About the project
I’m a stained glass artist and for just over 10 years, I’ve worked hard to build up my skills and knowledge working on a varied range of projects and jobs. Within the last 18 months my focus has been on repairing and rebuilding leaded lights in and around Rye, East Sussex, building up business relationships by solving various on and off site problems and getting to know Rye too.
Rye has a wonderful community feel about it and this extends to not just my residential customers but business owners too. I feel I have developed a niche business here that compliments many others.
But as business is growing, there is one main aspect that is starting to hinder me: working from home.
So I would like to continue to grow my business with much more suitable premises, to work for more individuals and to be a central place for other businesses to turn to. My little business needs a shop.
Continuing with the work I have done so far would mean my shop would have 4 parts to it:
It would be a place to bring your leaded lights along for repairs and it would be much more suitable for discussing designs with customers too. On-site repairs would also continue.
There would also be the gift shop part full of original, handmade gifts that would appeal to not just the locals but visitors & tourists to the town too.
There would be the opportunity to complete a range of courses making small sun catchers right up to designing and making a full leaded light.
To compliment local businesses further, I would also like to offer a cut-to-size clear glass service. This is also something that is not currently available in town.
After all of my planning and research along with my experience, I would like to raise £30,000 to get a reasonable sized shop and to stock it. This would also allow me to keep the shop going for approximately one year which would help to establish my business in town and allow for further growth in the meantime.
So, here’s how I’m hoping you can help:
I’m not asking any one person or business nor bank for this kind of money. I’m asking lots of people and businesses for a little each. The project will run on Crowdfunder for July / just into August (35 days). This is an all or nothing project. If I don’t reach my goal, then nothing changes, no one hands any money over and I’m back to the drawing board.
Crowdfunding is where lots of people pledge money towards my £30,000 goal. If enough pledges are made (the goal is reached), I get the money! If the goal isn’t reached, you get your pledge back. Pledges are made via Paypal.
There are rewards available if you would like one, ranging from keyrings and sun catchers to stained glass courses and business advertising but pledges can be made to any amount and can also be anonymous.
You can also help by spreading the word – any which way you wish – word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter…
What does this money pay for?
Well… rent, bills, rates and insurance, materials, tools and all those easily forgotten items like packaging and carrier bags, aprons, shelves and workbenches. And all this is for up to a year. Why a year? Because the first year is always the hardest and I need time to build up business a little more. I’m determined to stay once I’m there!
THIS IS AN ‘ALL OR NOTHING’ FUNDING PROJECT. IF I DON’T REACH MY GOAL I GO BACK FIGURING OUT ANOTHER WAY TO DO THIS, SO EVERY PLEDGE, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE, WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME! THANK YOU!!
If you have any questions – just ask!
Thank you all so much!
Website: http://www.diomoglass.co.uk/
Email: diomoglass@googlemail.com