Toronto Craft Alert » Business

CRAFTY BIZ: From Maker to Making a Living – CraftSmarts Lecture Series by Jacqueline Sava of Soak (October 3 – 25, 2011)

jen — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:33:36 +0000

Cat toys by at.aw, posted by glasco54 the Craft Toronto flickr group

When I think of business savvy crafters inToronto, Jacqueline Sava of Soak is one of the first people that come to mind – and not only because of her appearance on Dragon’s Den! Girl not only identified a very real need for crafters – to clean their woolens without felting them – but worked out a formula for a product that met this need and more, packaged it beautifully, and [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Fresh Collective University

rosalyn — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:27:43 +0000

Fresh Collective has just become an even better place for Toronto designers to sell their wares! We’re well-established and busy, in a great location and we have an amazing loyal clientele. We’ve always been a terrific supportive group, but now we offer Fresh Collective University to our members– a well-rounded business development course to totally demystify the business side of things!

FCU is a workbook and study group program based on the wealth of knowledge Laura-Jean has compiled over 16 years of developing her own clothing line, and [...]

VENDOR CALL: Dorly Designs Fashion House (July – December 31, 2010)

rosalyn — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:20:51 +0000

LAST CALL!

We still have a handful of clothing racks and jewelry cases waiting for you in our beautiful Queen Street East boutique available immediately to sell your wares!

Space is limited and will run out quickly – so don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity for you to be a part of a busy, trendy, and already very popular One-Stop-Shop located in the desired neighbourhood of Leslieville. We welcome new and veteran Designers to establish, expand or relocate their businesses with us.

We offer; excellent competitive rates, fixtures, shelving, racks, store [...]

Reminder GET SCHOOLED: The Art of Selling, at Wise Daughters

toronto craft alert — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:05:24 +0000

The Art of Selling – a workshop for crafters
with Mary Breen, owner of Wise Daughters Craft Market

Are you talented with your hands but afraid to “pitch” your product?

Are you at a loss as to how to price your wares?

Do you really know your market?

This workshop is for people who want to break into the retail market, or expand sales.

Prepare yourself for the fall craft show season with new strategies for success.

After 18 months of operating Wise Daughters Craft Market (and constantly [...]

GET SCHOOLED: The Art of Selling at Wise Daughters (August 18)

rosalyn — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:03:12 +0000

The Art of Selling – a workshop for crafters
with Mary Breen, owner of Wise Daughters Craft Market

Are you talented with your hands but afraid to “pitch” your product?

Are you at a loss as to how to price your wares?

Do you really know your market?

This workshop is for people who want to break into the retail market, or expand sales.

Prepare [...]

VENDOR CALL: New 2nd location “Haute” Par Periwinkle (opening July 28)

rosalyn — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:22:17 +0000

Calling all Canadian Designers! This is a vendor call for Periwinkle’s second location (opening JULY 28 2010). We are proud to introduce to you Periwinkle’s new second location (Haute par Periwinkle) located in the prestige Forest Hill area (Eglington and Avenue). Forest Hill is an affluent neighbourhood in central Toronto and it is one of Toronto’s three wealthiest neighbourhoods. Haute par Periwinkle is offering shelf, clothing units and table space [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Business For Artists & Creative People Workshop Series (May-July)

rosalyn — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:26:02 +0000

WORKSHOPS:

May 6 – Thu 6:30pm-9
Goal Setting for Artists and Creative People: Initiate. Success Sequence.
By Carmen Leilani De Jesus

May 27 – Thu 6:30-9pm
Artist as Entrepreneur: Because it’s not about selling out, it’s about making a living.
By Christopher Davies

June 3 Thu 6:30pm-9
Managing Your Finances: Learn how to handle that ca-a-a$h!
By Rhowena Adolfo

June 10 Thur 6:30pm-9
Creative Marketing & Building Your Brand: Who’s your target?
By Theresa Laurico

June 17 Thur 6:30-9:30pm
Creating Your Visual Branding: Graphic Design & Photo-editing Basics
By Christine Mangosing (CMANGODesign)

June [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: News from Fresh Collective

rosalyn — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:43:43 +0000

Looking to sell your wares?

Fresh Baked Goods and Fresh Collective, Toronto’s best collectively run designer boutiques have openings for new members! We offer retail space to designers of clothing, jewellery, accessories, gifts and kids stuff.

The arrangement is simple- pay an affordable monthly rent and work one day a week in the shop- but the benefits are huge! You get not only an awesome, established, well-respected store to sell your stuff, you get so much more.

This is a great chance to really grow your business! We offer [...]

SUPPLY YOUR HABIT: Make custom stickers with StickerYou

jen — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:15:48 +0000

Hey TCA readers!

Over the years many people have asked us where they can get stickers made locally – either with their own designs for fun or for sale, or crafty company logos or for merchandising purposes. So when StickerYou, a recently launched Toronto-based sticker making website approached us about a partnership, we were eager to learn more about what they were all about. One of their designers, Crystal Bretschger – who designed our mailing list header – hooked us up with a few sheets of custom TCA die-cut vinyl stickers, and the [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Craftig & Links for you!

jen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:04:50 +0000

One of the things that came up in our last reader survey was the fact that many of you are looking for more small business resources. When I came across this craft-centric social bookmarking site via Sister Diane, my sight zeroed in on the Crafty Biz tag and I thought I would share in case there are any good links there to help you in starting or running your biz.

Those of you crafting for pleasure will also find plenty of links of interest on [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Creative Women in Business the search goes on (February 28)

rosalyn — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:28:52 +0000

Dear crafties,
I’ve opened up a meetup group for women entrepreneurs in Toronto who make all or some of what we sell.

We are jewellers, painters, knitters, soapmakers, toymakers, potters, and more, interested in meeting other creative women in business.

It’s so easy to become isolated working in our studios and on our websites. The purpose of this group is to get out, meet up, compare notes, stay motivated, develop our businesses and be inspired.

The inaugural meetup is scheduled for Sunday Feb 28th. Interested? You can join as well as RSVP for [...]

FROM THE DESK OF TCA: Vote NOW for the Poppies (last category closes January 30)

jen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:20:15 +0000

If you haven’t already begun to, head over to Poppytalk to cast your votes for The Poppies, Poppytalk’s virtual awards event celebrating the Handmade Community. Toronto is seriously representin’ in most categories (I would list them here, but I don’t want to miss anyone and risk denying them your vote!) – so head on over and vote local! Note: some categories have closed or close today so don’t dawdle if you want your say.

I am totally honoured to have been asked to sit on the jury in the company of some [...]

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Miki Sato

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:34:19 +0000

Miki Sato is a Toronto-based illustrator who uses a mixed media approach to creating her designs. You may have recently seen her work in our inaugural craftoon feature (or take a look here). In this interview with Amy Borkwood, Miki discusses a bit about her process and creative inspirations.

Can you tell me a bit about the process of your work? How does your work come together, from initial idea to finished piece?

The ideas usually come to me when I let my [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Nominate local crafters for The Poppies (deadline: January 12, voting January 14-20)

jen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:50:33 +0000

Attention readers: this is a great opportunity to a) get your work some more exposure & b) to big-up your crafty neighbours by nominating some Toronto-area/Canadian talent for a Poppy in one of the categories below. Read on for a some highlights from Poppytalk*& visit the post (link below) for the whole deal.

Today we are most excited as we launch a really fun (and what we hope will become a “yearly event”) called “The Poppies“. [...]

VENDOR CALL: Bluebird Handmade seeking new artists to sell in shop

jen — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:05:58 +0000

Submissions Wanted

Bluebird Handmade is looking for new artists that are interested in selling their products in the shop. Please contact Bluebird Handmade by e mail with at least four photos of recent work, a short bio and contact information. Any medium will be considered but must be made with quality materials and outstanding craftmanship. Modern and edgy a plus…..

Send to info@bluebirdhandmade.com

http://www.bluebirdhandmade.com

SHOP CRAFTY: Gwendolyne Hats invites you! (December)

rosalyn — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:30:32 +0000

A wonderful experience awaits you in this amazing award winning building. Extended shopping hours ’til Dec 24th Noon to 8 pm Monday to Saturday ~ Starts Dec 10th

If you enjoy Gwendolyne Hats, come shop where we make our work. You will also find more new exciting shops, galleries and get to taste the best soup in Toronto’s downtown at the Roastery Cafe.

Gwendolyne Hats
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 433
416.351.1219
gwendolynehats.com

CRAFTY BIZ: Business & Passion on Fine Woodworking

jen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:41:40 +0000

The author, Adam King

Today my husband, who is a custom furniture maker, sent me this piece from a section on FineWoodworking.com called “Reflections from the workshops”. In it a woodworker muses about where he went wrong trying to start a woodworking biz from a conventional business standpoint. Despite its title, “This secret cost me $20,000, but I’ll let you have it for free.” I didn’t find that it provided a concrete answer to a dilemma that many of us face – how to make our life’s passion financially [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Apply for microfunding from tinygrants (deadline: Nov. 22)

toronto craft alert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:20:11 +0000

An experiment in microfunding for the arts, tinygrants facilitates short term, creative interventions through the distribution of small grants to artists at any stage in their career. tinygrants promotes collaboration, participation, curiosity and awareness amongst a broad range of artists and audiences.

Applications are now available and can be downloaded from www.tinygrants.ca in the “How to Apply” section. Please read the FAQ to learn more about this microgranting model.

Applications are due no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 22, 2009.

CRAFTY BIZ: Promote yourself @ Canadian Crafts Online

jen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:15:19 +0000

Attention all artists and artisans

PROMOTE yourselves!!
join this site for FREE & get more exposure on the internet
www.canadiancraftsonline.com

Canadian Crafts Online is a site dedicated to showcasing Canadian craft artists.
It was started by Irina and Raz Rapaport, craftists themselves, as a labour of love and out of passion for the handmade.

The site is intended to be a directory of craft artists and provide online exposure.

All we need from you is 1 image + statement + the category you wish [...]

QUESTONS FOR CRAFTERS: Beside Herself

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:12:30 +0000

Interview with Beside Herself: Carolyn Self and Alda Escareño
By Amy Borkwood

Can you tell me first about your backgrounds as individual artists, and what brought you together to work as Beside Herself?

Carolyn: I have three brothers and come from a small town, which means I had to entertain myself while growing up. I spent a lot of time on my own filling sketchbooks and sewing. In high school I taught myself to screen-print so that I could make my own fabrics, and [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: The Business of Being Creative seminar @ C1 Art Space (series in Nov.)

toronto craft alert — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:52:44 +0000

A four-part seminar series of “business best practices” for artists and makers
with Arnold Wytenburg, art business consultant.

This series of four seminars explores the business and career implications of being a professional artist or artisan. These seminars aim to demystify the essential practices that make up the business of art and craft, and are designed to meet the needs of both new and experienced artists and makers alike.

Each three-hour session concentrates on a different aspect of being “creatively self-employed” and will introduce the group [...]

SUPPLY YOUR HABIT: Button makers for rent/parts for sale

jen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:05:19 +0000

We’ve received several notifications lately about button makers available for renting as well as parts for sale. Since people write to ask about this occassionally I thought we should share a few local sources for button making fun! Please contact them directly for inquiries.

WISE DAUGHTERS

Wise Daughters is now the proud owner of a 2 inch manual button maker. It is available for use on site at the rate of 50 cents per button up to 100, and 25 cents per button for quantities over 100. Create your own unique art buttons, special event [...]

SHOP CRAFTY: CBE Hoody Launch & Sale (October 23)

rosalyn — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:10:42 +0000

ONE killer sale for ONE day for ONE amazing hoody!

STUDIO EVENT:
Friday, October 23 from 7:30-10:30pm
116 Geary Aveune, Studio 201 (map)

Come by and check out the new CBE line of hoodies, mingle and have a glass of wine. Bring a friends and don’t forget your pocket book….

The New Line – $129 + tax (or $130 cash)
*available in XS-2XL in both the Slim cut & Classic cut

Neon Line – $80 + tax (or $80 cash)

CRAFTY BIZ: soak on Dragon’s Den tonight! (October 14)

jen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:49:53 +0000

Just a quick note to say that Jacqueline and her soak team are on Dragon’s Den tonight at 8 (CBC). soak is sold in loads of independent knitting and fabric shops throughout town and supports crafty initiatives (such as TCA & City of Craft), so be sure to check it out and root for these local crafty gals!

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Crystal Bretschger

jen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:31:10 +0000

Interview by Amy Borkwood

Crystal Bretschger is an illustrator and graphic designer by trade, and a recent Torontonian by way of New York City. She makes some of the most compelling illustrations—a lovely combination of childlike aesthetic and stark linework. I asked her some questions recently about her work, her new life in the city, and the banner she just created for the Toronto Craft Alert’s newsletter.

Can you tell me a bit about the process of your work—where do you work, what materials do you use?

Well, I have a 500 square foot apartment [...]

NERD CRAFT: The NewPath Network

jen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:45:33 +0000

Angelune met these guys at a work related function and, knowing nothing previously about the event, they offered their team up as volunteers for City of Craft 2009! They also are hooking us up with some technical help for the site. So we thought we’d help spread the word about their services here as a token of our thanks. Hope this helps some of you out too!

The NewPath Network™ is a networking hub for IT and IT related independent professionals within the Greater Toronto Area. Our mandate is to mobilize the untapped [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Secrets of Effective Booth Design Lecture (September 27)

rosalyn — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:45:04 +0000

Secrets of Effective Booth Design Lecture by Paul Portelli

Ontario Craft Council Gallery
990 Queen St. West
Toronto, ON
September 27th, 2009, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Cost: $25 OCC Members save 10% off the price of this workshop
Join retail marketing and design specialist Paul Portelli and learn the best techniques and most effective strategies to help your booth help you generate sales.

Please note you MUST register in advance. Please contact Katherine McKellar at kmckellar@craft.on.ca or 416.925.4222 ext. 222 to [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Artists and Artisan Seminars and Workshops @ C1 Art Space (October & November)

toronto craft alert — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:42:41 +0000

WEB STRATEGIES FOR ARTISTS & CRAFTS MAKERS
A workshop on “the future of art and craft”
This workshop explores the fundamentals of marketing, promoting, and selling art and craft in an era when everything is “going digital.” Aimed at both new and experienced artists and makers alike, this in-depth workshop explores key business and technology trends that are reshaping today’s marketplace.
Tuesday, October 6 from 6:30 to 9:30pm
$85 + gst

WRITING THE ARTIST STATEMENT AND BIOGRAPHY
A two-part workshop on “ putting your art into words” [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: One of a Kind Awards for Excellence (deadline: November 30)

rosalyn — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:06:48 +0000

Celebrating Passion – One of a Kind Awards for Excellence

Do you want to make a living doing what you love? Are you a recent graduate of an arts or crafts program? For 35 years, the One of a Kind Show has been helping artists and craftspeople from across the country to make a living out of their passions. We know it can be challenging to do, especially in the early stages of your career. And we want to do more to help!

After a successful launch, the One [...]

CRAFTY CONTEST: Pink Panda winner

jen — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:30:32 +0000

Congratulations to Michelle (Shanghai Cowgirl), the lucky winner of the Pink Panda giveaway!

Thanks to all for entering and sharing your favourite designers – I for one learned about a few new textile wizards to keep an eye on…

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Timestamp: 2009-09-07 15:20:03 UTC