from cara
Time: September 4, 2009, 9:50 am
just wanted to say congrats to you! best of luck on your new adventure.
Comment from Laurie
Time: September 6, 2009, 10:35 pm
You’re living the dream and it sounds like you’re happy as can be! That’s what life is all about. Thanks for sharing the journey with us!
Comment from holly c.
Time: September 8, 2009, 10:56 am
Girl, you’re AWESOME!☺
Comment from beth
Time: September 17, 2009, 3:25 pm
This is so cool! I’m very happy for you.
Comment from Marsha
Time: September 22, 2009, 11:06 am
Jennifer,
I’m a loyal podcast listener and I’m so happy you are retired and making looms!! I might get one, but I don’t know how to make the potholder. Is there an online tutorial?
Thanks,
Marsha
Comment from Loco Lindy
Time: September 24, 2009, 4:28 am
I remember feeling the same way when I quit teaching to stay home with our son and raise alpacas on our farm. I had a deep, secret satisfaction knowing that I was doing something I really loved and that felt RIGHT, and that many of those critics always seemed miserable to me. The money did follow eventually, too. Now that the economy is changing and I’m feeling a tad of burnout, I need to find a way to adapt once again, but you can be sure it’ll be to do something else that I enjoy and that allows time for family… life is too short!
Comment from shelle
Time: September 29, 2009, 9:00 am
I love the looms, they look so beautiful. Good luck in the new chapter of your life. I have always enjoyed listening to craft sanity.
Comment from Jackie Greensage
Time: January 7, 2010, 8:35 pm
Hi – I’m a quilter and I save selvages and other fabric “strings”. I’ve been looking for something to do with these narrow pieces and I think it might be good for potholders. Approximately what size potholder does your 17 peg loom make? Do you use some sort of tool to weave the strips in and out? Do you use a chrochet hook to finish the edges? Thanks for your help.
Comment from Sheer curtain
Time: January 13, 2010, 4:51 pm
Just want to say how inspired I am by your craft ventures!
Comment from Cathy Moses
Time: February 19, 2010, 8:03 pm
Hurray for having the courage to do that! I have thought about that for quite a while. My friends constantly ask me why I don’t open a craft shop? (money–ugh)
After hearing you on Craftcast today (a little late) I will find you on the podcasts and dig out my old loom–yes I still have the old wooden, but with nail pegs, loom. And a bag O’loops! (I’m 51–but don’t tell anyone) I love it!
Comment from Maz
Time: March 21, 2010, 6:25 pm
I picked up one of those potholder looms visiting Boston years ago, used up the bag of loops and couldn’t buy anymore here in the UK, so it sat in the cupboard – until one day I had the brainwave to use old socks!! – just the right diameter loops. Multicoloured thick tights are great too.
Comment from Lisa
Time: March 26, 2010, 12:14 pm
You are living my dream. I’ve asked for one of your looms for my birthday in May! Honestly I wanted to ask my husband to buy me the whole set, but I was afraid he’d balk at such a crazy request. After I make a bajillion squares and sew them together for rugs, throws and heaven-knows-what-else…THEN I’ll ask him to buy me the other sizes. Maybe Christmas.
I hope to quit my job next year, and live a craft filled life, just like you. It’s going to be like jumping off the high dive into very deep water.
Comment from Sandy
Time: April 9, 2010, 11:58 am
I bought the 17-pin version, which I totally love.
I had a bag of old loopers in varied sizes (you know how uneven they can be from some sources), which I got through Freecycle.
I chained two of the loopers together (put one inside the other and locked them through the loop), and they fit pretty well across the loom. I didn’t mind some variation in width.
So now I have two new, generous-size potholders … with some “bumps” where they are chained together … a neat variation on the retro look.
These are great little looms. I’m going to follow Maz’s advice re: old socks next. I’ll bet two lsock loops chained together will fit perfectly on the 17-pin loom.
Thanks for making this product, Jennifer!
Comment from Electric brake controller
Time: April 22, 2010, 5:28 am
After hearing you on Craftcast today I will find you on the podcasts and dig out my old loom–yes I still have the old wooden.
Comment from Powder coating colors
Time: April 29, 2010, 5:57 am
I bought the 17-pin version, which I totally love. You are living my dream.
Comment from Sweet sixteen cakes
Time: May 8, 2010, 3:16 pm
You’re living the dream and it sounds like you’re happy as can be! That’s what life is all about.
Comment from Wooden wine boxes
Time: May 19, 2010, 5:01 pm
I’ve been listening to your Podcast for almost 2 years now (Time goes fast, isn’t!) and my Craft Mafia group even sponsored you once, and it’s not for nothing: it’s because I believe in what you’re doing! I did read this blog and it was very interesting. I liked the second part the most.
Comment from Lawn mower ramps
Time: May 26, 2010, 4:59 pm
Congratulations on doing what’s best for you and your family. An article very well written. I agree with what your writing.
Comment from Outdoor throw pillows
Time: May 28, 2010, 11:33 am
I had a bag of old loopers in varied sizes (you know how uneven they can be from some sources), which I got through Freecycle. Thanks for making this product, Jennifer!
Comment from Ceramic garden stool
Time: May 30, 2010, 2:41 pm
Thanks for the kind words of support. I liked the second part the most. Thank you very much. And, Fanie, thanks for the great book recommendations. I harvested the resources of local companies free and agree that makes a world of difference. Thanks again! Ceramic garden stool
Comment from Joanne Carpenter
Time: June 21, 2010, 1:47 pm
I loved making potholders, too. Do you have any photos of finished projects using your new larger loom?
Comment from jennifer
Time: June 21, 2010, 1:55 pm
I will be posting a new batch of photos very soon, Joanne. So stay tuned!
Comment from Leone
Time: September 9, 2010, 3:07 am
The picture at the top looks like it is made with strips of fabric, how did you do that, is there a tutorial for it also? Get product!
Comment from jennifer
Time: September 9, 2010, 8:05 am
Thanks, Leone. All the looms come with directions for weaving with fabric, yarn and loopers.
Pingback from Tweets that mention CraftSanity – A blog and podcast for those who love everything handmade » First Step: Quit Day Job. Second Step: Make and Sell Wooden Potholder Looms — Topsy.com
Time: February 19, 2011, 3:11 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shibaguyz, Shelby Allaho. Shelby Allaho said: RT @Shibaguyz: Remember using potholder looms? Check out these handmade ones from @craftsanity in different sizes! http://is.gd/aHwZd9 [...]
Pingback from CraftSanity – A blog and podcast for those who love everything handmade » Inspired To Weave By The People I Teach
Time: August 2, 2011, 12:55 am
[...] was my love of weaving that led me to create the CraftSanity peg looms in multiple sizes after I quit my day job in 2009. However, I have limited time to weave on my looms because I’m often too busy making [...]
Comment from Sara
Time: October 3, 2011, 3:11 am
Haven’t read all the comments, but I would suggest making a larger one on which to make rugs. Several years ago I saw in a magazine that someone was making and selling lovely felted rugs in this format made with recycled wool sweaters. The pastel ones were really lovely. You could make a rectangular format as well. Good luck with your loom sales. Perhaps you will get to a point where you can hire someone or find a biz partner to all you the time to enjoy using your looms to create items.
Anyway. Onward and upward.
All the best to you.
Comment from jennifer
Time: October 4, 2011, 10:00 pm
Hi Sara. I do make rug looms. I don’t have any listed in my shop right now, but I have some in stock. Let me know if you’re in the market for one and I’ll hook you up. : )
Pingback from Weaving (Not the Hugo Kind) | Linus Hates Me
Time: October 19, 2011, 10:00 pm
[...] Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood can’t do, I don’t really want to know. She actually sells peg looms that are something I would think about getting if my goals for playing around weren’t [...]
Comment from trillium
Time: January 21, 2012, 2:54 am
I’d like you to produce the following for cross stitched items: wooden dowel ornament trees in different color finishes (black for Halloween, green for Xmas) and wooden blank hornbooks for under $10.
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