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Time Management for an Art or Craft Business

Published on October 23, 2007 in Craft Business. 0 Comments

Time ManagementTime Management - it can be such an ugly phrase for any craft business owner. You got into crafting because of the creativity, and for many of us, time management is a shackle. Don’t tell me when to do something, or how long the creative process is going to take! “It is what it is,” to quote Bill Belichick (the coach of the New England Patriots - my favorite team if you didn’t know by now).

But, if you want to have a real craft business, and not just a hobby that will earn you enough to keep yourself in craft supplies, you need to start thinking about time management. And that’s what today’s post is about.

I found this article on the American Chronical website - Time Management For An Art Or Craft Business. The article offers some basic tips for time management for when you start your craft business, as well when you move to a more full-time model. It’s a short read, but worth the quick trip.

Happy Crafting!

Chuck

Some Halloween Craft Fun

Published on October 19, 2007 in Craft Fun. 0 Comments

Just so you don’t think I’m all work and no play, here’s a web page where you can find some great Halloween crafts and activities. It’s that time of year, and kids love Halloween almost as much as birthday’s and Christmas (or Hanukah).

The picture to the right is a Big Papi (David Ortiz) jack-o-lantern. The Boston Red Sox are trying to come back against the Cleveland Indians to make it to the World Series. This Big Papi pumpkin makes me believe they can win the next two in Fenway.

Go Sox!

Happy Crafting!
Chuck

How to Package and Label Your Crafts

Published on October 4, 2007 in Craft Marketing. 0 Comments

One of the biggest mistakes that crafters make when they first start selling their crafts (and a mistake many craft business veterans make) is to discount the impact that packaging and labeling have on sales success. I talk about packaging and labeling in my book, “How to Start Your Own Craft Business,” but I just came across this post on HomeBasedCraftBusiness.com that discusses the packaging and labeling issue at length.Inventive packaging that tells your story is one of the best ways to set yourself apart from the competition. And, it also helps you charge a premium for your crafts. So, take the time to develop a great packaging and labeling strategy. You’ll be glad you did.

Happy Crafting!
Chuck

Great Craft Video - Fairy Craft

Published on October 4, 2007 in Craft Fun. 0 Comments

I found this great craft video on YouTube. It’s not really related to a craft business, but I thought it was a great way for a craft business to showcase their skills - provide some free training on a simple craft on their website.

When you give back to the community, people start to visit your web site and also recommend it to friends. It’s a great way to build traffic and a reputation.

Happy Crafting!

Chuck

Craft Mafia - A Craft Business Collective

Published on September 21, 2007 in Craft Business. 0 Comments

I was checking out my Google Alerts, and ran across a story about the Manchester Craft Mafia, a group of craft business owners in Manchester, UK. Here’s their mission statement from their site:

Manchester Craft Mafia is a group of crafty businesses dedicated to supporting and sharing a creative, maverick spirit of crafting in Manchester, Greater Manchester and beyond. We’re craft and proud!

We want to help kick-start the new wave of . . .

. . . entrepreneurial crafters sacking the rat race and finding other ways to make a living . . . people crafting en masse and in public . . . anyone hiding an inner crafter . . . and everyone who just loves buying, finding or making something that bit different.

The idea for the Manchester Craft Mafia came from the original Austin Craft Mafia, who have now set up a website to explain what a Craft Mafia is, and provide links to Craft Mafia Familias from around the globe. In addition, they tell you how to start your own Craft Mafia Familia and share ideas with other craft business owners in your area.

This is such a GREAT idea! When you can get together with other craft business owners and discuss how to improve your craft business, you leverage the experience and creativeness of a number of individuals.

A craft business can sometimes be very lonely. When you are working in isolation, the tasks you have before you can be daunting - creating your crafts, going to craft shows, developing marketing, working on a web site, and more… - and a group of crafters going through the same struggles can be a great source of support and wisdom.

Check out the Craft Mafia website, and see if this is something you can create in your area.

Happy Crafting!
Chuck

What I’ve Been Up To

Published on September 19, 2007 in Craft News. 0 Comments

Well, it’s been a VERY long while since I’ve updated this page. In fact, it’s been almost a year since I’ve added any new contact.

The reason… I’ve been lazy. I spent all of my time and energy last Fall and early Winter in creating and launching “How to Start Your Own Craft Business” and I just kind of let things go on auto-pilot.

Well, I went back to the stats on the craft business site, and noticed that it’s still making some very good sales, and people are very interested in starting their own craft business. So, I’ve decided to revamp the site, restart the blog, and really creating a community of crafters who want to turn their hobby into a full- or part-time business.

So, watch this space over the next few weeks. I’ll be creating some new content, and also working on some new ideas for products. I hope you’ll be able to participate and help drive the new direction of www.CraftBusinessGuide.com, so please join in!

Happy Crafting!

Chuck

An Interview with Craft Business Owner “Cathy of California”

Published on November 29, 2006 in Craft Business and Craft Web. 0 Comments

I just came across this wonderful interview with Cathy Callahan, owner of the craft business, Cathy of California. She makes some really wonderful, vintage-style crafts and has her own successful craft business web site (and the design is super cool).

The interview is short, but there are links to her website and blog, and you can get a ton of good, quality information by just visiting her sites and seeing how she works.

Happy Crafting!

Chuck Smith
www.CraftBusinessGuide.com

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