Cozyblue Encourages Crafters to Slow Down, Get Cozy, and Get Crafty
Liz Stiglets, owner of cozyblue, has created a thriving embroidery business including selling kits retail and wholesale as well as a subscription club.
Craft Industry Fears Major Fallout from New Tariff Activity
Recently imposed 25 percent tariffs on $200 billion more in Chinese goods includes a large quantity of craft supplies, such as cotton fabric. Craft-industry businesses now have to contend with the likelihood of a price increase soon on supplies imported from China.
For P&B Textiles, an Acquisition Leads to a Hopeful Future
In February, the Odessas sold General Fabrics to Brand & Oppenheimer, another Rhode Island-based textile company. The sale has given their family business a fresh start right when they needed it and now the company is poised for growth for the first time in years.
Understanding Print-on-Demand Products for Artists and Designers
If you’re a fan of passive income and think you’d like to give print-on-demand products a try, here is what you need to know to choose which kind of system is best for you.
Etsy Shuts Down Etsy Wholesale
Etsy announced today that it will be shutting down Etsy Wholesale effective July 31, 2018. “While the original promise of Etsy Wholesale was exciting and some sellers have had great success on the platform, what we’ve learned over the past several years is that demand for wholesale from buyers hasn’t been as strong as we hoped,” the announcement read.
Happiness, Delivered: Subscription Boxes Offer New Channel for Growing Revenues and Customers
For designers and makers, subscription boxes potentially offer exposure to enthusiasts who might not frequent retail stores or know how to find them online.
Business Profile: The Unlikely Road of the Thread Cutterz
Vance Zahorski’s clever invention is a wearable ring with recessed blades for quickly and safely cutting thread or fishing line. In November of 2016 Zahorski was on the TV show Shark Tank where contestants pitch their product to real investors. Zahorski’s pitch was successful, and he secured an investment of $130,000 in exchange for a 30% stake in the company and that’s when Thread Cutterz really took off.
Take a Peek into Retail Life with Three Brick-and-Mortar Craft Shop Owners
Brick-and-mortar retailers are a cornerstone of the craft industry, but the retail environment is going through drastic changes right now. In this panel discussion, three brick-and-mortar craft shop owners will give us an honest picture of the challenges and opportunities they’re currently facing, and how designers and suppliers fit into the retail picture.
What You Should Know When Big Retailers Come Calling
Working with large retailers comes a host of challenges, some fun to solve and some more onerous. Here’s what you should know before signing a contract.
Binding Babies: Floating a Prototype Prior to Production
The story behind the creation and development of the adorable and useful sewing notion, the Binding Baby.
Manufacturing a Product: The Story of the WEFTY Needle
In sharing the story of how the WEFTY Needle was developed I want to encourage you to pursue your own product development ideas and help you plan ahead.
Producing Your Own Online Video Class
Join award-winning quilter Rebecca Bryan and Alissa Norton, a former video producer for Craftsy, for a webinar about the nuts and bolts of producing a top-notch online video class.
Selling Handmade Crafts in Museum Stores
Museum store buyers constantly scout new artisans whose work complements their museums’ missions. Here’s how to get your work into a museum shop.
Facebook Ads the Right Way
Acquiring a sale costs money. Even if you’re pounding the pavement with “free” marketing, you’re spending your precious time that even money can’t buy back. Learn to use Facebook ads the RIGHT way once and for all in this webinar.
Wholesale for Craft Businesses
Are you ready to reach a larger audience and generate a reliable source of revenue? Selling your work wholesale can grow your business in a huge way! Learn how in this webinar.
Pros and Cons of Developing Your Own Yarn Line
If your yarn store is successful, it makes sense to capitalize on that and develop your own yarn line, right? Or does it? Read about the pros and cons here.
How to Ship Like a Pro
A list of shipping tips and resources for creative businesses, to help your packages ship seamlessly and arrive beautifully packaged and ready to charm!
How Small Businesses are Using Spoonflower to Print More Than Just Fabric
Spoonflower isn’t just for fabric. Find out how creative entrepreneurs are using Spoonflower’s wallpaper and gift wrap printing services to craft their small businesses.
Making Consignment Work For You
If you’re thinking of selling your work on consignment, here are some tips from makers who have learned through experience what works, and what doesn’t.
Small Batch Manufacturing: Dream Big, Think Small
Many makers are producing their crafts through small batch manufacturing, commissioning products from a factory in amounts calculated for profit.