31 Jan 2010 No Comments
Creativity turns into home-based business – 3169th Edition
Jennifer McCoy opened her front door dressed to the nines and waved me into her Grand Rapids condo, where she had a lovely display of handmade goods arranged beautifully on the kitchen table. It was clear McCoy is all about stylish presentation. And this 21-year-old newlywed knows a thing or two about mixing something old with something new.
Jennifer McCoy opened her front door dressed to the nines and waved me into her Grand Rapids condo, where she had a lovely display of handmade goods arranged beautifully on the kitchen table.
It was clear McCoy is all about stylish presentation.
And this 21-year-old newlywed knows a thing or two about mixing something old with something new.
When she gets home from her job as an office manager for Edward Jones Investments, McCoy spends the winter evenings stitching scarves, broaches, capelets/shrugs and wristlets to embellish with vintage buttons and pretty ribbons and sell online.
Jennifer McCoy, 21, of Grand Rapids, models a handknit neckwarmer/cowl ($49) she made for her online shoppinsandneedlesbasket.etsy.com.In the warmer months, she shifts her attention to sewing vintage-inspired aprons, using antique hankies for the pockets.
Starting young
McCoy says she was born to sell. She grew up in Derry, N.H., where, as a child, she sold candy and baked goods. Now she knits and crochets her original designs and ships them around the country. “When I was 5 years old, my grandma (Barbara Croley) taught me the basics of crochet,” she said. “She showed me how to make scarves for my dolls.”
By fourth or fifth grade, McCoy had taught herself to knit.
She continued making things on the side and was inspired to launch her business while battling the flu last spring. She stayed home sick from work and was watching “The Martha Stewart Show” on TV. The show featured an interview with Esty.com founder, Rob Kalin. Once McCoy heard about the Web site that serves as a global marketplace for handmade goods, she couldn’t wait to get started.
“I would be sick
