Tuesday, October 25, 2011

DIY, With A Little Help From Your Friends (or Local Small Business)

I was fascinated to read a article in The Baltimore Sun, by Liz F. Kay "DIY firms rent equipment, lend expertise to would-be crafters"  about businesses that have sprung up in the Baltimore area tailored to helping the DIYer learn to do it themselves safely and to rent time using equipment they might not have in their own homes. 

With the huge uptrend in DIYing this was a business just waiting to happen and it's taken off.  Business owners not only teach seminars and classes, they rent equipment and sell supplies to their students.  Remember that pottery class you used to take where you used their kiln but purchased your clay and other supplies from the owner and paid for classes? Same concept. 

The business has expanded to companies that do woodworking, tailoring, home improvement, letter press printing, and more.  As a potential DIY bride imagine how great it would be to be able to make your own letterpress invitations instead of spending a fortune having someone else make them.  Letterpress DIY projects also include save the dates, table numbers, placecards, thank you notes and guest books.  Or get some shop time to make those cute signs for your wedding that you don't have the space or equipment to make at home--what a great idea!

Check in your area for companies offering the same type of classes or opportunities to use their equipment on an hourly basis.  This could be a real boon to DIY brides and grooms. 

If you have classes in your area that offer this option please post them so other brides can join you or if you're having a class let me know and I'll be happy to post it for you.

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