I recently joined a Freecycle e-mail list. You can click the title for information on this organization dedicated to helping people recycle goods that would normally go to the dump. Small, local groups form; people post offers of goods they no longer want—furniture, clothing, appliances, odds and ends—for free.
Yesterday I found some jewelry supplies being offered and contacted the person. She was in the process of switching her focus from making jewelry to something she loved doing more. She had also come across my blog (“Art for Money, Art for Life”) which discussed this very topic. I swapped some craft resources for her bottle of liver of sulfur, and we both felt we got a good deal.
So in the interest of recycling today, let me share with you a few resources for those in need of information about the business of craft.
First stop: The Crafts Report, a magazine devoted to the business of craft. At their website (www.craftsreport.com) you will find a very active discussion group ranging from rank newbies to seasoned pros. Come on by, look around, check out the archives and post your questions here.
Next, check out www.americancraft.com, website for The Rosen Group, a company devoted to craft business with an emphasis on wholesale. The Rosen Group offers beginning artists a wealth of services, from a lively discussion forum to the top-ranked wholesale show venue for fine contemporary American craft (the Buyers Market of American Craft shows in February and July.) The Rosen Group also publishes two magazines targeting retailers and collectors of contemporary American craft, and Wendy Rosen's seminal book, "CRAFTING AS A BUSINESS".
When you are ready to consider doing wholesale marketing, contact Alisha Vincent there (alishav@rosengrp.com) and get an appointment to attend their Visiting Artists Program at their next show. You will receive a private evaluation of your product, pricing, marketing matreials and prospects, and a tour of the show. You can also get a thoughtful and intelligent industry perspective of the world of fine craft at Alisha’s blog (www.alishavincent.com)
Last, check out the Arts Business Institute website (www.artsbusinessinstitute.org) for information on their traveling classes and seminars on the business of art and craft. The director, Marilyn Ulen, will be delighted to answer your questions on how to bring this amazing resource into YOUR community. (You can get ME, too—I’m on the faculty!)
Christine, the liver of sulfur lady, thanked me for being so generous with information today. Nope, not generous, I told her—just recycling the support and good will I received from this community when I was just starting out.
Pass it on!
