MAKING A LIVING IN CRAFTS - THE WORKSHOPS

Five Day Workshop - Making a Living in Crafts

One Day Workshops

Each one-day workshop is designed to present in-depth information about a specific area of our field to craftspeople with particular needs and or interests. Each workshop will include numerous exercises that will produce working hands-on information for the participant to use in their business.

1. Opening the Gallery Door

This workshop is designed for craftspeople seeking specific information about working with for profit galleries. We will begin with an introduction to the current state of the crafts market and the gallery business. Discussion of the proper ways to approach galleries and what to expect from galleries will follow. Then each participant will begin to develop the materials necessary to present their work to a gallery. Finally there will be a discussion of the artist’s responsibilities to their gallery(s). Participants are encouraged to bring images of their work (on a lap top if possible), as well as any printed materials they have produced.

2. Developing and Pricing a Product Line

This workshop is designed for working craftspeople planning to develop a line of products to be offered at the wholesale markets. We will begin with an introduction to the current state of crafts marketing. Emphasis will be on the nature of and differences between craft shows and gift shows and the impact these factors have on development of product lines. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their work (on a lap top if possible), as well as any printed materials they have produced.

3. Off to Market-- Wholesale and Retail

This workshop is designed for craftspeople that have developed a product line and are ready to take it to market. We will begin with an introduction to the current state of crafts marketing. We will then discuss the similarities and differences between selling work at wholesale and retail including the preparation and presentation necessary to be successful in each of these venues. The benefits and drawbacks of selling at craft and gift shows, understanding the differences in buyers/customers and the approach and tools needed for selling to each market share will also be covered. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their work (on a lap top if possible), as well as any printed materials they have produced.

Two-Day Workshop - Getting Going

Day One - Morning

We will begin with an introduction to the current state of the crafts market and the gallery business. Then the various legal structures for a business will be discussed. The contents and form of a business plan will be presented and each participant will write a basic business plan.

Day One - Afternoon

The afternoon will be spent working on financial matters including an annual budget and practice with various pricing formulas designed to help you get the prices right. Also included with be practice in determining your break-even point at sample shows.

Day Two - Morning

The principles of developing a product line and the implications for marketing the line will be presented. Each participant will then develop a sample line.

Day Two - Afternoon

The remainder of the afternoon will be spent discussing the various marketing approaches including wholesale and retail selling as well as working with galleries.

Five-Day Workshop - Making A Living In Crafts

A weeklong workshop designed for the serious craftsperson, whether a beginner setting up a business or the more advanced craftsperson seeking to improve the profitability of their business. All facets of product development and marketing will be included. There will be in-depth discussions about legal and financial matters, product development, presentation materials, working the shows and working with shops and galleries. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their work (on a lap top if possible), as well as any printed materials they have produced.

Day One - Morning

Day One - Afternoon

Day Two - Morning

We will begin with a review and discussion of business plans and annual budgets. The principles of developing and pricing a product line and the implications for marketing the line will be presented. Each participant will then develop a sample line that could be offered to wholesale and retail markets. The differences between craft shows and gift shows and the impact these factors have on development of product lines will be discussed.

Day Two - Afternoon

After a review of product lines and pricing ideas the afternoon will be spent discussing the marketing of production lines. The presentation will focus on the similarities and differences in wholesale and retail marketing, including the preparation and presentation necessary to be successful in each of these venues. We will discuss the effects selling at craft and/or gift shows has on careers.

Day Three - Morning

This morning will be all about creating a booth that will help you present your work to its best advantage and therefore allow you to maximize sales.

Day Three - Afternoon

The rest of this day will be filled with discussions and presentations about successful selling.

Day Four

This day will be devoted to opening the doors to and working with for profit galleries. We will begin with a discussion of how to evaluate a gallery and move on to exploring the proper ways to approach galleries and what to expect from galleries. Then each participant will begin to develop the materials necessary to present their work to a gallery. Finally there will be a discussion of the artist’s responsibilities to their gallery(s).

Day Five

Practical matters will fill this day. Beginning with practice writing an artist statement, care cards and hang tag information. The basic approach to working with a photographer and a graphic designer to insure that you get the best images and promotional materials will be discussed. The essential principles of time management and methods for getting the orders out will be covered. There will be a demonstration of successful packing techniques. We will end with discussions of ways to keep the creativity, what it’s really all about, alive and growing.