LaVida

I SO feel like this!!! I have inquiries all the time, but...........

Gosh, I have been in a funk for MONTHS! I'm trying to get motivated but I've been stuck..... I've been wanting to sew lately (I'm a beginner - I mean BARELY started on the sewing machine) ...... I need to make a couple hair products, soaps and brochures... but I just haven't brought myself to do it....

Thank you for posting. East Texas... is it "city like" - are things to do easily accessible?

Ok, what about Texas? Any tips or guidance.... suggestions. I'm thinking Dallas.

Thank you all. I'm glad this thread is still alive and well. I guess I should visit first. I love all the scenery and I love heat. I like mid-state NY and it's cold most of the year. We're all going burzerk today because it's 60! I can feel it cooling down though. I want to move to a hot place and I figured Arizona was where it was at. It's good for my hair too. I will be researching the places you all have mentioned. I even thought of IL but it's cold there too. *thumbs down*

Thank you both for the information. I will start my research tomorrow.

Eventually I'd like to relocate and Phoenix keeps jumping out at me. Something about the heat, desert and cactus that calms me. How are crafters viewed. Since I sell handmade goods in NY I fall under crafts as the "type of business" I run. I am an SMLLC - this falls under federal so I don't need to worry about this. Would I need a license to sell my products? Is there a website that I can be directed to for all the tax & small business answers I am looking for?

Well I'm going enviromentall friendly. I felt consumed by FO's and now I am elated w/ my EO products. I only used EO's in my hair products but now my soaps are EO's only. A "tad" bit more expensive but I am having an everlasting moment of clarity... now I can focus.

I don't have a problem with a few suran wrap lines. Thank you for the tip. Again, your soap is beautiful!

NICE! Very beautiful! and THANK you so much for posting a photo if the unmolding! For the life if me I couldn't get my soaps out of the kelsie w/out popping them in the freezer for a day... Now i know I can line the mold w/ suran or some sort of plastic wrap!

I found this on SBA. http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/SERV_WRRITINGBUSPLAN.html

GRUMPY! What re you talking about?!! GAAAAAAAAA! *s*.... I do get the monthly inventory thing... I so screwed up my taxes and couldn't account for things from last years inventory.... NOW I have to go back and create a spreadsheet of all the sh*t I have in inventory... it's my own fault though. Now the prjection of blue lines and red profits... I don't get it. I'm still doing research. What is a forecasted BP?

It took me forever to find this. *l*.... This was a good thread that Adam started. I also found something on-line but I don't have any idea where that is.... http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73291

Prairie... I truly appreciated all you have done during mt stint *s* with HCM. You were VERY helpful... We chatted on IM for long times - several times. I do agree and appreciate that Frank said his Cust. Service left a bit to be desired (putting it nicely)..... That was my main issue - being a non- PC savvy person.....

My tax preparer suggested Quicken or just to use Excel. He said Access is very complicated and wouldn't be the program for my business (especially if I have to learn the entire program)...

Ok, I was so excited about MS Access until I read this thread thoroughly. I thought about buying Quicken or Quickbooks, but putting all that $ out... Ouch! I wanted to buy MS Publisher and Excel then I saw Access so I was just going to buy the entire MS PRo... but again the money and how much and I going to use everything else? I use Excel at the end of the year.... I might create a new form on Excel to simplify it this year( and start at the beginning of the year and as I go along)

I am incorporating plant powders and clays for color. I went cold turkey (EO) a few months back... I have been experiencing clarity and new direction and ideas. I'm excited about this actually. Blending seems trying but it's fun.

yes, that's what i meant. (How unprofessional - "leftovers"...*l*) Retail Stock.... now I just came across this too: Tips: REMEMBER: You can only deduct cost of goods sold for the inventory you sell. If you purchase or make products to sell, and you don't sell any products, you can't deduct these costs. If your business has less than $1 million in sales/receipts annually, you do not need to report inventory. And about my site... a big fiasco, but it's it's being repaired. And you're welcome. I admire nature.... I'm revamping to include EO's only. I made Tangerine/ Lemongrass, Anise/Vanilla Bean and Peppermint Stick (swirled with pink clay) so far. I've been making Lavender w/ buds and Pachouli w/ a little ground patchouli incorporated......

Ok, so even if they are leftover items still use this formula? If it's that simple that's cool with me. Thank you for your help. The school looks very exciting by the way. Those soaps look yummy!

ooh ooh, I just thought of something.... I can use this format. Determine Ending Inventory Ending inventory costs are usually determined by taking a physical inventory of products, or by estimating. Ending inventory costs can be reduced for damaged, worthless, or obsolete inventory. For damaged inventory, report the estimated value. For worthless inventory, you must provide evidence that it was destroyed. For obsolete inventory, you must also show evidence of the decrease in value. Consider donating obsolete inventory to a charity. Since i am revamping and discontinuing those items I might as well donate it! Is it too late? I just spoke to my mother - it is too late. I would have had to do this by the 31st. I need to figure this out for this year. Another question: For those who participate in things like The Little Black Box how is that done on your taxes. Determine th COGS then what?

so what this tells me to do is simplify my spending thoughout the year and buy only what I need.... Keep it to a minimum.

You're right, I need one of those too. So basically treat them as if they aren't assembled and count them.... wait, so COG ... now I'm more confused. I'll just put a little spread sheet together for the remaining retail items and calculate their COG and let good ol' Ted (the H&R block rep I work with every year) figure it out.

Thank you so much for answering. So for all the assembled items - calculate the Cost of Goods and throw that figure in w/ the COG figure? (Just so I understand)...

ok, for Inventory. I accounted for the left over ingred's and resellable items (electric tart warmers.. things of that nature), but what do you do with the products you have left... Do you count the COG for those assembled products or count them as a whole (retail price?)..... I'm rushing out the door so if it doesn't make sense please forgive me.... HELP!

Well, since it is a legal issue I don't think it's necessary to name the parties involved, especially for those of you who don't have a stake in all of this. (I'm not trying to be rude).... I'm not even sure if the other party is hosting anymore so ..... it really isn't necessary. We don't really know the party's motive (although we could speculate)... but it wouldn't be wise to say anything. Imagine being dragged into something for defamation of character w/out facts to back up anything.... nope, I think I'll pass. *l* I'm not a Mod, but I suggest anyone wanting to discuss the issue in detail (hence naming names) you should take it to the PM's...... This is just me though. I'm still standing firm w/ my Faith Meter....