Many crafters have sewing talents they may wish to turn into income producing ventures, whether full time or parttime.  This can include dressmaking and alterations, quiltmaking, fabric art, making curtains and draperies, doing upholstering and more.
I operated a dressmaking and alterations business for a number of years that evolved into a quiltmaking business.  These enabled me to be at home when our daughter was small. 
At Home Biz Notes, I’m writing a series, with tips on operating these businesses, that you might like to follow.  The tips also will apply to many arts and crafts businesses as well.
Let me know what tips …read more

I came across an interesting article with tips for marketing a quilting business, in other words, promoting your quilting work and letting others know what you do.  Although these tips are mentioned in conjunction with quilting and fabric art, most can be incorporated into any craft business promotion plan.
In Marketing Tips for Your Quilting Business by Nikki Sabato, we learn about printed materials one can utilize:

Flyers
Hang Tags
Posters

For the details, check out Nikki’s article.  Then let us know how you’ve utilized these types of promotion.  Do you have any unique ideas?
These days, with so many computer photo and printing programs out …read more

Are you having trouble with time management and being as productive in your crafting as you would like?  If you have a craft business, does disorganization prevent you from being profitable?  You may want to read  my post at My Organized Biz, “Time Management in an Instant” Book Tour. 
Here I check out the book, Time Management in an Instant, 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day, by Karen Leland and Keith Bailey.  They have explored 60 common sense tips for managing your time, organizing your business, office and life, and hopefully becoming more productive…and profitable if you have a business.
So …read more

Many craftspeople utilize Etsy.com for promoting and selling the items they design and produce. Some even expand beyond Etsy and start up home businesses and small craft businesses outside the home, like Keara Sexton with OAK,  on Newbury Street in Boston. 
To learn more about Keara’s business and Etsy.com, read Shawn Cyr’s article, Those arts and crafts projects could add up to dollars online.  This might spark your creativity and give you ideas for expanding your crafting interests and even make some money with them.
There also are workshops and tutorials at Etsy.com.
What have been your experiences with Etsy.com?  I’d enjoy hearing about your craft business …read more

I’ve used postcards to publicize my books and take orders.  I recently read about an author who has expanded the use of her postcards.  It got me thinking about ways to utilize this form of PR for other art and craft work.
Print a picture of your craft, book, painting or other art on the card.  Then develop the back for:

Grand openings

Sales announcements

Order blank for taking orders 

Information about you

Classes/workshops

Event announcements

General news

Carry the cards with you.  Mail them out.  Have them on a display table at an event.
How do you creatively use postcards in your crafting business?
(Image: sxc.hu)

If you’re operating a crafting business, you may be wondering if or how President Obama’s “changes” will affect yours.  Will some of the policies he’s introducing and, in some instances, already passed have a positive or negative effect?
I have a “change” poll at Home Biz Notes, where you can express your opinion.  You also can write your view in the comments section of this post or the one at Home Biz Notes.  It would be interesting to see whether you expect, or already see, a change of some magnitude.

With all the “changes” occurring since President Obama has taken office, whether you agree or disagree, you’re likely to feel some effects in your life and craft business. 
Over at my Home Biz Notes blog, I’ve set up a poll, where you can express your thoughts about the changes this is bringing about or will cause in your craft business.  Since many crafters have developed an income source with their talents, they may be looking into the changes that could occur to this method of making a living.
Even if you live in another country, you may be wondering how changes in the United …read more

School soon will be out and that might change the nature of your crafting whether you’re doing it solely as a hobby or have ventured into a business.

If you’re a mom,you’ll have youngsters at home.  You’ll have to arrange your time differently for getting your craft done, entering shows, or making items for customers.
If you have a business, your clients may be traveling and on vacation.  So their need for your services and products may be spasmatic.
If you’re busiest in summer,  this could be the time you really have to organize your schedule and your craft production.

Take a look at the nature …read more

Have you thought about outsourcing and whether it’s feasible for your craft business?  It’s becoming more and more popular these days. 
This is hiring outside professionals, services, and workers to do some of your production and take the workload from you. They don’t work at your place of business, but generally from their homes.
Also, you may decide to outsource your bookkeeping, tax work, and other organizational tasks.  This has become popular with many doing it via the Internet.
 Outsourcing doesn’t mean you must send your work overseas.  Frequently you use someone locally. However, when online type services are involved, you can utilize …read more

Whether you’re involved in your craft as a business (income producing venue) or simply for your own pleasure, media releases (traditionally called press releases) to promote your products, services, workshops, book, or simply yourself as a craftsperson can be very useful.
Here are 5 reasons they can be important:

 Helps you gain name recognition
 Lets the public know when you’re exhibiting at a show.
 Announces an award or type of recognition you’ve received.
 Informs the public about new classes/workshops you teach.
 Provides information about a unique trip you took related to your craft work.

 How have you used media releases to inform the general public about your arts and …read more