market research vs. adventure

I thought I was being so inventive when I made a wine bag out of wool. It makes a great gift bag and absorbs condensation from a chilled bottle. Look at it. Can’t you just picture yourself on a bluff in Ireland with your Land Rover parked nearby, a huge blanket on the ground and the perfectly chilled bottle of your favorite beverage being presented in this lovely bag? Yes, well, it turns out lots of other people have had this idea. A quick search on etsy brings up everything from simple wool to vintage poodle cozies.  The lesson to be learned here? Market research should be done first if you’re running a real business. Thankfully, I am not and I shall continue to consider myself an intrepid, crocheting adventurer.