Creative Income

**mbakken** · 11-29-2009, 07:36 PM

I have been a nail tech for 20 years. About 7 years ago, we bought a house and I turned my front porch into a nail salon! We had to level the floor and insulate under it and put in a floating hardwood floor. We also put a heat vent and 2 outlets in. I have put 2 layers of clear plastic on the windows in the winter and will someday get new windows. The porch is 17 feet long and all windows! It's only 5 ft 9 in wide, but it is comfortable and big enough for me. I put a built in cabinet on the end with shelving above it. The door is on the opposite side near the door entering my home. I get a tax break on my sq footage for the porch, my kitchen, and first floor bath, plus the second living room walked through to get to the bath. To supplement my down time, I paint rocks small and large for gifts, gardens, and graves. I also do sewing for my clientele. I pick up their hair products at a discount from the salon they go to as a perk for coming to me. I am always looking for new ways to supplement my income. I did ebay listing for others for awhile, but with my 25% and ebay's take, the seller only ended up with about 50%. In a small town, people tend to think their collectibles are worth gazillions, but on a world-wide market their are tons of the stuff so I gave it up. It is extremely time consuming for very little profit to sell for others. Anyone else supplement already-work-at-home income?

**NikoSan999** · 11-29-2009, 07:47 PM

No, but have to say the rocks are beautiful!!! Who would've thought.

Curious what others do at home to supplement...

**Luckybustert** · 11-29-2009, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by NikoSan999

Curious what others do at home to supplement...

I'm also curious about this. I would like to find a way to earn some extra money in 2010!

**mbakken** · 11-30-2009, 12:29 AM

I occasionally babysit for others animals for a smaller fee than a kennel would charge.

**sinopa27** · 11-30-2009, 12:52 AM

I speak Spanish so I translate for different agencies and Dr's offices. I am a nurse too so the Dr's love that.

**AnW819** · 11-30-2009, 01:28 AM

I crochet butterfly magnets

I tried putting them on ebay but no buyers so I gave up with that!

**savvy_sniper** · 11-30-2009, 08:48 AM

Try www.etsy.com. It is for sellers of handmade items.

Originally Posted by AnW819

I crochet butterfly magnets

I tried putting them on ebay but no buyers so I gave up with that!

**savvy_sniper** · 11-30-2009, 08:51 AM

I take people to the airport and pickup them up, dog sit, wait for repair people for others, etc. I get paid in cash; so I don't have to claim it as income. It isn't a lot, but every little bit helps!

**tervsforme** · 11-30-2009, 09:17 AM

Your rocks are lovely. I sell stuff on E-Bay and just listed a few things on Craig's List. I have way to much stuff I don't need around here. If you are good with animals, pet sitting is great, people are always looking for someone to come let their dogs out, etc. I'm trying to find someone to stay at my house while I go away overnight. It's very difficult fo find someone to do that.

**ladytoysdream** · 11-30-2009, 09:47 AM

When the monthly budget prodes me, or I get some motivation, I put some items up on craiglist or ebay. Recently I sold a toy on CL that I picked up last year for $ 75. I sold it for $ 300.

I am trying to get a few handmade things on Etsy. You can also list the supplies there that one can make things with. Like yarn, pattern books, beads , etc.

I used to make small animal wire cages. I did that for 10 years but did not have the space and extra money to grow it into full time. It was nice part time money though. I also raised small animals for the pet shops and private sales. Rabbits and guinea pigs mainly.

We have a neighbor who house sits for people and who does landscaping in the good weather. Grows plants for sale.

Trying to talk a friend into getting her greenhouse up, so she can grow some plants for the farmer's markets.

Trying to develop a small chicken / egg market so the chickens can pay for their feed and a little extra .

I would love my own green house but will be content if the hubby keeps helping me make the garden bigger each year.