Because it’s been a while since I’ve designed anything new, when I sat down to design my newest collection, I kind of went a little overboard. Lots of variations on the same theme – plenty of earrings and necklaces that take what I’ve been doing previously and expand on them. Now, I love everything that [...]
We’ve all had that moment of excitement – maybe it’s late at night, or while you’re in the shower, or out for a run. That moment where the idea for a new product or design just pops into your head! You rush into the studio in order to make your new idea a reality. But [...]
I’ve been working on some new jewelry that I’ll be launching later this summer, and that has me thinking about what to call my pieces. There’s one school of thought that says you should give your pieces names (at least for your online store) based on phrases people might search for if they were looking [...]
On last week’s post on creating niche products, I got several comments from people who felt they just could not limit themselves to one material or idea. “I’m creative, I just have too many ideas to focus on one thing!” There is nothing wrong with being creative and having a lot of ideas. In fact, [...]
I hear it at craft shows and trade shows all the time, “You’re so lucky you make X, because I make Y and so does everybody else.” Regardless of whether you’re a jeweler, potter, or photographer, you probably feel the same way – like you’re in a very crowded product category. {image via The Great [...]
One of the issues that seems to always come up when discussing the Indie Craft scene is a discussion of quality. It featured prominently at the Crafting a Nation conference, and also in the comments of last week’s Open Letter to the American Craft Council. And as we debate who does or doesn’t appreciate quality, [...]
Do you allow the market to drive your creativity? Tara & I are very interested in exploring the idea that you don’t have to create in a vacuum nor do you have to cop to the demands of the marketplace. There’s a place right in the middle where we can be true to our creative [...]
I was reading Seth Godin this morning and he made the following statement: “We’ve been culturally brainwashed to believe that the factory approach (average products for average people, compliance, focus on speed and cost) is the one and only way. It’s not.” And that phrase, average products for average people, stopped me in my tracks. [...]
Today I’m so excited to share a guest post from Diane Gilleland, better known as Sister Diane of CraftyPod. CraftyPod is an amazing collection of podcasts created by Diane that focus on crafting and business. Diane is also a co-founder of and contributor to Make & Meaning. She’s been sharing lots of thoughts about the [...]
We’ve been talking a lot about strategic business growth this week, but let’s not forget about another area of growth – creative growth. Specifically, I want to talk about how investing in your creative growth can actually help your business. One of the biggest challenges in the crafts community, especially if you sell in a [...]
Megan Auman is a designer, maker, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for great design and sustainable business. Her eponymous jewelry line is sold in stores across the US and online. In 2009, Megan founded Crafting an MBA to help designers and makers develop their business skills. In 2011, the site name was changed to Designing an MBA.
Learn more about Designing an MBA.
