Finding Inspiration & Connection at Craftcation
This past weekend, I went to the Craftcation conference run by Dear Handmade Life in Ventura, California.
At this four-day conference, I met hundreds of other creative small business owners, took business classes, and enjoyed learning and trying new crafts. The community created at the conference is unmatched; everyone I met was welcoming, supportive, and encouraging, not to mention talented and knowledgeable.
Finding a community of folks with similar mindsets, interests, and businesses was amazing. I was able to learn so much. What did I learn, you ask? Well:
- I received extremely helpful personalized feedback on my website from Rebecca Inkrote
- Took a Bookkeeping Crash Course from Janet LeBlanc of Paper + Spark
- Learned more about branding photography from lifestyle photographer Kathryn Colby (and had brand-new headshots taken by her, too!)
- Had a wonderful 1:1 coaching session with Teresa Remple of Craft A Life You Love
- Learned a basic brick stitch beading technique from Michelle Feileacan of The Sugar Pond (and managed to finish one earring!)
- Heard from Marlo Miyashiro of The Handmade Showroom & Creative Arts Consulting, Erin Sarpa from Stationery HQ, and Monique Malcolm of Take Tiny Action and learned about focusing product lines
- Did some Copywriting Roulette with Holly Marsh of Ecommerce Arcade (one of the highlights of my courses!)
- Had an amazing panel about Neurodiverse Entrepreneurship comprised of Nicole Stevenson (Founder & CEO of Dear Handmade Life), Tabitha Harper of McHarper Manor, and Holly Marsh
- Explored how to transition from retail to wholesale with Marlo Miyashiro
- Learned about utilizing email effectively as a small business owner from Alana Rivera of Etta + Billie
On top of all of that, I also made an embroidered nametag, supported fellow makers in the Craftcation Pop-Up Shop, learned how to make a macrame statement necklace, and had some time to explore the amazing town of Ventura. I walked away with lots of new maker and small biz friends, and I can't wait to tell you all about them in the coming weeks!
More than anything, I came away with tons of new ideas and perspectives. Watch for changes to the website and our offerings, and a little rebranding coming soon too...
And, as always, tell me what you want to see from us! Drop me an email letting me know what you'd like to see next or what you want to hear more about.
Be sure to check out my Patreon, follow me on Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter!