It has been awhile since the last post. I am back into posting and looking forward to sharing some new thoughts, ideas and crafting tidbits. Halloween is right around the corner, but so are the craft fairs and shows. This week’s post is about what is a “Juried” and “non-Juried” show. In addition, should it make […] Read more…
Life of a Craft Business
The Long and Winding…Craft Road (Part 3 – Handcrafted Furniture)
In previous posts, I talked about understanding the value of hand painted crafts and the art of polymer clay figurines. Today would be a great time to discuss handcrafted furniture and home furnishings. My business is extremely fortunate because my husband is an excellent woodcrafter. Not to compared him with my idol (Norm Abram), but […] Read more…
The Long and Winding…Craft Road (Part 2 – Polymer Clay Figurines)
Last post I talked about how to spot hand painted crafts. I did hear from a few of you that they did not know what to look for in painted items and was glad I did that post. I thought this post would address clay figurines. Many of my friends and followers do know that […] Read more…
The Long and Winding…..Craft Road (Part 1)
With fall approaching and many of my readers attending arts and craft shows soon, what better time to break down crafts by medium and learn what other crafters know about their trade. I always feel that an informed consumer is the best consumer. This week I will focus on hand painted crafts. One thing I […] Read more…
Battery or Electric – Whatever Should I Do?
As I sit in my studio with wood parts surrounding me, I cannot decide if I want to make my lighted houses and hangings with battery or electric lighting. These are small houses and shelf sitters, so I am thinking that they should be battery operated so that it does not limit the possibilities of […] Read more…
Up To My Elbows In Clay
The summer season has been wonderful in Maine this year (compared to last year), but it is going too fast. Not because I do not want to wish away the season (I enjoy the Fall season much better), but craft shows are looming upon me. Many people when they make an item, it is usually one […] Read more…
Christmas in July?
We have had a few inquiries about offering specials (Christmas in July) and exhibiting at arts and craft shows in July featuring some of our Christmas items (holiday items if you want to PC). Do consumers really buy these items so far in advance that it is worth featuring them in shows? I recently exhibited […] Read more…
What Crafts Can’t You Find?
I am always fascinated to learn what consumers purchase? It seems that each year we seem to buy the same type of items to decorate our homes? Is that because we see friends and relatives doing it, so we feel we must? I would like to provide items that people wish they could have, but […] Read more…
Are Craft Shows Now Only Jewelry Shows??
As an exhibitor and attendee to arts and craft shows, I am beginning to feel that painted furniture, ornaments and such are no longer needed or desired for the “new” craft fair attendees. It appears these new craft seekers are mostly looking for the latest necklace or cloth hand bag to buy? Some jewelry is really […] Read more…
Are Handmade Crafts A Dying Art?
As I sit in my studio, I wonder if it is all for nothing? I spend time a lot of time putting details into each of my polymer clay figurines and then I find myself in Walmart and there is some plastic or resin object made in China for one quarter the amount that I charge. It seems that we just […] Read more…