Quitting My Day Job!

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Originally uploaded by Sister Wend

Although I loved working at the bookstore, my hours were so cut back that it just made no sense to stay. Not when I can use Saturdays to sell my handmade jewellery and my new line of Funky Bali Jewellery at the Peterborough Farmers Market, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

I am SO excited about deciding to just go full time as an artist. Of course, I can only do this because I am kept by Ed, but then so are Noke, Bobby, Aries and Tech and they don't seem to mind!

Being an artist as well as a Craft Trends columnist for Hand Made News does end up being full-time! There are things to make, first and foremost. That takes time. Then you have to take photos of the things you make, edit them, upload them, talk about them....post them to my Artfire shop, tag them, hopefully fill orders, submit stuff to Vote Handmade, research craft trends, build online networking relationships, write two columns a week, one feature article a month, make and take stuff down to Craft of Folk, make and print off and distribute business cards, posters, pick up Funky Bali Jewellery to sell at the Market, pack all the market stuff, unpack it, sell it all : D....

My mom (who will be 92 this July...she had me in her forties in case you are wondering how I manage to look so youthful...and you better be!) is going to work at the Market with me! Now that woman can sell stuff! I pity the fool that tries to resist her!

My pal, Debbie, @creativsoul, will also be there, with her gorgeous jewellery and craft supplies, so it is going to be a fantastic Summer just for the fun we girls will be getting up to!

Soft Launch of HandmadeNews.org

Sara Moore, Head of Content at HandMadeNews, and I, discuss the launch!

WTG: Sara, I understand that tomorrow is the Big Day at HandMadeNews!

SM: That’s right, Wendy, we’re doing a soft launch of HandmadeNews at 8:00 a.m. EST tomorrow! Our columnists and contributors have been working hard to prepare articles and posts which will be going live first thing tomorrow morning!

WTG: That's wonderful! What exactly is HandMadeNews?

SM: HandmadeNews is a vibrant e-newspaper focusing on the handmade world.

WTG: Where did you find your news team?

SM: Our news team has been carefully assembled from artisans and writers from all over the web. Many of our editors and columnists are real handmade sellers with experience in the topics they discuss.

WTG: So they will certainly be able to write about topics that are relevant to crafters worldwide!

SM: On HandmadeNews, you can find everything from business tips and craft trends to green news to inspirational stories. And with articles posted daily, you’ll always have access to the freshest news!

WTG: A free, daily newspaper for crafters that covers anything and everything that a crafter would want to know! Sara, that's a resource few would want to pass up! Final comments?

SM: As you sip your morning coffee (or tea, or soda, depending on your preference) on Thursday, May 7, 2009, head on over to HandmadeNews.org and browse the latest news in the Handmade Community. Chances are, you might even know a few of our writers!

WTG: Thanks Sara! I'm putting the coffee on now!

A is for Artfire, B is for Beta

Artfire is a baby! A big baby, at that! Found this great interview with the President of ArtFire, John Jacobs.

"If you’re looking to sell handmade items, you’ll find that there are a lot of choices to make as to where and how you’d like them to be sold. Starting a business is never easy, but marketing handmade products isn’t one of the easiest routes to go. Thankfully there have been wonderful websites online that have helped artisans get their start. A new website has launched with these crafty men and women in mind.

Artfire, currently in beta launch, is a free way for sellers to share their creations. Unlike some of the other craft-based store options, Artfire offers a free store which allows someone to list up to 10 items with absolutely no fees while still allowing you to show off your products in an atmosphere that is dedicated to handmade products.

The President and CEO, John Jacobs, is an individual who has always found himself testing the waters of business, ever since he was a young man. Now he is simply an inspiration to those interested in following the same path."

Ha ha, I tantalized you! Read the rest of this article at Dane Carlson's Business Opportunity Weblog.

Don't hesitate to check out ArtFire's updates on Behind the Beta published in Art Daily, News of the Handmade World, or Just the Crafts In It.