Connie Metler, after seeing the blog asked me to repost this here as both her and I feel it is timely and may help those who are new and old to the business.Looking for Art Business Resources? Here's my picks!It's a New Year - Happy New Year everyone! As with each New Year, I think it is the time we look at changing habits, looking for answers and advice on how to make things better, right? Today I am going to share some of my favorite resources I keep handy regarding art/craft business. Please note I am not paid to mention any of the following resources and they are in no particular order.1. Niche Magazine. This is a fantastic publication the helps unite retailers and craft artists offering advice regarding keeping great employees, market trends, wholesale show information, issues raised by retailers that artists should know, as well as business tips. It is put out by The Rosen Group the same group that is behind the Philadelphia Buyers Market of Art/Craft and the publication American Style. A quick Google search for Niche magazine will help you learn more about the publication as well as how to get your hands on a copy.2. The Art and Craft Show Yellow Pages. This is also a publication and it comes out every quarter and focuses on art/craft show listings throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. It also offers great advice for people who do art and craft fairs such as tips on attracting customers into your booth, organizing tips, financial tips (such as getting ready for tax time as well as insurance help) and much more. This publication isn't on newsstands, but available through the website www.smartfrogs.com .3. The Crafts Report. Another good publication is the Crafts Report magazine which can be found via some news stands and via their website. The Crafts Report covers a wide gambit such as photographing tips, regional vignettes, highlights art galleries and artists, chock full of art business tips, reporting on wholesale shows, art and craft shows, and more. Something of note - I was a freelance writer for Crafts Report and was happy to be apart of the magazine during its transition time. They are still working out the kinks to increase viewership, but the last few issues have churned out some great articles - for this reason I do recommend checking it out again if you are some that were turned off by them in the past.4. ArtFairInsiders.com . This website is a social network for art fair artists and crafts people. It just celebrated their 1 year anniversary in November and is growing like wildfire. I am lucky to be one of the people who regularly gives free advice and tips regarding doing art fairs - booth tips, customer service, finding shows, and most importantly review shows. I keep coming back to this site due to the wonderful networking opportunities as I am learning something new each time I am on the site as well as the feedback given regarding well detailed art fair reviews.5. "How to Start a Homebased Craft Business" by Kenn Oberrecht. I use this book off and on as a great resource for all things people need to know in order to run a home based business. Advice includes dealing with taxes and insurance, marketing your products via the web and shows, setting up a computer system, writing a business plan and why it is important to have one, marketing survey, and so much more. This book with others are available via Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble and Borders. I highly recommend looking at them first - via a book store or library - to ensure the information is right for you.6. "Handmade for Profit" by Barbara Brabec. This is kinda the bible on how to start your own craft business. I use it a lot as even though it is a guide on how to start a business it covers so much more. I also recommend all of Ms. Brabec's books - she has about 4-5 of them, her advice is spot on. Do check out her website as she offers newsletters and advice via her site too.7. "Crafting a Business" by Wendy Rosen. Did you know Wendy Rosen, the founder of The Rosen Group wrote her own book too? If you are looking to get into selling at retail and wholesale shows it is THE BEST book around. It offers advice on applying to events, customer relations, pricing, product development, and how to get free publicity. The downfall is some of the information is dated (in the resource area of the book), but all in all very timely advice. I use this book often - even today - because of the personal stories used to back up the advice, the sample sheets for writing up outlines of understanding(and other sheets) are something I refer back to as my business grows and new things need to be incorporated into my own applications.8. Sunshine Artists. A great publication that offers tips and listings of art shows around the country. There are some great reviews of shows and it does offer great advice too. What is great about this publication is it publishes a yearly review of the top 100 art fairs in the country as complied by surveys by readers and non-readers who sell at these shows.9. Bruce Baker's Cd's on Booth Design, Customer Service and Jury Slides. I love Baker's cd's as the advice given is amazing, revolutionizing the way artists think when it comes to doing shows. The advice is well organized and to the point (and I might add he covers everything). I often listen to his cd's as each time you hear it you pick up on something new and at the same time gets you in a motivated mindset if you listen to one on route to a show. The best tips are how to deal with negativity if it enters your booth, quips on how to deal with "I can buy that at Wal-Mart", and ideas on how to make your booth stand out from your competition at shows - for starters. Of these cd's I have 5 cd's on Dyanamic Sales and Customer Service Techniques as well as 4 on Booth Design and Merchandising (never opened) on hand right now! If anyone is interested in buying one or two from me they retail for $15, but I am selling them for $10 each (plus $4.50 for shipping and handling). If you want one please contact me via my website www.bythebaybotanicals.com and use the email form on my contact page to let me know which cd you are interested in. I accept major credit cards and checks and can send it to you the same day.I am hoping this information as well as all of my advice has and will continue to help you all in this new year as well as years to come. Feel free to share any other resources you like and others should know about via the comment button on my blog or here on artfairinsiders.com .Again, Happy New Year, Michelle
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