Guest Linda S Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 I've just placed my first ad for my business. It will appear in the program of the Quilt Show of the local Guild, which will be held October 2-3. I had planned on opening my doors to my business when I return from Innovations, so the timing seemed perfect. I think I'm ready. I'm a bundle of nerves, but I think I'm ready. I still have a month to PPP. I got the cutest little wall hanging from my sisters for my birthday, which I get to quilt. I have two baby quilts to make which I get to quilt before then, so there's more practice. I'm still nervous though. Did you all have a serious case of butterflies? Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rooster Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 I still get butterflies (in a nice sort of way) every time I put a client's quilt on my LA. It is a big responsibility and hopefully the finished product will be a precious piece of history for the recipient. I always feel honored to be a part of that history and that's what keeps me on my toes to do my best work. Many years ago a mentor of mine told me that butterflies are a sign that you take the task at hand seriously. The goal is not to get rid of the butterflies, but to train them to fly in unison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 Thank you Jean! That makes me feel better. I've got a few more of my own to work on in the meanwhile and I'm practicing all sorts of techniques (ruler, stencils, panto, freehand), so I'm beginning to feel a bit more confident. I just get that flustery feeling when I think about taking someone else's quilt. I think part of it is I've been reading a lot of horror stories lately about T-shirt quilts, and I know I have at least two of them to do in October! I just hope they have stabilized them sufficiently. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyL Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 I actually don't get butterflies any more but I hadn't even noticed til I started thinking about it. I believe just a year ago, I still had butterflies. I get really excited about almost every quilt I do but I am not anxious any more. I do still get butterflies when I hand the quilt to the client or when I see an e-mail that they've received it. Linda (and other newbies), when you have those first few meetings with clients, don't let those butterflies show. Appear cool, calm and collected . . very sure of yourself. Your confidence will make them have confidence in you. I still can't look at a quilt and give ideas on the spot. I have to look at it for several days before all the ideas come together in my head. Maybe I'm slow! So, I tell everyone I will get back with them in a few days and I never give ideas at the same time I take in a quilt. If you're able to do that, it gives you a day or so to get more confidence cuz you might have to use every bit of it when you say "Hi, I'm Linda" to that first client!! Just remember . . we've all gone through that first customer meeting and we all had the butterflies. (and, we all survived!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Oh dear! I'll have to get the mirror out and practice my poker face! Actually, I think I might be able to handle the meeting. I have lots of business meetings every day, so it would be okay. I just don't know how they'll feel about their shaky quilter! I tend to shake when I get nervous -- just a hereditary thing. Heck, I shake when I'm not nervous, but that doesn't mean I can't quilt! I guess that just means there's another sample I need to make! Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSusieQuilts Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I call those butterflies.. anxiety attacks.. I can get excited about getting a new quilt.. but a new customer gives me anxiety attacks... I have had these since I can remember... something new happeneing in my life.. crawly.. horrid I think it was the worms before butterflies hatch....teeth hurt... couldnt consentrate... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh but they are getting better... Boy am I glad that I am not the only one who has to think on a quilt... Advise for the t-shirts.. if the tops arent done yet... suggest how they be done. smile. LindaSusie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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