PROFITS FROM TOYS AND WOODEN NOVELTIES IN YOUR SHOP

Make and sell toy cars, wagons, wooden puzzle and hobby horses.
retail them at flea markets, fairs, through national ads, direct
from your shop or yard and/or wholesale them to stores or catalog
sales companies.

Wooden toys have a special appeal that most other types of toys
do not-- nostalgia and parent confidence. Parents remember the
wooden toys they had as children lasted a long time and that they
were safe. Wooden toys like hobby horses or stick horses are so
old, they are "new"!

For the past few years, wooden items have become more and more
scarce as they have been replaced by plastic and wood filled
plastics that can be molded. Many items are advertised these days
as "genuine wood" to inform the buyer they are nor plastic or
laminated sawdust, and infer that they are therefore worth more.

The overall result is that an item made of "genuine wood" is now
considered more valuable than the substitutes that just a few
years ago were considered an "improvement" over wood.

In the wooden toy business, you have the option of making variety
of things or specializing in one item or series of items.

You also have the luxury of being able to use what other
industries would call scraps -- because not many of your toys
will require 8, 6 or even four foot pieces of wood.

This means that you can use materials that others can't -- and
that if you can locate a good source, your materials should be
half or less of the going rate. As a result, you will be able to
offer finished toys of good quality wood at excellent prices and
still make a very nice profit.

This type of business will appeal to the wood enthusiast, or
anyone who enjoys shop work; the variety of possible toy products
is endless -- limited only by the toy maker's imagination and
facilities.

If you specialize in larger items such as hobby horses, one
well-placed ad for genuine, old-fashioned hardwood horses could
keep you busy!

The only "secret" to this business is to have a plan for getting
your materials at a good price, a procedure to fabricate and
finish the toys efficiently and professionally, and effective
means of letting the right prospective customers know where they
can be found and how much they cost.

Most wooden toy makers limit their output to models they can
build with tools and equipment on hand. They set up a procedure,
as close to assembly line as possible to allow high quality items
to be produced efficiently: jigs for cutting, clamps for gluing,
patterns for drilling, stencils for painting -- with designated
areas for operations like sanding or painting that require them
to be separated.

Although the finished items are all made by hand, there is no
need to completely finish one item before starting on the next --
it is much "smarter" to cut out two dozen horse heads at once; to
sand them all while the area is set up for that operation, and to
give them all their first coat of paint at the same time.. The
items are still hand made, only a lot more efficiently.

The bottom line is that quality is just as high (perhaps even
higher as you perfect each step), but the price is lower because
you can produce them cheaper.

One inexpensive way to advertise is to rent a display window in a
store (even a vacant store -- see the real estate agent about
renting just the window until the store is leased).

Set up a nice looking display of your products --several models,
a variety of items (or your "pride and joy") in an attractive
display - one that is calculated to interest children as a toy,
as well as the parents as a good investment.

Tip: "Eye level" for a child is 3 to 4 feet, so place items you
want to see at their level!

Put price tags on the items. or a placard (about 8 x 10) in or
near the items, along with a couple of lines about their quality
and,of course, where they can be purchased.

If you are willing to make alterations, indicate that custom
items are available (but leave the price open until you find out
what they have in mind).

Plan your production schedule to peak about 30 days before the
holidays -- seasonal sales you lose because you ran out of items 
sell are GONE!

In the beginning, you will probably want to try several different
products -- and procedures. You need to learn which things you
can make best and which ones will sell best.

Once you have settled on a line of products (if you do), it would
be wise to gear your "assembly line" to those products.

Use a piece of tin or masonite for a cutout pattern; holes in it
to mark places to drill. Work out a production schedule for steps
that take time, such as glue setting and paint drying -- where
you take an item from the clamps, sand it lightly, lay it out for
the painting phase and immediately place another item (or sets of
items) the available glue clamps.

If you glue, setting time is one hour (temperature regulation may
speed this step) and you have 5 sets of glue clamps, you can set
aside 5 or 10 minutes per hour for this phase to produce 5 items
per hour or 40 per day (the last set is left overnight to be
changed first thing in the morning).

As you progress in your wooden toy business you will discover
more and more "shortcuts"-- that produce the same quality (or
even better) at a lower cost. You will also learn of other items
that are in demand and will make more decisions on whether to
expand or add new products.

Wooden toys can be sold retail through ads, displays, and by
using a little extra imagination.

For example, show a child playing with your toy in your ad (to
help "plant" the idea that your toys are fun to play with). Plan
different ways to "push" your line -- give prizes at community
affairs (raffle, children's competitions), try cable TV ads and
the local newspaper.

Use a good camera to take black & white photos and have the
newspaper make "cuts" of some of your best efforts to put in ads
and brochures. When the market warrants, add color brochures with
illustrations and little write-ups of your toys.

Perhaps some of them are authentic copies of antiques, or can be
associated with interesting stories or history. Don't hesitate to
experiment with different wood combinations and patterns.

For example, two plywood with opposing grains for strength and
effect; tongue & groove glued larger pieces; checkerboard
patterns (like parquet floor pieces) or anything else you can
think of.

Wholesaling brings in less revenue per item but eliminates much
of the cost of advertising and time needed for dealing with
potential buyers of one or two items at a time (you may be able
to make much more turning out toys than selling them). Here are
three proven methods for wholesaling are:

1. Store sales, Take samples and price lists to retail stores in
your area and ask them to order. A variation is to mail out price
lists and brochures to stores that carry similar merchandise. In
this case, write a "cover" letter of 1 - 2 pages on good quality
letterhead paper. Describe your products briefly (stress their
quality) and their availability. Include a price list and an
ORDER FORM. For stores in your area, follow up this first contact
with a personal visit, phone call or another letter 2 weeks
later!


2. Catalog sales. List your products with an existing catalog
sales firm (printing your own is expensive and should be tried
only when you are experienced). the procedure is similar to mail
sales to stores (above), but you also need to include your
charges for packaging and shipping of a single item because the
mail catalog store can either buy your products outright or  have
you drop-ship them as orders come in.

3. Fair sales. arrange for a booth at trade shows, large flea
markets and community fairs. Take a good selection of your
merchandise, business cards, brochures, and order forms and set
up an attractive display.. Although the objective will vary with
the type of activity. the general idea is to retail, make
contacts, gain recognition, and to take wholesale orders.

Be especially watchful for ways to profitably use every scrap of
material and reduce the amount you spend for supplies.

Make little toys from pieces left over from big ones, even if it
means modifying a pattern or designing a special toy so it can be
fabricated mostly from materials that would otherwise be wasted.
Using these materials efficiently is the purest form of profit!

The, calculate your best prices on paint, sandpaper, wood and
even tools and supplies. It may be that buying glue in 5 gallon
cans will save you a good deal -- unless there is a spoilage
problem. In this department, the most expensive thing you can do
is to keep buying from the same source without constantly
checking -- and figuring how to get more for your money.

One source for fresh ideas would be subscribing to a couple of
good trade magazines.

One of the more obvious potential problem area to watch out for
is overstocking items that don't sell.

The cause of this problem is invariably personal taste --
although poor sales techniques and/or shoddy work can also be
contributors. Just remember that before you invest too heavily in
any one product, do as the professionals do -- test market it
(see how it sells).

Just because you like something is NOT  a good reason to make up
10,000 of them (remember the Edsel? -- but if your customers like
them -- that's different! If your problem is shoddy work, the
CHEAPEST thing to do is get rid of the problem -- wholesale them
to an outlet (burn them if necessary), but don't allow them to
spoil your reputation and confidence.

Finally, if they aren't selling, alter your method of
advertising. If that helps, work on that aspect until you find
the winning combination!




BUSINESS SOURCES

HARBOR FREIGHT SALVAGE, Box 6010, Carmarillo, CA 93011,
800/388-3000. Discount tools and shop equipment. Call for free
catalog.

NORTH AMERICAN MACHINERY, Box 20409, Tallahassee, FL 32316,
800/874-8160. Sells a router that copies relief designs onto
chairs, plaques, etc.

HARCOURT, BRACE JOVANOVICH, 545 5th Ave.,New York, NY 10017.
Publishes TOYS, HOBBIES & CRAFTS Directory - &8. (Large,
professional trade publisher).

GOODFELLOW, Box 4250, Berkeley, CA 94704. Magazine that
specializes in wholesale toys and crafts -- good place to
advertise.

POPULAR WOODWORKER, 1300 Galaxy Way, Concord, CA 94520,
415/671-9852. Publication for all types of wood workers: carving,
cabinet making, crafts for advanced hobbyists, etc. Sample $2.

CREEKSIDE CREATIONS, 3505 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley, CA
95066. Marionette kits and patterns -- also buys.

ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS & EXPOS INTERNATIONAL, MPO 985, Springfield,
MO 65811. Monthly list of fairs, etc.

JOHN MUIR PUBLICATIONS, Box 613, Santa Fe, NM 87504. Prints lists
of flea markets that sell for about $10.

EDGEL PUBLISHING CO., 545 5th Ave.,New York, NY 10017,
212/503-2900. Publishes TOYS, HOBBIES & CRAFTS, magazine for
hobby and crafts dealers.

I.C.I. Box 158, Intercession, FL 33848. Cypress slabs for craft
work; clocks tables and marketing kits.

CRAFTS REPORT, 1529 E 19th St.,Brooklyn, NY 11230. Information on
major professional craft shows.

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC., 31 East 2nd St.,Mineola, NY 11051.
Discount books, clip art, stencils, etc.

QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Schelter Rd.,Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,
312/634-4800. Office supplies.

NEBS, 500 Main St.,Groton, MA 04171, 800/225-6380. Office
supplies.

IVEY PRINTING, Box 761, Meridan, TX 7665. Letterhead: 400 sheets
plus 200 envelopes - $18.


SWEDCO, Box 29, Mooresville, NC 28115. 3 line rubber stamps - $3;
business cards - $13 per thousand.

ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, IL 60048-2556. Business cards (raised
print - $11.50 per K) and letterhead stationery. Will print your
copy ready logo or design, even whole card.

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET YOUR HOBBY PRODUCTS


If you are not necessarily trying to get rich buy but would like
your hobby to at least pay for itself and perhaps grow into
something someday, try considering your hobby as small business.
Even if you don't get rich you may be able to deduct the cost of
your materials.

A serviceman stationed in Alaska loved to go fishing but found it
to be very expensive sport up there. So he bought a fishing fly
winding outfit and started making his own flies to save money.
When discovered his lures were as good if not better for Alaskan
fish he decided to try and sell some of them to help cover the
costs of his "vice." he sold a few dozen to an Anchorage
department store every few months and not only made enough to pay
for his fishing, but helped his photography "habit" as well!

For tax purposes there is a fine line between a hobby and a
business. The IRS defines a hobby as "an activity from which you
do not expect to make a profit" (this makes the U.S. Government a
hobby!). The general rule is that you must make some profit in
three out of five years to legally take the hobby expenses as
business deductions.

This rule is not generally applied to obvious businesses like a
shoe store on Main Street. However, it is for racehorses and
leather crafts, which they consider more likely to be hobbies
than businesses (and they're probably right most of the time).

Business expenses and losses are deductible; hobby losses can ply
be deducted up to a amount taken in, and then only if you itemize
on Schedule A.

When you make the decision to convert you hobby into a business
it is necessary to do several additional things.

First, you should figure out exactly what it costs to make each
product (including you labor at the going rate). You must be able
to intelligently predict how many you can turn out and how soon.

Keep accurate records of all business related transactions. You
can only deduct expenses for which you have records! Once you
compute your production costs, you can estimate your retail
and/or retail rates.

          A general rule is 2 times your cost for
          wholesale; 4 times for retail.

For example, something that costs $5 to make would be priced at
$12.50 wholesale and $20.00 retail. You must be able to make a
fair profit at the wholesale price and dealers should receive
about 40% of the retail price as their profit.

Note that if you retail and wholesale both, you must be careful
not to undercut your dealers. When you say the suggested retail
price is $20, make sure you do not sell that product for any less
of your dealers will  leave you cold!

It really doesn't matter what your hobby is, so long as it is a
product or service that others will buy. As you convert to a
business, it might (or might not) be necessary to alter your
production methods and even the products themselves.

If you make a nice hobby horse you will probably want to make
some jigs and figure out a way to make them more efficiently. You
have the choice of turning out one masterpiece a week for $100 or
10 good ones at $10 apiece.

Your decisions may well be influenced by demand as well as your
personal preference. If you make pillows and someone likes your
work and wants a bedspread, why not?

You can do just that one bedspread or expand your business to
include bedspreads as an additional product if it looks like they
will sell well.

Depending on the degree that you would like to go into marketing,
plan to {"showcase" your products or show them in their best
possible light. Notice how jewelry stores display their wares
exquisitely on dark velvet under small spotlights (not ordinary
florescent lights) to make them gleam and sparkle. That's
showcasing!

If you are artistic and have the means to make up a catalog to
send prospective customers, fine. Take flattering pictures of
your products with complementing backgrounds and have them
printed in brochures or booklets. Black and white pictures are
better for non-color reproductions because they offer better
contrast.

You  can also advertise (with pictures, if available) in the
local media: newspapers, radio, cable TV, small magazines or even
by mail. It is usually a good idea to test market your products
(and ad comparison) before spending a lot on advertising.

If the response to your testing is poor it could be yours ads,
timing, prices, the vehicle or that you simply haven't reached
your intended audience. The testing period is when you
experiment: try various size ads, wording, pricing, etc.

How do you get usable advice? In some cases, merely by asking.. A
tip is to check with retailers of similar products. Since they
don't make them, they will often give you their unbiased opinion
of why they do or do not sell.

When you find one that will advise you, ask for their suggestions
on quality, pricing and potential salability of your products
(this, by the way, may help your chances of selling to them
later).

Once you have determined that your product will sell at a price
to make you a reasonable profit, make up samples and good quality
photographs and start contacting potential markets. If you -plan
to wholesale, call on prospective clients and give them full
information pricing, quality and your return policy (yes, you
should have one).

A shorter method is to offer your products on consignment to
local stores. They usually won't buy very much until they know
there is a market (why should they replace something that DOES
sell with something that MIGHT?).

remember, however, that your intent is to get as many of your
products on display as possible, so consignment is good for both
you and the store in the early stages.

If you plan to retail, you need an advertising plan for ads,
displays, notices, announcements, news coverage and perhaps
prizes in local contests. Ads in the local paper (also, radio and
cable TV) might start out with a larger (e.g. 3" x 5")
announcement of your product and possibly an introductory
special, followed by smaller display and a less expensive,
permanent classified ad.

Displays are any means of showing your product to the public,
such as renting space in a vacant store window or giving a
merchant a special deal to allow you to set up a display.

Notices can be put up on store and church bulletin boards or
listed on cable TV. Announcements can be ads, radio spots,
posters, signs that simply inform the public that your product
exists.

News coverage is usually very effective and should be a major
consideration. When you place your initial ads in the local
paper. ASK THEM to send out a reporter!

Most local and small town papers are happy to do this because the
articles are local interest. Make the best use of their exposure:
focus on your products, not your ego!

When you are satisfied your market potential and ready to produce
in volume at a good wholesale price,, start contacting
progressively and larger markets.

Check on mail order companies, distributors and catalog of
publishers. If you retail, place ads in vehicles with larger
circulation. Send out professionally done brochures and price
lists among with a short but cordial cover letter describing your
product and offering additional information. Be sure to include
information on how to order. For retail customers, include a
"handy" order blank and possibly an addresses return envelope.

Depending on the product of your hobby and its acceptance, your
small business venture might keep growing. Many of today's large
businesses started out as small hobbies. Some craft products can
profitably be marketed through large catalog houses. Others are
best for local retail sales and a few lend themselves to
customizing, where customers come directly to you for personal
service.

Your success in marketing your hobby depends on the demand for
the product (which you try to stimulate), the price quality, plus
your ingenuity, determination and enthusiasm.

Something as uncomplicated as renting a flea market stall once a
week may be just the ticket. It may be as far as you really want
to go. But, if things go well, you may want to expand your
production and sales efforts.

When you expand, think about buying and selling COMPATIBLE but
non-competing items made by other hobbyists (or supplied by hobby
manufacturers). After all, your marketing system is in place and
is working, so why not make extra profit for relatively little
extra work or cost?

One mistake many hobbyists make in the business world is to put
so much time, effort and TLC into their products that can't
possibly sell for their actual worth.

If you are going into business, find a happy medium so you can
turn out quality products at an affordable price and still make a
fair profit. A second tip is to be able to separate your product
from your ego. Never take rejection for it to flop that have
nothing to do with you! Keep your mind and ego clear so you can
concentrate on improving the product's acceptability!

BUSINESS SOURCES

MIESEL HARDWARE SPECIALTIES, Box 247, Mound, Mi 55364.
800/441-9870. Hardware for hobbies and toys: eyes, miniature
wooden wheels, brass hinges, etc.

LHL ENTERPRISES Box 241, Solebury, PA 18963. Hobby and craft
supplies.

TOYS, HOBBIES $ CRAFTS. Edgel Publishing Co.,545 Fifth Ave.,New
York, NY 10017. Magazine for hobby and craft dealers. Check their
ads for good supplier sources.

SBA MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PUBLICATION, P.O. Box 15434, Ft Worth,
TX 76119. SBB-1 lists 26 types of crafts and 341 available craft
booklets.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOLE & DECORATIVE PAINTERS. Box 808,
Newton, KS 67114. Association of people interested in painting or
enameling on wood and metal.

HOBBY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, 319 E 54th St.,Elmwood
Park, Nj 07507. Association of hobby crafters and hobby business
people.

HOBBY PUBLICATIONS, Box 420, Englishtown, NJ 07726. Publishes
ANNUAL TRADE DIRECTORY for hobby sources.

AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL. 44 West 53rd St.,New York, NY 10019.
Publishes CRAFT HORIZONS magazine for small crafts. Includes
information on craft shows... Good place to advertise crafts.
Also publishes AMERICAN CRAFT with coverage of Christmas ornament
crafts.

CRAFTS. 1529 East 19th St.,Brooklyn, NY 11230. Specialty magazine
about crafts.

INNOVATIONS, 1555 Ashdale, Sugarland, TX 77478. Buys handmade
crafts, especially Christmas and child heirloom merchandise. Send
color photo & price.

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.,31 East 2nd St.,Mineola, NY 11051.
Discount books, clip art, stencils, etc.

QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Schelter Rd.,Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,
312/634-4800. Office supplies.

NEBS, 500 Main St.,Groton, MA 04171, 800/225-6380. Office
supplies.

IVEY PRINTING, Box 761, Meridan, TX 76665. Low priced letterhead
and stationery.

ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, IL 60048-2556. Raised print business
cards and letterhead stationery. Will print your copy ready logo
or design. Excellent prices.

WALTER DRAKE & Sons, Inc.,4119 Drake Bldg.,Colorado, Springs, CO
80940. Short run business cards, stationery, etc. Good quality
but little choice of style or color. Can be difficult to deal
with (they are a "short-order" mail order house).

ARTS AND CRAFT NEWSLETTER. West Oak Hill, Willison, UT 05495.
Newsletter for people interested in arts and crafts.

ARTS & CRAFT CATALYST. P.O. Box 15102, Ft Wayne, IN 46885.
Bi-monthly publication with information on craft shows across the
country.

DISCOUNT CRAFT SUPPLY. 6234 2nd Ave.,North, St Petersburg, FL
33710. Beads, felt, etc.

HP BOOKS, Tucson, AZ 85703. Offers book: "catalog Sources for
Creative People" with 2,000 sources for patterns, plans, kits,
etc.. - $9.

CRAFT, MODEL AND HOBBY INDUSTRY DIRECTORY. 255 West 34th St.,New
York, NY 10001. Write for details about this directory.

GLASS STUDIO. Box 23383, Portland, OR 97223. Trade magazine for
Arts and Crafts Dealers.




99 WAYS FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO MAKE MONEY

SPECIAL EVENTS

1.   Photograph vocational school graduates

2.   Wedding photographer

3.   Photograph large parties

4.   Photograph at banquets

5.   Prom and graduation photos

6.   Photograph fashion shows

7.   Photograph trade shows

8.   Wedding movies

9.   Photograph new stores' grand openings

10. Photograph local performances

11. Commencement day photographs

PEOPLE

12. Take pictures of people mounted on ha horse

13. Make polaroid pictures of seamen going abroad

14. Take pictures of people wearing special costumes

15. Photograph people on a fancy motorcycle

16. Take pictures of people in nightclubs

17. Take pictures on the beach

18. Antique photo shop - produce 1890's type portraits for the
    "nostalgic crazy"

19. Take I.D. photos

20. Take passport photos

21. Specialize in legal photography

22. Produce community yearbooks

23. Produce company year books

24. Produce composites for models, actors and actresses

25. Photo fund raising

26. Take slow-motion sports film for athletes

27. Take executive portraits

28. Photograph children on a pony

29. Take portraits of children in department stores or malls

30. A day in a child's life - an album of 30 pictures

31. School photography

32. Santa Claus portraits

33. Travelling industrial photographer

34. Ilustrate manufacturers' sales manuals and catalogs

35. Ilustrate manufactuers' sales manuals and catalogs

36. Public relation photos for business

37. Photograph store fronts

38. Produce progress photos on construction sites

39. Real estate photography

40. Produce illustrated promotional brochures for business
    firms, hotels, etc.

41. Interior decorator's photographer

42. Photograph in-store merchandise displays

ON THE ROAD

43. Foreign fashion photography for textile and fashion
    manufacturers

44. Photograph tourists in famous places

45. Summer camp photographer

46. Roving festival photographer

47. Sell scenic prints to gift shops and hotels

48. Offer personalized vacation photo packages to resort clients

49. Sell slide shows of interesting places or subjects

50. Build a mobile portrait studio in a trailer or van

51. Be a slide-show lecturer on different subjects and
    geographic locations

MAKING NOVELTIES

52. Candid keychain photos

53. Photo stamps

54. Color postcards for hotels or resorts

55. Exceptional color scenes for calendar printers

56. Personalized Christmas cards - with family portraits or
    photos of family home

57. Photo buttons

58. Photographs on coffee mugs

59. Photographs on shirts

60. Imprint a photograph of a child on the face of her doll

61. Photo sculptures

62. Bookends adorned with any desired photographic subject

63. Decorative photo plaques

64. Personalized photo matchbooks

65. Instant personal postcards by gluing polaroid shots to blank
    postcards

66. Stationery imprinted with personal portraits

67. Custom calendars

SERVICES

68. A microfilming service

69. Photo duplicating service

70. Slide duplicating service

71. Restoring old photos

72. Producing filmstrips

73. Duplicating negatives to sell

74. Slide-titling service

75. Making offset negatives and plates

76. Collecting old photos to make into books

77. Making photomurals

78. Retouching service

79. Custom photo lab

80. Blowing up photos, on the spot

81. Photo oil portraits

82. Selling prints to photo agencies

83. Camera rental

84. Camera exchange

85. Repairing cameras

86. Teaching photography

MISCELLANEOUS

87. Making postcards

88. Publicity photography

89. Photographic essays for various publications

90. T.V. news freelancing

91. Selling news photos

92. Taking and selling peculiar photos

93. Selling local photos for travel magazines

94. Aerial photography

95. Documentary film making

96. Photos of human interest

97. Composing photo guides for tourists

98. Photographing accidents for lawyers and insurance companies

99. Photographing parades


66 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WITH HANDICRAFTS

USING WOOD

1.  Make house signs

2.  Make walking canes

3.  Refinish old-fashioned children's desks

4.  Mass-produce quality chopping blocks

5.  Make wicker baskets

6.  Hand-carve picture frames

7.  Make wooden greeting cards

8.  Specialize in creating quality doll palaces

9.  Build miniature furniture for dollhouses and adult
    collectors

10. Create decorative birdhouses

USING CLOTH AND NATURAL FIBERS

11. Knit personalized sweaters

12. Specialize in batik wearing apparel

13. Tie-dyeing

14. Make old-fashioned quilts

15. Make quilts that tell a story

16. Sell macrame products from home, a shop, or mail order

17. Custom rugmaking

18. Create doll clothes and restore old dolls

19. Create unique ethnic and character dolls

20. Produce custom-made sandals

21. Make personalized leather snap-on bracelets

FROM GOURDS

22. Create eating and drinking utensils  from gourds

23. Make lamps with gourds

24. Make gourd planters

25. Make gourd totem poles

26. Create gourd creatures

27. Create birdhouses from gourds

FROM MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS

28. Make face masks

29. Make copper cameos from photographs

30. Make babies' hand plaques

31. Make dolls with faces similar to their owners

32. Moulding and casting faces

33. Dry flowers

34. Make book-safes:  hollowed-out books for hiding valuables

35. Make personalized coffee mugs

36. Make jewelry from beads or seashells

37. Make bulletin boards

38. Embellish and redecorate household products

39. Make salt and pepper shakers from cow horns

40. Make custom wastebaskets

41. Create miniature replicas of antiques out of wood or ivory

42. Crate giant replicas of small insects

43. Decorate decanter stoppers with small clay caricatures of
    people

44. Offer natural tattooing with sun stencils

45. Make ceramic plaques of newborn infants' foot  or  hand
    prints

46. Make lamps from wine jugs, seashells, etched metal, rocks,
    transparent plastic, etc 47. Make money from mobiles

48. Make mosaics to decorate functional items

49. Make ceramic lawn decorations

50. Manufacture sundials

51. Make costume jewelry

52. Make weather vanes

53. Make unusual products from seashells

54. Manufacture terrariums

55. Make and sell bottled boats

56. Tint and sell pussy willows

57. Decorate penny match boxes

58. Make bottle gardens

59. Create novelty bottles

60. Manufacture stained glass windows

61. Make sculpture candles

62. Gift wrapping service

SELLING

63. Operate a crafts marketplace

64. Operate a crafts consignment shop

65. Become a sales agent for handicrafts

66. Sell handicrafts at fairs





33 WAYS FOR AN ARTIST TO MAKE MONEY


1.   Sketching stores

2.   Sketching houses

3.   Selling caricatures

4.   Travelling painter in holiday resorts

5.   Silhouettes

6.   Portrait sketching

7.   Suntan body tattooing on beaches

8.   Calligraphy

9.   A comic strip artist

10.  Cartoons for T.V.

11.  Political and gag cartooning

12.  Painting murals

13.  Making decorative screens

14.  Personalized greeting cards

15.  Making ceramic statuettes from photos

16.  Oil portraits from photos

17.  Painting on china

18.  Wood carving

19.  Interior bottle painting

20.  Oil portraits for executives

21.  Modelling busts for the wealthy

22.  Interior designing

23.  Custom-designing wallpaper

24.  Designing packages for manufacturers

25.  Store window displays

26.  Decorating children's rooms

27.  Sign painting

28.  Promoting art shows

29.  Art consultant

30.  Mobile art gallery

31.  Art rental

32.  Art exchange

33.  Teaching art

16 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE MONEY
COLLECTING THINGS IN WOODS AND ON BEACHES


Collect in the woods:

1. Mushrooms

2. Weed seeds, buds, cones, etc., for making "nature jewelry"

3. Flowers useful for drying

4. Weeds to be dried and used in flower arrangements

5. Butterflies

6. The giant scarab beetles

7. Pine cones, to be treated with chemicals for use in a fireplace

8. Bonsai trees

9. Specially formed branches of small trees to be made into canes

10. Elk antlers

11. Indian relics

12. Gold from rivers



Collect on the beach:

13. Seaweed

14. Driftwood

15. Semi-precious stones

16. Rocks in gardens

JEWELRY FROM "ORDINARY"  TREASURES


Almost everyone has a box of sparkling old buttons from
Grandma's sewing chest to marvel at, or set of dominoes,
checkers or mah-jongg pieces rescued from a flea market. Maybe
they have a partial Scrabble game and perhaps even a collection
of colorful, fifty-one-to-a-deck playing cards purchased at an
antique store tucked away in a drawer. Gather your treasures
together and start earning extra income now! Strap those buttons
on a piece of elastic to create eye-catching bangle bracelets.
Glue the dominoes, checkers, and Scrabble pieces onto earrings
or pin backs for guys and gals. Whatever the material, mount
your artwork on one-of-a-kind playing cards for good money in a
rewarding home jewelry business.

In addition to having the satisfaction of creating fun gifts for
family and friends out of "heirloom" materials, once the word is
out, relatives will often send along their extra buttons and
collectibles. This helps build your inventory, resulting in a
minimal investment for supplies. The season for successful
jewelry selling is year-round, since the pieces make wonderful
birthday and Christmas gifts, as well as fun wardrobe
accessories anytime. Men, women, and children can wear these
buttons, domino, and checker pins and earrings, so the sky is
the limit for profits. And this business can be worked out of
your home part or full-time.

Bev Rice is one designer who not only models what she sells, but
delights in the pleasure others have in purchasing her sporty
art. She and her husband Jim started a home business called
"Sport in Life" ten years ago with one imperfect mah-jongg set
originally bought as a present for a friend. In the past five
years "Sport in Life" has evolved from marketing craft-fair
products to bona fide antique buttons sold at more expensive
retail-quality level. With mostly word-of-mouth advertising,
their jewelry has captured creative awards, been featured in the
Image section of her local Sunday newspaper, displayed for sale
in clothing and curio boutiques, and sold at jewelry parties.


GETTING STARTED AND BUSINESS SAVVY

Like most business entrepreneurs, Bev started out "needing to
make a living," and she wanted to combine her love of going to
flea markets with creative, artistic urges. She also had a
curiosity about the ability to manufacture interesting game
pieces. While she comes up with her signature creations, Jim
perfects ever-sturdier ways of fastening pieces together and
drills holes in the mah-jongg tiles for Bev to thread with
elastic to make bracelets or neck amulets. She took her first
product, a "rigger" domino with a tell-tale crack, to her
husband, who polished the domino to sheen and bolted it to a pin
back.

Earrings and pins can be made without drilling, however. Just
purchase an inexpensive glue gun from the neighborhood hardware
store, or sturdy "glue dot" stickers, as well as earring and pin
backs, available wholesale. "What's more, anyone can do this,"
says Bev.

INVESTMENT. Bev estimates start-up costs can be less than $500
because of "miracles and mitzvahs." Don't underestimate the
value of trading services or receiving supplies when starting
out. "People were inspired to gift us," she says. An artist
friend created a simple but effective domino logo, and another
friend who was teaching a printing class made up 500 business
cards as a gift. While Bev did read a couple of start-up books,
such as Working From Home, and Small-Time Operator, (similar
books can be obtained from the library) she advocates getting a
business license from City Hall (if your area requires one) and
an invoice book from a stationery store. Then just start-up.

The jewelry maker recommends that once you are in business, get
a sales tax resale number from your state's taxation bureau to
make quantity purchases at jewelry supply stores giving
wholesale discounts. You will also be able to legitimately write
off business expenses at tax time. Initially, Bev spent $100 per
month on supplies. That included game pieces, pin and earring
backs, and glue. She notes that "the most interesting pieces can
be found at thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales."

BUYING SUPPLIES. Finding supplies can be time-consuming at
first, says Bev, but all supplies can be bought in one's own
neighborhood or ordered from supply catalogs. Her inventory is
now built up, but when she first started out she went to stores
three or four times a day to be the first person there and check
on items arriving during the day. With vigilance and luck,
"finds" can be snapped up as they get put on the shelves. Also,
friends who peddle their wares at flea markets might bring her a
mah-jongg set because they know exactly the kinds of things she
uses.

While Bev's first mah-jongg tiles cost 50 cents, and were sold
loose in a plastic bag, now sets might run $300 in a big city
where the game is popular.

To record money earned and money spent, and to keep track of
what pieces are on consignment or out for a jewelry party, Bev
recommends keeping an inventory sales book.


FULL OR PART-TIME SALES

The person who wants to make jewelry and sell their wearable art
can make a part-time or full-time living at it. Bev Rice reports
that generating $10,000 per year part-time is possible, while
she estimates $30,000 to $40,000 could be made full-time,
depending on effort and expertise. The qualities of integrity,
flexibility and enthusiasm are personal attributes that will
make for better business, but being an artist is not a
requirement. In fact, bev remarks that a little business sense
can really make or break profits. "I think I would succeed
better as less of an artist," she muses, "and more of a
businessman."

Anyone who wants to get into this business has an intuitive
sense that they can put pieces together uniquely. Or talents can
be combined with a partner's help. Fortunately, Bev has a
husband with a natural inclination to use a drill press, which
can be purchased for under $100. Meanwhile Bev says she has
become a pro with a glue gun. Both are able to fill order for a
variety of styles quickly.

BUILDING A NICHE. The designer has built a niche for herself by
making pins out of the buttons and old mah-jongg betting sticks
she loves. She enjoys making pins because "they are pieces I can
do myself-drill holes, find buttons, and put them together." Bev
relates that while she did not enjoy working for other people,
she loves her current work, loves the jewelry pieces, and says
that it has given her a personal sense of identity. "It is
gratifying to build a business from a broken set of dominoes.
Anybody can do it who has a set of buttons."

Most people have "secret stashes" of buttons, according to Bev,
and should be encouraged to be creative.

She recalls that her mother had a beautiful set of buttons and
her grandmother had lovely pieces of mah-jongg set. And jewelry
making "is a nice way to keep those collections alive." But if
one is not ready to part with treasures, then items can be
purchased at flea markets. Buttons of quality range form a penny
to $8 or $10. The old glass and semi-precious stone buttons can
be considered a study in texture from a jeweler's point of view.
But ordinary plastic buttons, which comes in all shapes and
sizes, make perfectly creative and whimsical materials, too.

WHAT TO CHARGE. Jewelry prices depend on time, materials, and
what the market will bear. Simple Scrabble pins make great
holiday stocking stuffers or children's birthday party favors
and sell for $1.50. Antique button pins that look wonderful on a
blazer lapel can start at $25 and well-made button bracelets can
retail for between $25 and $50, depending on quality. Domino
earrings and pins can run from $16 to $26. Vintage collectible
mah-jongg and bamboo bracelets may wholesale from $88 to $250.

JEWELRY PARTIES. Although there is a variety of ways to sell
jewelry, from craft fairs and festivals, at gift and clothing
boutiques, on consignment or by personal referrals, the best
methods really depend on individual preferences. There are
benefits and pitfalls to each. For those starting out, Bev
highly recommends holding jewelry parties as a fun,
tried-and-true way to sell. Better yet, ask friends to hold them
at their homes, serve a little something to eat and drink, and
invite a group of about six to twelve people. In her experience,
earnings of approximately $300 to $400 can be made from a home
jewelry party.

NETWORKING. Another method is to network with a friend to find
trustworthy places that will take a chance on your work. This
includes consignment at clothing or gift boutiques and possibly
museums or art gallery gift stores, where a percentage of the
profits are kept by the store upon sale.

"Most rewarding," says Bev, "is when stores buy outright,
because it keeps your cash flow going." She has refined her
product line to where she can market it almost exclusively at
the high-end retail level. But Bev avoids the large chain stores
because, she says, "it can be heaven or hell." Mostly it takes a
long time to get paid and a big store buyers can cancel on a
whim an order that has been rushed into production.

CRAFT FAIRS. Craft fair profits are tied into the costs of entry
fees, booth space rental, and transportation to the fair. Some
fairs require the artist to be present to sell their work.
Depending on regulations, this can pose problems for the jewelry
maker who has hired a sales representative. Sales generally
depend on the ability of the individual seller and the quality
of the neighborhood crafts to help draw customers. Sometimes a
percentage of sales goes for a worthy fundraiser. Also, many
artists really enjoy displaying their wares in a festival
atmosphere where they get a chance to meet and learn from each
other.

FESTIVALS. "Game pieces make people smile," says Bev, "and are
made to be touched." Unique designs, together with the
touchables and playful qualities of the jewelry, are the
strongest selling points at festivals and craft fairs. Although
she now shies away from what she terms "the stress and the rat
race," a small show may only charge a $50 entry fee and net
profit of $200 out of $400 gross sales is possible. "People like
a chance to meet the artist," says Bev, which can help sales.
For the person trying to get established, she notes that this
venue - the chance to talk to other artists, trade, and barter
back and forth - can be more lucrative than dollars and cents.

FASHION SHOWS. Bev is occasionally invited to display her
jewelry as part of vintage fashion shows where a friend is
already selling and the artists dress up in appropriate period
custumes. Or she might do a weekend show where she is given
space to set up in a clothing boutique where a sale has been
advertised. The store often sends out postcards notifying
customers of the sale and perhaps a flyer noting an artist
appearance. Bev says that she enjoys these, but points out that
the store claims 30 percent of her sales. Also, selling all
weekend can be very demanding.

PERSONAL REFERRALS. Since Bev has been in business ten years and
knows her market, she understands how her pieces sell best, and
certainly what is cost-effective for her business. Personal
referrals now account for 30 to 50 percent of Sport in Life
sales, and 30 percent in repeat business. Someone starting out
may need to try all avenues to see what kind of customers are
attracted to a particular jewelry style.. Besides word-of-mouth
referrals by friends, and boosting sales by wearing the jewelry,
a jewelry representative can bring up the bottom line of profit.
Bev estimates that referrals from a rep who worked for her
several years ago added another 10 percent to sales. "If you can
find one who likes you and you like them - they can be a buffer
zone between you and the public," says Bev. "That individual
becomes the Mary Kay of jewelry."

Because Bev now handles the business herself, she advises taking
it "one step at a time." She would like to teach people to gain
self-esteem from their work and says she feels it is important
for people not to underprice or undersell themselves.
"Otherwise," she says, "they could just go get a job!" Because
people are always buying. Bev remarks that the business is
becoming more competitive. But she sees this as a good sign, one
that breeds well-made designs, those made using good, non-toxic
glues which are made to last. But don't be afraid to develop a
niche, since every bracelet and necklace will be different by
virtue of the material. "This is fun," enthuse Bev. "Buttons are
really unusual and unique, and it feels good to make these
things."

For example, just four stacked buttons can make an interesting
earring Bev explains. "I was the kind of person who threw out
earrings if they were broken and didn't know how to fix things."
She remarks that making jewelry is wonderfully therapeutic and
can be a way to teach children creativity by stringing elastic
through buttons as a birthday party game.

In addition to belts, her new product includes a few glitzy
patent leather handbags also festooned with buttons. A bag might
retail for $50 to $125, according to the buying market. A
developing product line is as individual as the person, and the
artistic preferences will certainly add distinction. Bev states
that she would like to inspire other people to start feeling
creative. But working with buttons is not limited to women. Bev
says she knows of one man who "makes fantastic bolo ties out of
old buttons and belt buckles." "Whatever the material, her best
advice is, "Only do it if it's fun: Sport in Life!" 

HOW TO MAKE UP TO $1,000 EVERY WEEK WITH YOUR CAMERA!

As millions of Americans look for greater control over their
financial destiny, the dream of self-employment has become more
compelling that ever. Just the idea of launching a small business
to become their own boss, and financially independent, drives
many people to stake their life savings on everything from
franchise opportunities to some gadgets they've invented.

To entrepreneurial spirit is, of course, a part of our great
national tradition. The problem is that many people devote a lot
of their time to half-baked ideas and high-risk flings that have
little chance of success.

There is always some gamble involved when you start a business,
whether your investment is $50.00 or $500.00, or more. But once
you begin to view your new business as a "gambling" the
risk-reward radio tilts out of wack! The shrewdest and most
successful entrepreneurs know that "taking the plunge" works best
when you take along tested principles that put the odds in their
favor.

TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED AND BUILD YOUR BUSINESS AROUND IT

If you decide to join the ranks of self-employed freelance
photographers, you will soon discover there is no magic in being
able to earn thousands of dollars every year. Forget about the
notion that you can start up a business just because you have a
camera laying around you know little or nothing about. If you try
the casual "learn on the job" approach with photography and
competitors will capitalize on your mistakes, promoting customers
to turn elsewhere for the products and services you market. Then
your business will be floundering by the time you get to know
what it takes to succeed. Never expect people to pay you while
you practice on them and waste their time and money. And never
take an assignment you can't handle. Being honest with yourself
and your customers will be your benefit in the long-run.

The best approach to starting your freelance photography business
is to start off slowly and build on a base of knowledge and
experience. In other words, take the knowledge that you presently
have about your camera and build a company around it. Start out
by offering a particular service where you can be competitive
from the first day you are open for business.

YOU DON'T NEED A STUDIO & FRENCH PROVINCIAL FURNITURE TO GET
STARTED

You don't have to open a studio with elegant french provincial
furniture, glass showcases, and large expensive frames all over
the walls, to go into business as a freelance photographer. It's
actually just the opposite; you don't need a studio at all!


What you will need, is a camera, a couple of stobe lights, lights
stands, and a black-and-white darkroom setup. From there, it's
just as easy for you to go to your customers as it is for them to
go to a studio.

How much money you make will depend on the amount of time you
want to devote to your business. The beauty of being a freelance
photographer is that you can create your own markets, and
establish your own rates. If you go into freelancing with the
intent to earn extra money working on weekends, you should be
able to earn $1,000-$2,000 per weekend if you did nothing but
shoot weddings followed with package deals. If you decide to go
into business on a full-time basis, then you could earn up to
$50,000 and more depending on your specialty. It really boils
down to one important thing; you must have the ability to use the
equipment you have to produce a good photograph. People are
willing to pay top dollar if you produce quality results. They
don't like paying for poor work that isn't pleasing or effective.

BEING SUCCESSFUL IS SELLING WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO PRODUCE

In this report we are assuming that you already know something
about operating a camera, taking pictures, exposure, lighting,
composition, and darkroom procedures. This is the production end
of it. Turning your knowledge into salable photography is the
next step.

The first rule to remember is that if you are offered a job, and
you don't even know the basics, you better say "no thank you,"
and tell the client why you're passing it up. Tell him what you
do specialize in at the moment. When the next job comes around,
you will have an established reputation on being honest and that
same person will be back 1) because he respects your honesty; and
2) because if you say you can do a job, you can.

ADVERTISE YOUR WORK IN A PORTFOLIO

Make up a portfolio of quality 8x10 prints to show your potential
clients. It should consist of both color and black and white
prints. Mount your 8x10 prints on attractive 11x14 boards, that
way you can include a few 11x14 prints as well.

A complete portfolio should include some 35mm slides. Display
them in 8 1/2x11 plastic sheets, which hold 20 slides. If you
intend to produce 2 1/4x 2 1/2 transparencies for commercial and
industrial assignments, sheets are available.

When you are satisfied with your portfolio, call on advertising
agencies and show the art director what you are capable of. Make
appointments with the art and fashion directors of department
stores and boutiques. Show business and industrial firms and
consider beforehand how their advertising and public relations
departments could use your services.

Be prepared to show your work to anyone at anytime. Everyone is a
potential customer, and you never know who will be needing your
services next. Carry your portfolio in the car at all times. If
you are proud of your work, show it! Make advertising what you do
part of your everyday life.

KNOWING WHAT TO CHARGE

The first thing to remember is that you aren't going into
business to give it away. Being fair to both yourself and your
customers is the principle you should follow when setting fees.
The way to do that is to determine what amount will adequately
compensate you for your time, talent, and investment in equipment
on a job by job basis.

Don't fall into the trap of charging less for your work just
because you aren't working out of a studio, or don't have
brand-new, expensive equipment. You still have overhead!

At times your expenses will seem endless as you pay for photo
supplies, office supplies, advertising, travel expenses, water
and electricity if you operate your own darkroom, darkroom
supplies and equipment, taxes, business license, business
stationery, portfolio costs, business cards, and depreciation of
your vehicle and photo equipment. Never let anyone convince you
that you should work for less because you don't have overhead.

What you ultimately decide to charge for your work is something
you will have to decide for yourself. the area you live in, the
economy in that area, the competition, and how much you need are
all influencing factors.

There are basically two ways to set your fees: 1) You can charge
per individual photograph or job. On a job you would have to know
exactly how many different shots they would require, and allow
for differences in your price quote; or 2) You can charge an
hourly rate that compensates you for your time and talent. Your
hourly rate does not include the rolls of film you shoot, proofs,
processing, or prints ordered by your client. Your hourly rate is
for your time only, starting from the time you leave your home
until you finish the job and return home. In some cases charging
by the hour just wouldn't be practical. For example, prom sets,
graduation packages, dance schools, or Little League Teams where
you are further ahead to charge by the photo. Commercial shots on
the other hand, where you may be asked to take a single photo
that ends up taking 1-2 hours to set up, wouldn't pay if you
charged by the photo.

EARN $50,000 PER YEAR WORKING 1-DAY A WEEK!

Whether it's a good or bad economy one thing for certain there
will always be weddings and work for freelance photographers.


Word-of-mouth advertising works well no matter what product or
service you are selling. But it works especially well if you are
a photographer in the wedding pictures business. When a bride is
pleased with the quality of your work, she will pay a $1,000 for
your time, talent, album for each of the parent couple, wall
photos, and her album. But it is her album that everyone she ever
knew, or will ever know, will be invited to look at.

Most of the work will come through referrals from brides who were
happy with your work. You should also promote your business,
however, by showing samples of your work to florists, bridal
shops, boutiques, and caterers who normally have a lot of wedding
business. Just tell them you would be happy to send business
their way, if they will do the same.

Always sign a contract with the bride so there are no
misunderstandings. Specific which photos will be taken, and of
whom. Always include a "release Paragraph" which states that you
are not responsible for the loss of photographs resulting from
camera malfunction, accidents in development, or film lost in the
mail. You may also want to include a "Model Release" which will
give you the right to use any photo as samples for advertising
purposes.

SETTING YOUR FEE

Make certain the bride completely understands what your fee is.
and what she will receive in return. There are various ways you
can price weddings:

1) Offer a complete package that includes an engagement photo for
the newspaper, formal bridal portrait, and coverage of the
rehearsal party, wedding and reception.

2) Coverage of the rehearsal party, wedding and reception

3) Wedding and reception

4) Wedding only

Weddings can be a goldmine. It's not uncommon for a complete
package that includes an 8x10 album for the bride, and a 4x5
album for each of the parents to run $1,000 or more. Many
photographers set a minimum charge of $500 for weddings. Even if
you only did two weddings per weekend at the minimum charge, you
could easily make $52,000 per year. The complete weeding package
per week would earn you over $100,000 per year. That's working
one day per week! Now imagine how much money you could earn
working full time.





OTHER FREELANCE JOBS THAT CAN MAKE BIG MONEY!

DANCE SCHOOL RECITALS:

Dance recitals are only once a year, but taking photographs of
beautiful children in their costumes can mean increasing you bank
account substantially.

Dance schools are everywhere and they come in all sizes. By
offering a photo package of 1-8x10, 2-5x7s, 4-wallet photos, and
1-5x7 class photo, you can make anywhere from $1,000 for the
smallest classes, up to $5,000 for a class of 400-500 students.
If you make the teachers responsible for posing the students, and
offer one pose per child, you can process the largest classes in
just a few days.

CHILDREN'S SPORTS PHOTOS:

Children's sports, such as Little League baseball, football,
hockey, soccer, and basketball offer a very profitable
opportunity to make fast cash for freelance photographer. Every
team (and the hundreds of parents in the stands) all want group
shots and individual photos of every player. Most leagues will
have at least 8-10 teams, with up to 30 children on a team,
depending on the sport.

The person to approach for working out arrangement for a
photographer session may be the coach, a director, committee, or
sponsor. Dealing with one person works best. Check with the city
or county recreation department. They will know who is using
their facilities.

REAL ESTATE & ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Some of your best clients can be real estate agents, residential
and commercial contractors, and architects. Real estate agents
know that photographs are more effective in advertising a home or
business than the typical classified ad. Doing all of a real
estate agency's listings can add substantially to your income.

INSURANCE PHOTOGRAPHY

Insurance companies will reimburse a policy holder only for those
items they have documented. increasingly, insurance adjusters are
urging clients to photograph everything that's covered by their
policy on their home or business. It's difficult to argue with a
photographic inventory and for that reason people will way you to
photograph their possessions and file them away in a safety
deposit box.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

When you take family portraits it's best if you don't use a
studio. people always act and look more natural in their own
homes or yards. Family pets are also easier to include when they
are in familiar surroundings.

You can promote your "on location" family portrait service in the
Sunday newspaper. Note the fact that they won't even have to
leave the comfort and privacy of their home, because you will
come to them. Charge an initial fee, which includes the first
portrait (16x20 and 20x24 are not uncommon) plus travel expenses
and other shooting costs. Always promote the Christmas card
portraits, which the labs offer.

CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES

When church members become old enough to become regular members
they are confirmed and officially admitted to the church.
Churches usually want group shots of the entire class plus
individual photos for each family.

A Bar mitzvah in the Jewish faith is similar to confirmation.
When a boy turns thirteen, he becomes a recognized member of his
religion and the synagogue in a ceremony. With a confirmation and
bar mitzvah are joyous occasions and are followed by a reception
for family, friends, and religious members.

ANIMAL SHOWS & PET PORTRAITS

Pets and animals add up to a multi-billion dollar business in
America. What animal and pet owners spend every year on food,
grooming, pet-sitting, pet-walking, health products, and
accessories is staggering. Offer your services as a pet and
animal photographer and they will buy that also. There are
freelance photographers who make a good living just going from
show to another that features horses,cats and dogs. Get in touch
with your local veterinarian who should be able to provide you
with the names and addresses of sponsors for the various shows
and organizations.

ANTIQUE DEALERS & AUCTIONEERS

Some large antique dealers have photos taken of their items for
sale, and send the photos or color slides of special or unusual
pieces to other dealers or customers.

When auctioneers are hired to auction off items for an estate,
bankruptcy, a large business or industry, or any other large job
that has valuable items on their list of sale items, they will
often use color slides for TV ads, brochures, and other
promotional pieces.

GOLF COURSES & COUNTRY CLUBS

You can make some fast cash by making arrangements with a golf
course or country club to have action photos taken of golfers
when they hold tournaments and there is a crowd. Set up your
camera on the first tee for foursome shots and action shots as
each player swings.

PONY & CHILD PHOTOS

Back in the 1940s and 50s photographers would travel the country
and go door to door. For a fee, children could put on cowboy hat,
vest and chaffs, and climb onto a saddle less pony to have their
picture taken.

All you have to do is rent a gentle-natured pony, have a three
piece (1-size fits all children) cowboy outfit, and an assistance
standing by just in case the pony gets skittish, or the child
decides to jump off. Then make arrangements to appear at crazy
days festivals, school carnivals, family reunions, shopping mall
promotions, parades, or any other place where crowds gather.

PHOTOGRAPHING SCHOOL & COMMUNITY BANDS

Make arrangements with the band director or booster club and make
arrangements to take color group photos of the band and
individual members. Mail sample prints to band directors outside
your area and arrange for appointments to show your work and
explain package offers and fees.

GRADUATION PHOTOS

Contact the senior class advisor and make arrangements to take
graduation photos of seniors in their caps and gowns as they
practice before the actual graduation ceremony. If you don't have
a portable background, use the stage curtains. Borrow a diploma
from the school that each graduate can hold.



50 GREAT BUSINESSES TO START FOR UNDER $500

There are some of you out there that will scoff, "What kind of
business can really start with $500?" Well, consider the fifty we
present here.

When most of us here phrases like "Start a new business" or
"start-up costs," our minds picture figures with a lot of zeros
in them. While it is true that most businesses do require several
thousand dollars to start up, there are certainly some that
don't. They exist; it's just a matter of focusing in on them.

The businesses listed here range from computers to consulting,
from accounting to auto repair, and many more. All can be
operated from your home, eliminating the need for expensive
formal office space. They are quite diverse; the one thing they
have in common is that they can be started for $500--and
sometimes less.

As you are thinking about what kind of business to operate,
consider where you live, your job skills, hobbies, the equipment
you own, the needs of your community, and certainly, the work you
enjoy doing.

Some people operate small manufacturing businesses out of their
garage or basement while others set up service-oriented
businesses in their kitchen or truck; some have discovered the
lucrative field of importing goods, and others have tucked mail
order companies into spare rooms, since they don't need a store
front but only a mail box and space for inventory for this type
of business.

Naturally, you shouldn't expect these ventures to make you
millions, but if you take them seriously enough you'll be able to
do well at them. Some of these businesses might be better suited
for a part-time endeavor, while others (with a little luck and a
lot of hard work) will allow you to devote yourself to them
full-time.

And who knows? Maybe they will make you millions. In any case,
here are fifty opportunities.

ACCOUNTING. The "simplified" tax code has the public more
confused than ever. If you are an accountant for a company, you
can earn excellent part-time profits by offering tax consultation
and tax preparation in your community. If you're not trained as
an accountant, you can receive education from various sources
including: H&R Block, 1-800-7taxlaw; National Tax Training,
Monsey, NY 10952 (their home study course costs$175.75);
Federated Tax Service, 2021 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
(free info). For other information about this business, write:
National Association of Accountants, Small Business Advisory, 10
Tarragon Drive, P.O. Box 433, Montvale, NJ 17645.

BUSINESS CONSULTING. Consulting is a fast growing small business,
and potentially one of the most profitable. If you have worked in
a particular field for many years, and feel that you have some
expertise, that you can share with other businesses, you can
demand respectable fees for that knowledge. Consider starting a
newsletter. Advertise via direct mail to potential business
customers. Explain your background, what you have to offer, and,
most important, how your knowledge can increase their profits or
efficiency. get more information from: Consulting Opportunities
Journal, published by Consultants National Resource Center, 500
Kaetzel Road, Gapland, MD 21736.

COMPUTER CONSULTING. As the computer prevades almost every aspect
of our daily lives, people need to become computer literate--or
at least know how to work things. If you have basic computer
knowledge as well as specific expertise with popular software
(Word Perfect, Lotus 1-2-3. etc.), individuals and other
businesses will find your help worth paying for. You can have
clients come to your home, but they might feel more comfortable
if you came to their offices or homes to work on their particular
machines. Of course if you consult for business, you must go to
them. Advertise in the Yellow Pages or send direct mail queries
to various business offices that you know use computers. Check
your local computer dealers and ask about businesses that have
just bought computer systems--you KNOW they'll need help, and the
dealer usually isn't interested in helping customers work the
things once they've made the sale. In fact, you might be able to
enter into a deal with the computer dealer in which he recommends
you as a consultant. For further reading: The Computer
Consultant,
Schueler Communications, Inc., 208 N. Townsend Street, Syracuse,
NY 13203.

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING. No software package right now out of the
box is going to work for a business exactly the way they want it
to, so custom computer programming is often needed. Your
programming ability can create a custom applications for
retailers and other businesses. If this idea interests you but
you don't know programming, a home study course available from
International Correspondence Schools, 925 Oak St., Scranton, PA
18508-9989.

CLOWNING. This business is no laughing matter. decent profits can
be earned from doing your funny business at chidren's parties and
schools. Contact nursery schools, pre-kindergarten classes, and
day care centers and offer your services. The schools may not be
able to pay much, so birthday parties are probably your best bet.
Advertise on community bulletin boards and in local shopper
papers. Two publications worth getting are: Creative Clowning,
Java Publishing Co.,6510 Lenham Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
($16.95); and Start A Clowning Business by Donna Huff, 203 State
Rd.,Sellersville, PA 18960 ($5).

DJ SERVICE. Good disk jockeys are still in demand for large
parties of all kinds: birthdays, anniversaries, small weddings,
office parties, dances, etc. You'll need a large selection of
popular dance tunes that covers a wide variety of tastes and
styles, and quality sound equipment that is both portable and
powerful enough to project throughout a large auditorium. You
might consider staging your own dance weekends at a resort,
charging per couple. Place ads Yellow Pages for this service. 

GARAGE SALE ORGANIZER. Sure you can make some money with your own
garage sale, but you can make much more by becoming a
professional. You can organize and run garage sales for dozens of
households in your town. Your sales pitch is that you know what
sells and what doesn't, how to price objects, how to attract
customers and what to serve (such as free coffee). As the
organizer, you can either charge a flat fee for your services or
accept a percentage of the total take. But you must insist that
you run the show, and that your decisions on pricing and display
are not questioned. Look for The Garage Sale Book, $7.95 from
E.A. Morgan Publishing Co., Dept IO-10, P.O. Box 1375,
Huntington, NY 11743-1375. Or How To Profit from Garage Sales,
$5.95 ppd. from Income Opportunities Booklets, P.O. Box 40,
Vernon, NJ 074672.

HAULING, LIGHT. If you have a pickup truck, there are numerous
tasks you can undertake for customers: hauling trash, dirt,
appliances, lumber, etc. Advertise your services on bulletin
boards and in the local Pennysaver. Suggested reading: How To
Earn $15 to $50 an Hour and More with a Pickup Truck or Van by
Don Lilly; available from Darian Books, 4909 W. Joyce Circle,
Glendale AZ 85308; $14.45 ppd.

HOUSE SITTING SERVICE. When families stayed put, it used to be
possible for some member of the family to feed the pets, water
the plants, and take in the mail on those rare occasions when
someone was absent from home. But in today's mobile society, a
homeowner will often have no family member living in the same
town and won't even know the neighbors. So the need for
house-sitters keeps growing. You can provide that service, either
as a sitter yourself, or as a manager of a group of house
sitters. For a comprehensive manual on how to start and operate
this business, write for How to Run A Housesitting Business by
Jane Poston, 1708 E. (th St. Tucson, az 85719; $36.

LAUNDRY SERVICE. There are many services you can provide for the
modern single or couple, both of whom work, and laundry is one of
them. You'll need a large capacity, heavy duty washing machine
and the inclination to wash, dry and fold clothes all day. But
substantial profits are there for the taking. this service might
be perfect in an apartment building where the tenants must share
washers and dryers. The apartment dwellers (most of who dread
doing the laundry anyway) will pay for the coin-operated machine
PLUS your fee. As and added service, you can offer to take
clients suits, dresses, and coats to be dry cleaned, and deliver
them when done.

AEROBIC INSTRUCTION. There is no end in sight to America's
penchant for fitness. If your finished basement is large enough,
you can hold exercise and fitness classes for men and women in
your community. If you don't have the space, see about leasing
space at local YMCA, YWCA or other such facility. Study nutrition
and offer a complete package of nutrition and exercise guidance.
To find out about aerobics certification, contact the Aerobics
and Fitness Association, 15250 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 310,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.

MUSIC INSTRUCTION. Whether or not rock and roll is to thank,
today's kids are interested in music as much as ever. And they'll
always need lessons in piano, guitar, clarinet, etc. Schools
usually provide some basic instructions, but instrument-specific,
one-on-one instruction is always necessary. Your proficiency with
a particular instrument and provide your home-based business. If
your instrument is a popular enough lessons to keep you busy
practically all day every day. Advertise everywhere: school and
community bulletin boards, local shopper papers, and Yellow
Pages.

APARTMENT RENTAL LIST. Put your home computer to use and become
an apartment broker finding renters for empty apartments. Allow
the apartment owner to list his rental free; your profits come
from the renter who pays you for finding the space. Add a printer
to your computer and you can publish a local paper of available
rentals. On the flip side, you can also be an apartment locator.
Students and other individuals looking for apartments can come to
your for help. Apartment buildings and homes with rooms to let
will gladly place their names what you.

ROOMMATE SERVICE. The growing number of unmarried Americans has
led to the development of this matchup industry that is easily
run from one's home. You'll find roommates for people who prefer
not to live alone or can't afford to. The high cost of rents and
mortgages, the soaring divorce rate, and the inability of
salaries to keep pace with inflation are sending more and more
singles in search of roommates. For assistance in starting this
type of business, contact: Roommate Referral, 8139 S. I-35,
Oklahoma City, OK 73149.

ANSWERING SERVICE. When you install an extra phone line (or
several depending on the size of your business) in your home,
busy people can have their calls call-forward to you. You take
the messages for them. the only caveat with this business is that
you have to be home ALL the time (or at least during the hours
that you establish) to answer the phone. A booklet entitled How
to Start Your Own Telephoning Answering Service is available for
$5 from E.A. Morgan Publishing Co., Dept IO-10, P.O. Box 1375.
Huntington, NYy 11743-1375. a newsletter called The Message is
available from the Association of Telephone Answering Services,
29 W. 57th ST.,New York, NY 10019.

BABY-SITTING. The old standby is still a money-maker--even more
so, in fact, because mothers are busier than ever. A more
lucrative angle to baby-sitting is to become a baby sitter
broker. You advertise the service in various locations, then have
a number of baby sitters on call. That way, parents can always be
assured of getting a sitter when they need one. As a broker, you
take 10 percent of what the sitter earns. For more information:
The Complete Babysitting Handbook, by Elizabeth James and Carol
Barkin, Julian Messner, 1230 Avenue of the Americans, New York,
NY 10020.

BED AND BREAKFAST/HOMESTAYS. Turn your home into a welcome haven
for travelers and tourists. Unlike full fledged B&Bs' homestays
usually have one or two rooms available for paying guest. For
young couples struggling to pay off mortgage, or for retired
couples interested in a part-time business, homestays allow home
owners to turn extra rooms into extra dollars. Of course, not
every home will make a good bed and breakfast homestay. Nor all
people cut out for being a B&B host/owner. A prospective
host/owner should enjoy meeting all kinds of people, like to
cook, enjoy entertaining visitors, keep the house clean and neat,
and live in an area that is attractive to visitors. You can
obtain more information from: National Bed and Breakfast
Association, P.O. box 332, Norwalk, CT 06853; American Bed and
Breakfast Association, P.O. Box 23294, Washington, DC 20026.

CALLIGRAPHY SERVICE. If you already know how to do calligraphy,
the art of beautiful writing, there's a market for you talents
among those needing special invitations, personalized greeting
cards, diplomas, and certifications. You'll need calligraphy pens
or markers, available from any art supply store. The business
cards you have printed up should be done,, of course, in
calligraphy--it is as once a advertisement for your business and
demonstration of your skills. If you don't know how to do
calligraphy, you can learn from the publication, Calligraphy For
Fun & Profit, available for $9 from E.A. Morgan Publishing Co.,
P.O. Box 1375, Huntington, NY 11743.

CHAUFFEUR/LIMOUSINE SERVICE. Everybody wants to go in style to
weddings, concerts, business meetings, even funerals. And what
better way to go than a fully equipped, chauffeur-driven
limousine? In the style-conscious 1990s, when image is
everything, more and more people are doing it to propose
marriage, celebrate an anniversary, close a business deal, or go
to the theater. You as a limo provider and/or driver can cash in
to the tune of $40 to $125 an hour on each car. Check with your
State Department of Motor Vehicle Licensing for special license
requirements. How To Start and Operate Your Own Limousine Service
is available for $5.95 ppd. from Income Opportunities Booklets,
P.O. Box 40, Vernon, NJ 07462.

CHILD DAY CARE CENTER. Today, when more and more mothers are
working outside the home, the need for quality child care keeps
increasing. It is a service that can be operated by mothers of
any age--or even a retired couple. Home care providers are often
regulated just as day care centers are. Call and talk with the
local agency of family and children services; they can advice you
on the licensing or registration requirements you will be
expected to follow. These requirements cover such things as how
many children you may have in your care, how much space you need
for each child, and appropriate meals and snacks. They also offer
classes in child care and development that you may want or may be
required to attend. By registering with family and children
services and following their recommendations, you can gain added
credibility with your new clients. While planning a home day care
service, you should do your own survey of what day care options
are currently available in your area. Charge by the day or week.
Rates run between $150 and $200 per month per child. Be certain
of insurance regulations and your personal liability. A
recommended book is SO You Want To Open A Profitable Day Care
Center--by Patricia Gallagher, P.O. Box 555, Worcester, PA 19490
($12.95).

GROCERY DELIVERY. There aren't many grocery stores or
supermarkets that deliver groceries to customers anymore, but
with the increasing number of two-income families and the
increasing demand on leisure time, grocery delivery is once gain
needed. So why don't you take up the slack? Here's how you might
work it; arrange with a supermarket to buy groceries at a
discount (because you're buying in quantity), and deliver them to
your customers. During its first week in business, a company
called Grocery Express in Memphis, Tennessee, Made seventy six
deliveries--$2,600 worth of groceries, of which they kept 10
percent.

HOME HAIRSTYLIST. The elderly and otherwise homebound can always
get a visiting nurse, but it's difficult to find a hairdresser
who will make house calls. There's your opportunity if you have
hairstyling skills. In the privacy of a hospital room or their
home, your customers can get cuts, colors, shampoos, perms, maybe
even manicures. if you want to think big, you can run an entire
network of home hairstylists; licensed hairdressers and
cosmetologists might agreed to work for you on an "on-call"
basis.

PARTY PLANNER. Be a professional party thrower for individuals
and businesses. Find the right location, arrange the
entertainment, provide the food and decorations--the whole works.
For supplies, contact: Part Time Inc.,395 94th Avenue, N.W.,
Minneapolis, MN 55433.

RESUME'WRITING. Before anyone embarks on a job search--whether he
is a veteran in the work force or a college graduate--he'll need
a resume'. Since resume' play such an important role in a job
hunt, they demand special attention. Writing designing (choosing
paper, typeface, and format), and producing them may be a job
that you have a knack for doing. You may have heard about resume'
writing services, but never knew how they alone could sustain a
business. This service, though, is something that is always in
demand, can easily branch out into other forms of typing
services, and requires little overhead and start-up capital. Two
good books on the subject are: The Resume' Catalog: 200 Damm Good
Examples by Yana Parker, Ten Speed Press, P.O. Box 7123,
Berkeley, CA 94707 ($10.95): Resumes' That Work by Tom Cowan, New
American Library, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

VIDEOTAPING SERVICE. With your camcorder you can produce
"mini-movies" of weddings, baptisms, bar mitzvah, family picnics,
and birthday parties. Other ideas include video inventory for
insurance purposes and video yearbooks for high schools and
colleges. You may need more than one camera (and more than one
operator) and some editing equipment for professional results.
One book on the subject: How To Make Money with Your Video Camera
by Ted Schwarz; Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, Nj.

BOARDING PETS. When their owners go off on vacation, dogs,cats,
birds and other pets require looking after. You'll have to have
the proper facilities to care for them, of course, plus a genuine
love for animals. You may get more information from: American
Boarding Kennel Association, 4575 Galley Road, Suite 400 A,
Colorado Springs, CO 80915.

DOG GROOMING. Pet lovers who want to keep their pooches in
tip-top form will be your customers. Contact: National Dog
Groomers Association of American, Box 101, Clark, PA 16113. It
publishes Groomers Voice and has a licensing committee.

APARTMENT/HOUSE CLEANING. Start your own maid service for
apartment buildings or home residences. House cleaning is one
business that doesn't require special training. Most women and
men have been doing it in their own homes for years. Today, even
teenagers are providing single and team-cleaning services in
their after school hours and during summer vacation. Put a
listing in the Yellow Pages or in the local shopper paper, put up
notices on community bulletin boards. If your service is thorough
and reliable, you'll acquire new customers through word-of-mouth.
Be sure to spell out to your clients exactly what duties you will
and will not perform. A manual called Operate Your Own Maid
Service is available for $31.95 ppd.. from Hanneke Wasserman
Ent.,Dept IO-10, 9070 Kimberly Blvd.,#205, Boca Raton, FL 33434.

AUTO TUNE-UPS. Many times, specializing in a single service can
really bring in the customers. Turn your garage into a business
that just performs auto tune-ups. Be careful of local zoning
laws, however. If you don't have adequate space in your garage,
consider a mobile auto fix-up service (since many cars may not be
in running condition to come to you anyway). You can perform
tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotation, and replacement, fluid
changes, and even auto cleaning, all from a well equipped van. A
home study course in Automotive Servicing is available from NRI
Schools, McGraw-Hill Continuing Education Center, 3939 Wisconsin
Ave.,Washington, DC 20016.

BICYCLE REPAIR. If you like working with your hands, don't mind
getting dirty, and have an interest in getting paid while you
learn mechanical skill, then bicycle business is where you can
take a ride on the road to good part-time profits. Part-time
mechanics command $25 per hour for their labor. It is not
uncommon for the twenty-hour per week bicycle business to earn
over $20,000 per year. And the great thing about it is you can
start immediately, purchase the necessary tools, and acquire the
skills as you go along. Plus, because bicycle riding is becoming
increasing popular with the young and the old alike, ace
mechanics will be in demand for the next century. If  you are a
mechanically inclined or have a good working knowledge of
bicycles, then you're all set. Make yourself know to the schools
and bike clubs. If you need to learn how to repair bicycles, a
manual A Bicycle Repair Business System is available from:
Bicycle repair of America, P.O. Box 24106, Minneapolis, MN 55424.

CARPET CLEANING. This type of business for which the demand will
never lessen. With the right kind of equipment you can "clean up"
so to speak. Quality equipment is available from Von Schrader
Co., 1600 Junction Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, With it you can
clean carpets, walls and furniture.

CHIMNEY SWEEP. Fireplaces and wood stoves are more popular than
ever, which means there's opportunity in cleaning chimneys. In
your advertising, stress that dirty fireplaces are a serious fire
hazard as creosote builds up inside the chimney can combust. For
supplies, contact: Copperfield Chimney Supply, 1-800-247-3305. Or
write to: National Chimney Sweep Guild, P.O. Box 1078, Merrimack,
NH 03050.

DRIVEWAY FINISHER. Many home owners like to have their driveways
resealed and recoated with blacktop every year or every other
year. But it's a messy, time-consuming task. Hence, an
opportunity for you. You'll need a pickup in which to carry your
tools, blacktop, and sealer which you can probably get at
discount if you buy quantity. Ads in local papers and Yellow
Pages probably work best.

FURNITURE REFINISHING/REPAIR. rockers with loose spindles, tables
with wobbly legs... they can all come into your home workshop in
sad condition and leave in tip-top shape. Also, people like to
buy furniture from these so-called naked furniture shops with the
hopes of saving some money by finishing it themselves; often,
however, they never get around to it or chicken out. Perhaps you
can even affiliate yourself with a naked furniture shop who will
refer customers to you as a finisher.

HOUSE PAINTER. House painting is a chore most home owners need,
sooner or later, but often dread. You can paint the houses
yourself, but it might be more profitable to organize a group of
painters to work for you. You find the clients through local
advertising and hire students to do the work.

LANDSCAPING. Commercial sites as well as residential homes are in
need of this service. Seed lawns, plant trees, arrange shrubs,
plants, rocks, and more for a healthy fee. Some periodicals that
may be of interest include: Landscape and Irrigation, P.O. Box
156, Encino, CA 91426; Western Road, Suite 250, Santa Ana, CA
92705. A related business is just lawn service in which you cut,
lime, fertilize, and water lawns for a circuit of customers.
Charge them by the season or per visit.

LOCKSMITH. In this security conscious day and age, a good
locksmith is always in demand. And today, locksmiths are usually
well versed in mathematics and basic electronics because of the
many new types of locks being introduced. Without a full line
equipment required to handle a wide variety of jobs, you will be
limiting your total income potential. The more you invest in
quality equipment, the more different jobs you can handle.
Equipment and a locksmithing course are available from
Foley-Belsaw Locksmiths, 6301 Equitable Rd., Kansas City, MO
64120. One report worth looking at is: How To Start your Own
Mobile Locksmithing Service from E.A. Morgan Publishing Co., P.O.
Box 1375, Huntington, Ny 11743; $7.00.


SMALL ENGINE REPAIR.Fix small engines for lawn mowers, leaf
blowers, chain saws, go-carts--anything that utilizes a small
gasoline engine. If you have knowledge about small engines (or
are willing to learn) you could turn that interest into extra
income. The secret is to find small gas engines, buy them cheap,
and resell them at a profit. Where can you find small gas engines
for five dollars or less? Check out the local flea market, or ask
the trash haulers to set aside lawn mowers, edgers, anything with
a small gas engine for you. Pay them up to $5 a shot, depending
on the condition of the items. You can learn more about small
engine repair from Foley-Belsaw Institute, 6301 Equitable Rd,
Kansas City, MO 64120.

UPHOLSTERY REPAIR. Rather than buy new sofas, chairs, loveseats,
couches, and ottomans, people would prefer to have someone like
you reupholster them. The numbers practicing this skill seem to
be dwindling, so there's a real opportunity there. As apart of
your services, consider the making of slip covers for the
furniture. For upholstery training and tools, contact:
Foley-Belsaw Institute of Upholstery, 6301 Equitable Rd.,Kansas
City, MO 64120.

ADVERTISING COPYWRITER. If you are clever with words and have a
good sense of salesmanship, there are many small businesses in
your community which can use your services. You can write
newspaper ads, brochures, radio ads, catalogs, and more. For more
ideas, look for a copy of the 1990 Writer's Market, Writers
Digest Books, F&W Publications, 1507 Dana Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
45207.

COURIER SERVICE. Deliver messages and packages for various
businesses within your town. If you have a car, you can even
offer to deliver parcels to neighboring towns and cities. How To
Start and Operate Your Own Delivery Service is available for
$5.95 ppd. from Income Opportunities Booklets, P.O. Box 40,
Vernon, NJ 07462.

TYPING/WORD PROCESSING SERVICE. Students, businesses, legal
professionals, writers and many others need reports, papers,
documents, and manuscripts professionally typed. Of course it's
much easier to provide this service if you have a good word
processor, small changes can easily be done without having to
retype the entire document. Post ads on school bulletin boards,
and send direct mail flyers to doctors, lawyers, and other
businesses.

BAIT SHOP. Do you live near a well-stocked lake, river, bay or
stream? Fisherman will need bait, lures, line and other
equipment. You don't have to offer all of that, of course. Just
posting a sign telling fishermen you have good bait worms will
bring in the profits.

BRONZING KEEPSAKES. What mother wouldn't want a bronzed
remembrance of her child's babyhood? Bronzed baby shoes have long
been cherished memento adorning mantelpieces and curio shelves.
You can find customers by checking registration lists at day care
centers and preschools; these kids have outgrown their first pair
of shoes which are ready for bronzing. You can obtain materials
and instructions from these companies: Nicholas Bronze Supply,
10555 U.S. Highway 98, Dept W488, Sebring, FL 33870; or United
Bronze, Rumford, RI 02916.

FIREWOOD SALES/DELIVERY. Provide seasoned firewood by the cord or
by the fraction of the cord to a growing number of buyers. One
angle is to buy cords of seasoned wood, then cut it in
fireplace-size logs and sell fractions of the cord to a route of
clients. Tell them you can bring a fresh supply of firewood every
week (or however long the wood happens to last) for a set price.
You can charge for each delivery, or offer a special deal to
provide wood for the whole winter.

FRAME MAKING. Make frames of all kinds for customers paintings,
reprints, and posters. Stock a wide variety of wood and metal
frames in your garage or finished basement. You will need framing
skills and tools, as well as glass cutting skills. For added
profits, you can sell posters and prints of various kinds.

GIFT BASKETS. This is one of the hottest product-oriented home
businesses around. You don't have to make the wicker baskets
yourself (check your Yellow Pages for a supplier), but it is up
to your taste and imagination to fill them with tempting goodies.
Create baskets for all occasions--birthdays, anniversaries,
retirements, births, Mother's and Father's Day, Valentine's
Day--or no occasion at all; "I Miss You" gift basket. Find
suppliers who will sell the items in quantity for the best price.
Put a variety of food items in the basket along with small gifts
appropriate to the occasion: satin hearts for Valentine's Day; a
rattle, baby birth (gift baskets don't always have to contain
food) champagne for anniversaries, etc.

STAINED GLASS. Customers will pay a premium for well-executed
stained glass. Many local stained glass shops offer lessons, and
once you become proficient at it, you can create stained glass
ornaments, gifts, even windows. A three-year program is sponsored
by the Stained Glass Association of America, 8821 Bridgeport Way
S.W., Tacoma, WA 98499, Attention Chairman, Education Department.

CATERING. Quality catering is more in demand than ever before.
Your culinary skill can bring in lots of profits. Home study
courses are available from: International Correspondence Schools,
School of Catering, Oak and Pawnee Streets, Scranton, PA 18518;
and NRI Schools, McGraw-Hill Continuing Education Center, 3939
Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20016.

LUNCH DELIVERY. Make speciality and conventional sandwiches for
delivery to hungry office workers. Create a menu of what you're
prepared to offer for lunches and distribute them to every office
possible in your area--you;ll be surprised at the great number of
orders you'll get, so prepared. You may even need help in making
the lunches. If you don't want to make the lunches yourself,
another angle deals with area restaurants and deli's to provide
the food--you will deliver fresh and hot. Your menu will consist
of these restaurants various house specialties. The restaurants,
because you're buying in quantity will give you a discount on the
food; you mark it up for your 
profits.

g                      107 GREAT PART-TIME BUSINESSES


INTRODUCTION

If you need more income and another job is not the answer, this
listing was designed for you!

We've prepared a selection of up-to-date businesses that can be
operated in or from your home on a part-time basis. Most of
these businesses require no special training and relatively
little investment. The most critical requirements are your:

- willingness to work and

- dedication to your business

Look through these suggestions for subjects that sound
interesting.   Consider each as representative rather than
specific. For example, if you know nothing about African Violets
(#01) but are good with roses, by all means substitute roses for
African Violets. And, don't overlook the possibility of blending
these (or other) suggestions to form the ideal business
combination.

When you have decided on your business, check state and local
requirements for licenses, permits and make arrangements for
start-up supplies.  You will probably need business cards, a
ledger and a rubber stamp with your company name and address.
Although your beginning supplies should be adequate, they need
not be fancy or expensive. Don't stock up too much as you will
probably need to make adjustments as you learn the needs of your
market. It is always a good idea to:

- write out your business plan - an outline of what you intend
to do and how you plan to go about it.

- List what you will buy from whom, how much it costs, where it
will be stored, how you will advertise, what price you will
charge, your gross and estimated net profits and when you will
re-order.

Include everything you can think of that your business will
involve.  The action will "force" you to organize your business
(in your mind as well as on paper) and greatly increase your
chances for profit and success.

In this (or any other) business, give careful thought to your
capabilities and your potential market. Select something that
you already know (or like and are willing to learn) and will
stick to - that people in your area will pay for. Your product
or service should be priced competitively, but at the level to
yield a fair profit. This motivates customers to buy and you to
work even harder!

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW BUSINESS!

                    107 GREAT PART-TIME BUSINESSES

01.  AFRICAN VIOLETS.  Specialize in the propagation and care of
this popular indoor plant.  Nurture, hybridize and sell when in
full bloom. Carry accessories, such as pots, shelves and
lighting.  Keep a small but permanent ad in your local newspaper.

02. ALTERATIONS.  Replace buttons, let out cuffs, shorten
sleeves, turn collars, repair tears for clothing stores,
laundries and cleaner who don't already offer this service.  You
can work for them or leave a price poster in their store.

03. ARROWHEADS.  Collect, buy, sell and MAKE (with deer horn and
clove) Indian arrowheads for hobbyists, displays and
demonstrations.  Sell instruction and/or information booklets
and do-it-yourself kits.  Offer various types of flint.

04. AUTO PARTS REBUILDING.  Work with garages and mechanics. 
Specialize in rebuilding one part (carburetors, master
cylinders, electronic ignitions) for one or several makes. 
Install kits, ream and/or re-fit and guarantee all of your work.

05. AUTO TOUCH-UP.  Repair minor dents, cover rock chips, remove
rust, polish, clean tires.  Renew rubber and plastic, deodorize
to help bring the best price or trade-in.  Advertise under
Auto/Trucks For Sale, with a price (e.g. "From $25.00")

06. AUTO PAWN SHOP.  Hold cars as collateral for short-term
loans.  Hold the title (if clear) or, "buy" the car with a 30
day or so buy-back price agreement or limited power of attorney.
Check laws and obtain legal advice before proceeding!

07. AWNINGS, WINDOW.  Design and install permanent and fold-up
fabric and or metal awnings for storefronts, patios, house
windows, trailers and mobile homes. Offer a selection of
materials, colors and prices.  Advertise prices and benefits.

08. BABY DOLLS.  Create dolls with fine wigs from client baby's
own baby hair as keepsake dolls.  Try to get cloth from baby's
actual clothes to make similar looking outfits for the doll
(work from a picture if possible).  Put in glass case.

09. BARBEQUE.  Use a portable (trailer?) meat smoker to take to
fairs, parades and festivals.  Have a supply of prepared
sandwiches ready, but always have a fire AND AROMA (throw in a
little suet or sauce) going to attract more business.

10. BELT BUCKLES.  Stock a selection of belt buckles for
truckers, workers, etc.  Have special designs and insignias made
for local groups.  Arrange to offer good prices on leather belts
as well (import some to sell at attractive prices).

11. BENCH RENTALS.  Build bus-stop style benches and with city
permission, place them free of cost to the city at various
bus-stops.  Pay a sign painter to apply advertisements for
clients who pay you by the month for the ads and space.

12. BIRD TRAINING TAPES.  Make endless or auto-reverse tapes to
teach bird to talk, whistle or sing.  Sell or rent the necessary
equipment to mount in or near cages.  Charge extra to record the
bird owner's own voice giving the instructions on tape.

13. BIRDHOUSE BUILDING.  Build and decorate fine, scientifically
designed birdhouses and feeders for birds native to your area as
well as those that migrate to or through your area.  Make up
little info folders for each model.

14. BIRTHDAY LISTS.  Compile birthday (anniversary, etc.) of
people in your area to rent as mailing lists to local merchants.
Or, contract to mail out cards each year on behalf of the
merchants.  Have a set minimum, as $25 for 50 mailings.

15. BREAD SPECIALTIES.  Bake unusual or otherwise unavailable
varieties of home made breads: oat bran, low calorie, ethnic,
salt free.  Keep a small ad in paper, take orders for loaves
fresh from your kitchen and/or deliver fresh to stores.

16. BRONZING.  Bronze (or pearlize) baby shoes etc.  Make
mementoes, awards and trophies.  Design plaques and unique bases
with emphasis on local needs such as Chamber of Commerce of
company awards.  Arrange for engraved plates on plaques.

17. BRUSH CLEARING.  With you truck, tractor and shredder,
contract to clear brush and small trees from lots and acreage. 
Haul off excess debris or use a composter to recycle and sell
organic refuse.  Offer to drag or level the cleared area.

18.  BUSINESS EQUIPMENT.  Buy surplus equipment from bankruptcy
sales and auctions.  Store and clean-up, but do not repair (let
buyer do that).  Advertise bargain prices for qualified buyers
and sell at double or triple your investment.

19.  CEMENT BLOCKS.  Mold small orders of standard or custom
blocks (building, stepping stones, curbs) in all shapes and
colors.  Make molds when necessary of plywood and tin.  Take
orders, sell form your "yard" and through nurseries.

20. TRUCK LETTERING.  Use pre-cut, self-stick vinyl letters to
produce long lasting, professional truck signs (no art talent
required).  Use chalk snap lines to mark lines and center, peel
and press in place.  Stock and offer a variety of letters.

21. CEMENT MARKERS.  Make "engraved" cement or liquid marble
markers and signs.  Mold "backwards" letters into various colors
and textures of plastic-like cement for carved in effect. Polish
molded marker into a professional looking stone.

22.  CHAIR CANING.  Use cane, plastic or other interesting
materials to weave seats and backs onto casual and picturesque
chairs for clients.  Buy old chairs with promise at bargain
prices to re-glue, refinish, re-cane and sell at a profit.

23. CHINA AND GLASS DEALER.  Collect and deal in antique and
interesting china and glass items.  Buy at auctions, antique
stores, private and public sales and through your
advertisements.  Deduct travel expenses for buying trips and
visits.

24.  CITY LOT CLEAN-UP.  Work with the city to learn of lots
that must be cleaned up.  Contract to do the required work on
lots they designate (city adds bill to owner's taxes).  Contact
absentee (or local) owners to avoid future city actions.

25. CLIENT LISTINGS.  On your computer, input and maintain
customer (or business) information:  customer info, purchases,
credit records, employee information, etc.  Provide periodic and
custom sorts (including mailing lists) to clients.

26. COLLECTION AGENT. Represent one or more commercial agencies
(don't tell one about another, though). Solicit delinquent
accounts for collection from local businesses for a percentage
of monies the agencies collect.

27. COIN SEARCHING. Buy rolls of coins from banks (whatever
denomination you can afford). Search through them for coins
worth over face value.  Keep all of these and replace with
"regular' coins and trade back in. Best in small towns!

28. COLLECTIONS. Accumulate collectables (glass, matchbook,
baseball cards, comic books). Make up (from common specimens)
starter collections to sell to beginners. Sell valuable pieces
individually to collectors (some you got started).

29. CONCESSION BOOTH. Operate a booth or stand at a recreation
area, flea market, shopping mall or parking lot. Sell your own
products and/or consignment items. Carry some attractively
priced items just to attract more customers.

30. CURB PAINTING. With a stencil and fast-dry black spray paint
house numbers on all curbs in a city block then go back and
request a $2-$5 "donation" from occupants. Pass out circulars
the day before announcing your service.

31. CUSTOM CLOTHING DESIGNS. Paint, block print or transfer
unique or custom designs onto items of clothing: smocks,
T-Shirts, jackets and fabrics to be made into clothing. Use
designs, illustrations, cartoons, things of interest locally!

32. DESERT GLASS. Collect and sell sun-baked, weather-beaten
glass in interesting colors. Make your own synthetic version by
baking and/or sandblasting suitable objects with inexpensive
equipment. Advertise your materials in hobby magazines.

33. DISTRESS SALES. Buy household items cheap at auctions and
closeout sales. Clean them up and sell as your own right out of
your living room because you need the money (e.g. to pay a
fine), and never because you have new or  better things!

34. DOLL HOUSE FURNITURE. Make exquisite, scale furniture for
doll houses. Or, buy inexpensive imported items and upgrade
them. Normally, a little re-enforcing, sanding and a coat of
stain or polyurethane makes all the difference in the world!

35. DRIFTWOOD ART. With sandblaster, power or hand held wire
brush form and finish interesting pieces of driftwood (and other
woods) into decorations, lamps, candle holders and plant mounts.
Use deductible vacations to collect more driftwood.

36. ELECTROPLATING. Offer a chrome (and other) metal plating
service in your shop. Advertise in the newspaper and list with
auto, RV parts stores, auto restorers and body shops. Between
jobs plate items to sell (ornaments, trophies etc.).

37. FENCE INSTALLATION. Install fences for private homeowners.
List with hardware stores and keep a small ad in the paper.
Expand to furnishing the materials for a single bid. Offer a
variety of both functional and ornamental fences.

38. FISHING LURES. Use a fly-tying rig to tie flies and sell by
the dozen to individuals, bait shops, sports and department
stores. Design, manufacture and decorate fishing lures
especially for waters in your area. Then advertise and expand!

39. FLYER DISTRIBUTION. Hire kids or adults to distribute ads,
samples, coupons, announcements door-to-door or on parked car
windows. Charge extra to record occupant reactions. Contract
with individual businesses and advertising agencies.

40. FURNITURE RESALE. Select and buy promising articles of
furniture cheap at garage sales, stores (trade-ins) and
furniture auctions. Clean up, do minor repairs and sell from
your home. Concentrate on items that seem to do well in your
area.

41 COPY-READY MASTERS. With your desktop publishing system and
"laser jet" printer, convert customer's material into copy ready
masters that can be reproduced locally. Especially good for
small orders (set-up costs are very expensive for these).

42. DOG HOUSES. Build standard (bargain priced) and custom
(higher priced) dog houses in different sizes, shapes and
colors. Include insulation, treated wood on bottom, insect
repellant pillows or storage areas under the roof as options.

43. KITCHEN CABINET REFINISHING. Refinish in-home kitchen
cabinets. Remove old finish; sand, fill dents with colored
putty, stain (or paint), replace worn hardware, apply new finish
and install new external door knobs and drawer pulls.

44. WORD PROCESSING. Produce interim drafts and finished
professional letters, manuscripts and documents for students,
lawyers, writers and businesses. Make provisions for client
editing and subsequent re-writing as a part of your service.

45. TREE SURGERY. With a little training and experience, anyone
can trim, treat, fill and seal tree "wounds". Start with small
jobs and gradually increase as you build confidence and buy more
equipment. Take large contracts only when confident.

46. ROOF COATING. METAL. Renew rusty and/or leaky metal roofs
with paint, rust killer, galvanizing, aluminized tar or
insulating (foam) toppings. Charge by the square. Tip: use
mobile home coating (aluminum or white) for a durable finish.

47. RENTAL PREPARATION. Prepare apartments for occupancy: paint,
do minor repairs, cover scratches, remove stains, replace bulbs,
mow lawn, fix faucets and drains. Work with individual owners,
rental agencies and real estate companies.

48. SURPLUS SALES. Buy bargain priced items at auctions and
sales. Store neatly in a secure area; advertise to find buyers
who need (and will pay for) them. Open your warehouse one or two
days a week or sell large items by appointment.

49. ROCKING CHAIRS. Make beautiful, durable rocking chairs.
Offer a variety of woods, finishes, sizes and styles to fit
every customer. Charge extra for carving, special styles or
made-to-measure models. Offer specials on Mr. & Mrs. sets.

50. GAZEBOS.  Build gazebos. Display a standard model at a good
price that you can deliver or customer can assemble. Then offer
larger sizes and various extras, such as shape, screens, shingle
roofs, benches. Use only quality materials.

5l. GLASS ETCHING. Custom etch (with acid, engraving bit and/or
sandblaster) glassware for individuals to-order and for
wholesaling to retail stores. Offer monograms, town or company
logo, family crests, art designs and local themes.

52. GOURD CULTURE. Grow and process a variety of interesting
gourds. Make them into decorations, utensils, painted figures,
birdhouses. Retail gourds and do-it-yourself finishing kits.
Retail seed packets with instructions for prize gourds.

53. GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS. Go to major state and federal auctions
and bid on items for subsequent resale. List with auction
authorities to receive notices of pending auctions. Learn and
follow the rules to find the best bargains.

54. GRAPHOANALYSlS. After learning the art and getting a
diploma, offer your services as a handwriting analyst to
individuals, law enforcement agencies and attorneys. Start with
local readings; work fairs for experience.

55. HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in hanging plants (flowers,
ferns, vines) of all sizes and descriptions. Display for sale
when in peak condition in attractive pots, with interesting
holders and hangers. Advertise that you take in trades!

56. HOME HANDYMAN. Perform handyman services for those who can't
or don't have the time. Advertise clearly what you do, keep your
appointments and guarantee your work (to the extent of your
hourly wages). Save customers expensive service calls.

57 HOTHOUSE FABRICATING. Build and sell small hothouses, some
with temperature controlled venting. Offer electric heating
systems for use in the cooler climates and be prepared to give
advice on their use. Consider selling seedlings.

58. HOUSE CLEANING. Offer one-time or periodic house cleaning
services. Perform the heavy tasks (shampoo rugs, clean stoves,
wash windows, wax the floors, defrost). Have a check-list of
jobs to be done and agree on price beforehand.

59. HOUSE PAINTING.  Contract to paint houses and apartments or
rooms by the job. Have assistance (high school kids?) on hand
when needed. Increase your profit by supplying quality (only)
paint and supplies and bidding on the entire job.

60. INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS. CASSETTES. Make recordings of yourself
or others teaching and demonstrating their specialties. Start
with simple operations (making a will; cleaning a VCR); graduate
to more complex instructions as you learn.

61. INVENTION PROMOTION. Purchase three to six month option
rights on interesting inventions for relatively low fee. Run
test promotions and buy only the successful ones - those you can
sell for a nice profit or successfully market yourself.

62. INVENTORIES. Specialize in taking inventories for area
merchants (at their convenience - usually after hours). Work
alone or have a qualified team on call. Check with an insurance
company to obtain bonding for yourself and assistants.

63. JACK REPAIR. Repair hydraulic jacks (take a course if
necessary) in your garage shop for individuals, garages,
mechanics, retail stores. Buy, sell, take in trades and rebuild
all kinds. Offer special prices to mechanics.

64. JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes to sell to and
through gift stores, catalog sales and individuals. Line with
velvet, offer lacquered, inlaid, shell or seed covered versions.
Have varied finished and storage arrangements.

65. KITCHENWARE RENEWAL. Specialize in the renewal of fine
cutlery, pans and wood kitchen utensils. Refinish and reshape,
install new handles, reline, make pieces to match missing parts
of sets. Offer personalization service.

66. KITES. Build, sell and demonstrate all kinds of kites and
accessories. Start a program to sell advertising space to
sponsoring merchants during "meets" that you help stage (e.g.
open, between schools, towns). Give away kites as prizes

67 LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING).  Operate a rock shop in your garage.
Cut, polish facet, shape and mount gems in commercial and
amateur findings. Sell mounted, unmounted gems and jewelry.
Tumble imperfections and left-overs to sell separately.

68- LAWN MAINTENANCE. Contract to mow lawns by the job or
season. Charge extra to edge, rake, collect and remove
clippings. Refer related jobs to cooperating businesses for a
finder's fee or commission. Expand your service as you grow.

69. LIBRARY RESEARCH. Use your talent and the public library to
provide research data, technical details and background
information for clients who need their "homework" done. Charge
by the hour, page or a flat fee for your time and effort.

70. LIGHTING SPECIALIST. Design, sell, service and install
lighting systems for external residence and business buildings.
Use inexpensive 12 volt systems among shrubs for security and
beauty; colored spotlights for unusual effects.

71. LITTLE LEAGUE CARDS. Take pictures of small fry baseball
(etc.) players and print on baseball-like cards, complete with
their names, position and other "official" information. Offer in
sets with extra copies for proud parents and relatives.

72. MAGAZINE. SUBSCRIPTIONS. Sell a variety of magazine
subscriptions from your "office". Use "gimmicky" ads, give
credit for leads and prizes for multiple sales. Do lots of
telephone canvassing. Have a special every time you call.

73. MAILING LISTS. Compile mailing lists from various local and
wider area sources (buy voting registration lists, check on
buying tax and license lists). Sell names to brokers or keep
current and rent them yourself (on self stick labels).

74. MARBLE CASTING. With "synthetic marble", cast, finish and
market figurines, ashtrays, office (pen bases) and commercial
(trophies) items for wholesale accounts (stationery stores,
etc.). Make one or two special items for local retail.

75. METAL FOUNDRY. Operate a small metal foundry in your garage
workshop. Cast parts as a sub-contractor, custom items or your
own products. Buy or pick-up scrap metal to melt down. Examples:
dresser knobs, door plates and trophy bases.

76. METAL RECYCLING. Pick up, sort, process (dismantle, clean
wires) waste metals from any source. Accumulate into lots, wait
for periods of high  prices and haul to salvage yards. Advertise
to buy surplus metals (at lower rates of course).

77. MINIATURE GARDENS. Create various sizes of garden-like
display containers of live plants for hospital sick rooms, boxes
for balconies, rooftop planters, offices and residences. Include
instructions for care to make your products last.

78. MOSAIC TILE. Buy patterns or create custom designed pieces
and install in an exclusive design for each customer. Offer
exquisite kitchen and bathroom designs, as well as spa and even
swimming pool arrangements. Charge for tile too.

79. MOSQUITO PATROL. With a sprayer mounted on your vehicle,
contract to drive through neighborhoods on an established route
and spray for mosquitoes (normally with a light malathion
mixture in diesel). Work with city or county authorities.

80. MOVIE MAKING (SHORTS). With your 16MM or VCR camera and
related equipment, make custom instructional, informative
(company introductions), promotional and advertising clips. Use
for board meetings, briefings and for cable advertising.

81. MOVING ASSISTANCE. With your truck HELP clients move (versus
"move" them - to stay legal). You can help them pack load, move,
unload unpack. Have stand-by crew ready to assist. Charge for
your time and expenses, not the move.

82. NATURE'S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products
(hickory nuts, maple syrup) that you can harvest, do so!
Process, package and sell then as genuine products of nature.
Clear your operation with the local health department first.

83. WINDOWS AND SCREENS. Repair windows: replace glass, repair
frames, renew or rebuild screens. List with hardware stores and
keep an ad in the paper. Fix one broken pane or bid to renew
windows and/or replace all screens on the house.

84. NECKTlES. Make exclusive, hand made ties from exotic
materials from all over the world. Offer a selection of designs,
attach your exclusive label and advertise in men's magazines.
Try local stores first then try larger markets.

85. NEEDLECRAFT. Make your own style of homemade items (pot
holders, bonnets, towel rings) to sell on consignment, to
catalog companies, or at a booth at fairs or flea markets.
Present them in tasteful fashion with your label attached.

86. NElGHBORHOOD NEWS. Compile, publish and distribute a
neighborhood newspaper (or newsletter) with local news, opinions
and interesting features.  Include lots of names; sell space for
opinions, announcements and advertisements.

87. ON-CALL CLERK.  Register with several stores to be  called
for temporary or emergency fill-in (for the store or an
individual), for clerical or sales situations.  Should pay more
than normal wages and could lead to a permanent job.

88.  PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.  Build and install (and maintain)
playground equipment: forts, slides, climbing/monkey bars,
sandboxes, swings, teeters, circle rides.  Use commercial
patterns or design your own. Check on liability insurance.

89. PET PHOTOGRAPHY. Specialize in pet portraits: in their home,
your studio or in their own "natural" setting. Offer a package
price for so many of each size. Go to dog shows and take
pictures of willing subjects (the losers too!).

90. PICNIC TABLES. Build standard, custom and deluxe model
picnic tables Offer a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and
colors. Expand to folding model and sets with umbrellas. Offer
matching chairs, end tables and child sized pieces.

91. PICTURE FRAMING. Make unique picture frames for stores,
artists and clients from moldings, scraps, unusual fabrics. Set
up jigs for the standard sizes. Between orders make standard
sized frames that can be finished in a variety of ways.

92. PIES AND COOKIES. Take orders for or contract for your
specialty baked goods. Deliver to wholesale customers in
containers that appear to be full and have your name and logo
imprinted on the cartons. Give retail customers pick-up time.

93. PILLOWS. Make and decorate designer, fancy, or "down home"
pillows. Sell to boutiques, fairs, through party plans, sales
catalogs and advertisements. Offer a variety of sizes, shapes
and covers. Do custom work for client's decor.

94. PLANT SCULPTURE. A profitable specialty: braid trunks, shape
into interesting forms. Trim, bend, graft, to create valuable
sculptures that bring premium prices. Use pictures in your ads;
sell each plant as an individual creation.

95. PRODUCT REPACKAGING. Buy bulk products (nails, beans,
vinegar) by the ton or barrel. Re-package into neatly labeled
packets, pints or boxes a sell for much more. Check with a local
attorney on any restrictive laws in your community.

96. PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY. Take flattering, descriptive pictures
of merchandise, clothing and satisfied customers for
advertisements, catalogs and brochures. Send sample brochures to
prospective manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

97. PRODUCT REPACKAGING. Buy bulk products (nails, paint
thinner, beans, vinegar) by the ton or barrel. Purchase and
re-package into neat (and full) packets, pints, boxes. Consider
using your own label (with legal advice) on containers.

98. PROOFREADING. Review manuscripts and printed copy and
advertisements for accuracy and grammar. Get considerably more
to review for content quality and technical accuracy. Work with
editors, writers, publishers and educators.

99. PROPERTY PORTFOLIOS. Prepare photograph and property
description folders. Make up folios for private parties (to make
sure their property is shown in the best possible light), and
for real estate companies to use in sales presentations.

100. RE-UPHOLSTERY SERVICE. Recover overstuffed chairs and sofas
for clients in your shop (sell fabrics). Buy good furniture that
needs recovering cheap at auctions to re-upholster and resell at
a nice profit.  Take trade-ins to re-do.

101. YARD CLEAN-UP. Contract with homeowners, realtors and
rental agents to clean up yards after winter, evictions, storms.
Mow, remove debris, water, replant, fertilize. Use periodic ads
in the paper, especially after winter or stormy weather.

102- TOY MANUFACTURING. Create, manufacture and market unique
toys that you can make in your shop possibly made in part by a
"partner" seamstress. Market to local stores, catalog sales
houses or by mail. Go to and have your own booth at fairs.

103. WRITE FOR CHILDREN. Write poems, Sunday school stories,
puzzle explanations, riddles, etc. for children. Sell to local
papers, children's book publishers or in your own booklets.
Check Writer's Guide in Library for more information!

104. GAG WRITING. Specialize in one liners and short funny
situations. Sketch your ideas, list each on a separate card and
file by subject matter. Offer your collection to cartoonists or
comics. Get their addresses from Writer's Guide in the library.

105 - SCHOOL DESK SALES. Buy old school desks at sales and
closed rural schools. Refurbish and decorate into nostalgic
furniture, plant stands and children's furniture. Sell restored
items individually, wholesale to stores or finish to order.

106 - PROMOTIONS. Organize community and commercial promotions:
order bumper stickers, posters; arrange for news releases,
interviews, photo sessions. Plan agenda, schedule workers,
coordinate events for a fee or percentage of profits.

107 - PEN PAL SERVICE. Advertise in both home and overseas
publications for correspondees. Charge for addresses or for a
subscription to your club news with paid advertisements placed
by those seeking penpals. Sell names to mailing list brokers.



36 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WITH A TELEPHONE

The telephone is truly a remarkable invention.. It is probably 
the world's greatest time-saver. It plays an important and 
necessary role in almost every business, no matter how large or 
small.

The telephone can also become your "business partner".. By 
realizing its capabilities and potential, the efficient use of 
this little device can help assist anyone in operating a 
profitable business. A business that can help the goal of most 

Americans: financial independence. All that is required are 
knowledge, persistence, patience and of course, a telephone.
Previous experience in the use of a phone for business purposes 
is helpful but not necessary. There are no age limits for 
starting such a business. Sex or race is not a barrier. Location 
is unimportant, as long as you have a phone.. Your home can be 
your "office" if you wish and you are your own boss. And in most 
instances, you can name your own working hours.

There are two methods for charging for your telephone services - 
by "subscription" and by working on a commission". Rates to 
charge are not given because wages vary from place to place and 
change time to time.

The first group of possibilities for earning is by signing up 
"subscribers". You then establish a weekly, monthly, or yearly 
rate for your services. If there already are similar services in 
your community, you should charge slightly less than your 
competition when first starting your business. If no such service
exists, compute your rates by including your time, amount of work
involved and expenses, which will consist mainly of the cost of 
out-going phone calls. Many will be happy to pay handsomely for 
your service.

"WAKE-UP " SERVICE. Some find if difficult to get out of bed and 
ready for work when the alarm clock rings. An unusual service is 
to phone these subscribers at a pre-arranged time each work day 
morning. If they must walk to another part of their home to 
answer the phone, they are certain to  become fully awake. A good
method to get such a service started is by advertising that you 
will offer a free weeks trail of service for such sleepy heads.
"REMINDER" SERVICE. Busy homemakers as well as overworked 
executives are fearful of forgetting important dates such as 
birthdays, anniversaries, business appointments, etc. By making 
notes on an ordinary calendar, you can phone several days in 
advance to remind them of the important occasion.. Some 
subscribers will want  to be listed for only 10 or 15 calls a 
year, while some businesses will have a 100 or more such dates. 
Your rates should be based on the number of "reminder" calls for 
a given period.


SERVICE FOR SHUT-INS. 

Some concerned persons wish to keep 
informed as to the health and condition of relatives, friends and
neighbors.. These are generally those people that live alone and 
may be ill, invalids, senior citizens and such. You will be 
required to phone these people at pre-arranged times (usually 
once or twice a day), to check if all is well. If there  is some 
of emergency or no response to your call, you should immediately 
notify the subscriber. There are those that will pay a good price
for such service simply for their own "peace of mind".

BABY SITTING SERVICE.

This is a matter of providing a baby-sitter on a moments notice.
To get a list of available baby sitters, place small signs on
bulletin boards in local high schools and colleges and keep this
list of names handy.. Advertise this service in local newspapers
to get subscribers. When calls come in, send the nearest baby
sitter. The employer pays for the sitter's time and generally,
the cost of transportation.

SECRETARIAL POOL.

Advertise throughout your community for part-time office help
such as secretaries, typists, file clerks, etc., by placing signs
on bulletin boards. Charge a small subscription fee for specified
period- usually 6 months or 1 year. Then contact prospective
employers by phone or by sending notices announcing your service.
When you receive calls for part-time office helpers, it is then a
matter of checking your list and finding the qualified workers to
fill the part-time job requirements.

ESCORT SERVICE. 

There are some women that are required to attend 
social and business functions, but may not have an escort to 
accompany them. To reach these subscribers, run ads in local 
newspapers and business publications such as "Escorts available 
for all occasions". To get a list of available escorts, run 
"Escorts wanted" classified ads. Establish a realistic hourly 
rate of pay for escorts, which should include their incidental 
expenses.

BUSINESS MEN'S "SHOPPING SERVICE". 

Most busy executives do not have the time to do their personal
shopping. They are in need of someone to do their buying for
them, such gifts for their wife, family, secretary, business
associates, etc. You can provide such a service. First, you will
be required to spend some time visiting some of the most popular
stores and shops in your area.. Make a list of items available
that will make suitable gifts. Locate stores that provide free
delivery service. (Or use a delivery service). Many larger
department stores have a "shopping service", which you should use
as much as possible for additional suggestions. and help.. In
addition to charging a subscription fee, you can also send a
monthly bill "services rendered", which is a small percentage of
sales of items purchased.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR STUDENTS. 

Many high school and college students need part-time jobs after
school hours and on weekends... Charge these subscribers a
monthly or quarterly fee. There are also businesses and some home
owners who have need for part-time workers. Your duty will be to
fill the needs of employers by sending the most qualified
students for the jobs. To locate interested students, place signs
on college and high school bulletin boards. To announce your
service to prospective employers, run classified ads in local
newspapers, and phone or mail circulars to various businesses.
'CAR POOL" SERVICE. Many would rather pay a private car owner 
than take public transportation. Your job is simply a matter of 
matching "riders" with "drivers" going in the same general 
direction. Subscribers in this case pay you a one-time fee to 
locate suitable transportation for them. Other details are worked
out between rider and driver. Place notices on bulletin boards 
and run classified ads for both "Drivers Wanted" and "Riders 
Wanted". Also advertise in company's house organs, newsletters, 
trade journals, etc.

HOME OWNER'S "VACATION SERVICE" 

While away from home for extended periods, many property owners
will gladly pay someone to water their lawn, flowers and
shrubbery. Mow grass, sweep sidewalks, remove newspapers, collect
mail, etc. Announce that your provide this service for a small
fee on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. For workers, place signs
on bulletin boards in high schools, colleges, YMCA, YWCA,
churches, etc.

TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE. 

Operating a lucrative telephone answering service requires 7-day
a week, around the clock attention. It could also require
employing additional help and the installation of a switchboard,
which can be leased for a modest  monthly amount from the
telephone company.Subscribers to such a service contact the phone
company and make arrangements to have all calls automatically
transferred to your number, in the event there is no response to
their business or residence phone.  Most subscribers will consist
of professional people such as physicians, dentists, attorneys,
business executives, etc. However, there will also be
emergency-type service people such as electricians, plumbers,
contractors, carpenters, heating unit specialists and service
repair people of all types.  While away from their telephone,
subscribers will call you telling where they intend to be and can
be reached. Thus, in case of an emergency, you will be able to
locate them to relay messages.  Successful business people
realize the necessit