![\"SWAPS](\"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/SWAPS-Black-allX.jpg\")
<\/a>This fun font is Great Notions Princess Polka Dot<\/em><\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n My 9 year old granddaughter continues to expand the product line for her little business, Laurel’s Specialty Sewing<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 After introducing monogrammed tote bags, she added the service of sewing Girl Scout patches on the vests of her fellow Scouts ($ .50 per patch, monofilament thread, free motion sewing).\u00c2\u00a0 This product and service has proven to be very profitable.\u00c2\u00a0 She recently bought an American Girl doll with money she earned.<\/p>\n Now Laurel is promoting a new item in her line.\u00c2\u00a0 The simple felt hangings are destined for the upcoming Girl Scout Camporee.\u00c2\u00a0 The girls bring little items to trade, momentos of the event or trinkets, such as\u00c2\u00a0 these for an event they call SWAPS–S<\/strong>pecial W<\/strong>hatchamacallits A<\/strong>ffectionately P<\/strong>inned S<\/strong>omewhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Or these.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As per its definition, each SWAPS item includes a safety pin so it can be pinned S<\/strong>omewhere<\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 But where?<\/p>\n My google search turned up hundreds of ideas for SWAPS items, but only 3 photos of where to pin the collection of tiny treasures after the Camporee.\u00c2\u00a0 One picture showed a large straw hat with the SWAPS pinned to it, another had pins attached to poster board and the last showed this shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I couldn’t help but think\u00c2\u00a0 that it can’t be much fun to remove all the pins in order to launder the garment.<\/p>\n So to fill a void in the market, Laurel is taking orders from the girls in her troop for SWAPS banners.\u00c2\u00a0 For $5 they may choose black, red or yellow felt.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Her business is booming, showing no indications of the economy’s slow down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hangers are simple, a piece of felt approximately 14″\u00c2\u00a0 x 20″ with\u00c2\u00a0 fancy blade rotary cut edges.\u00c2\u00a0 The embroidery is stitched, the top folded to the front and then sewn in place with a decorative stitch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A dowel rod is slipped through the sleeve and a 20″ length of ribbon is tied to either end.\u00c2\u00a0 Easy-peasy.<\/p>\n Laurel has learned so much from her sewing business– the importance of prompt delivery, quality products, reasonable pricing, marketing strategies, and attractive advertising.\u00c2\u00a0 She has learned that hard work has rewards, and so much more.<\/p>\n Would you like to excite and motivate your child about sewing?\u00c2\u00a0 Would you like her\/him to learn some basic business concepts?\u00c2\u00a0 How about the rewards of a good work ethic?\u00c2\u00a0 If so, you might want to think about helping your youngster start a business.\u00c2\u00a0 It can be fun for you and a great learning experience for your child.<\/p>\n NOTE:\u00c2\u00a0 In the pencil topper post, I mentioned that plans were being made to have my 8 yo Sunday School student, Peter, come sew with me.\u00c2\u00a0 He desperately wanted to make a lizard pencil topper.\u00c2\u00a0 We did that this past week and he was absolutely delighted with the project and the process.\u00c2\u00a0 In fact, he begged to stay longer when his father came to pick him up 3 hours later.<\/p>\n But as he was admiring his second pencil topper, his bright eyes lighted up again and he announced, “I could SELL these!!!”<\/p>\n “Yes,” I replied, “you probably could.”\u00c2\u00a0 There were a few seconds of quiet as Peter’s wheels turned….and then he had an AHA! moment as he pointed to another embroidery machine in my sewing room.<\/p>\n “I could sew on this one and you could sew on that one!\u00c2\u00a0 That way, we could make a LOT of pencil toppers for me to sell.”<\/p>\n Before we seal the deal on my recruitment, Peter will have to listen to the same business lecture I gave Laurel. \u00c2\u00a0 But this one will include a discussion of subcontracting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My 9 year old granddaughter continues to expand the product line for her little business, Laurel’s Specialty Sewing.\u00c2\u00a0 After introducing monogrammed tote bags, she added the service of sewing Girl Scout patches on the vests of her fellow Scouts … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n