For years, I have been going to Michigan craft shows. In many ways, the Midwest is a cultural wasteland, but if there is one thing it has going for it, it is the prevalence of art and craft fairs. If you are a lover of handmade crafts or someone who wants to sell them yourself, there is no better place to go. Between fine craft shows, art shows, civic festivals, and seasonal affairs, there is always some place to sell your work – or at least to try to.
If you are starting your own craft business working the festivals, you don't really need to be good. Don't get me wrong – a certain standard of workmanship is required, but the most important thing is to have unconventional craft ideas. When people go to craft shows, it is because they want something handmade and quirky. They don't go to a craft show to get something meticulously built. If they want that, they usually will buy it made at a factory.
Although there are some musical instrument makers and other highly specialized folks at craft shows, the majority of people there sell simple little trinkets. I have seen people who make all of their work out of cut up scraps of tin, people who print out shirts with cute smiley face people on them, and folks who make nothing but incense holders shaped like whimsical wizards. All of them do exceptionally well at the craft shows.
You wouldn't think it, but the craft show business can actually be a rather cutthroat affair. Some of these craft show vendors are so fiercely competitive that it is unpleasant to be near them. Sometimes, because of this, I like to go to the craft shows as a spectator. Usually, I will go to a craft show where I am pretty sure that no one I know will be working. That way, I can pick up new craft ideas, listen to what people are saying about the different handmade works, and even talk to some of the artisans as if I were a customer. It definitely provides a refreshing change from my routine of selling arts and crafts, but beyond that, it allows me to appreciate the art again. When you spend too much time thinking about what will sell, sometimes you forget the beauty of it all. Out of town craft shows are a perfect place to remember it again.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Home based business
Starting a home based business is a dream come true for many people. Imagine being your own boss, getting up for work whenever you want to, and being able to work in your pajamas every day! For thousands of people all over the country, this is the daily reality. Although starting your own business is difficult, nonetheless it is possible if you are willing to make certain sacrifices. I did it, and so can you.
I have wanted to start a craft business since I was about 14. I read about the idea in a crafts magazine. It told the story about a woman in the Midwest who had started her own bead business at home. She actually got to spend all day making ceramic beads while watching her favorite movies on the TV! When I told my mom about it, she told me that it was a scam. She said that craft businesses almost never worked out. We went to a few craft shows, and this seemed to be the pattern. Most of the crafts business people seemed to work very hard for almost nothing. I talked to a few of them, however, and found out some things about the business. Apparently, you can't support yourself on the craft business alone until you become very successful. When you first start out, you have to have a side project as well. Most people who own craft businesses work a day job.
Nonetheless, instead of discouraging me from starting a business, talking to these people encouraged me. Owning a craft business seemed like a good way to integrate my hobby and my livelihood. I would be willing to make a little bit less money if it meant that I got to spend my life doing what I love to!
When I got to college, I started a craft business in earnest. Although I was unable to dedicate all of my time to it – having to take classes – I was able to make a little bit of spending money off of it. A lot of the visiting tourists in the college town loved to buy locally made crafts, which suited me just fine. During the annual art fair, I made especially good sales – enough to pay for all of my Christmas presents that year. Although I have yet to become a full-time a craft business professional, I can definitely say that I have made a lot of progress since starting.
I have wanted to start a craft business since I was about 14. I read about the idea in a crafts magazine. It told the story about a woman in the Midwest who had started her own bead business at home. She actually got to spend all day making ceramic beads while watching her favorite movies on the TV! When I told my mom about it, she told me that it was a scam. She said that craft businesses almost never worked out. We went to a few craft shows, and this seemed to be the pattern. Most of the crafts business people seemed to work very hard for almost nothing. I talked to a few of them, however, and found out some things about the business. Apparently, you can't support yourself on the craft business alone until you become very successful. When you first start out, you have to have a side project as well. Most people who own craft businesses work a day job.
Nonetheless, instead of discouraging me from starting a business, talking to these people encouraged me. Owning a craft business seemed like a good way to integrate my hobby and my livelihood. I would be willing to make a little bit less money if it meant that I got to spend my life doing what I love to!
When I got to college, I started a craft business in earnest. Although I was unable to dedicate all of my time to it – having to take classes – I was able to make a little bit of spending money off of it. A lot of the visiting tourists in the college town loved to buy locally made crafts, which suited me just fine. During the annual art fair, I made especially good sales – enough to pay for all of my Christmas presents that year. Although I have yet to become a full-time a craft business professional, I can definitely say that I have made a lot of progress since starting.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Arts And Crafts To Form Good Designs
Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th to early 20th century called for a return of fine and decorative art. These painters and craftsmen were highly critical of the machine generated products that defined the Industrial Era. The Arts and Crafts movement saw the return of tasteful, quality designs, all of which can be applied in today's bathroom. Even though the Arts and Crafts era reached a peak in 1920, today's Arts and Crafts style is nothing less than stylish and contemporary.
Many of the patterns and designs conceived during the Arts and Crafts movement were well-preserved. Therefore, hundreds of original Arts and Crafts patterns are still in circulation. An easy way to apply one of these original, intricate patterns is on your bathroom wallpaper.
Stylized Arts and Crafts designs frequently highlight recognizable Arts and Crafts symbols and images. Some of these include upside-down hearts, Celtic motifs, and ornamental flower designs. Many of these designs were brought back from the medieval period by artisans and craftsmen who were influenced by the handiwork of that era. In your bathroom, try experimenting with stained glass, copper, and pewter pieces. For instance, hang a shower curtain with a richly colored brass pole.
If you'd rather not use brass, try rustic wood instead. Oak is a good choice in this genre, and floors made with wood should have a dark stain. Arts and Crafts style uses a lot of natural materials like wood because they are typically those crafted by hand. The idea is to get creative and become inspired by high-quality, original handiwork, or even secondhand pieces that imitate them. Try hanging a woven textile on the wall, propping a simple wooden screen on one corner, or including a handmade wooden chair in the room, then contrasting the wood with crafted metalwork accents.
Many of the patterns and designs conceived during the Arts and Crafts movement were well-preserved. Therefore, hundreds of original Arts and Crafts patterns are still in circulation. An easy way to apply one of these original, intricate patterns is on your bathroom wallpaper.
Stylized Arts and Crafts designs frequently highlight recognizable Arts and Crafts symbols and images. Some of these include upside-down hearts, Celtic motifs, and ornamental flower designs. Many of these designs were brought back from the medieval period by artisans and craftsmen who were influenced by the handiwork of that era. In your bathroom, try experimenting with stained glass, copper, and pewter pieces. For instance, hang a shower curtain with a richly colored brass pole.
If you'd rather not use brass, try rustic wood instead. Oak is a good choice in this genre, and floors made with wood should have a dark stain. Arts and Crafts style uses a lot of natural materials like wood because they are typically those crafted by hand. The idea is to get creative and become inspired by high-quality, original handiwork, or even secondhand pieces that imitate them. Try hanging a woven textile on the wall, propping a simple wooden screen on one corner, or including a handmade wooden chair in the room, then contrasting the wood with crafted metalwork accents.
Embroidery Designs By Craft Threads
The craft of designing embroidery is ages old. It is now full of many people who are taken in with the beautiful artistry that this particular craft brings. The new changes in technology have reached tot he crafts that are done at home with embroidery being one of those crafts. In the past, a design in embroidery would take hours of hard work and many hours of concentration and time. There are some put there that do not have the gift for the patience and love that is necessary for even the easier designs in embroidery. You can now find digital machines for embroidery that can make even the most detailed designs and they can be finished in a few minutes. These products for embroidery are perfected to bring you the best design quality with the smallest details taken care of and it is due to the new technology available.
It does not matter if you pick the free hand embroidery or the machine embroidery; the threads that are used are the most important ingredient for quality pieces. When you are trying to choose the best thread you will need to consider the fact that the content of the thread should be as close to the type of fabric you are using so that it will give you a better result and will be durable in washing it. There are two different types of threads for embroidery that are in stores. These two are rayon and acrylic threads.
Rayon is the mostly used type of thread for in the machines for embroidery because it is very strong and the colors are very bright. You will need to remember that you will need to be careful when washing this piece. This rayon thread will cost more and will also need to be only sewn on the lower tension settings for a smooth look.
Acrylic is the final type of thread that is much stronger than the rayon thread but the feel of the thread is rougher than the rayon thread. The coarseness of the thread is the reason that some will choose this thread. The color will stay better and the cost is lower than it is for the rayon. You will need a larger needle to make the sewing go smoother with this thread.
Some of the more widely purchased threads are the Isacord polyester thread. It is preferred because it is very strong and has a beautiful shine to it. It also boasts being many times stronger than the rayon and it can be purchase in a larger bundle. Each of the cones that hold this polyester thread are equipped with a bottom that has a snap lock on the bottom of the cone that will hold any loose ends to stop it from fraying and coming loose when you are not using it.
It does not matter if you pick the free hand embroidery or the machine embroidery; the threads that are used are the most important ingredient for quality pieces. When you are trying to choose the best thread you will need to consider the fact that the content of the thread should be as close to the type of fabric you are using so that it will give you a better result and will be durable in washing it. There are two different types of threads for embroidery that are in stores. These two are rayon and acrylic threads.
Rayon is the mostly used type of thread for in the machines for embroidery because it is very strong and the colors are very bright. You will need to remember that you will need to be careful when washing this piece. This rayon thread will cost more and will also need to be only sewn on the lower tension settings for a smooth look.
Acrylic is the final type of thread that is much stronger than the rayon thread but the feel of the thread is rougher than the rayon thread. The coarseness of the thread is the reason that some will choose this thread. The color will stay better and the cost is lower than it is for the rayon. You will need a larger needle to make the sewing go smoother with this thread.
Some of the more widely purchased threads are the Isacord polyester thread. It is preferred because it is very strong and has a beautiful shine to it. It also boasts being many times stronger than the rayon and it can be purchase in a larger bundle. Each of the cones that hold this polyester thread are equipped with a bottom that has a snap lock on the bottom of the cone that will hold any loose ends to stop it from fraying and coming loose when you are not using it.
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