Toronto Craft Alert » Entrepreneur

CRAFTY BIZ: Artscape Launchpad Survey

jen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:15:26 +0000

Perhaps some of you are aware that Artscape has plans to develop a facility for creative entrepreneurship in the areas that include art and design, new media, film, and performing arts. Artscape’s Launchpad will provide space, facilities, and expertise to support professional development and making work. They are hoping to create a hub for creative peeps to connect, share skills and support one another. If this sounds like something you’ll like to be a part of or have some ideas [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: February 2012

jen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:08:38 +0000

This month we have another stellar line up of workshops for crafters and crafty biz people (including a cool new demo series) from Wise Daughters, and a unique opportunity to own some incredible rugs like the ones pictured above from Afghanistan. Read on for February news from our darling sponsors!

Please contact sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

Textile Museum of Canada
www.textilemuseum.ca
55 Centre Ave
Toronto, ON M5G 2H5
news@textilemuseum.ca

The Textile Museum of [...]

VENDOR CALL: Retail Opportunity for Handmade Accessory Designers @ Tomorrow Never Knows

jen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:07 +0000

If you have retail dreams but are not ready to take the plunge on opening your own shop, this may be just the thing. Please contact Eva directly with any questions at eva@tnkvintage.com .

Established retail business in Toronto is looking for partners to help expand their selection of handmade accessories. Tomorrow Never Knows is looking for up to 3 designers or artists to be featured in their shop on a temporary to full time basis. This would offer you the [...]

FOR SALE: Soap Making Supplies

jen — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:20:40 +0000

making soap by c a i tlin

The first Beehive activity I participated in was soap making back in May and I am still enjoying the beer-rosemary-avocado-coconut (what!) shampoo bar that I made in the workshop. I thought I’d pass along this opportunity to purchase a whole set of supplies for those who are interested in getting their hands dirty, er, clean, with soap making. My sense is that this lot of supplies for sale by Jen would [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: September 2011

jen — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:16:32 +0000

After a long hot summer it’s back2skool for our dedicated TCA sponsors! Check out what is going down at Wise Daughters in September and beyond. Those of you looking to freshen up your stock of craft supplies should definitely take note of the Handmaker Heaven Trunk Sale on Sept. 30 where you’ll find some major deals.

WISE DAUGHTERS CRAFT MARKET
www.wisedaughters.com
3079B Dundas St. W.
416-761-1555
wisedaughters@sympatico.ca

Stitches from the Start – Beginner Knitting
Thurs, Sept 8, 15, 22 from 7:00 – [...]

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 [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Crafting a Well-Rounded Business Workshop by Becky Johnson (June 23, 2011)

jen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:44:35 +0000

As regular readers are no doubt aware, Becky has many crafty feathers in her cap, including her celebrated sweetie pie press blog and the annual City of Craft festival. I believe that one of the reasons why her endeavours get so much love is her unwavering transparency and genuine support of her fellow makers in the age of premeditated social media strategy and soft-focus blogging. I am excited to announce that Becky will be sharing her unique perspective on indie business at the Etsy [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: June 2011

jen — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:20:53 +0000

Is it just me or does Spring make you want to make stuff?? Thankfully our stellar sponsors have a full roster of classes, events, and even camps for you to get busy with. For complete listings, head over here. Contact the sponsors directly to sign up for classes or with any questions related to their listings.

pinning up an Amish Bars Quilt at the workroom

NANOPOD: HYBRID STUDIO
www.nanopod.tv
322 Harbord Street
647.780.4478
nanotopia@me.com

SUPPLY YOUR HABIT: sweetie pie press’ postal board tool

jen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:27:14 +0000

I have been meaning to share this little gem with you guys for awhile, as I was blown away by Becky’s ingenuity when I first saw these guys debuted on her blog (when TCA was still a’slumber). Though I have never personally had the pleasure of having to ship my handmade goods on a regular basis, I can only imagine what a pain it would be to have to go to the post office to measure your mail each time you need to check whether it will fit in the “small packet” [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Hilary Cosgrove

jen — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:51:21 +0000

Interview by Kim Hume

Hilary Cosgrove – Crafting with character

Hilary Cosgrove is a crafter and emerging entrepreneur based in Kingston. She makes felt figure people, sweet stuffed owl pillows, origami mobiles and more. Her fabric cuffs make it possible to wear fun quilting fabric. On a recent trip to Toronto, she successfully placed some of her work in two stores.

How did you get started in craft? How long have you been making things to sell, and what prompted you to take it beyond a hobby?
I started as a [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Free mini Sampling Opportunity (before May 21)

rosalyn — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:01:52 +0000

Free mini sampling opportunity with influential parents of elementary school age children in a Toronto Public School. We are doing a fundraiser and I’m looking for items to place in the grab bags AND silent auction items or bags or baskets that can all be BRANDED by you. If you think you might be interested in either opportunity, Please contact me at vspnow@hotmail.com soon. The event is on May 21!

GET SCHOOLED: Creative Kickstart Workshop (April 25 & May 13)

rosalyn — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:09:28 +0000

Creative Kickstart Workshop with
fab local artist & creativity coach Lisa Pijuan-Nomura

KICKSTART YOUR CREATIVE MOJO!!

Saturday April 25th, 11am to 2pm
OR
Wednesday May 13th, 6pm to 9pm

Location: Nathalie-Roze & Co. (in the studio)
1015 Queen St. East (at Pape), Leslieville

Guest Instructor: artist & creativity coach Lisa Pijuan-Nomura www.girlcancreate.com

Want to start creating more time for your art and craft?
Or perhaps you’re a working ARTrepreneur wanting to refocus? This 3-hour hands on workshop [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: The Future of Craft: Key Business Strategies For the Digital Era (April 26)

rosalyn — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:46:57 +0000

Back by popular demand from our Business
Development Conference in Ottawa earlier this year!

Arnold Wytenburg

Please note space is limited and filling up fast! You MUST pre-register to attend. Please contact Katherine McKellar at 416-925-4222 ext.222 or by e-mail at kmckellar@craft.on.ca and reserve your spot now.

Date: Sunday April 26th
Time: 10 – 11am
Location: OCC Gallery, 990 Queen St. West (map)
Cost: $25 *OCC Members save 10% off the cost of this workshop!

Explore the fundamentals of marketing, promoting, and selling craft in the [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Danijela Pruginic Photography for your crafty product shots!

jen — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:05:02 +0000

Please check out this note from Danijela, whose photographic prowess you may recognize from the Get Er Done Giveaway prize pack. As you’ll read below and see in her portfolio, she has a number of crafty clients on her roster and I can attest that she is a delight to work with!

Got a crafty business?

Need professional quality photos of your product?

With the summer arts and craft fair season upon us, now is a perfect time to capture your products for promotional materials, applications, catalogues or whatever.

And now, for [...]

VENDOR CALL: Portobello East fashion and Art market (launching July 26)

rosalyn — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:09:41 +0000

Markets Rising – Portobello East Fasion and Art Market!

Fashionistas and art aficionados get ready… launching July 26th, Portobello East fashion and art market will be the new hot spot to find original clothing, accessories, jewelry and art from local designers and artists.

Held on the last Sunday of every month at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District, Portobello East will feature over 80 talented designers and artisans. From edgy streetwear by Judy Black to refined design by Lux [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: BizStart small business incubation program (April 27, 2009 to March 26, 2010, apply by April 17)

jen — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:56:19 +0000

Hi crafty biz upstarts!

I wanted to let you all know about an opportunity that has come up to apply for an entrepreneurial support program that I did last year and highly recommend. Like any gov-run program it has its, er, quirks, but they bring in some excellent speakers & advisors, I met some fantastic people who I am still in touch with for small business support (and more) – plus it gave me 11 months of paid (!) time to work on crafty biz initiatives.

This program is perfect for people who aren’t on EI (try the [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Modish BIZtips

jen — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:37:50 +0000

After combing through my somewhat neglected Google blog reader yesterday I came upon a link to this great newish small business blog for crafty entrepreneurs and I thought I’d share it with you all as it is wealth of bang-on tips and info.

Run by Jena of the popular craft blog (and until recently, online shop) Modish,

“Modish BIZtips is here to help you, the artist, crafter or designer who is working towards making a living off your own creations. It’s a road that’s [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Find an arty job (and more) through Canada Arts Connect

jen — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:52:04 +0000

The lovely Desirée wrote to let us know about her recently launched website, Canada Arts Connect (http://canada-arts-connect.blogspot.com). I have received a few emails lately from people wondering to find work in the arts, so I know this will be a handy resource for many of you!

Canada Arts Connect is a site where Canadian artistic professionals can connect with jobs, employers, and each other. Created and run by an artistic professional for artistic professionals, Canada Arts Connect includes:

Jobs – Current listings for jobs in all [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: City of Toronto Small Business Arts Forum (March 17)

jen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:12:37 +0000

Empowering Entrepreneurs in the Arts: City of Toronto Small Business Arts Forum
March 17th, 2009
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Council Chambers
9:00 am to 4:30 pm – Free Admission!
Register online www.enterprisetoronto.com or call 416-395-7416. Seating is very limited!

The City of Toronto, Economic Development, Culture, and Tourism Department is hosting its second Small Business Arts Forum on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 3rd Floor, Council Chambers from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free!

The [...]

CRAFTY BIZ: Looking for a New Designer!

rosalyn — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:05:44 +0000

Interested in having your own work at one of
Toronto’s Designer Run Collective shops?

Laura-Jean (the knitting queen) of Fresh Baked Goods sent us this lovely opportunity!
Check this out for more information!

Great opportunity for a new designer!

We’re looking for one new member for our collectively-run shop! If you make jewellery, accessories or clothing and are looking for a venue to sell your stuff, this might just be the place for you. I have a gem of a boutique in busy Kensington [...]