Do I have any suggestions?! Sure I do! I'm Cassendre!

First of all, in the mighty words of that "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" guy, wheneveryou want something, don't say "I can't do that, I can't afford it," or whatever, but "How can I do that?" and "How can I afford it?" If you try this, you may find that thinking this way will move you along in your plans much faster. It will save you a lot of time and grief knowing that you already know you're not about to sit still for hours and weeks and months listening to some lecturer, so that's good. However, I wouldn't, if I were you, say that the other reason is your supposed lack of money. If there's something you really want, you can bet that thing is on the other side wanting you, too. And so there must be ways of getting it. Ask yourself, "How can I afford that class?" and then see what happens. Magical things happen if you just believe. Somewhere out of the blue you could "coincidentally" win a free pass or free tuition, or you might be able to audit a class--- you never know!

If you're not interested in all that mumbo jumbo, check out the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) at 2010 Chestnut Street. And before you're all set to say, "But it's only for women!" let me just say that their classes and workshops are available to men as well. Whether you're interested in starting your own business, cleaning up your credit, or raising funds to buy a house, WORC has classes, workshops, and professionals who offer their services at cut rate prices. Incorporation, which usually costs thousands, can cost you hundreds, and they have a Family Savings Plan that will match 100% of what you've saved (up to $2,000). Their workshops and classes are offered at significantly low prices. E-mail WORC at info@worc-pa.com and call them at 215-564-5500.

By the way, you've lucked out in the type of stuff you're making and wanting to sell. I'm sure you're aware that knitted, crocheted, and woven ponchos are all the rage now in women's fashion. Also, the other items you mention have a timeless pull at crafts festivals. For this kind of selling, I recommend on-line research, and also checking out arts, crafts, and knitting, etc. magazines for information about upcoming craft shows in your area.

I also recommend that you start working part-time, both to allow you to do much more of your crafts, and also to sort of force you to start making enough income from your craft to make up for what you'd be no longer making at your day job. If you're doing what you truly love, you'll find that you make far more money doing that, than working your day job. (Of course, if you really love your day job, that's another issue...one which you didn't
bring up to me...so I won't be addressin' it. On account of it doesn't exist.)

Be prepared for a (possibly) long, hard, and often blissful road.

Good Luck!

Recommended Resource:
The Women's Opportunities Resource Center
2010 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-5500
www.worc-pa.com

Dear W.R.I.T.E.R.:

I got yer answer right here buddy. You ready for this? I mean, I don't know, it could be too radical. Here it is: Write. That's how you'll make money.
Just write.

The answers will only be revealed through your writing. There are many ways that writers inspire themselves to write. Inspirational quotes of great writers and historical figures posted on your walls and near your writing space or office, on your desk, computer, journal, whatever. Some to start out with are: "Do what you love and the money will follow" (Anonymous). Then there's, "Follow your bliss and doors will open for you where you never even knew there were doors." (Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth, Anchor, 1991)

As far as how to make money, in more specific terms, I suggest that you start working slightly fewer hours and spend that extra time writing, and honing your craft. When the time is right, you'll attract people and situations to get your work published. You might find an editor or an agent, or a publisher, after all. You may self-publish; there are millions of possibilities.

Here are a few of my favorite stories about people with day jobs who finally made that leap into writing full time:

Stephen King and his wife Tabitha were living in tiny quarters where Stephen wrote inside a closet. They were broke much of the time, but they persevered and now we all know how successful a writer Stephen King is. In addition to having written dozens of bestsellers, he is the author of one of my favorite inspirational quotes, "Talent is cheaper than table salt. The only thing that separates a successful person from an unsuccessful one is a lot of hard work." So don't spend any time wondering if you're talented are not. Many of the greats say you don't need it anyway, and lots of lip-syncin' pop stars prove this every day!

Best-selling thriller writer Dean Koontz has an even sweeter story. He was struggling long in his writing career and his wife said, "Quit your job and I'll support you for three years. If you haven't made it as a writer by then, we'll drop it." The rest is history... now his wife's only job is managing his career and unloading the cash from the truck that backs into their mansion driveway every month.

I have some theories on money being only a symbol of how much creative energy we're harnessing. I believe that because Dean and Stephen spend hours every day writing, they are harnessing their creative energy, and the result of that is their affirmation to continue. That affirmation occurs, in one sense, as money. More on this theory in future issues of PAW.

Another quote to back up my theory is from best-selling self-help author Iyanla Vanzant, who has an acronym for the word MONEY: My Own Natural Energy Yield. Coincidence? Methink snot!

So, Writerboy, write, write, write yer ass off. And quit buggin' me. Next letter I wanna get from you, better look something like this:

Hey, Cassendre,

I've been writing seriously for three months. I work several hours less per week than I did before I wrote you, and I'm really starting to feel like a writer! Thanks for the great advice!

Sincerely,

Seriously Celebrating Researching the Industry of Book Enterprise

To which I will respond:

Dear S.C.R.I.B.E.:

Congratulations! Please keep Moi abreast of thy continued success and progress!!

Dear A.R.T.I.S.T.:

You are truly blessed that there are no major health issues with which you need to contend. So "what's a girl to do" you ask Moi, the Lady Ms. C? I'll tell ya. You need to run, not walk, to the Eleventh Street Family Health Services of Drexel University. They're located right in the city, they offer OB/GYN, primary care, well-baby care, dental, counseling, free medication, exercise classes, parenting workshops, free anonymous no-needle HIV-testing, and much, much more! The kicker is this... while they do accept many forms of insurance, they also have a sliding scale for uninsured people. You can pay as low as $10 per visit (except for dental, which is still a fraction of the cost of a dentist's office)!

The care is first-rate and administered by a wonderful staff of women who are nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners spend much more time with their clients than physicians do. You'll notice a difference right away. Good Luck!

Recommended Resource:
Eleventh Street Family Health Services of Drexel University
850 North 11th Street (at Parrish)
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Hours Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9-5 Tues 9-7
215-769-1100

Dear S.A.D.:

Don't be sad! It may help to realize two things 1) They're probably jealous people in general, and 2) They're probably jealous of you. Also there's the slight possibility that they're jealous. Yep. I'm convinced, they're definitely jealous. The truth is, S.A.D., that there's probably a germ of truth to their allegations. Gossip is never created inside a vacuum. Accept that you're probably at least a little bit what these people say you are, deal with some of it--- IF you feel like it, let the rest of it go, and finally, do my favorite exercise: imagine your success and see what you're doing with your life, and put that next to what those people are doing with theirs. Most likely your life rocks harder than theirs. And that's why they gossip about you. 'Cause they're jealous. So there.

Good Luck!

Recommended Resource:
A Mirror and a Heartfelt, Eeeeee-vil Guffaw into that Mirror.