Creative Business: Learning And Mastering Your Craft

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

The subject of how to learn and master your craft is something I will like to address. Your craft may be mixed media art, photography, music, sculpting, sewing, furniture making or fashion designing, just to name a few creative mediums. However, regardless of your chosen mediums there is always room to learn and lots of opportunities to explore.

There are so many creative business ventures that you can pursue, and regardless of what path you choose it is important to learn and develop your skills. If you are a novice, it may take some time to get to a point where you feel confident to sell your work. If you are a skilled individual and you are making the shift to selling your work, I believe that it is equally important to focus on a continued learning plan. This will allow your work to stay fresh and to be competitive in an ever changing creative market.

Many of the creatives I have met over the years have been self-taught. There are also those that have formally studied their craft through a formal educational environment such as a college or university program. Apprenticeship has also been a proven method for many individuals.

It is important to find what works best for you. We are all unique and that includes how we learn. Various factors in our lives will influence our ability to learn and master our given craft. Supplies can be costly and so are tuition fees in some cases. However, learning and mastering your craft is an important aspect of a creative business and must be seen as professional and skills development. It is also an opportunity to fine-tune or refine your talents and can provide a unique opportunity for self directed learning.

Asking how far you are willing to go and how much time and money you are willing to invest on learning and mastering your craft is a good place to start. You will also want to think about where you will like your work to go and identify the skills you will need. If seen from the perspective of professional and skills development, then it can be incorporated into you business cost, as it would be in another business or work environment.

Approaching the process also means thinking about your options and perhaps exploring a combination of learning strategies:

Experimentation
Learning by exploration and experimentation can be a great way to start. This can provide you with an opportunity to discover where your passion lies and is a great way to develop new techniques. You can do this on your own by "playing" with your chosen medium(s) and simply seeing how things evolve. This somewhat "trial and error" approach can take time and may be costly depending on your medium(s). However, I think that it can also lend itself to self-discovery and help you to tap into your individuality.

Reading
The availability of books and other learning tools is vastly available on different creative subjects. There are countless books that can be found on ever subject imaginable. There are lots of great resources available at your local library or bookstore. If you will like to learn an old craft or art form, then an old bookstore, antique market or even thrift store is a great source of older books. If you find a book that is invaluable, consider adding it to your personal reference library.

Courses
Courses taken through formal educational institutions can be costly, but can provide you with expert instruction. There are college and university programs dedicated to different art forms. However, over the years I have seen a decline in the availability of some courses. This may be as a result of decreased interest, a lack of available qualified instructors or a combination thereof.

Workshops and Seminars
Workshops and seminars may be offered within a formal educational environment, but is often found through other creatives or suppliers. You can often find interesting workshops and seminars at local shops where the focus is on arts and creative supplies. You can also find sessions via arts and creative organisations. The extent of how informative these sessions are depends upon the expertise and instructional skills of the individual instructor.

Online Tutorials
Online tutorials, like in the case of experimentation can provide you with an opportunity to explore different techniques. The skill level of the individuals presenting the tutorial will vary, so it may take viewing numerous video tutorials to get some deeper insight. The other benefit however, is having an opportunity to see different ideas and concepts and there finished state. This provides you with an idea of what something may look like prior to developing your own ideas.

Apprenticeship
Traditionally this approach is how many craft persons, artisans, makers, designers and many others would have learned and developed their skills. Learning from experienced individual and gaining valuable skills from a working creative environment.

I have found that a combined approach is often the most effective. Develop a strategy that supports your learning style. You will want to approach this process in a way that will maximize your learning and enhances your creativity. Having an understanding of how you learn will go a long way to ensure you gain the skills you need and build upon your talents. Commit yourself to the process and enjoy the journey. Never stop learning and continue to explore your creativity.

Resources:
Self Directed Learning
Identifying Your Learning Style

Creative Business: Turning Your Craft Into Business

I am happy to announce that Crafted Spaces now has a Creative Business segment. Our blog currently have a collection of articles that focus on business development. However, our new segment will bring more resources and insight into how to develop and manage a creative business. Through focused articles, online radio broadcast and workshops; the goal is to help others transform their creativity into viable business ventures.

As a maker, instructor and an independent business development consultant, I have worked with others to explore their creativity and develop their businesses. Last year, I had an opportunity to participate in an online women business journal, Simply Inspirational for Women in Business Journal 2013. I had the pleasure of working on the design and development of the journal, and contributed an article that focus on the creative business entrepreneur. My article Turning Your Craft Into Business touches upon the process of how to take your creative abilities and transform them into a viable business.

The new Crafted Spaces segment will be a guide on how to set-up your business, develop a marketing strategy, develop your craft, and sell your creations. This year I look forward to sharing with you the skills and knowledge I have gained over the past twenty years as a creative entrepreneur. I will also bring to you the expertise of other creative entrepreneurs and invite you to join us on Blogtalk Radio, Facebook and Pinterest.

Here are some creative business and other business development post to get you started. You are also invited to join me tomorrow on Crafted Spaces Radio for the first online radio broadcast dedicated to our new Creative Business segment.

The Creative Entrepreneur

by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

The creative entrepreneur like any other entrepreneur is fast becoming a vocation that many people are getting into. There has been a growth in every sector of the creative industry. In the mid eighteen-hundred, with the advent of industrial revolution and the birth of manufacturing, the creative artisan died. However, more recently with the economic down turn that has impacted the world’s economy, there has been an upsurge of creative businesses. People from every sector of the creative industry have began producing their craft and taking it to the market place.

To be a successful creative entrepreneur there are skills, knowledge and attitude that you should develop to start and run a business. Outside of your talent to create a new idea or new innovation, you also need entrepreneurial skills, collaboration skills and creativity. To successfully manage a business you will also need to master certain skills, and gain an understanding of intellectual property copyright laws. Having an understanding of patenting and publishing, to ensure the security and ownership of your work is very important.

Creative entrepreneurs should also have the ability to manage their creative process as well as the cash flow of their business. Management skills, marketing, branding, communication, collaboration, negotiation and leadership skills, are other entrepreneurial skills that they will need to be mastered. Alternatively, having other individuals within your business or network who have the needed skills for you to draw upon is crucial to running an effective and productive business.

It has been suggested by Howkins (2001) that the creative entrepreneur should also learn how to invent themselves ever so often; developing a professional image is also key to the success that they can achieve. Prioritizing their ideas, is also a skill that they should develop. It enables them to accomplish more. Education and development are also recommended, to update their knowledge base in particular to ensure entrepreneurial success.

Traditionally the creative entrepreneur required an agent or an art dealer, managers or publisher, depending on the area of their creativity. This individual showcased their work and decided the “prospective value” of the creative output, before placing it in front of buyers. The value of the creative individual’s works also included the fee for the “gatekeeper.” With the emergence of a new appreciation for the creative arts, along with government and policy makers support, spaces are being designed to create opportunities for the exhibition and sale of one’s artistic products. In addition, with the advent of digital technology and the Internet the creative entrepreneur can eliminate the “middle man” and go directly to market. Social media has also provided opportunities to connect with prospective clients and develop valuable networks.

Are you thinking about becoming a creative entrepreneur? It is a great sector to be part of, if you have innate skills that you can tap into that will support your livelihood. Why get into a business that is not natural to you or that you do not have passion for? Remember, we must do what we love and we will find the joy and happiness that we seek; and remember the money will follow.

REFERENCE:
Howkins, John, The Creative Economy: How People Make Money From Ideas, Penguin, 2001

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About the Author
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the founder and chief consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is an education and business development consultant, and has written several post for Crafted Spaces. She holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate degree in Education and Computer Applications. She has worked as a consultant for over ten years and is also a social media expert, who works with individuals and organizations to achieve their professional and business goals. Dr. Cottle also provides women entrepreneurs with valuable business development resources through her CPC Women in Business group and other initiatives.

Website | Facebook

Social Media For Creative Businesses

by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

With the internationalization of creative businesses, comes the emergence of creativity as a national and economic strategic opportunity for business development. In many parts of the world, it is also valued and recognized as a great “human asset,” that contributes to the gross national product. The creative individual is also being recognized as contributing to the national image of many nations across the globe.

Throughout civilization, creativity has played a pivotal role in defining our cultural practices, norms and values. It reflects who we are, our history and our value system. It serves as a vehicle for social changes and fostering national pride. Countries are known for their dancers, painters, singers, song writers, film makers, crafts, food, furniture, clothing designers, fabric designer, jewellery designers, and architecture, just to list a few of the creative icons. With greater recognition from our leaders and policymakers, more and more creative individuals are coming out of their private enclaves and promoting their work through the many outlets that are available to showcase their work.

Some of the best avenues that are being used to self-promote, reach clients and sell creative products and services, are social media sites. While there are countless social media sites available, I strongly recommend those that are described in this article.

Joining Social Media Sites
Some of the most popular social media sites that a creative entrepreneur can join are; Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, and You Tube. These platforms are great places to brand, market and promote creative products and services. It also gives creative business individuals a space to widen their network, and make connections on a global level. It also allows them to develop the personal prominence as an artist and creator of new information and resources.

Facebook

Facebook in particular allow you the opportunity to create a profile of yourself and through your profile you can connect with others and build your friend’s list. You can perceive your “friend’s list” as your audience for marketing and promoting your creative work. This is branding at a small scale and Facebook offers you the opportunity to be much more creative in how you showcase who you are and what you do.

On Facebook you can also create your own group(s). You can name your group based on your business or an area of interest for your clients. This can be an effective marketing strategy, where you can have a following of like-minded individuals joining you as well as people who appreciate and support your work.

If you are not open to creating a group, you also have the option to create a Fan Page and lots of people are opting for this alternative. A Fan Page has no limits as to how many people can join you and it gives you a great deal of autonomy.

Flickr

Flickr is an image hosting and video hosting website that is owned by Yahoo. It was created in 2004 and provides a space for you to feature your images. You can store your images and easily access them when you need to on other web platforms. At the time of this article, records indicate that they have a following of over 51 million registered members and over 80 millions visitors.

Flickr has the capabilities to store millions of files securely. You might be wondering; do I need to be registered to access images and photos from Flickr? Well you can access without being registered, but if you want to upload content on to Flickr, you must register an account. If you have a registered account you can also create a profile page with photos and videos.

Pinterest

Pinterest is another social media site that I think will appeal to the creative entrepreneur. Creative individuals use images and photos to illustrate their thoughts, share ideas and express themselves. As a creative entrepreneur, you can upload, save, and sort your images into “boards.” You can also manage your “pins” so that they reflect your area of interest and body of work.

Pinterest is a “pin board” website that is designed for photo and video sharing. Users can create and manage theme-based boards based on their interest, inspirational subjects, health and wellness, almost any topic you may think about. It also allows you to upload your own images and create boards so that those images may be repined by other users. You can also create several “secret boards,” for information that you will like to share with a select group of individuals or have for “your eyes only.”

To become a member of Pinterest you will need to register and create an account. Pinterest allows you to connect with your Facebook and Twitter accounts to start a Pinterest account. The platform also allows you to follow others in your network that has a Pinterest account. You can also share your activities on the other platforms. You can see a preview of the platform, in a previous Crafted Spaces article: 6 Reasons Your Business Should Use Pinterest.

YouTube

YouTube is another great social media forum with great appeal to the creative entrepreneur. This space allows you to create and share video on a range of topics. People can access your “channel” and view the information that you share. It also allows them to share your content with others, subscribe and leave a comment. You Tube accommodates over 800 million users. People on a daily basis upload and view information on the site. As a creative entrepreneur it is a great opportunity to share what you do and to brand your business.

Etsy

Etsy is an online shopping site that creative entrepreneurs can utilize to sell their products. It caters to many areas in the creative sector including, jewellery making, clothing designers, quilting, crocheting, knitting, painters, art, pottery, cooking and baking, home décor, just to list a few. You can access Etsy by registering an account, similar to the other sites.

The difference with Etsy is that it allows you to upload your commodity and process online sales via PayPal. This gives you an opportunity to reach your clients and eliminate the “middle man.” There is a cost for using Etsy and you will want to review their policies carefully to decide if they are the right online shopping platform for you.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope you have found it informative.

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About the Author
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the founder and chief consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is an education and business development consultant, and has written several post for Crafted Spaces. She holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate degree in Education and Computer Applications. She has worked as a consultant for over ten years and is also a social media expert, who works with individuals and organizations to achieve their professional and business goals. Dr. Cottle also provides women entrepreneurs with valuable business development resources through her CPC Women in Business group and other initiatives.

Website | Facebook

Leadership Styles and How They Work

by Dr. Cheryl Cottle



Creative business entrepreneurs like other entrepreneurs must also manage their businesses in a professional way. Research shows that there are many skills needed to successfully build a business, and one of those is leadership. Leadership skills are connected to your interpersonal skills and relates to how you connect and interact with others. It has a significant impact on the success and sustainability of your business. As a creative business owner, you also have to interact and build relationships with people at different levels; including employees, customers, suppliers, landlord, trade show organizers, and all those who are in one way or another connected with you and your business.

Leadership skills are very crucial to business owners to succeed in business. Research shows that there are many types of leadership styles including the autocratic approach and the democratic approach. The autocratic approach is generally associated to men, while the democratic approach is generally associated to women. The autocratic approach relies upon the individual exerting "power and control," as oppose to consensus. In contrast, the democratic approach to leadership relies upon collaboration, sharing and team work. It is a "softer" approach that has greater consensus and allows for people to be participatory.

When there is greater consensus, individuals engage more and feel committed to what is being done. Recently Dr. Silvia LaFair suggests that leadership can be examined from the perspective of "Caring and Daring." She suggests that women are caring leaders because of their biological nature. They are by nature caregivers and nurturers, while men are regarded as "Daring." Historically and culturally men are the hunter-gatherers; they were expected to hunt for resources and bring them to the home. Dr. LaFair also points out that in today's organizations or businesses using one approach over the other is not effective and suggest that both men and women should adopt a combinational approach or blended-approach using a "Caring and Daring" approach to leadership.

People prefer to relate to others if they feel that they are valued and appreciated by them. Having a people-oriented approach to human relationship will help build lasting and trusting work relationships. It will also help you to gain the commitment and dedication from those who you require support from. Remember you cannot do it alone. Sometimes we may think; I do not need to build relationships, I can do it alone, but remember that no one is an island. Some people are gifted leaders, while others will have to learn and develop their skills. Yes, it can be learnt and developed, and with time you can become the leader your business needs.

What is your leadership style? Is this something that you will like to change or improve upon?

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About the Author
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the founder and chief consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is an education and business development consultant, and has written several post for Crafted Spaces. She holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate degree in Education and Computer Applications. She has worked as a consultant for over ten years and is also a social media expert, who works with individuals and organizations to achieve their professional and business goals. Dr. Cottle also provides women entrepreneurs with valuable business development resources through her CPC Women in Business group and other initiatives.

Website | Facebook

How To Download Your Blogger Blog

Blogging can be a wonderful way to share your ideas and experiences. There are so many blogs that are used for personal and business purposes. Crafters, designers and artisans use blogs to showcase their work and to connect with clients. There are also many blogs that share great tutorials and DIY projects.

My blog is a vital part of my business, because it is where I share my creative projects, and where my students can access my classes and workshops and make payments for their desired sessions. A question that came to my mind was: what if something happened and I was unable to access my blog? What happens to all the information and work that has been put into designing and content?

I save .pdf versions of my content, but having an electronic version that is easy to import back into my blog forum or move to another platform is also a great idea. This is why I think, backing up your blog is something you should also consider doing.

Access Your Settings
If you have never done this before, here are two ways that you can access your blog settings. If you have multiple blogs, Option 2 will give you access to all of your blogs.

Option 1: When you have signed into your blog click on "Design" at top right hand corner. On the left of your screen you will see several icons and links, click on "Settings."

Option 2: If you have several blogs, click on "Design," and just under the blogger "B" logo (upper left hand corner) you will see "My blogs." When you click on this link, a new window will appear with a list of all your blogs. Click the triangle icon next to your blog title and a drop down menu will appear. Select the "Settings" link from the drop down menu.

Downloading Blog

• When you have accessed your "Settings," select "Other"
• Locate your "Blog tools" and you will see the option to "Import blog - Export blog - Delete blog"

• Click on "Export blog" and a pop-up box will appear asking you to "Download Blog"

• When your download is complete, you will see an .xml file at the lower left hand corner of the screen (Mac and Chrome users).

• Save this file in a folder for easy access. On my Mac, I simply clicked and dragged the file onto my desktop, then saved it in a folder called "Blog Backup."
• With windows and other browsers, the choices will be basically the same, but may look a little bit different. 

What is an .xml File?
An .xml file is an Extensible Markup Language file. It is similar to an .html file except its format is designed for RSS feeds and/or blogs. It can be opened in Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac) or other Web design programs such as Dreamweaver. This is a source code file with all the scripting and content for your site. An explanation of RSS and XML is beyond the scope of this blog but if you want to find out more about these technologies, there is a great article on About.com for .xml as well as very extensive entries for XML and RSS on Wikipedia.

As an added note, I originally tried doing this in Safari and I was getting an RSS feed instead of a download (this is because Safari has a built in RSS feed reader). I then tried it in Chrome and it worked just right, so keep this in mind when you try it in your given browser.

You may also want to schedule how often you do a backup. Depending on how much you blog, consider a weekly or a minimum monthly schedule. If you are a WordPress user, perhaps this link on how to export or download your content or how to set-up automatic backups using WordPress will be helpful.

Do you currently back-up your blog and/or computer files? How often do you do a back-up?

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Important Note:
This is how I backed up my Crafted Spaces blog. I would hate for anyone to lose their valuable information, so I suggest that you do some research and make sure that this is safe for you to do as well. The research I did was very helpful to me. I decided to write this blog with the hope that it might help others, but I always suggest doing your own research as well. Check the blogger support forum for more information before proceeding with your download.

6 Reasons Your Business Should Use Pinterest

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

There are so many social media platforms available and deciding which ones to dedicate your time and efforts to can be challenging. Once you think social media, many of us think time. However, in today's world investing the time needed to connect with your customers, prospects and others in your industry is vital to the survival and growth of your business. To simply choose to ignore the growing influence that social media has on business development and the world around us, might be the biggest mistake a business owner can make. Yet the next question that comes to mind is, how can I sift through the over abundance of information available in order to decide which social platforms are best.

One of the best places to start is by better understanding your customers and your target audience. What are their social media habits and what platforms match with their preferences and lifestyles. Another important factor is deciding what platforms best highlight your business' products and services.

Given that my business is built on the idea of creativity, I chose Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com) as one of my social media platforms. Pinterest allows me to share creative ideas and to gather inspiration. It can also be very addictive. You can spend hours wasting time, but also spend hours discovering great websites and gathering amazing resources.

In short, Pinterest is a virtual pin board that lets you organize and share visual content that you like on the Internet. You can curate a collection of images or videos that can compliment your own work. You are utilizing other people's content to add value to your customers' experience. It is visual and very easy to navigate. It is easy to join and all you need to do is install a "Pin" button on your browser. Better yet, many sites have a "Pin It" button, which not only lets you know that they are okay with you collecting the image and linking to the information, but it makes it supper easy to do so.

You can create a "Board," in which you will "Pin" to. When you click on the image or video on your board, you are taken back to the source where you can review the full details. It is that simple . . . well almost. I say almost, because as with any social media platform, you have to learn how to make the best out of it to enhance your business, and it takes a commitment of your time to the process. Connecting with others, sharing, repining, and providing feedback on other "Boards," are important factors for getting noticed. The idea is to have fun and connect with others.

Here is a snapshot of some of my boards:


Here are 6 reasons your business should use Pinterest:

1. Great way to encourage visitors to your blog or website
2. Gain links to valuable information and a wealth of inspiration
3. Gain more exposure by posting original images of your work on a board that features a collection of your work
4. Interact with customers and others in your network
5. Raise awareness of your business or things that interest you
6. Take advantage of the fastest growing social media platform

Check out the "Pin Etiquette," along with other great information for getting you started. Another great article for getting you started can be found on wikiHow by clicking here. For more news on this social media platform visit Mashable.

When you do join, follow me on Pinterest.

10 Tips on How to Successfully Price Your Crafts

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

This article was written to explain in detail how to price your crafts. There is a previous article "Pricing Your Handcrafted Products," which took a brief look at this topic. However, the goal is to look at the topic more extensively and provide some tips on how to successfully price your crafts and your services. Setting a price can be know easy task and often times for those creating unique crafts and art, the idea of placing a price on their creativity can be a challenge.

It is important to keep in mind that an important component in pricing is profit. The key is establishing a balance between being competitive and profitable.

1. Mark-up

The mark-up is generally 100% more than what you paid. However, depending on the product you may be able to increase your percentage. If however, you are producing your own item you will want to consider a few key elements when deciding upon your mark-up. To keep it simple, keep the following factors in-mind:

• Cost for the raw materials + labour cost + other cost (eg. rent, machinery, packaging, ect.)  = product/service base price
• Your base price is the minimum amount you can sell your items for while covering your cost
• How much are customers willing to pay?
• Is your product unique?
• What are your competitors pricing?

Example:

If you make jewellery how much will you price an earring and necklace set, that took you 45 minutes to make?

If the cost of the beads and finding your purchased cost $25.00 and you are paying yourself $15.00 per hour for labour and provide your customers with a jewellery book for their set. Consider the following;

Materials Cost = $25.00

Labour            = $11.25

Jewellery Box = $1.50

*Other Cost       = $2.50

Total Cost         = $40.25

*Other Cost; includes a percentage of your rent, utilities, website, online shop or cost for craft show, transportation, etc. 

You can price your earring and necklace set at $40.25 or you can "Mark-up" the price based on the quality of your product, its unique features, what competitors are selling similar products for, and most importantly what customers are willing to pay for your product.

The "Mark-up" is the additional profit you make that gets added to your business to support the growth and development of your business.

2. Method of Selling

It is crucial to identify your method of selling your craft. Where you are selling your creations will significantly impact the price by which you can sell the item. Take the time to visit the store, craft fair or online site that you are thinking of selling your creations and make a list of the prices of items that are similar to your own.

3. Target Audience

You will need to identify who you are trying to sell your craft to and where they will most likely buy your items. What is the nature of your buyer and what are their needs? What are they willing to pay for your creation?

4. Competition

Identifying who your competitors are and what they are selling similar products for is also crucial in your pricing. Identifying the quality, craftsmanship and unique features of their work, and situating yourself in the market. This also helps you to identify the unique features of your work and to find ways of standing out from your competitors.

5. Customer Service

What level of customer service are you offering. The time you invest with your clients and the care given to their needs will be a greatly appreciated. Customers are often willing to pay more for an item when they know they are receiving a quality product accompanied by quality service.

6. Raw Materials

The cost of your materials are simple items to include in your pricing. Keeping track of your raw materials and what is used for the creation of each item is important. If the same item is purchased at varying prices, perhaps taking the average cost is a method you can consider.

For example, if your purchased 5 meters of fabric at $14.00 per meter, but later returned and was able to purchase 5 additional meters of the same fabric on sale at $7.00 per meter; then perhaps the price of the material for the items you are making can be the average to the two. This will therefore make your fabric cost $10.50 per meter.

7. Labour

The cost of labour may be what you have to pay yourself or a contractor that you use to make all or part of your item. You may pay by the piece or by the hour. It is important that if you are paying yourself that you determine what rate your services are going to be valued at. Are you above minimum wage?

9. Fixed and Variable Cost

These are business expenses that you will incur during the course of doing business on a daily basis. Often it may be overlooked when pricing; however, it is crucial to factor in these cost into your items in order to sustain the cost of doing business. Regardless of how much you sell and how much you make each month, many of these cost (eg. fixed cost) are constant and must be paid on a monthly basis. Things like the rent for your workspace (eg. studio or part of your home), telephone, utilities, etc. should always be factored into the price of your items.

10. Packaging and Shipping

Your unique creations deserve the proper presentation. An investment in the way your creations are packaged and delivered to your customers are also part of your branding. This variable cost must be factored in when pricing your crafts. Your hand knitted cowl from organic wool, is a special item for which you are charging a higher price and the presentation is a factor in this.

I hope that this article helps you with your pricing and provides you with some key tips in successfully pricing your crafts.

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Today we will be discussing on Crafted Spaces Radio, The Challenges of Pricing; listen in here!  You are invited to add your thoughts on this topic.

Preparing for Craft and Trade Shows

Many designers and crafters sell their products at craft fairs and trade shows. Many of us have already had several shows this year and may have a full schedule of events for the upcoming holiday season.

However, do you feel that you have gotten the best out of the shows you have attended? Will you like to get more from your show? Have you met your yearly sales target to-date? Will you like to find new ways of improving what you do or will like to share what works well for you?

Well, with all of these questions in mind Crafted Spaces has an upcoming FREE online session on Friday, October 28th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. This interactive session will focus on the discussion of "Preparing for Craft and Trade Shows." We will focus on how to select the right shows and how to get ready for shows. We will also discuss, how to connect with customers and how to meet your target sales, plus other helpful tips.

We started looking at other aspects of this topic earlier this year, and did two post that we feel are very helpful to this discussion. Here are the links to those post:

Show Evaluation Worksheet  >> http://crafted-spaces.blogspot.com/2011/02/worksheet-show-evaluation.html

Selecting Craft and Trade Shows >> http://crafted-spaces.blogspot.com/2011/01/selecting-craft-and-trade-shows.html

If you will like to participate in our upcoming session, please follow the link to Crafted Spaces TV, where  you can RSVP for this event or join us live. You are also invited to listen to our upcoming Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 Crafted Spaces Radio broadcast on this topic.

Your Business Plan - A Clear Outline of Your Vision

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

Earlier this year Crafted Spaces was fortunate to have Dr. Cheryl Cottle of Cottle’ Professional Consulting contribute a post to our blog titled; Developing a Business Plan. This post was part of our “Business Tips” and has added great value to this section of our blog. This post however, is meant to further expand on the question; what is a business plan, and why do I need one?

The task of writing a business plan can be a “daunting” and rather time consuming task. It does require some research and the analysis of some data. However, the rewards far out weigh the difficulties. A business plan is more than just an intimidating, boring document, invented by people to make things difficult.

A business plan is an extremely valuable tool to you and your business. It is a formal statement of your business’s goals and outlines why you feel these goals are attainable. The plan also outlines how you plan to accomplish your goals and the tools available to do so. It is an invaluable tool as you shape your business, develop your brand and work towards getting your products and services to your target audience. A business plan can be utilized internally or externally. You can use it as a guide and reference for what you want to achieve and where you will like to go with your business. It is usually a required document when approaching potential investors.

You may say; well I do not plan on going to the bank or approaching any investors; so why do I need to take the time to draft a business plan? I simply do not have the time nor can I afford the time needed to dedicate to such a task. However, I suggest that you do not have the time not to dedicate to such a task. Think of it like this; taking the time to develop your business plan can save you valuable time and money while developing and growing your business. It by no means guarantees your success, but it goes a long way towards ensuring success. Further more, you do have an investor, yourself. A mistake that many small business individuals make is not identifying themselves as their biggest investor. Your biggest investor therefore deserves a clear picture of where your business is at, where you will like to go, and how you plan on getting there.

A good plan will accomplish several important things; assist you in developing a clear statement about your goals, helps you to take a look at the feasibility of your business venture and provides valuable insight into your industry and target audience. The process of writing your business plan is just as important as the plan itself, as the process allows you to think deeper into the various aspects of your industry and effectively develop the goals of your business and its benefit statement. A business plan can also be a valuable tool when bringing others on board and can provide them with a clear outline of your vision. This will allow others to be more effective members of your team and facilitate the growth of your business, by better tapping into the skills and expertise available.

Get started today on your plan. There is never enough time or the right time to get started, so dive in. Pay carful attention to “Cash Flow” and understand how critical it is to the success of your business. Be specific about how you plan on achieving results. Do the legwork and research required for learning more about your clients, competitors and your industry as a whole. Gain an understanding of where things are at and where they are going. Analyze how the industry currently impacts and or will impact your business. As an added word, seek help when needed. There are many government agencies and various websites available that will assist you in the development of your business plan. However, it is also recommended that the services of a professional be employed. It is also recommended to revisit your plan regularly and rework every three to five years.

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This post is written by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby and was previously published on cpcwib.ning.com - http://cpcwib.ning.com/profiles/blogs/your-business-plan-a-clear-outline-of-your-vision and CPC Women in Business blog.

Growth Through Collaboration

The topic of "Collaboration" has been surfacing around me lately and I wanted to address the topic as it relates to creative ventures.

The question is "What does collaboration mean to you?" I have had a few colleagues share with me their experiences with collaboration. Some experiences have been positive while for others have been described as a "nightmare."

When I think of collaboration, I think of all the individuals contributing to a project or venture and all parties being credited for their contribution and have the opportunity to benefit equitably. In a perfect world, we will be able to all agree on the terms and shake hands. Experience cautions against the "good old handshake" and suggest a more formal approach. When it comes to someone we have known for a long time or a friend or family member, we are often uncomfortable with taking what can be perceived as an impersonal approach.

However, regardless of whom you are collaborating with, it is always a good idea to consider the following:

• Outline the terms in writing prior to starting your project
• Clearly define how each person will be credited for their contribution
• Outline how each individual will benefit from the venture
• Protect your ideas and creative contribution by copyright or trademark were applicable prior to "shopping it around" (this protects everyone's interest)
• Have respect of each other's creativity and place adequate value on their contribution to the final product
• Acknowledge what each person's time is worth financially
• Be professional!
• Know when to "back-out" if needed
• Always ensure that you are speaking the "same language," it can be very easy for someone to genuinely misunderstand, based on their personal definition of the same words
• Value of each others talents and mutual respect is important

Over the years I have worked with others and I have had diverse experiences. I have found that respect is a great place to start and can go a long way. I also think that individuals who value their work can value the work of others. I have also had the misfortune of meeting individuals who have an idea and speak of collaboration, but who's objective is to be the only one to gain from the experience.

If someone works (minutes, hours, days, months, years) on shaping an idea or concept or contributes to its development and helps to bring it to life, they should be acknowledged for their contribution in a way that allows them to grow and develop from the skills and knowledge they have contributed. Each person's growth and development should be at the core of the collaboration. If only one person stands to benefit from the "collaboration" then someone ends-up with the short end of the stick. As an added note, "a work-for-hire," means you have walked in with everything in-hand and you have provided specific instructions with no expectation of creative input from the other.

I have been fortunate to find a handful of individuals who I can truly credit with the ability to collaborate. There are many collaborative projects that work well. The objective of this post is to emphasize, "no one is an island." We all have something of value to contribute to another, but the key word is value. Valuing each other and valuing ourselves will in my opinion always nurture a successful collaboration.

Share with us your experience with collaboration!

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Business Tips: Naming Your Business

by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Naming your business is one of the most important tasks in your business planning. The business name you select and what will best represent you and what your entrepreneurial venture is about, is a real issue that entrepreneurs must resolve early in the development of their business. Research shows that it is wise to have about three business names that you are comfortable with when you visit your business registration office. A name search is conducted to determine if the name that you provided is already in use by another business. In the event that it is not available, you can draw on the other names that you came up with as alternative suitable names. It is also advised by business naming experts that you should choose a name that you like and that you can live with for many years, although a business may go through a name change as they change.

Business naming experts also recommend that in choosing a name for your business, you must be careful that it does not lock your business within a particular geographical location; doing so can limit your ability to expand and access a wider target audience. For example, with globalization many businesses now have the opportunity to go global, thus expanding their market, and a name that suggest that you are only available for business in a particular area or town would limit your access. Therefore, think of the possibilities for expansion before deciding upon a name.

Research also shows that the name that you choose must be unique to you. The business name should reflect you and not another business entity. Make sure that there isn’t any confusion as to whose business it is when potential clients do a search. Remember that prospective clients can easily find you by conducting an Internet search or while shopping in your district. Having a unique business name also means that you can effectively brand your business and have a unified presence in the marketplace. Your website, business card, twitter, Facebook, blog and other marketing tools can use the same name and image.


Very often you find that you come upon a business with a name so close to another that you cannot discern which company it is. For example, a business with a name such as “Cheryl’s Original Designs” and another who chooses the name “Cheryl’s Original Design,” is much too close to be an accident. If the two businesses are located in the same commercial area or has an online presence in the same business sector, this tells your client and prospective clients that you lack originality and may also put in question your credibility. It may also imply that you are unethical and a thief. Trust then becomes an issue in your relationship building with customers and other businesses with which you will like to partner with, and may therefore limit your business opportunities. People question your authenticity and trustworthiness, and may not do business with you. Clients and prospective clients loose trust in your business offerings when they come to know that your business name is someone else’s or that it is so close that you are “piggy backing” on another business marketing and branding.
Research also shows that using another company's business name can also result in a lawsuit. This can result in you having a great financial lost. You may have already established a business presence in a location, you have customers, lots of inventory, and you now have to change your business name. Naming your business is like parents naming their baby. Parents often think long and hard before choosing a name for their precious little ones; and we chose names that the child can live with throughout his or her lifetime. We put love and care into the naming process. Similar to naming a business, you must choose a name that you can live with, a name that is unique to you and what your business focuses on, and should consider both short-term and long-term objectives.

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About the Author
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the founder and chief consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is an education and business development consultant, and has written several post for Crafted Spaces. She holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate degree in Education and Computer Applications. She has worked as a consultant for over ten years and is also a social media expert, who works with individuals and organizations to achieve their professional and business goals. Dr. Cottle also provides women entrepreneurs with valuable business development resources through her CPC Women in Business group and other initiatives.

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Worksheet: Show Evaluation

In the blog post titled: "Selecting Craft and Trade Shows," I mentioned sharing with you a "Show Evaluation" sheet. This is a little worksheet that I have created to assist with evaluating which craft or trade shows to attend. It is a simple tool that list important factors to consider when making your decision.

This worksheet has seen several changes over the years and it is sure to evolve even more with time; however, I hope that it helps you get started in your selection process. You can gather information from show websites or direct from show management. It is a good idea to ask show vendors for their feedback. If possible, I also suggest asking individuals that have attended the show as customers. You may also want to consider visiting the show for an in-person assessment. You can use the worksheet to organize the information you gather and to rank the various shows under consideration.

Download FREE worksheet --> Click Here!

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Pricing Your Handcrafted Products

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

Ok . . . I have decided to write about a little pet peeve I have. In my mind, unless you have an attic full of mice that sing you songs and work diligently through the night sewing your designs; then what's the deal with bargain basement pricing on handmade goods? Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for keeping cost low and products affordable for buyers, but what does it say about the value of one's labour and creativity when a handmade pair of earrings are $5.00 or less?

Over the years I have pondered this subject and I'm yet to figure out what type of margin could possibly be made on these products. As mentioned in my blog on selecting craft and trade shows, the prices of other vendor's products play a factor in my decision making when choosing which shows to attend. I have found it difficult to market what I do, while next to another vendor that under values their products.

When I price my designs I consider a few things:

1. Cost of the raw materials
2. Cost of design and labour
3. Other production cost, including cost of machinery and tools used in production
4. Cost of packaging and branding
5. Cost of getting the goods to market, including trade and craft show, transportation, accommodations, sales labour, etc.
6. The uniqueness of the product

Now, I'm sure I've forgotten to include a thing or two. However, the main point I wanted to get across is that when you price your designs you should consider not only what the "market will bear," and what your competitors are charging, but also what it cost you to produce it and the value you place on your creativity and labour.

When you decide to take your designs to market, you should also consider the impact that your pricing has on those who rely on selling their work as a full time career. Your pricing influences other's ability to communicate and empress the value that goes into generating an original limited edition and often one-of-a-kind product.

Here are a few great links to help you get on your way to better pricing:

• If you are on Etsy, then take advantage of some of the great articles posted on their blog. Here is a link to one post that speaks to the subject of; "Reevlauating Your Prices."
• Visit eHow for some simple guidelines on product pricing.
• The Business Development Bank of Canada also provides a wealth of online information that can help you with this and other issues.

Selecting Craft and Trade Shows

by Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

It is that time of year when many of us are getting organized in our studio and getting ready for another year of craft and trade shows. Perhaps you already have your list of events all lined up or are considering adding some new events to your schedule. Most of the show organizers are currently posting their new application packages and before long the application deadlines will be upon us.

Through my business Verona Collections I have been attending craft and trade shows for over fifteen years. Over the years I have done community based events, retail craft shows and wholesale trade shows. Most of the events I have attended have been juried. There are a number of shows that have built great reputations for themselves and they can be difficult to get into. However, don't despair, there are lots of shows to choose from and each have their benefits.

With so many shows to select from, finding the one that is right for you and your product can be overwhelming. To help you avoid the costly trial and error process, I wanted to share with you a few tips that have worked for me over the years.

Tips for selecting the right shows:

1. Start early in your search
2. If possible attend a prior show to evaluate if it will meet your needs
3. Request information from show management that will help in your decision making i.e. target audience, attendance, and other stats
4. Evaluate the full cost of attending the show; including, exhibit space, service fees, transportation, accommodations, etc.
5. If possible chat with someone who attended the show to get feedback on their experience
6. Enquire about what services and other resources are being offered by show management
7. What percent of your target audience attend this show
8. What price point are other vendors selling at

Join us at our NEW Crafted Spaces online community for a list of shows that might be of interest to you and your creative business venture. We also have available a "Show Evaluation" sheet that will help you with your selection process. Your comments and show suggestions are also welcomed and can be shared in the comment section of this post.

Business Tips: Developing a Business Plan

by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Many small business owners take their business idea from a concept to implementation without writing a business plan. Common reasons why some business owners don't have a business plan is because it can be a time consuming task, which also requires some research and know how. Others identify the cost of outsourcing someone to write a plan as yet another reason for not having one. There are also those who see a business plan as something that only larger businesses do or only required when seeking financing.


A business plan can be perceived as a daunting, formal approach to business that takes too much time to conceptualize, thus it is often neglected as a valuable guide to entrepreneurial ventures. Thus, rather than devoting the time to getting an overview of their business, many choose to learn as they go; responding to events as they occur or on a need-to-basis. This reactive approach to business development means that you are jumping head first into business; however, you can face many pitfalls that can ultimately require a great deal of time and resources to change.

While an entrepreneur has been defined as "one who takes risk," and rightfully so risk taking is indeed a great entrepreneurial quality; it is also prudent to reduce risk since it can negatively impact the cost of operating and managing your business. A proactive approach to business development will help you to define a business path and serves as an invaluable tool for achieving your goals.
Here are some helpful ways that a business plan can help your business.

1. Define your business goals and objectives
2. Will help you to identify your target audience
3. Enable you to identify the best business model for your business
4. Assist with cash flow forecasting
5. Enables you to better understand the business sector of your business
6. Identify the skills needed to manage and operate your business
7. Identify the technology needed to manage and grow your business
8. Gain valuable information about your competitors
9. Develop your marketing plan
10. Identify and develop your branding strategy

There are many resources available for small business owners that will guide you on how to develop a business plan. While a business plan can be a very large document that requires a great deal of details, you can also develop one that will simply serve as a road map to where you will like to take your entrepreneurial vision.

Link

• Business Canada

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About the Author
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the founder and chief consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is an education and business development consultant, and has written several post for Crafted Spaces. She holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate degree in Education and Computer Applications. She has worked as a consultant for over ten years and is also a social media expert, who works with individuals and organizations to achieve their professional and business goals. Dr. Cottle also provides women entrepreneurs with valuable business development resources through her CPC Women in Business group and other initiatives.

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Profile: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an educator, researcher and business development consultant with over twenty years of experience. She holds a doctorate in education, a masters of science in IT and a bachelor of arts in english. She has worked with individuals, organizations, boards of education and businesses to transform and enhance their objectives.

Dr. Cheryl Cottle (left) and Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby

Dr. Cottle is not only academic in her skills, but also artistic and fashion savvy. She has also been a long time supporter of Verona Collections, fashion accessories and design company. In the past she has assisted with the development of the business and is the educational consultant for Crafted Spaces.

Silk hand painted evening purse (shown centre)

Illustrated and painted by Dr. Cottle

PHOTO COURTESY OF VERONA COLLECTIONS

This Fall/Winter season Dr. Cottle will also be rejoining the creative team of Verona Collections, where she will be designing a collection of hand painted and silk screen patterns for the company's Spring /Summer 2011 Silk Evening Purse Collection. Dr. Cottle's creative talents have been put to work before at Verona Collections and her ornate hand painted floral vines have adorned its' evening purses before. We look forward to seeing the new designs in the Spring and will feature them when they become available.

You can join her highly motivational and inspiring women's business development and networking group: CPC Women in Business. Through this group Dr. Cottle motivates and inspires and provides other women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to network with other like minded women. Women share their experiences and assist each other in building their respective business ventures.

Dr. Cottle's list of business development services include: Strategic Planning, Technology Training, Social Media Marketing, Website Design and Development, Business Planning, Coaching and Mentoring. For more information about Dr. Cottle and Cottle's Professional Consulting, please visit www.drcottle.com

She is also my Mom :-) xoxoxo