I was 32 years old and I had my first business with a partner as an Interior Designer and I ran the design & workroom. My partner did some sewing and we shared keeping the books. Interior Design is pretty much the same as fashion design. Styles come and go. I did a great business because I always designed something different for each client. I sat down with them to get to know them first. It helped me knowing what their likes and dislikes were to figure out what to make for their home.
After health problems I started into computers in my 40's and became a Database Architect. After the 2007 & 2008 layoffs, due to the national recession, I found myself out of a job.
I have come back to design in a very different way. I have a booth at our local downtown antique shop. I make up-to-date and retro kitchen and garden aprons, handbags, decorator pillows and quilts. If I see an antique buckle for sale at another dealer's booth, or a button as I am shopping I buy it and put it in my stash. You can adorn something modern with a piece of old jewelry. I've even purchased old hand sewn quilt tops and finished them on the machine.
I like the agreement I have made at the antique shop. I make it; they sell it! I don't have to be there only to keep it tidy once a week and to restock. Now that I am in my fifties I just want to be home sewing!
Katie Sue