MAKERS COLLECTIVE® RESOURCE LIBRARY
Welcome! Here you will find a wide range of recommended reading topics including: starting or growing your business, marketing, sales, craft festivals, and ethics.
Business 101
The Biz Ladies column on Design*Sponge offers a wealth of resources for the creative entrepreneur. These informative posts cover everything from creating a business plan to bookkeeping and taxes.
Design*Sponge Biz Ladies — All Posts
Building Your Business
Craft, Inc: The Ultimate Guide to Turning your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business, by Meg Mateo Ilasco
Art, Inc: The Essential Guide for Building your Career as an Artist, by Lisa Congdon
Grow Your Handmade Business: How to Envision, Develop, and Sustain a Successful Creative Business, by Kari Chapin
Etsy-preneurship: Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Handmade Hobby into a Thriving Business, by Jason Malinak
The South Carolina Small Business Development Center: A free resource for private business coaching. To find an Small Business Development Center in another state, search the SBDC directory.
Get a Street Smart MBA podcast with Sarah Shaw Consulting
The Business of Selling
Get started selling online via Amazon Handmade, video series
The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online, by Kari Chapin
Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond, by Derrick Sutton
Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft’s Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing your Crafty Biz, by Kelly Rand
Best Practices for Selling at Events from Real Thread
Wholesale Pricing Calculator from Adrianne Elayne
Marketing Your Brand
Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share your Creativity and get Discovered, by Austin Kleon
Crash Course in DIY PR, by Amy Flurry
Recipe for Press: Pitch your Story like the Pros and Create a Buzz, by Amy Flurry
The Crafter’s Guide to Taking Great Photos: The Best Techniques for Showcasing your Handmade Creations, by Heidi Adnum
TruColor Greenville – our local source for printing
Originality & Ethics
Inspiration vs. Imitation, a post by Jessica Hische
Copying & Credit: Where does the line begin and end? A post by Grace Bonney
Counsel for Creators: Thoughts on Copying & Credit, a post by legal counsel
Copycats (and why we need their creative voice), by Emily Jeffords
Copyright and Trademark Q&A, by The Write Assistant
Craft Festivals
Crafters Market: An annual printed directory of 1000+ craft festivals and online resources. This book also covers a variety of business basics.
Tips for Applying: How to stand out in the crowd when applying to Indie Craft Parade or other festivals.
Funding your Passion
Nasha Lending: Connects under-resourced entrepreneurs with funding through small no-interest loans.
Michelin Development: Provides low-interest loans and business expertise for the purpose of job creation in Upstate South Carolina.
Suggest a Resource
Our Bookshelf
Below are art and craft books written by makers we know and love. These dedicated artists have taken the time to share their expertise in book form to teach others about their process, their materials, and their craft.
Jessica Roux
Emily Lousie Howard (Diggingest Girl)
Barb Blair (Knack Studios)
Barb Blair (Knack Studios)
Melissa Weiss
Megan George (Zen Succulent)
Lane Huerta (Lovelane)
Mollie Greene
Robert Thomas
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