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Marketing your creative business: how to find your ideal customer
Business Tips

Marketing your creative business: how to find your ideal customer

ByEleanor Whitney March 13, 2015March 12, 2015

“How do I market my shop and products?” is the most common question I get asked by shop owners who use Shapeways, the 3D printing service and marketplace where I work on the community team. My answer is always more…

Read More Marketing your creative business: how to find your ideal customerContinue

Four steps for healthy, creative business collaboration
Business Tips

Four steps for healthy, creative business collaboration

ByEleanor Whitney February 20, 2015February 16, 2015

Like many creative people, I both love and loathe working alone. I often feel I want to pursue my singular creative vision, but also feel strongly that my vision and what I can create is stronger when I work with…

Read More Four steps for healthy, creative business collaborationContinue

Why looking back moves your creative business forward in the new year
Business Tips

Why looking back moves your creative business forward in the new year

ByEleanor Whitney January 23, 2015January 23, 2015

It’s the time of the year for resolutions, putting our best intentions into action, and setting goals for the year ahead. To help get your New Years’ projects and goals up to speed and set realistic goals for this year…

Read More Why looking back moves your creative business forward in the new yearContinue

How Makers + Entrepreneurs Can Survive and Thrive during the Holidays
Business Tips

How Makers + Entrepreneurs Can Survive and Thrive during the Holidays

ByEleanor Whitney December 5, 2014December 5, 2014

The holiday season has officially arrived and with it comes the familiar rush of parties, fairs, markets, sales, and social events. I work for an online retail company and we, like many makers and merchants, have been preparing for the…

Read More How Makers + Entrepreneurs Can Survive and Thrive during the HolidaysContinue

How to assess + pitch the value of your creative products
Business Tips

How to assess + pitch the value of your creative products

ByEleanor Whitney October 31, 2014October 31, 2014

Do you value the creative work that you do and business you are building? “Of course I do!” you say to yourself, but do you know how to pitch and communicate that value to your customers? And finally, do your…

Read More How to assess + pitch the value of your creative productsContinue

How to Craft a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
Business Tips

How to Craft a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign

ByEleanor Whitney October 3, 2014September 27, 2014

So you have taken the plunge and decided to run a crowdfunding campaign because you are burning with passion about your project and are ready to spread the word and raise money. You are excited but also  nervous about what…

Read More How to Craft a Successful Crowdfunding CampaignContinue

Should you crowdfund for your handmade business?
Business Tips

Should you crowdfund for your handmade business?

ByEleanor Whitney August 20, 2014August 20, 2014

As independent creatives, most of us had the opportunity to support, or even run, a crowdfunding campaign for a creative project. Mustering up support from the community for our ambitious, creative projects is a big part of how creative projects…

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Three Tips to Get Creatives Inspired This Summer
Business Tips

Three Tips to Get Creatives Inspired This Summer

ByEleanor Whitney July 11, 2014July 26, 2014

As a North Easterner I’m attuned to the changing seasons. I think of winter as the time for hunkering down and honing a skill and summer as a stretch of languid days full of drinking lemonade and going to the…

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How to survive (and thrive at) conferences
Business Tips

How to survive (and thrive at) conferences

ByEleanor Whitney March 28, 2014July 21, 2014

Expert speakers. Valuable workshops. Sparkling parties with industry influencers. Meeting your social network in real life. These are just a few advantages of going to conferences. As fun as they are, they can also be overwhelming. I just returned from…

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how to assess opportunity cost for handmade businesses
Business Tips

how to assess opportunity cost for handmade businesses

ByEleanor Whitney February 28, 2014July 22, 2014

Lately I’ve been thinking about the concept of “opportunity cost,” which is probably familiar to any of you readers who have taken a course in microeconomics. Simply put, “opportunity cost” is what benefits or profits you forgo to pursue a…

Read More how to assess opportunity cost for handmade businessesContinue

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You don’t need to “get your act together” be You don’t need to “get your act together” before joining.
You just need to want support that actually gets you.

The Club is my monthly membership for creative business owners—especially neurospicy ones. Inside, you’ll find real tools, a kind community, and space to grow at your own pace.

Plus:
Monthly:
- Expert-taught business class
- Mentorship group coaching session
- Co-working session
- Crafty Hour hangout
AND...
- A library of of 50 business classes taught by experts & 50 mentorship sessions
- A 24/7 community to lean on get advice
& MORE!

Comment MENTOR and I’ll DM you a link to join the waiting list or CLUB for a tour. 

🚨 Doors open September 10–15 only—then we close until 2026.

Want in? Join the waitlist now and be first to hear when we open.

✨ For the first 48 hours = get a two week trial for only $1! Cancel anytime.

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #craftbusinessowner #creativeentrepreneur
Should I be... Flattered? Confused? Deeply seen? A Should I be... Flattered? Confused? Deeply seen? All of the above.

But seriously—if you know me, who would you say I give off?

Better yet...
Ask ChatGPT what your vibe is—and drop it in the comments.

#misspiggy #brenebrown #amysedaris #vibecheck #vibes
Join me at our maker’s festival @ThePatchworkSho Join me at our maker’s festival @ThePatchworkShow! Vendor applications for Fall 2025 are OPEN!

Each show is thoughtfully curated, and designed to support small businesses. Whether you’re new or seasoned, this is your place.

📍Fall 2025 Dates:
🏛️ Redwood City, CA – 11.9.25 · @cityofredwoodcity
🌴 Ventura, CA – 11.16.25 · @downtownventura
🌉 Oakland, CA – 11.22.25 · @jacklondonsq
🌊 Long Beach, CA – 11.29.25 · @marine_stadium
🏙️ Tustin, CA – 12.7.25 · @oldtowntustin

✨ All shows are FREE to attend + family and dog friendly.
Come shop, eat, make, and meet your new favorite maker.

Comment VENDOR to apply today, or MARKET to join our mailing list.

Or head to the link in our bio for all the details!

#smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #craftshow #popupshop #openairfestival #tustin #longbeach #oakland #ventura #redwoodcity
Having these might help you on the days you forget Having these might help you on the days you forget, they might help a friend too.

Did you know we’ve made it easier than ever to say yes to Craftcation—even if your budget’s a little tight. 💸✨

Our flexible payment plan lets anyone contribute toward your ticket, whether it’s a gift, a boost, or just a little support from someone who believes in you.

And if you’re wondering what exactly you’re saying yes to…

Craftcation is a four-day conference by the beach for creatives, small business owners, and big dreamers.
✨ Hands-on workshops
🧠 Business classes that feel like an MBA in a week
🫶 Real connection with people who just get it

It’s part getaway, part reset, part “holy crap, I needed this.”

🎟️ Want the details? Comment...
“CRAFTY” for info OR “TICKET” for a link to register (and take advantage of our payment plan). 

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #craftcation
You don’t need our permission to rest, play, or You don’t need our permission to rest, play, or make bad art…
…but if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. 🧾✨

This is your reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be productive to be valuable. You’re allowed to make stuff just because it feels good. You’re allowed to not make stuff, too.

Save this for the days you forget. 💬 Tag a friend who needs this reminder.

And if you’re ready for more space to rest, reset, and reconnect with your creativity—join us at Craftcation.

🎨 200+ workshops
🌊 5 days by the beach
💬 A community that gets you

📍Craftcation Conference
📅 April 8-12, 2026
📍Ventura, CA
🎟️ Early bird registration is open now!
👇 Comment CRAFTY for the link or visit the link in bio.
Four years ago, I bought a pattern to sew a wrap d Four years ago, I bought a pattern to sew a wrap dress. But I couldn’t seem to gift myself the time to actually make it. So I hired someone else to do it. They used the pattern, made the dress… and I’ve been thinking about sewing my own ever since.

Let’s be honest: I’ve always wanted to make this dress. I’ve bought enough “someday” fabric to clothe a small town—or at least fill the Craftcation stash.

Last week, I finally gave myself a few hours. My mom, Luca, and I hit up @mandlfabricsanaheim and I found this awesome @rubystarsociety print. I came home, spent hours searching for the perfect pattern, and when I couldn’t find it, I thought, “I’ll just make one—how hard could it be?”

(Lol.)

I traced a wrap dress I already loved onto pattern paper. After many hours and many adjustments (and some accidental patchwork when I ran out of fabric), I ended up with a dress I could actually wear. Sure, it’s got rogue darts and some questionable seams, but it’s mine. And I couldn’t be prouder.

When creativity becomes your job, it’s easy to lose touch with the reason you started. You make to pay the bills, not to connect with yourself.

This is your sign to make something just for the joy of it.
Make the dress. Paint the art. Knit the sweater. Write the song.

And if you need a little nudge, space, or community to help you do it—@CraftcationConference is your place.

Comment TICKET and I’ll send you a link to register or CRAFTY if you want more details.

© DEAR HANDMADE LIFE 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS. WE DISCLOSE ALL SPONSORED POSTS BY NAMING THE SPONSOR IN THE POST.

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