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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…

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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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If you found this, you’re probably one of my peo If you found this, you’re probably one of my people.

I send monthly letters to folks like you — about creativity, self-trust, and what it really looks like to live a creative life that feels like yours.

To join the list comment: NICOLESNEWS
If you found this, you’re probably one of my peo If you found this, you’re probably one of my people.

I send monthly letters to folks like you — about creativity, self-trust, and what it really looks like to live a creative life that feels like yours.

To join the list comment: NICOLESNEWS
I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftsc I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftschool in Columbus, Ohio and had the best time.

Kara, the co-owner and instructor, was incredible—patient, clear, and so much fun to learn from. (Huge thanks to @natterdoodles for magically making this connection happen!)

I loved it so much that I immediately invited Kara to come teach at @craftcationconference —and she said yes! 🙌 This year we’ll have four stained glass workshops, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Want to make stained glass with us—and spend five days by the beach filled with 200+ craft and business workshops, inspiration, and community? Join me at Craftcation! Early bird registration is open now.

BTW: This stained glass workshop was part of a mastermind trip with @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio, and it was exactly the creative adventure I didn’t know I needed. Natalie planned the entire trip—every stop, every meal, every detail—perfection.

I completely fell in love with Columbus: the people, the food, the creativity everywhere you look. I’ll be sharing a full recap soon, but let’s just say this trip filled my cup in all the best ways.

P.S. Thanks to @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio for capturing some of the video clips!
I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftsc I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftschool in Columbus, Ohio and had the best time.

Kara, the co-owner and instructor, was incredible—patient, clear, and so much fun to learn from. (Huge thanks to @natterdoodles for magically making this connection happen!)

I loved it so much that I immediately invited Kara to come teach at @craftcationconference —and she said yes! 🙌 This year we’ll have four stained glass workshops, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Want to make stained glass with us—and spend five days by the beach filled with 200+ craft and business workshops, inspiration, and community? Join me at Craftcation! Early bird registration is open now.

BTW: This stained glass workshop was part of a mastermind trip with @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio, and it was exactly the creative adventure I didn’t know I needed. Natalie planned the entire trip—every stop, every meal, every detail—perfection.

I completely fell in love with Columbus: the people, the food, the creativity everywhere you look. I’ll be sharing a full recap soon, but let’s just say this trip filled my cup in all the best ways.

P.S. Thanks to @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio for capturing some of the video clips!
Full offense, but I built my creative business fro Full offense, but I built my creative business from the ground up — through craft fairs, workshops, launches, and late nights.

That’s why The Club isn’t about quick fixes or “six-figure secrets.” It’s about steady progress, creative growth, and support from people who actually get what it’s like to build something real.

Inside The Club you’ll get:
 ✨ 100+ on-demand workshops & mentorship replays
 ✨ 4 live monthly Zoom sessions (business class, mentorship, crafty hour, co-working)
 ✨ Goal-planning tools & accountability
 ✨ A supportive creative community that actually gets you

💬 Comment CLUB to take a tour or MENTOR to get on the waitlist so you’re first in line when doors open tomorrow.

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #craftbusinessowner #creativeentrepreneur
Ventura isn’t just the home of @craftcationconfe Ventura isn’t just the home of @craftcationconference 🌊✨ — it’s also home to one of my all-time favorite fabric + craft shops: @superbuzzy.

Kelly, the owner, was an early supporter of Craftcation and has built a magical spot full of thoughtfully curated fabrics, tools, and supplies. Every time I walk in, I leave inspired (and usually with a bag full of goodies).

If you’re coming to Craftcation, add Superbuzzy to your must-visit list—you’ll be amazed. 

My list is growing fast, but I’m always up for an adventure. What hidden gem should I put on my map next? Tag your favorite fabric store so I can add it to my route!

#fabricstore #craftsupplies #venturacounty #shoplocal

© 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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