Category: Small Business

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Quick Steps to Get Selling on Etsy Today

Selling Online

Want to setup an online storefront, but think it is too hard.  Today, we will outline the quick steps needed to get selling on Etsy today.  Of all of the online platforms to sell from,  Etsy is one of the simplest to get your storefront open today.   With a little investment in time, pictures of what you wish to sell, and a store name, you can be up and running within an hour. If you are starting and do not have an online following, Etsy is an easy option for online sales.

These are the five quick steps to get selling on Etsy today!

Continue reading “Quick Steps to Get Selling on Etsy Today”

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Week of August 30 Trainings

We are back with the week of August 30 Trainings for creatives.  This week we have a few which you can watch whenever you have the time.  Again, I am listing courses from CreativeLive.  I believe it is a great resource for you.

Below is the current week of free classes:

Watch Anytime

Capture striking photography with iPhone  Apple stores, pre-COVID had a series of classes you could take in their stores. Now they have started a short series of courses you can take online. This course is less than 3 minutes and shows ways to take, edit, and share photos using your iPhone. It is worth watching. Continue reading “Week of August 30 Trainings”

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Current Week Free Classes

Online Creative Resources

Who doesn’t love finding new resources and if they are free, even better! We are starting a new feature of weekly free or inexpensive classes, webinars, and fun things to do. This current week list of free classes is the first time we are doing this, so we welcome your input for courses you may be hosting or a favorite you would like to share with our community. Below is the current week of free classes:
Continue reading “Current Week Free Classes”

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Applying to Art Fairs During Covid-19

Time to Apply to Art Fairs

Applying to art fairs was always a bit of art and science. Choosing the best one for you and what you sell. Finding one which fits into your desire to travel, life, art, and type of event has always been fun. You don’t want to sell at an event which doesn’t have the right customers for you either!

Now, there is an additional layer of shows canceling because of safety concerns. What happens if you apply to a fair, and it has to cancel due to state regulations? What happens to your entry fee, your both fee? Continue reading “Applying to Art Fairs During Covid-19”

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When All Events Canceled

Photo of an Art Fair

Sometimes when you are over-scheduled, having an event canceled feels good. Maybe you were trying to do one more thing in an already packed schedule. However, when you look at your calendar and all your events have canceled, it is scary. As an artist and maker who sells through live shows, it is overwhelming now.

I will be the first to admit I thought events would be canceled through early summer. I never thought events would be canceled throughout the summer, and some are even postponing into November. Continue reading “When All Events Canceled”

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Your Art Fair was Canceled due to the COVID

Art Fair Canceled Due to COVID

Your art fair canceled due to COVID, now what do you do? You are an artist, a maker, a freelancer. You sell art in public venues, at church functions, art fairs, farmer’s markets, in galleries. And now, due to the coronavirus, the public is told to avoid these types of venues. The art fair patrons are not sure what to do, do we stay home or continue with life.

What do you do as an artist, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic? Do you have a plan b to earn money if your event cancels? Continue reading “Your Art Fair was Canceled due to the COVID”

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Online Art Presence – Setting Yourself Up for Success

Online Creative Resources

In a world where everything seems to be increasingly done through an online presence instead of brick and mortar sales, the art world has a foot firmly in both worlds. Artists and makers sell through fairs, shows, exhibits, markets, and galleries as well as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, eBay, and your online stores. Choosing one over the other can be confusing.  

This article makes the assumption you are already selling in person. Either through fairs, galleries or pop-ups. You may have a thriving business or maybe you have just started. Either way, you may be thinking, why do I want to add one more thing to my already busy life. Especially if you do not want to deal with selling online, shipping items, returned items and paying state sales tax! Continue reading “Online Art Presence – Setting Yourself Up for Success”

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How to Find Art & Craft Fairs to Sell at

Art Fair Booth

Find an Art Fair to Sell at right now. 

You’ve decided to start selling the amazing work you have been creating. Congratulations! Now, the decision you need to make is where will you sell it.

On any given weekend across the country, there could be hundreds of art and craft fairs. How do you know which one will work best for you? And when do you need to apply? Continue reading “How to Find Art & Craft Fairs to Sell at”

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Four Simple Ways to Grow Your Email List

4 simple ways to grow your email list

You have heard you should have an email list.  But it seems like just one more thing to do.  Here are four simple ways to grow your email list, which won’t take a lot of your time or energy.  Having this list will give you the ability to reach out to your customers before your next event.

The first is through your merchant provider. 

Square is used by many artisans.  Did you know they have a service where you can update your customer data base directly from the payment information?  I found this information from the bottom of their website.  The best thing about this, it is free when you use Square.  If you don’t use Square, see if you merchant provider provides the same service. And if they do have it, use the service. 

Make sure when you collect your customers information this way, you get the correct confirmation from them allowing you to add them to your email list, before adding them to an email newsletter. Continue reading “Four Simple Ways to Grow Your Email List”