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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…

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Hello Tustin join us next weekend 12/8 and shop ha Hello Tustin join us next weekend 12/8 and shop handmade and local goods from 100+ makers at @thepatchworkshow in @oldtowntustin where you can enjoy the small-town charm and historic buildings housing local shops and 🍔🌮🍕great eats from local restaurants 🧵🎨 Free craft activities at select booths! FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩 BTW: We post more show info at @thepatchworkshow so be sure to follow us there if that’s what you’re looking for. Comment SHOWS to get all the details. P.S. Rolling applications are OPEN! Fall 2024 Patchwork Show Locations: 🏞Chino Hills 12.1 @theshoppesatchinohills 🌳Redwood City 11.10 @cityofredwoodcity 🌉Oakland 11.16 @jacklondonsq 🏖 Long Beach 11.24 @marinestadium 🏙Tustin 12.8 @oldtowntustin 🏛Sacramento 12.15 @oldsac @bungalow360 @clairemariejewelry @myhauscollection @arachelistudio @kiyopottery @laruffadesigns @mizujewels @elisamamaofficial @cb.artspot @chocolateandsteel @thedragoncodexbk @ohanasunshine_official @juliawalck @kraftkrusader
That feels uncomfortable to share-but I’m doing That feels uncomfortable to share-but I’m doing it anyway. Because my discomfort isn’t as important as the possibility that me being real with you could make you feel less alone. That maybe you’d feel like it’s OK not to have it all figured out. So, here goes. 👉 i’ve made things I didn’t love just to pay the bills. There were times I compromised my creativity because rent was due, and it made me feel like a sellout. But I’ve learned that survival isn’t failure-it’s resilience. 👉 I sometimes feel guilty about taking breaks. Even when I know I need them, I feel like I should always be working. But I’m learning that rest isn’t lazy-It’s necessary. 👉 I didn’t want to take meds for my OCD. I thought it made me weak. But after becoming a mom, I realized I couldn’t show up for my family without taking care of myself first. Starting meds was hard, but it gave me back the space to live fully. 👉 I’ve launched products and workshops that flopped. One time, no one signed up for a workshop I spent weeks planning. Another time a line of clothing I designed flopped at a tradeshow. Both times, it stung. Now I see those moments as part of the process-not proof I should’ve quit. 👉 I have psoriasis. Most of the time, I don’t even think about it – until someone’s side-eyes my skin like it’s contagious. Over the years, I’ve learned to own it. It’s part of me, but it doesn’t define me. 👉 I’ve cried in my car after selling nothing at a craft show. I’ve packed up my booth after zero sales and thought, “Why am I even doing this?” But I keep going, and eventually, I had shows where I sold nearly 5 figures. It’s all part of the journey. Here’s the thing: being a creative isn’t all wins and inspiration. It’s messy, frustrating, and full of lessons you only learned the hard way. And that’s why we created CAMP-a safe space for creatives to figure out who they are, where they want to be, and how to get there. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, know this: you’re not alone. You’re not failing. You’re building something bigger than the doubts, the rejections, and the hard days. Comment GOAL to join the waiting list.
Scared to start? Overwhelmed by ALL the things? Fe Scared to start? Overwhelmed by ALL the things? Feeling stuck because you don’t have it all figured out? Welcome to Camp—a six-week online mindful goal-getting bootcamp for creatives ready to get out of their own way and start making real progress. Here’s what you’ll get: ✨ Clarity to set actionable, realistic goals ✨ Accountability with weekly check-ins to keep you on track ✨ Support from a cohort of like-minded creatives who just get it ✨ Guidance to build momentum without the overwhelm You don’t need a perfect plan or a degree to chase your dreams. You just need the courage to take the first step—and Camp is here to help you do it. Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward? Let’s do it, together. 🏕️ Comment GOAL to join the waiting list for life-changing experience.
Welp! I pretty much said it all in the story... bu Welp! I pretty much said it all in the story... but here’s the TL;DR: After nearly 20 years of creating and evolving, I’ve finally found the deeper voice and new direction for Dear Handmade Life. 🎉 These slides share the journey—the chaos, the clarity, and the lime (it’ll make sense, I promise). And with that new voice comes some exciting changes, including three shiny new websites (one for @thepatchworkshow, one for @craftcationconference and one for my new brand) that are almost ready to launch! Thank you for sticking with me through all the messy figuring-it-out moments. Your support means the world, and I can’t wait to keep growing and creating with you in this next chapter. 🧡 What do you think of the rebrand? Let me know in the comments!
Hello Chino Hills join us next weekend 12/1 and sh Hello Chino Hills join us next weekend 12/1 and shop handmade and local goods from 50+ makers at @thepatchworkshow @theshoppesatchinohills a modern retail destination in the Inland Empire, a gorgeous setting amid scenic fountains and swaying palm trees. 🍔🍻Enjoy food and drinks from surrounding restaurants and cafes! Plus we have free craft activities. 🎨🧵 FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩 BTW: We post more show info at @thepatchworkshow so be sure to follow us there if that’s what you’re looking for. Comment SHOWS to get all the details. P.S. Rolling applications are OPEN! Fall 2024 Patchwork Show Locations: 🏞Chino Hills 12.1 @theshoppesatchinohills 🌳Redwood City 11.10 @cityofredwoodcity 🌉Oakland 11.16 @jacklondonsq 🏖 Long Beach 11.24 @marinestadium 🏙Tustin 12.8 @oldtowntustin 🏛Sacramento 12.15 @oldsac @bandcampbuddies @kluvcrafting @ecoje
It takes time, like WAY more time than you probabl It takes time, like WAY more time than you probably think it will to get where you dream of being. BUT, don’t give up! It took me a decade to have a sustainable business and after Covid, the backstep of everything I built was so bad I almost gave up. But, I didn’t. I kept going and I keep going every day. One of my favorite parts of what I do is sharing all the things I’ve learned about being a creative business owner so that you don’t have to spend as much time as I did struggling. One of the best and most consistent ways to get that insight and support is through Dear Handmade Life: The Club. The Club is our members-only community for creative small business owners to get: 💻Expert-led business classes 🥅Mentorship-focused group coaching 👯‍♀️Unlimited support via our members group & your accountability group ALL of that & more for just over $1 a day! Comment “MENTOR” and I’ll get you on the waiting list for when we open enrollment.

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