I can't believe it has been over a week since I passed on some witticisms and wisdom.

As discussed earlier, it does gets faster and easier to manage the business side of your crafts. Another component of successfully selling your crafts is support. It is time consuming at first to manage photographs, write copy, record your costing, and find venues in which to sell your crafts, as well as attend the shows. Support goes a long way to achieving success.

I haven't done very many craft shows yet. I am looking for non-juried show for now until I can afford to set up a "mini-shop" for a juried show. There are some musts for a craft show, one of which is promotional material.

Until now I have avoided printing business cards and post cards since I am having little luck with local shows, and just stayed with web presence. The last time I went looking for a printer for business cards locally, the responses I received by from my inquiries all had glaring grammatical errors. I found that scary as I was hoping that a printer would be acting as part of my team, making sure there were no errors in my text. You know how you can look at the same thing over and over again and never see the mistake? I think I'll need to recruit a proofreader. My son fits the bill pretty well. I suppose I should pay him - I'll try minimum wage for 15 minutes work, or maybe I'll just make his favourite dessert. That should help him take it seriously and gain me a few hours of support.

It is important to have support in what you are doing, even if it is extra housework while you work or proofreading. Both my children help with design. My daughter has taught me enough about HTML that I can change code if I need to on my website and help with the posting. I have solicited opinions from many of my friends and dragged them to craft shows with me. An evening out is always accompanied by my newest creations for their input. My son does the laundry and the dishes, and my mother has offered her house for the next craft party I have. I try to only ask for what people are able to give. Sometimes it is only 10 minutes, or a quick opinion, other times it is a whole day at a craft show or consulting on a design. Whatever form it comes in, I am always grateful for the support.

I finished the costing on a few more items this week and posted them today. I am having hard time not keeping this one. I think I will have to buy more of the same beads to make one for myself. I can so see wearing it with a white tank top or t-shirt this summer. It can be found at http://www.glcmall.com/store/store-detail_192_elizannehandcraftedtreasures.aspx along with a blue sodalite necklace using the same pendant bead.

Happy Crafting
CraftyLadyLiz