Any small business owner knows that keeping the cash flow healthy in a budding business is a challenge. This problem is multiplied for crafty business owners since the supplies we purchase for our business are often based on a want- rather than a need- basis.

I have an especially hard time resisting new designer cotton fabrics when they come out. With average prices between eight and twelve dollars a yard, this can quickly add up to a very full studio and not-so-full business checking account.

Luckily for me, I have recently found several fabric co-ops that have allowed me to buy the fabrics I love at much more reasonable prices.

Willow Fabric Co-op is a relatively new group that includes many etsy sellers. The leader, Missy, has been fantastic at seeking out the hottest new designer prints and making them available to the rest of us for very reasonable costs.

Buy the Bolt is a new group that allows those of us with major fabric needs to purchase fabrics, well, by the bolt! Instead of each designer meeting a large bolt minimum (sometimes up to eight bolts per order), this group allows individuals to place single bolt orders at wholesale prices. The first order is for Michael Miller's new line, and I have a feeling it's going to be a big one!

Fabrics and Notions is a very active, very large group that purchases a wide array of fabrics, notions and sewing aids at wholesale for the group. If you join this group, be warned, there is a very large volume of messages each day- I get the daily digest and skim the topics each day to be sure I haven't missed a buy that I'd like to participate in.

Some tips for participating in fabric co-op groups:

Read the Files
When you get approved for a group, a number of files will automatically be emailed to you from yahoo. They will usually arrive as a word document attached to the email. READ THEM! These files will explain the basics of how to order, pay, and who to ask if you have questions. You will save yourself and the group leader a lot of time and frustration by following this step.

Don't pay early, and don't pay late
Some groups will ask for payment when ordering, others will want to wait until the fabric comes in to make sure that everything is accounted for and to avoid refunds for missing fabric. Again, it is very important to read the files and understand the group's payment policies. Paying early causes headaches for the group administrator and paying late can hold up the order for everyone.

Show Your appreciation!
This is a big one. Running a fabric co-op is a lot of work and most take very little for their time and energy. Make sure you let them know that you appreciate the opportunity they are providing and perhaps offer to help if you can.

Supply co-ops are another great way that the professional crafting community comes together to support all of its members in making their ventures successful. If you're not sure that you'd like to aprticipate yet, don't let that stop you from joining a group that looks interesting. Read the messages and get a feel for the group. Then, if you're confortable, try placing a smaller order (Willow Fabric, for instance, allows you to order in one-yard quantities) and see how it works out for you.

Remember, co-ops aren't just for fabrics. Try doing a search at Yahoo Groups to see if there's a coop running for the supplies you use in your crafts. Odds are there are a few out there!

Do you know of more co-ops for crafty business people? Post a comment!

I promised today during the Craft Congress reception that I would share the recipe for Cuban Coffee. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a complete coffee addict and have sampled coffee from all over; Cuban coffee is hands-down my favorite.

Rather than rehashing information that is already available, I'll share a great site I found online that includes all the instructions you'll need (including the brands of coffee to look for).

http://www.tasteofcuba.com/cafecubano.html

The only difference in their method and the method I was taught is when you add the sugar. I was told that the proper way to do it is to wait until there is about an inch of coffee in the carafe, turn off the machine and add the sugar into the coffee. Then you put the carafe back on and turn the machine back on.

Easy peasy and tasty too!