Arts And Crafts

Etsy is the place to go these days for handmade crafts. With Memorial Day right around the corner, we wanted to make sure that Etsy has all your holiday decorating needs taken care of. And after going through their entire catalogue of patriotic ...  

Etsy, the online marketplace where people sell their arts and crafts, has raised $40 million in funding. Investors include Index Ventures (which led the round), Accel Partners, Union Square Ventures, Hubert Burda Media and Glynn Partners. In a blog post, Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson said the company will expand internationally. To date, Etsy has raised $91 million in capital.  

Etsy was launched as a ragtag website for artists and craftspeople to sell their wares. Today, it has become one of the Internet's most prominent tastemakers. As the company grows, experts caution that it must be careful not to alienate its faithful shop owners and customers by going too commercial and straying from its independent, artsy roots, or by becoming bogged down in privacy and seller credibility concerns.  

THE craft of the blacksmith was celebrated at the inaugural Crafts and Blacksmithing Fair at Millstreet Country Park over the May bank holiday weekend. A relaxed festive atmosphere prevailed with huge numbers availing of favourable weather over the four day staging at the picturesque location.  

luclatulippe: Maybe if Etsy’s “crafters only” business model also applied to themselves—DIY computers made from egg cartons and lawnmower parts, internet run on hamster-wheels, office inside a treehouse—I could get behind it.  As it stands, Etsy earns around $90 million a year off their sellers, who themselves on average each earn less than minimum wage from sales of their own work. *cough* (Slave labor!) *cough* Anyway, here they are looking...  

For those of us who live in northern climates, it is always exciting when the weather starts to warm up and we can spend more time outdoors. The natural course of events is that we then start taking more outdoor photos. This week's new scrapbook page, Geocaching with Free Tree and Leaves Patterns, features an idea that would be perfect for camping, hiking, Boy or Girl Scout, or travel scrapbook pages. Be sure to save the free tree and leaves...  

I had a hard time deciding on a favorite crafty link this week, how about you? Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery - Learn how you can make a pair of lace-up the back socks from a standard pair of socks. Mixed Media Artist - Cyndi starts a quilt with some really bright fabrics...and frames them in black! Eileen - The Artful Crafter - How to create a cheery no-sew spring scene wall hanging. Crafty Princess Diaries - When your princess's or...  

BETSI is a bulk editing tool for Etsy. Editing actions include find and replace, change price, re-list, edit tags and more. Tools for Etsy offers a range of tools for the Etsy marketplace including hearts search, listings search, consolidated feedback search, tagging tools, treasury search, and more.  

Scott Constable is a craftsman who designs utilitarian objects like furniture skateboards and handcrafted homes to the more esoteric, such as a mobile micro radio station or a mobile biodiesel processor (see Wowhaus: craft, tiny architecture ...  

OCEAN CITY -- This Memorial Day weekend, Ocean City's annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show returns to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center for a two-day blowout sale featuring dozens of local and regional vendors. "We have been doing the Spring ...  

Paul Celentano of Etsy shop Celentano Woodworks handcrafts his maple-wood Atom Ukuleles. Each one of these beauties features the atomic symbol, are custom made-to-order by Celentano and available to purchase on Etsy. via Boing Boing  

Founded in 2005, Etsy started as a ragtag website for artists and craftspeople to sell their wares. Today, it has evolved into a funky online bazaar with more than 800,000 "stores" selling 13 million different items. It is also a surprisingly big business: According to recent figures, the site gets more than 39 million unique visitors every month, and last year rung in sales of $525.6 million.  

Etsy has become the go-to site for people looking for home-made crafts and vintage items from independent artisans -- and for artisans wanting to sell them, and it now counts some 39 million monthly unique visitors, 13 million items and 800,000 storefronts within its virtual walls. Now it looks like Etsy wants to expand into serving a new class of buyers and sellers: the company has apparently bought Trunkt, which specializes in selling...  

Digital scrapbooking and highbred scrapbooking have become very popular with the availability of camera phones and mini digital cameras.  These two forms of scrapbooking use digital images to create the scrapbook page without having to collect ...  

Etsy has become the go-to site for people looking for home-made crafts and vintage items from independent artisans — and for artisans wanting to sell them, and it now counts some 39 million monthly unique visitors, 13 million items and 800,000 ...  

Crafty bloggers use Pinterest to swap ideas, drive trafficThe Seattle TimesShe uses it to find, organize and share sewing projects and crafts, mostly, but also recipes, fashion and organizing tips. Pinterest is an online pinboard to which you "pin" favorite pictures and ideas. It's a public display of personal tastes and ...and more »  

Jordana Paige, the knitwear and handbag designer, will show off its latest products in April and May at local yarn shops throughout the country. PRLog (Press Release) - Apr 18, 2012 - One of the most difficult parts of shopping online, for customers and ...  

Va Beach VA Hotel is perfect for bringing your family to relax while you scrap the days/nights away..Indoor 48 seat movie theater, childrens educational room with instructural arts & crafts/games, and a Indoor lazy river you and/or your family can enjoy in ...  

PIGEON FORGE — Officials with the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation hosted their first “Off the Wall” fine art and crafts sale over the weekend, raising funds to benefit health care programs and services at LeConte Medical Center. Almost 30 artists ...  

The company's closure of Robertson's shop is not an isolated incident. As 6-year-old Etsy has grown into the largest online crafts retailer in world, the prospect of eBay This year, Etsy nearly doubled the size of its now 16-person detective staff whose ...  

Scrapbook Madness is hitting Grants Pass on June 2, 2012.  This all day scrapbooking, education and shopping experience will be held at the Grants Pass Parkway Village commons, near the Sears store, 1545 NE F Street.  Bring a friend and have a ...  

In some of my other writing gigs, I cross paths with many people who sell video game-inspired handmade goods on Etsy, the e-commerce website for handmade or vintage arts and crafts. The rule at the publication Nintendo Power, for example, is that it doesn ...  

This Saturday is the gigantic annual customer yard sale at the Stamping and Scrapbooking Room, aka Betty's, in Greensboro. This is a great opportunity to find a bargain on scrapbooking and cardmaking tools and supplies. The sale starts on Saturday ...  

MORE than 600 Guides, Brownies and Rainbows came together to celebrate the arts of dance and drama. Youngsters from all over South Cumbria, accompanied by more than 100 adult volunteers, went to John Ruskin School and the Institute in Coniston to take part ...  

Once she has the customer's ideas and specifications, she paints the pieces with Folk Art Acrylic Paint and then sends pictures ... Claiming she's always loved arts and crafts, she finds that painting can be very relaxing for her. She also enjoys ...  

Step away from the craft fair. Set up shop on Etsy, the world market for art, design and home decor! For artists, crafters, designers, and vintage resellers, it’s a revolution. Never before has it been so easy to open a storefront that will reach ...  

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin named Audra Deaton now creates and sells her jewelry on the arts and crafts e-commerce website Etsy, student newspaper The Daily Texan reported last night. Deaton majored in "textiles and apparel ...  

DOZENS of children made masks and origami and enjoyed painting during school holiday craft activities at Chester Square last week. The daily activities featured a mixture of crafts to delight youngsters of all ages while their parents shopped for essentials.  

Join the wonderful ladies at Late Night Croppers in Wilmington, MA for a fun day filled with 14 hours of crop time plus gifts and prizes! The National Scrapbook Day crop starts at 10am and ends at midnight, there's still just a few spaces left ...  

What do you do when you are 71 and have more quilts than you can throw a stitch at? If you are Emma Vandenberg you get some of your crafty friends together and open a shop. Quilts and Crafts on Cuba opened on the corner of Cuba and Bourke streets last week.  

The company's closure of Robertson's shop is not an isolated incident. As six-year-old Etsy has grown into the largest online crafts retailer in world, the prospect of eBay-style resellers invading the site and flooding it with mass-produced ...  

The 500 Inc. is presenting this upscale art, food and cocktail event to benefit the cultural arts of Dallas. Come celebrate with specialty martinis, beer and wine, tasty bites from area restaurants and food venues, an art display, a silent ...  

The following events will be held at Lost Arts and Antiques in Edwadsville during May: • May 4, 5-7 p.m. Artist reception for Cindy Neuhaus, owner of Lakeshore Collection of porcelain horses. Light refreshments served. • May 8, 6:30 p.m ...  

Penfield High School to hold fundraiser April 21Greece PostBy Vivian Gomez Penfield High School will hold a Mothers Day Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 am to 4 pm April 21 in the east gym. There will be more than 40 vendors, local talent and small businesses attending the fair.and more »  

Mountain View: A Crafts Community and MoreHeber Springs Sun-TimesThe Arkansas Craft Guild, established as a cooperative, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The guild has grown steadily and today contains over 200 juried artists crafters. The Arkansas Craft Guild Gallery, located at 104 W. Main, ...  

I wrote a couple of  articles about using resin to make arts and crafts last month.  If you are interested in finding out more about making resin arts and crafts, Rio Grande has just posted instructions on how to make an Asian industrial belt buckle.Easy DIY Asian Industrial Belt Buckle Instructions originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 06:31:13.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

I've been working on my 2012 series of articles about starting a new arts or crafts business. This week, I've taken a break on writing on the articles and have started a handy check list for arts and crafts business startup success.Arts and Crafts Startup Business Check List originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at 05:52:59.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

TORONTO - Earlier this month, a gob-smacked Leslie Feist rose to accept her third Juno Award, the lofty artist of the year honour. Only a few minutes prior, a similarly stunned Dan Mangan walked across the stage to collect his second Juno trophy, for new artist of the year.  

ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/TIMES NEWS Volunteers with the Tamaqua Community Arts Center (TCAC) are holding kid's crafting classes every Thursday at the center, 125 Pine Street, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is open to children in kindergarten to 3rd grade. Donations are encouraged, but not required.  

I was reading an article about designer Coco Chanel last night and wanted to share these three quotes with you to give you some arts and crafts inspiration as you start your week: "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."  "Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity." And my favorite for all you fledgling arts and crafts business owners out there: "Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to...  

I must admit, I don't use or check Pinterest. However, copyright violations of artist and crafter work is an issue with Pinterest users.  Pinterest has attempted to stem this concern by providing some html code so you can elect to opt out.   To find out more, check out this great article about Pinterest copyright issues by Greek Geek.  Here's a link to the Pinterest copyright information page. And, for more information about protecting your...  

I've blogged about Kickstarter in the past, which is a funding platform for creative project.  This week I've found an arts and crafts related Kickstarter project called The Makery.  The Makery aims to be  an e-store  offering  handmade goods at discount pricesNew Kickstarter e-Store Arts and Crafts Project originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at 07:34:30.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

The April 2012 issue of The Crafts Report has an excellent article by Steve Meltzer about high-quality, affordable cameras for taking images of your craft items.  While this article is not available for free at The Crafts Report website, the article about being a used-car craftsperson is and it is great too!  I receive just about all my arts and crafts mags digitially. This publication is $11.95 for 12 issues and is a bargain at the price...  

Interesting article about five artists/crafters in the Bahamas sharing resources and expenses to open Nassau's first Craft Cottage.Sharing Craft Expenses - Five Artists Under One Roof originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, March 25th, 2012 at 05:57:16.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

Another interesting Kickstarter project - The Wedding Gown Project.  I've gabbed about the potential Kickstarter could have for your arts or crafts business before and thought you might appreciate a thumbnail sketch of how they operate: For a 5% administrative fee,  Kickstarter solicits donations for a specific arts/crafts project with an agreed-upon deadline for accepting donations.  If you reach or exceed the amount needed by the deadline...  

Near and dear to all artists and crafters hearts are the self-taught as many of us fall into that category.   To see some of your peer's work, try to check out the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, TN which is presenting self-taught artists of the American South. Wish I lived  near Nashville so I could attend the Unexpected Film Adult Mask and Video Series. The participants make their own mask and write anoriginal fairy tale...  

Blogging is an essential way to drive traffic to your arts and crafts website.  While doing some research about another topic, I found these helpful blogging tips by Tel Asiado. And just a bit of advice from my own experience.  Unfortunately, since spamming is so prevalent, it's probably best to not allow comments to your blogs.Check Out These Helpful Blogging Tips! originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Thursday, April...  

One way to have the customers come to you is to participate in an open studio tour of your arts or crafts business. While this tour is a crawl between studios in a specific geographic arts district, this is also something you can sponsor should you have a studio in a communal workspace such as an incubator.Bring in Sales With a Studio Tour originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 at 05:30:39...  

Interesting article in the Winona Daily News about quirkiness being an appealing aspect for craft show buyers.  This is something I talked about a couple of years back in my article about Amy Flynn's FOBOTS (found items robots). Image and design of  Mailer Demon Fobot copyrighted by Amy FlynnQuirkiness at Craft Shows Can Equal More Sales originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 at 06:29:31...  

When starting a new arts or crafts design, thinking and doing eventually come together in the prototype.  For some helpful tips about prototypes, check out my two articles on the subject: Prototype Basics Using Your Prototype Creating Your Prototype originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, April 15th, 2012 at 09:00:31.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

If you would like to suppliment your arts and crafts business income, a summer job as a arts and crafts teacher just may be up your alley.  Check out this current listing on craigs list for  Pelham Country Club Sports Camp, which is  looking for an Arts and Crafts Director for a six week term this summer.Teaching Arts and Crafts In Summer Camp for Extra Cash originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, April 7th, 2012...  

ABC2 NewsKids can do arts and crafts, meet the Easter BunnyABC2 NewsKids can hunt for eggs, do arts and crafts, check out the petting farm, get their face painted and meet the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt for children ages 2-7 will begin at 12:45 pm. The entire event runs from noon until 2 pm.Easter Bunny, arts and crafts entertain kids at annual Liberty House Easter ...The Jersey Journal - NJ.comEgg-Bot will decorate Easter eggs for those who...  

The Michigan Arts Crafts Show has partnered with over 200 agencies in the area, from Special Olympics to the YMCA, to provide space to disabled vendors with their own unique creations. The next two shows are on May 4 and June 1. If you are a disabled artist or crafter you may be interested in partnering with Crafted Elegance, a socially responsible business that sells handmade arts and crafts created by disabled individuals.Information for...  

Looking for some fantastic current resources for the business side of your arts and crafts company? I recommend six websites providing free or inexpensive services from scrapbooking software programs to legal advise to synching note taking programs.Six Free Arts and Crafts Resource Websites originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 at 06:48:50.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

Handmade Neighborhood: Arts and craft sellers' 'quirkiness' is one key to big ...Winona Daily News(Rory O'Driscoll/Winona Daily News) Details: Several local artists will sell handmade arts, crafts and goods. Michelle Urbick likes things to be useful — and cute. Everything she creates for her business, Rosy Blu Handmade, serves a purpose and a ...and more »  

Check out this contest to have your your art or one-of-a-kind craft featured on the cover of The Craft Report.  The contest runs from May 1 through May 31. For more info, check out the contest rules on The Craft Report's Facebook page (info on how to receive the contest rules are on the left-hand side of the page).Don't Miss This Chance to Promote Your Art or Craft! originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, May 1st...  

I run across many artists and crafters who have started their business after retiring from their day jobs - their second act - if you will.  The link takes you to an interesting article from The Dispatch about two such crafters.Make Arts and Crafts Your Second Act originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 06:56:35.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

If you are a West Virginia artist or crafter you may want to check out  selling at OUR-WV.com.   The store rental fee is 10 a month and 7.5% commission on sales (which appears high to me).    The FAQ also requests artists and crafters with a physical location pay the 7.5% commission on any sales storefront that flowed from the website. New Online Marketplace for WV Artists and Crafters originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on...  

Excellent article at the American Craft Council online website about gallery Ornamentum and how the gallery owners pick which artists they represent to create a  multifaceted appeal for customers. While Ornamentum is a jewelry art/craft gallery, the information in this article is helpful to all arts and crafts business owners.  Plus the image gallery is quite lovely. More info on the subject: Selling through musuem gift shops Selling...  

Very interesting article about the 'new' type of arts and crafts show and competing for the customer bucks with food and other types of vendors.  The article also points out an observation I made in my How to Start a Home-Based Jewelry Making Business book - in uncertain economic times your middle priced items will drop in sales while your high-end and cheap items will go up.Observations About the New Craft Shows originally appeared on About...  

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts located in Bainbridge Island,  WA announces a  new scholarship for graduating high school seniors who plan to study arts/crafts. Recipients are selected by professional artists from the community. The deadline to apply is April 27, 2012.New Arts and Crafts Scholarship Announcement - Apply by April 27 originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at 08:23:46.Permalink | Comment...  

This just up from JCK, Illinois judge has struck down the state's Internet sales tax law.  Very interesting comments about the unfairness between brick-and-mortar and internet shops.Internet Sales Taxation - Recent Events originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at 06:22:48.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

You just may be interested in checking out this art prize of $100,000.  Sponsored by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, it is open to artists under 35 years of age.   All artistic mediums are accepted.  Applications are available online and accepted through May 6, 2012 at the Future Generation Art Prize website.  Good luck! Future Generation Art Prize - $100,000 Grand Prize originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Friday, April...  

Well, the answer is a big no! While it's good business to have a friendly relationship with customers and vendors, I never recommend becoming friends with those you either provide goods and services for or purchase from. Friends and money changing hands just don't mix.  Should You Consider Customers to Be Friends? originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 06:33:52.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

National Teacher's Day is on May 8. To celebrate,  A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts expandes its teacher appreciation program by increasing its discount to 15% off all items, including sale merchandise. Thank you to all the dedicated teachers out there! Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/01/4456996/ac-moore-arts-crafts-expands-teacher.html#storylink=cpyTeacher's Discount on Arts and Crafts Supplies originally appeared on About.com Arts...  

I found this interesting article about making money at craft shows.  While there is some good basic information to be found in this article, key to exhibiting at arts or crafts shows is picking the right one for your type of art or craft, customer base and price line.Making Money at Craft Shows originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 06:08:11.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

I'm in the process of trademarking a slogan I developed for my new arts/crafts line of products.  This week, I introduce trademarks and how you can use them to protect your arts and crafts intellectual property.Introduction to Trademarks originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 07:01:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this  

Oktoberfest Arts and Crafts Applications Being AcceptedSouthern Pines PilotHickory's Oktoberfest 2012 is now accepting applications for arts and crafts vendors. Celebrating its 27th year, this annual festival will be held Oct. 12-14, in downtown Hickory. Hickory's Oktoberfest is a three-day outdoor festival held annually on ...  

The Dominion PostAs craft gets cool, group reaps rewardsThe Dominion PostARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS: Annette James, an administrator at the Karori Arts and Crafts Centre, with some of the members' work behind her. Craft is now cool, and a high-use, low-profile arts group in Karori is reaping the rewards. The Karori Arts and Crafts ...and more »  

Rich Baloch culture, a feast for Lok Mela visitorsInternational News NetworkISLAMABAD: The rich culture and traditions of Balochistan displayed at 'Lok Mela' prove to be an opportunity for the visitors to value the arts and crafts of the province along with the display of cultural materials of other provinces.and more »  

Kids' arts and craftsNew Ross StandardA SELECTION of arts and crafts sessions for children aged between 5 and 10 years will be held in New Ross Library over the Easter school holidays at various times in the morning and afternoon. Places are still available on a Monoprint Workshop with ...  

The Summit Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, an upscale, juried event, will take place on Sunday, June 24, along Beechwood Road, Union Place and Bank St. in the heart of the downtown Summit shopping district. The festival will feature...  

Koigu Basket Weave Baby Blanket .... First from the front peak to the mid-crown and then across the entire back, you essentially "turn the heel", but somehow instead of a sock, you end up with a sweet Baby Bonnet! Thinking ...  

A tent with several artists is open at the Sooke Country Market