DIY Metal Stamped Mandala Tassel Necklace
Over the past few years I’ve realized that as a creative business owner, if I don’t take time out to take care of myself, not only do I suffer, but my business does too. I’m not alone in this struggle…
Four tips to create an authentic and engaged Instagram account
Editor’s Note: This is the first of two posts we’ll be sharing from Craftcation Conference Alum Angie Chua of bobo design studio. Over the past few years I’ve had my eyes on Angie. First off, her personality is magnetic and…
Podcast Episode 72: Gaining Brand Clarity with Alisha Robertson
Welcome back from our extended summer break. While we were away we finished our spring event season for our Patchwork Show and our annual Craftcation: Business & Makers Conference. We’re also going through some changes here at Dear Handmade Life…
Dear You: Summer Smoke Signals
Every six months, I scribble secret things on paper and burn them in my backyard. I started this tradition during a June heat wave a few years ago. A friend of mine suggested we write down our goals and then…
Patchwork Show Oakland Spring 2018
The morning of our Patchwork Show in Oakland last Sunday one of our vendors told that me that she “felt a great vibe and had a feeling that the show was going to go well”. Hearing her positive attitude was…
DIY Reversible Baby Changing Pad
My friend is having a baby, so I swung by my local big box baby store. My family currently is just my hubby and me—so it was a new experience. Almost instantly, I was lost in the aisles. The dizzying…
Patchwork Show Long Beach Spring 2018
After our Long Beach Patchwork Show last Sunday, I stood in the almost empty parking lot talking with two of our long-time vendors about how the craft show scene has changed over the years. Although I no longer sell at…
Craftcation Conference 2018 Teaser Video
Its hard to believe it’s been two months since Craftcation Conference 2018! We miss the beach, our attendees and that feeling of knowing that everywhere you turn you’ll run into someone who gets what it’s like to be a creative…
Big Picture Bookkeeping Strategies for Creative Owners
Editor’s Note: We recently surveyed our Patchwork Show vendors about the areas of their business that they had the most difficulty with and (no surprise to us) one of the highest scores was finance. If you’re having trouble with something,…
Patchwork Show Santa Ana Spring 2018
One of my favorite parts of our Patchwork Show Santa Ana last weekend was running into a family who has been coming to the show since the early days. It was so cool to see that the daughter who was a…
