My new honeysuckle and morning glory scented soap. Smells heavenly. Still trying to figure out a name for it. I thought about something cool like “Bird Crap on Buttered Toast” but I’ll probably opt for something cheesy like “Sunshine Fields.” 7 Vote(s) Craft Juice | Popular Crafts | Soaps and Cosmetics Suggested Reading: Soaps (Cozy)Either [...]
i want make a craft with paper mache, but i can’t make fine paper mache. I tried 5-6 times to make the same. but i can’t what is right method Suggested Reading: Preschool Activities: 51 Quick and Easy Preschool Activities and CraftsKids love to be creative and they hate being bored. This collection of quick [...]
Not quite sure how I missed this, but another no listing arts and crafts marketplace sprung up last summer: TrendyIndie.com . Per the info on the website, this marketplace like ArtFire was started by artists and crafters to provide handmade items to shoppers wanting unique artisan items. Vendors simply pay a usage fee, depending on a pre-specified selling level. Usage fees range from $5 to $20 per month.
Want to give the site a test drive before making a commitment? For a limited time, new sellers who join TrendyIndie.com will receive their first 90 days free. To sign up for 90 days free, or to take advantage of unlimited product listing for life at a reduced monthly rate, check out that page on the Trendy Indie website.
For more information about selling your arts and crafts online check out these articles:
Using Etsy to Market Arts and Crafts
Making the Internet Work for Your Arts and Crafts Business
Another No-Listing Fee Arts and Crafts Marketplace at Trendy Indie originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 11:06:04.
The best marketing tool you have is yourself. If you create wearable art, you should always be decked out in some of your creations. I never leave the house unless I’m wearing some of my own jewelry or garments. If I get a compliment, I ask if the person if they’d like my business card with my website address. This is not too pushy and I have generated sales using this approach.
I found a great blog on the subject by Wendy Edsall-Kerwin: Wear Your Work or No One Else Will. She recently attended a annual meeting of a goldsmiths’ guild where hardly anyone was wearing their own work and gives her opinion on the lack of self-promotion.
Self-Promoting Your Work – Just Good Business originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 16:27:22.
If you’re a new artist/crafter or just new to the craft show junket, this is the time of year to start planning for craft shows you may be interested in attending during next year’s holiday season. Your planning should include keeping track of current shows to see if you might be interested in applying to them next year.
Here are two of the latest I’ve received info about:
All Things Handmade – Including Edibles in Sacramento, CA.
Beau Arts Bizarre in Columbia, MO
I also update the Arts/Crafts Forum throughout the year with info on shows, grants and contests.
And, check out the comprehensive list of Arts/Crafts shows in the USA and Canada from Sunshine Artists
Planning to Sell at Craft Shows Next Year? originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 18:06:31.
I received a new catalog in the mail this week that has some really interesting crafts books on the topics of fiber, textiles, wearables, jewelry making and metals. There are also books on the topics of beads, basketry and clay. The range of coverage is fantastic. Check out the online catalog and you’ll see what I mean.
If you’re into oil, pen and ink and watercolor, you’ll be interested in the offerings at North Light Shop. I’ve ordered from them many times for my mother and she’s been delighted with the quality of the books. Plus they have fast and free shipping (orders over $25).
Lastly, if you’re an artists, designer, jeweler or metalsmith consider joining the Society of North American Goldsmiths. Members have special advertising rates in Metalsmith magazine and there is a new online resource list promoting artists who give workshops.
Three Resources for Arts and Crafts originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 07:55:36.
I stumbled upon an article about pricing products for craft shows that reinforces the basics such as checking online for arts/crafts similar to your own and researching to find your niche.
None of it is probably new info if you’ve been in operation for a while. But I know that sometimes a refresher in the fundamentals of selling brings to mind simple facts you may have forgotten.
Here’s some other recommended reading:
How to Price Products for Craft Shows originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 21:07:19.
If you’re a fan or crafter of contemporary furniture, you’ll appreciate the design inspiration of Thayer Coggin’s new Claes chair designed by Clark Coggin. It was showcased during the October 2009 show of the International Home Furnishings market in High Point, North Carolina.
Per Coggin, the influence for this design was pop artist Claes Oldenburg sculptures of colossal buttons, gigantic clothes pins and over-sized typewriter erasers which monumentalized objects of the artist’s time. When you’ve hit the wall and can’t come up with a design you like, follow Coggin’s lead. Do some research about favorite iconic designers and look around you for inspiration.
FYI – If you’re a Nip Tuck fan, another Thayer Coggin chair – the Classic Lounge Chair was featured in episode 21 – the one with the freaky doctor who took a shine to Christian Troy’s office furniture.
Image courtesy of PR Newswire Photos/Thayer Coggin, Inc.
Thayer Coggin’s Inspired Asperand Chair originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 20:03:16.
The November issue of the Journal of Accountancy had a great article on the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 7 if using Vista or XP.
Unfortunately my ‘youngest’ laptop operating system is Vista which has been a continuing problem. I’ve read in other magazines that if you’ve gotten used to using Vista and are anticipating getting a new laptop in the next 12 months, it might be a better move to wait and apply the upgrade $$$ to the new laptop purchase. Last time I checked the upgrade was about $200 for the professional version, which in today’s marketplace is a pretty good downpayment on a basic laptop.
FYI – Microsoft is sending a free upgrade to many purchasers of newer laptops. My son purchased his laptop about 6 months ago and just received his free update.
If you’re anticipating an upgrade to Windows 7, first download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor to see if your current hardware/software is compatible.
The current article is not available online. There is a September 2009 article about Windows 7 available that you may find of interest.
Also suggested:
Upgrading to Windows 7 originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 17:02:25.
