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Arts / Crafts Business

Launch My Line Finale

Well, just a few comments on the season finale of Launch My Line. It's not much of a surprise that the one designer with fashion industry construction and cost of goods sold estimation was the final winner. You can never disregard the value of having good practical experience in the type of arts or crafts business you choose to operate.

Personally, I preferred the convertible designer's garments. I hope she continues on the path to market them. However, this is a case of not realizing the retail aspect of the garment's design. The full out convertibility is fantastic for a boutique operated by the designer but the garments would be a nightmare for any type of mass-market retail.

Can you imagine going to a shop like Banana Republic with the zippers flying, the mess it would be to put the garments back together after the customer finished in the dressing room? I really think this designer would have won had she throttled back on the conversions for the final runway show.

Lessons learned: secure practical experience in your art or craft and carefully consider your marketplace when designing your arts and crafts.

Launch My Line Finale originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 16:26:55.

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In New York? Don't Miss the Harlem Fine Art Show

I always find inspiration and a renewed appreciation for work of my fellow artists and crafters when I attend shows. If you feel the same way and you live in or plan on visiting Manhattan, the 1st Annual Harlem Fine Art Show is being held on February 20 and 21. Over 60 of the world's most celebrated African-American artists will be at this new addition to Manhattan's annual Black History Month celebrations.

The event will be held at the 369th Armory, 2366 Fifth Ave., between 142nd and 143rd Streets. Prices for the artwork start at $100. Adult admission to the show is $20, $10 for children 12 and under. Hours: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To launch the Harlem Fine Art Show, The New York Times, the event's media sponsor, will host a preview party at their new headquarters on Feb. 19 as part of the publication's salute to Black History Month.

Image courtesy of PRNewsPhoto / Harlem Fine Art Show.

In New York? Don't Miss the Harlem Fine Art Show originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 06:22:07.

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Current American Craft Council News

I'm always in awe of the skills shown by artists and crafters in fields that I'm unfamiliar with. The February/March issue of American Craft magazine has two fantastic articles on the craft of hand-making shoes and felting. While I've never deliberately felted, I have inadvertently felted by washing and drying a wool sweater. As the article states, you will loss up to 40% of the volume.

It also has a beautiful, approximately 20-page full-color ad for artists and crafters attending the Baltimore American Craft Show at the end of February. For more info about the Baltimore craft show check out the craft council internet fact page.

American Craft magazine is complimentary for members of the American Craft Council. For any artist or crafter that is not already a member, I highly recommend membership in this very useful organization. The annual membership of $40 is worth every penny. Some articles from the current issue of Amercian Craft are available online.

Current American Craft Council News originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 08:59:19.

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Designing Your Own Fabric

I have to admit, I've been somewhat fixated on surface design of fabric and construction lately because I am considering going back to my roots in arts and crafts which is fabric design. My grandmother was a textile designer and made wedding gowns in her spare time to keep food on the table. Luckily, I had a chance to learn a bit about this art from her before her death.

So I was thrilled to find information about companies allowing you to upload designs which they will replicate on fabric. To find out more in general, check out the article, DIY Textiles Let Everyone Create Their Own Designs on Fabric by Jennifer Forker. And here's a link to one service specifically mentioned in the article: Spoonflower.

I plan on using one of these services and will report back after my first attempt.

Designing Your Own Fabric originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 07:04:21.

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The 1099-MISC Deadline Is Approaching

If you paid a non-corporate entity more than $599.99 for services provided to your arts and crafts business in 2009, you'll need to issue them a Form 1099-MISC. The Form 1099-MISC has to be issued to the recipient by the last day in January and mailed to the Internal Revenue Service with the Form 1096 (transmittal form) by the last day of February.

You don't have to issue a 1099-MISC to a corporation or to an individual who sold you raw materials or supplies to use in your arts and crafts business.

Find out more at the Internal Revenue Service fact page on Form 1099-MISC and from U.S Business Law/Taxes guide Jean Murray's article on 1099-MISC Form for Independent Contractors.

The 1099-MISC Deadline Is Approaching originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 18:36:43.

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Launch My Line Marilyn Crawford Update

Well, last week Marilyn Crawford was voted off Bravo's Launch My Line. I admire Ms. Crawford for her stick-to-it attitude from Week 1, (and her garment was lovely) but as I've blogged in the past, I find it irritating that many of the designers didn't attempt to learn more about garment construction before they started filming the show.

It was the beginning of the end when Ms. Crawford complained that her expert couldn't construct her design. Ok, here's the deal: most designs are doable if you use the right fabric and have adequate time - something that is obviously missing from any of these types of reality shows. But without good, practical experience, you'll not be able to correctly evaluate fabric choices or time constraints.

Bottom line: learn how to sew before you embark on a career as a clothing designer - or play one on TV. This advice runs across the board for all types of arts and crafts businesses. It is almost impossible to run a successful company unless you are adapt at the related creative process.

Image of L. Marilyn Crawford: Peter Kramer / Getty Images

Launch My Line Marilyn Crawford Update originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 20:23:38.

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Preparing a Customer Order

I recently wrote an article on how to prepare a customer invoice which gave some info on customer orders. The latest edition of the Crafts Report arrived a couple of days ago and columnist Donald Clark addressed the issue of how many copies of a customer order you should prepare.

How many copies you need depends on the size of your operation. Typically, the customer order goes to the customer for their approval. One signed original should be kept in your shop. If you have a shipping department, a copy should go to them as well to process the order. If your customer orders are computer generated, you can easily print them after the fact. However, one with your customer's original signature should be kept on file in case of dispute.

If you're preparing the customer order manually using a preprinted order book, the book will probably be set up to to make three copies of the document.

More info on the above:

Find out about getting a subscription to the Crafts Report (plus a bunch of links to recent arts and crafts articles you can access for free).

My article: How to Prepare Customer Invoices and Orders

Resource to purchase customer forms

Preparing a Customer Order originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at 16:33:47.

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Past and Future Trends in Crafts

Just finished reading an extremely interesting article on past and future trends in home decor and furniture. Three Vermont-based experts in home decor explain what furniture trends hit saturation point in the last decade (mission style furniture) and which appear to be strong sellers going into the next decade (use of easy-to-clean microfibers).

If your arts and crafts business involves home decor or furniture, the article is well-worth a quick read.

For more information about arts and crafts trends of the last decade, check out my article: Three Arts and Crafts Business Trends

Image of Microfiber Cloth: © Santje | Dreamstime.com

Past and Future Trends in Crafts originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 10:55:55.

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Another No-Listing Fee Arts and Crafts Marketplace at Trendy Indie

Not quite sure how I missed this, but another no listing arts and crafts marketplace sprung up last summer: TrendyIndie.com . Per the info on the website, this marketplace like ArtFire was started by artists and crafters to provide handmade items to shoppers wanting unique artisan items. Vendors simply pay a usage fee, depending on a pre-specified selling level. Usage fees range from $5 to $20 per month.

Want to give the site a test drive before making a commitment? For a limited time, new sellers who join TrendyIndie.com will receive their first 90 days free. To sign up for 90 days free, or to take advantage of unlimited product listing for life at a reduced monthly rate, check out that page on the Trendy Indie website.

For more information about selling your arts and crafts online check out these articles:

Setting up an ArtFire Studio

Using Etsy to Market Arts and Crafts

Making the Internet Work for Your Arts and Crafts Business

Another No-Listing Fee Arts and Crafts Marketplace at Trendy Indie originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 11:06:04.

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Self-Promoting Your Work - Just Good Business

The best marketing tool you have is yourself. If you create wearable art, you should always be decked out in some of your creations. I never leave the house unless I'm wearing some of my own jewelry or garments. If I get a compliment, I ask if the person if they'd like my business card with my website address. This is not too pushy and I have generated sales using this approach.

I found a great blog on the subject by Wendy Edsall-Kerwin: Wear Your Work or No One Else Will. She recently attended a annual meeting of a goldsmiths' guild where hardly anyone was wearing their own work and gives her opinion on the lack of self-promotion.

Self-Promoting Your Work - Just Good Business originally appeared on About.com Arts / Crafts Business on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 16:27:22.

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