Are We a Liability to Ourselves?

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the structure of my business.   It has been growing slowly as I venture out to more places.   Keeping up with it and my liabilities have me worried. 

Besides my on-line presence I have some of my items on consignment at two different galleries.  One of the Galleries is doing very well.  It is located in a vacation area.  Skiing in winter and camping in summer.   The Gallery owner contacted me recently with a client of hers that needed a basket wrap done for an enhydro crystal that contains prehistoric droplets of water and wanted to know if I could do it.   Of course I said yes.   So we made arrangements to meet.   When we met she had several different projects she wanted me to do.   Repair bails, restring beads and the basket for the crystal.   When seeing the crystal I knew it was going to be a big challenge because the crystal had fractures, and she had taken it to a Jeweler and he broke part of it and refused to finish.  He had told her he doesn’t normally do wire wrapping and she would need someone that did.   Because of my relationship with the Gallery owner I took it on, and we made arrangement to meet again 3 weeks later with the work completed.  

I did complete the job but was very worried the whole time about breaking it.   It turned out pretty good and she was totally happy with the wrap.  But the liability I undertook was tremendous.   The enhydro crystals are a bit pricey but this one meant a lot to her and I don’t want to think about what would of happened if I had cracked it more.   I have been looking into LLC’s etc., and I have come across this web site   http://www.hellocraft.com/2011/01/ask-a-lawyer-legal-structures-for-craft-businesses/   it gives tons of information for crafters and small business owners.  It is not meant to be legal advice but information for you.   You can also go to http://www.sba.gov/ for more information.

 Even if you don’t take big risks I would recommend learning more about your liabilities.   Even the simplest transaction can go bad.