Showing posts with label theoldbarndoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theoldbarndoor. Show all posts
Jul 26, 2011
Fresh Picks: Camping Call
Does this time of year conjure memories of family camping trips? Whether you were an Airstream, Winnebago or pile-in-the-station-wagon camping family, you can bring back those carefree days by surrounding yourself with these nostalgic collectibles.
Apr 6, 2011
The Nuts & Bolts of Owning a Business
Is selling on Etsy just a hobby or is it your business? Do you do it for enjoyment with little regard to year end profits or are you concerned about boosting revenue? Are you keeping records that will help out in case of an audit?
These questions matter, especially at tax time. Unless you're trying to keep your business under the table and operate on a cash only basis (Which I highly discourage), you'll need to keep records. Keep in mind that Paypal will report their records if you're audited.
The first question is hobby or business? It's an important distinction. If you are planning on calling your Etsy shop a hobby, read up on the restrictions. Let's assume for the sake of this discussion that you're a business.
Are you keeping track of your expenses? Are you keeping records? Here's a few of things I keep track of:
A. Receipts from thrift stores, estate sales, etc.
B. Mileage to estates, thrift stores, etc.
C. Excel Spreadsheets of what it is, what it cost, where I got it, what it sold for, and any shipping losses.
D. Excel Spreadsheets of all my consignment sales.
E. Costs of business insurance.
That's all I worry about. I could get into deducting costs associated with my home office, but I've heard those kind of gray area deductions can trigger further investigations.
Some ways in which I practice sound business management:
I keep a separate bank account for my business. It's a business account, not a personal one.
I keep records about each consignment client and keep them up to date on their sales for their own tax records.
I keep detailed inventory lists to stay organized, to know who owns what and in order to find things quickly once they've sold.
I keep track of all my in state customers for sales tax. Check with your state and see what your requirements are.
I keep track of the rules surrounding Self Employment tax & Social Security and pay accordingly.
While I'd prefer to just focus on finding the next cool item, I've found that taking a little time each day to maintain records saves me a lot of wailing and gnashing later on. Now while this is what I do, please know I'm not a tax expert, I don't claim to be and I'm just sharing my personal experience.
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| 15 Quart Pyrex Bowl by beppiebags |
These questions matter, especially at tax time. Unless you're trying to keep your business under the table and operate on a cash only basis (Which I highly discourage), you'll need to keep records. Keep in mind that Paypal will report their records if you're audited.
 |
| 1970s Hummingbirds Dress by PersonalPursuits |
The first question is hobby or business? It's an important distinction. If you are planning on calling your Etsy shop a hobby, read up on the restrictions. Let's assume for the sake of this discussion that you're a business.
 |
| The Skin of Our Teeth offered by TheOldBarnDoor |
Are you keeping track of your expenses? Are you keeping records? Here's a few of things I keep track of:
A. Receipts from thrift stores, estate sales, etc.
B. Mileage to estates, thrift stores, etc.
C. Excel Spreadsheets of what it is, what it cost, where I got it, what it sold for, and any shipping losses.
D. Excel Spreadsheets of all my consignment sales.
E. Costs of business insurance.
That's all I worry about. I could get into deducting costs associated with my home office, but I've heard those kind of gray area deductions can trigger further investigations.
 |
| Vintage Wall Mirror by moxiethrift |
Some ways in which I practice sound business management:
I keep a separate bank account for my business. It's a business account, not a personal one.
I keep records about each consignment client and keep them up to date on their sales for their own tax records.
I keep detailed inventory lists to stay organized, to know who owns what and in order to find things quickly once they've sold.
I keep track of all my in state customers for sales tax. Check with your state and see what your requirements are.
I keep track of the rules surrounding Self Employment tax & Social Security and pay accordingly.
 |
| Victorian German Silver Purse by justbecauseshecan |
While I'd prefer to just focus on finding the next cool item, I've found that taking a little time each day to maintain records saves me a lot of wailing and gnashing later on. Now while this is what I do, please know I'm not a tax expert, I don't claim to be and I'm just sharing my personal experience.
My name is Heidi and I live in beautiful Northern California gold country. I am an estate liquidator. I love antiques! I am married to my high school hunk and have 3 amazing daughters, all under the age of 8.
Apr 2, 2011
Welcome New Members: beppiebags, Houdini House and The Old Barn Door
If you adore vintage kitchens, you must visit Beth's shop, beppiebags. From the great Midwest, she offers a wonderful array of midcentury dinnerware and serving pieces, plus older china like this stunning Art Deco coffee pot by W.S. George in the Shortcake pattern. You will also find sweet figurines and other home decor from the fun to the fine! 
Houdini House brings you antiques from Manchester, England. Al is a musician and teacher with a passion for one-of-a-kind treasures for you and your home, including decor, jewelry and more. Just one fine example is this fascinating WWI era field binoculars set with leather case. Al celebrates his shop's one year anniversary on Etsy this month.
The Old Barn Door is the Etsy shop of Patricia, an organic farmer from Ontario, Canada. She specializes in gorgeous old postcards and other ephemera from around the world. Her current inventory includes nearly 800 items! In anticipation of the approaching holiday, Patricia has dozens of vintage Easter postcards, including this adorable 1909 greeting.
As our membership grows worldwide, we're thrilled to include these wonderful shops in the Etsy Vintage Team. Welcome!
Feb 11, 2011
FOODIE FRIDAY--J is also for JAM TARTS
In anticipation of VALENTINE'S DAY, and all things sweet, sweeter and sweetest, I'd like to share a recipe for a delightful, easy treat. JAM TARTS. Like a miniature pie, filled with jam. YUMMY! And, with the addition of a heart shaped pastry "lid", a perfect treat for V-Day. (this recipe is courtesy Martha Stewart)
Ingredients
Yield: About 16
* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
* 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 2 large egg yolks
* 1 cup jam, in assorted flavors--homemade is best!
* 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon; process for 10 seconds. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, 15 to 20 seconds.
2. Combine 1 egg yolk with 2 tablespoons ice water and add to flour mixture. Process until the dough comes together, about 7 seconds. Transfer to a clean work surface and compress into a flattened circle.
3. Lightly dust the work surface with flour; roll out dough to just thinner than 1/4 inch. Using a round or square cookie cutter, cut out shapes and press into 2- to 3-inch tartlet tins or a small muffin pans. Shape crust as desired, fill each with 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons jam, and decorate tops with cutouts of dough. *(I use a mini HEART cutter for Valentine's Day) At this point, the tarts can be refrigerated for several hours.
4. Combine remaining egg yolk with cream; lightly brush exposed dough with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer tarts from tins to a wire rack to cool.
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Mini Jam Tarts - Martha Stewart Recipes
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!
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