Crafts

From Craft to Commerce: The Life and Stages of a Creative Business

From Craft to Commerce: The Life and Stages of a Creative Business

At our very first San Francisco Chapter meeting I met Vince of Vincie Bags-- and I know longer worried that we would find good people who cared about craft as part to help our new chapter flourish! 

Vince is the kind of person who has honed his years of experience into generous wisdom and also hilarious insights. He is truly a craftsman and gives back unselfishly to his local maker community. I'm excited that he's sharing with us today how he has come to understand the steps of a successful creative business and ways to keep the cycle of "always learning" in your business.

GROW Your DIY Business Panels

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We've not event had our kickoff event yet (THIS THURSDAY) and have now just announced two May events! Author and indie business supporter Eleanor Whitney is curating two SoCal GROW Your DIY Business Panels in support of her new book! 

Her book, Grow: How to take your do it yourself project and passion to the next level and quit your job,  addresses the issues many entrepreneurs and solopreneurs face when starting out. Whether their projects are based in independent publishing, music, food, art, craft, activism or community work, Grow enables readers to clarify their project vision, get organized, set goals, create a plan, raise funds for, market, and manage their do-it-yourself project.

“I see it as a practical field guide for creative people with great ideas for independent projects that shows the way to success and sustainability on one's own terms,” Eleanor told us. 

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​The Academy of Handmade is excited to be sponsoring and participating in her LA and OC events. Both panels are chock full of speakers who have been on the front lines of a growing an indie business (KC and Sharon are blushing to be included on both panels). These events are sure to spur great discussions and connect people with varying degrees of DIY business experience to each other. We're all about a community and support here!

Check out the panels and panelists below and please do RSVP so we can get a rough idea for refreshments. ​Excited to connect with you there!

LA PANEL
Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. 
Stories bookstore 
Echo Park

PANELISTS:
Shannon Flaherty Randall: writer and creative consultant with Sunland Studios
KC Cooper Sears: Co-Founder of the Academy of Handmade Artists and Supporters, owner of craft business Make. Shop. Live. 
Sharon Fain: Co-Founder of the Academy of Handmade Artists and Supporters, owner of Right Brain PR 
Grace Juhn: Owner of craft food business Cake Bar 

OC PANEL
Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. 
Creative Outlet Studios
Costa Mesa

PANELISTS:
Delilah Snell: Co-Founder of the Patchwork shows and Craftcation DIY business conference, and owner of The Road Less Traveled in Santa Ana 
KC Cooper Sears: Co-Founder of the Academy of Handmade Artists and Supporters, owner of craft business Make. Shop. Live. 
Sharon Fain: Co-Founder of the Academy of Handmade Artists and Supporters, owner of Right Brain PR 
Michaele Musel: Artisanal food consultant 
Dave Conrey: Creative business consultant, graphic designer and owner of the blog Fresh Rag