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BFF Charm Bracelets with Tierracast
DIY Projects

BFF Charm Bracelets with Tierracast

ByNik Vandeventer August 24, 2023August 24, 2023

Remember those BFF necklaces you would get at the mall or even out of a machine when we were younger? I wanted to come up with something that was reminiscent of those but that would also be more suitable for…

Read More BFF Charm Bracelets with TierracastContinue

Product Photography Made Easy with Replica Surfaces
DIY Projects

Product Photography Made Easy with Replica Surfaces

ByNik Vandeventer June 12, 2023June 14, 2023

I started my small business, Wasting Thyme in February 2014. After being a lifelong crafter and wearing so many things I made, getting compliments and suggestions to sell what I made. Like most small businesses, I think,  I jumped in…

Read More Product Photography Made Easy with Replica SurfacesContinue

DIY Craft Show Display
DIY Projects

DIY Craft Show Display

ByNik Vandeventer August 31, 2022August 31, 2022

I’ve been working craft shows for around 7 years now and I’m always looking for ways to up my display game. I know adorable wooden stands have become really popular for show displays in the last few years so I…

Read More DIY Craft Show DisplayContinue

Multi-Surface Wood Burning with Walnut Hollow
DIY Projects

Multi-Surface Wood Burning with Walnut Hollow

ByNik Vandeventer August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

In case you missed it…. last week Walnut Hollow hosted a free online workshop with us to show you how fun their Creative Versa Tool is! I only ever thought burning was for wood but was so amazed to see…

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Boho Halfmoon Wall Hanging
DIY Projects

Boho Halfmoon Wall Hanging

ByNik Vandeventer August 17, 2022August 18, 2022

We were so excited to have Handprint debut at Craftcation this year! They are a great company who manufactures tons of different wood items that are perfect for the everyday crafter/maker. I love that they have so many versatile options…

Read More Boho Halfmoon Wall HangingContinue

Creative Kits from Bramble Berry
DIY Projects

Creative Kits from Bramble Berry

ByNik Vandeventer August 10, 2022August 10, 2022

Do you ever feel like you want to do something creative but you’re just not sure where to begin? As someone who is basically creative for a living, I still have these struggles from time to time! When this happens,…

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FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS WITH CLOVER BRACELET MAKER
DIY Projects

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS WITH CLOVER BRACELET MAKER

ByNik Vandeventer July 20, 2022August 3, 2022

Remember going to summer camp when you were a kid? No? Ok well me neither haha. BUT! I do remember going to a day camp activity with my school when I was younger & that’s where I learned how to…

Read More FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS WITH CLOVER BRACELET MAKERContinue

indigo dyeing made easy!
DIY Projects

indigo dyeing made easy!

ByNik Vandeventer June 29, 2022June 29, 2022

Indigo dye is one of those art forms that just always seems to be in style. It’s such a gorgeous and unique dark blue color & paired with some classic shibori techniques, you really can’t go wrong. Jacquard has made…

Read More indigo dyeing made easy!Continue

3 Ways to Upcycle Golden Rule Spirit’s Canned Cocktails
DIY Projects

3 Ways to Upcycle Golden Rule Spirit’s Canned Cocktails

ByNik Vandeventer June 15, 2022June 15, 2022

We were so happy to have Golden Rule Spirits partner with us to sponsor our Iron Craft event at Craftcation in April! Not only are the canned cocktails that Golden Rule makes DELICIOUS, but they come in the cutest little…

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POM POM DISCO BALL HEADBAND
DIY Projects

POM POM DISCO BALL HEADBAND

ByNik Vandeventer May 22, 2022May 24, 2022

Craftcation finally happened! After what felt like a lifetime, we were finally able to gather once again for our four-day business + makers conference. If you don’t know what Craftcation is (you are missing out!) But you can find out…

Read More POM POM DISCO BALL HEADBANDContinue

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What can you expect at Craftcation 2024? ✨Five What can you expect at Craftcation 2024?

✨Five life-changing days at the beach in California.
🎨💻Over 200 craft and business classes taught by industry experts.
😍Lots of social gatherings to connect, educate and foster community.

As multi-year alum @marshmueller said...
“Craftcation has this effect… when you walk through the door it’s almost like a magical transformation.”

Holly and all the other alums and newbies... we can’t wait to see you next April!

Discounted early bird registration is open now! 

#craftcation #craftconference #smallbusinesssupport #smallbizlife #artconvention #craftconvention #makersformakers
Which emoji best describes how you cope with appli Which emoji best describes how you cope with application anxiety? 

🍷 📓 📚 📺 🎧 👯‍♀️ 🌮 👟 or something else? 

Application anxiety is real! Remember, one craft fair won’t make or break or break your business.

BTW: Our @thepatchworkshow applications close next week on 9.27. Apply via our bio 🔗. 

We have SEVEN awesome locations in California this fall.

🏖 Long Beach @marinestadium 10.29
☀️ Ventura @downtownventura 11.5
🌆 Tustin @oldtowntustin 11.12
🌉 Oakland @jacklondonsq 11.18
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10

#craftshow #craftshowprep #smallbizowner #smallbiztips #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness #makerfaire
Ready for the last one? You have to tell yoursel Ready for the last one? 

You have to tell yourself the new story over and over until you believe in its truth. You may not believe your new story at first, you probably didn’t believe the negative story that you’ve been telling yourself all these years at first either but you kept telling yourself and eventually it felt like the truth. You can do that with the positive story...

📣Tell it to yourself again and again until it becomes the truth. 

This process sounds simple but it isn’t. You’re basically trying to change the way your brain works, the way you think and that isn’t easy. 

⛷Imagine if you skied down the same mountain every day, several times a day. Your skies would make a path in the snow. Imagine you did this for years, like 20 or more years. That path would be deep. 

❄️Then, one day you decide there’s a better way to ski down the mountain. You point your skis in this new direction but after a few feet, you’re back in that old path. 

🗻Every time you go down the mountain, you may be able to go a few more feet on this new path, heck, some days, you may hit a stride and go for 10 or 20 feet on this new path but it takes patience, determination and resilience. 

🧠This is what it’s like to adjust your mindset in your brain. You’re basically carving new neural pathways in your brain for your thoughts to move from, you can’t do this to yeah, we’ve got this! 

Now that you have all this information, what are you supposed to do with it? I want you to take action! I want to help you bridge the gap between understanding and doing.

Join the waiting list for our course Goals Getters Academy where you’ll figure out what you really want and craft a doable plan to make it happen. Just DM me goals and your email address and I’ll add you to the list or join via our bio link. 

#innercriticbegone #innercritic #craftbizlife #craftershelpingcrafters #craftersgonnacraft #smallbizowner #smallbusinessowner
If you relate drop a 👏🖐👍🤣 below. Tell If you relate drop a 👏🖐👍🤣 below. Tell me I’m not alone!
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I can’t count the number of me-made projects that I tried to wear or only wore once because they didn’t turn out right. If only I would take the time to learn from a pro. 
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Lucky for you, this no longer has to be your fate. We have THREE sewing rooms at Craftcation where expert instructors show you how to create your own clothing and sewing projects with confidence.
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Ready to make garments you love to wear? Join us at Craftcation and you could be...
🏖 spending five days at the beach in California
👯‍♀️making friends like the ones you made (or wished you made) at summer camp as a kid
👩🏿‍🎨pushing yourself outside your creative comfort zone to make all the things
🥅having 1.2 million AH-HA moments to fuel your next big leap
📈getting actionable business info 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is why the most common word that appears on our post-conference surveys is LIFE-CHANGING. Discounted early bird tickets are available now.

#craftcation #smallbizconference #smallbiztips #craftersofinstagram #craftersgonnacraft #crafttogether #makerssupportingmakers
If you need to compete... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you need to compete...
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
race against yourself!
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Look at your revenue from last year and try to increase it by 10% or 20% or more this year. Look at how many hours you worked on average per week last year and find ways (HELLO to delegation, systems & automations) to work less without losing revenue.
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Challenge yourself to be a better boss to yourself, set goals and then craft a plan to make them happen. 
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Want help? Join the waiting list for our course Goals Getters Academy where you’ll figure out what you really want and craft a doable plan to make it happen. Just DM me goals and your email address and I’ll add you to the list or join via our bio link.

Like and share with your goal getters.

#smallbizsupport #smallbusinessowner #goalsetting #craftybusiness #craftersofinstagram
Here’s your pep talk for today —> READ THIS B Here’s your pep talk for today —> READ THIS

Being a creative business owner isn’t easy or pretty.

There’s a lot of crap (accounting, answering emails, updating your website, bookkeeping, contracts, marketing, answering DMs, taxes, customer service, shipping, & a million other tasks) that you have to do to keep your business running. And, you probably do all or most of this yourself. And, you’re probably raising kids or pets and managing a family or friends and mental health and trying to take care of yourself and be creative and do ALL things. 

It’s. Not. Easy. But... it is worth it. 

I think it is. I’d rather trade all those late nights, early mornings, & many years of being terrified the day rent was due as I started growing my businesses, than for settling into gainful employment doing something that doesn’t feed my soul. 

I struggled for a long time. It took me forever to learn to delegate (I’m still working on that one). Sometimes it feels like as soon as you have something figured out, something comes along and shakes things up (hello to COVID, video being key on social media and so many other things that threw me for a loop over the years).

Each of those things that kept me on my toes also reminded me that I’m scrappy and creative. They remind me that I chose this life as a creative business owner. 

And, every morning when I wake up and open my computer, I chose it again. And every night when I close my computer I say thank you that after 20 years of being my own boss, I still love what I do and feel like it matters. 

So, yeah, it isn’t easy but the worth it things often aren’t. 

If you’re a creative business boss looking for your community and support, join us this spring at Craftcation. Discounted early bird registration is open now. 

#craftbusinessowner #entrepreneurs #craftentrepreneur #craftcation #workvacation #businesscoaches #treasuremaker #collagemaker #jewelrymaker #candlemaker #soapmaker #clothingmaker #fiberartist #digitalartist

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