Chicago Style Crafters

Our first meeting of the year is set for Saturday, Jan 16th at 1:30PM at Circa Ceramics Studio {3759 N Ravenswood, Suite 134, Chicago, IL 60613}. Please read "STATE OF THE CSC" in the Forums to be prepared!
-Donovan

When: This Saturday 10/17

Where: 1845 N. Western in the room beside Challenger Comics (thanks, Donovan!)
Just off of the Western Blue Line.

What Time: 1:00

What to Bring: 10 "Chicago Holiday" items with for our seasonal gift bag
valued at $5 - $15.

Those that don't have items ready but would still like to contribute can drop them off to the bag organizer after the meeting. For newbies, these bags are sold in our team etsy store (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5274399) to create funds for things like advertising, sales and other team expenses and promotions.

I just want to make sure that everyone knows about this opportunity with Etsy:

http://www.mmart.com/oneofakindshow/etsyapplication/

It gives you a booth at the one-of-a-kind show and sale here in Chicago for $500 - that's $1425 of savings. It's going on the same weekend as Renegade Holiday (Dec. 3-6) but it may be worth it! The application deadline has been extended until Sept. 28th.

Indie in the windy city handcrafted market will be held on saturday, october 3rd. applications are open now, $40.00 for a six foot space.
market will be held
@the chelsea house
920 west wilson
chicago
10-4 pm
we are 3 blocks east of the wilson red line stop and 4 blocks west of lake shore drive.
interested in a space?
write me!
marshaspaniel@gmail.com
thanks!
marsha

this isn't really a 'craft show' review, but i wanted to let you all know about this gallery. it's a nice little gallery on north avenue. i rented a wall space here in june of this year for $75- plus $10- co op fee. so far, it seems to be working out well. very friendly atmosphere.
they have a few perks: you can work at the gallery when they need a cashier and that cash can go towards your booth fee, if you refer someone you get half off of your next months rent, you can have an event there whenever you want, you just have to set the date with teresa.
so, check it out. you can rent a space for only three months if you want to.
www.galleria1712.com
ask for teresa ciucci
(let her know that i sent you and thanks!:))
marsha

I received this forwarded email from the lovely gal who organized coterie this year. It reads:

Hello Crafters!

Twice a year Fly Bird assists with the Summer Sidewalk Sale event in Oak Park. This year the summer sale takes place over 3 days
July 24-26.
We bring in outside artists and vendors to participate on Saturday 7/25, from 9am-5pm and Sunday 7/26, from 12pm-5pm along side local businesses.

The fee is $75 for both days and the space is approximately 10'x4' ...you may share your table with another vendor.
Artists are responsible for providing their own table and chairs.

We would love to offer you a space during this event. Location of the event is the 700 block of Lake Street and the 100 N block of Oak Park Ave, right off of the green line. With the success of Constructor in this area I think that it should prove to be another great opportunity for selling your super fabulous goods!!

Application deadline turn-around is cheetah fast and SPACE IS LIMITED. We have room for about 16 more vendors!!

Attached is the application. You may fill it out and drop it off here at the BIRD with your payment...
or send us a payment via PAYPAL to: howdy@fly-bird.net

We hope to have you join us this year!

Thanks and please don't hesitate to call or email with any questions.

Julia
FLY BIRD
719 Lake Street
Oak Park IL 60301
www.fly-bird.net
p:708-383-3330
f: 708-383-3338

I thought I'd pass along the info :)

-kathy
www.swallowkisses.com

At long last!
Our second interview is with Shanna Hensler-McDonald, who's behind BigCityfuzz & BigCitysuds.

What's your business name, and tell us a bit about what you create?

Hi my name is Shanna Henlser-McDonald and I have two small craft shops on Etsy. One is called BigCityfuzz the other is BigCitysuds. BigCityfuzz is where I sell my wearable and hand held goods which are made from recycled fibers. BigCitysuds is my newest shops were I will be offering fragrant cold process soaps and lip balms.

You can find me on the net @

http://BigCityfuzz.etsy.com
http://BigCitysuds.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shannaukarch/
http://bigcityfuzz.blogspot.com/

Why did you go into this as an artist/artisan/crafter/designer?

I graduated with a degree in Architecture so I have always been into design and craftiness, but after landing a full time architecture job, I found that I needed more independent hands on creativity. I took up knitting and sewing and later soap making to satisfy my need creative spirit.

Why did you turn it into a business?

After moving to Chicago from Philadelphia, I found that Chicago has a wonderful crafting community offering oodles of opportunities for small craft based business. I figured why not give it a try.

What do you think is the best part of what you do?

I love the there is no end to what can be created, between my sewing and my soap making I am always thinking of new ideas. I also love that I am able to be home with my son while trying to running my small business.

The worst?

Time management is a hard one for me, there is always a long list of things I want to get done but it always takes me longer then I originally planned. Lately I have also been struggling with the branding of my business, creating a label and a unique look for BigCityfuzz and suds is something I am working on.

How do you get the word out about your business?

I mostly promote my business through word of mouth and the internet. I post my latest endeavors on facebook to tell my friends and family what I have been up to. I also upload pictures of my new products on my flickr page, while trying to update my blog here and there.

How do you feel about selling online, & what do you think is/are the biggest challenge/s there?

I am still pretty new to selling on line, I have had a shop for a while although I have not had many customers. I think the hardest part is getting shoppers into my store and getting them to take the plunge. I tend to do much better when they can try on the hat or smell the soap.

What do you like about your online presence (ie, your shop, you pictures, your copy)?

I am not sure if I have much of an on line presence, but I do like my name. No one else seams to be using Bigcityfuzz or BigCitysuds and that uniqueness makes me happy.

What don't you like, and what do you want to do to improve it?

I struggle with my photographs. Still photography has never held much interest for me. I have always been a people photographer. Getting consistent praiseworthy shots is something I am working on.

If there was one art/craft you could try, all expenses paid, what would that be?

Spinning my own yarn is something I would love try, but the cost of a spinning wheel is out of my reach right now.

Whose work are you digging right now?

Stitchindye. Her color combinations and craftsmanship are amazing.

What are you currently reading, online or off?

on line:

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
http://girlscantell.typepad.com/
http://soapaholicsanonymous.blogspot.com/

off line:

The Soapmakers Companion
The Vein of Gold: A Journey to your Creative Heart
I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood

Currently listening to online or off?

http://thestory.org/
Pandora

Any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to impart upon fellow creative types?

Make sure you truly enjoy what you are creating and make things you really like. Try not to be intimidated by other out there, instead try and learn as much as you can from those who have had success in your craft.
Lastly never be afraid to try something new.

Tips on how to approach a show app by Tina Seamonster over at the Crafty Bastards Blog -

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/craftybastards/2008/04/02/make-...

It never hurts to read up on tips, especially if you're new to the application thing! Just remember to breathe :)

We're introducing a new written feature here called CSC Q&A!, an interview series that will firstly focus on team members, and as time progresses, other indiepreneurs in the community - Because after all, this is about Chicago Style Crafters! So without further ado, here is our first interview of the series, with Donovan Beeson.

What's your business name, and tell us a bit about what you create?

I run my own etsy shop under my name: Donovan Beeson and I co-run 16 Sparrows and the Letter Writers Alliance, a stationery company/letter writing club with my friend Kathy Zadrozny. I make paper goods such as stationery and books and letter-writing accouterments.

Why did you go into this as an artist/artisan/crafter/designer?

I like to be busy, and with a degree in arts but a job in "real-life", I needed an outlet. When I moved to Chicago, Kathy was my roommate and she was already into the whole DIY crafting thing and I feel under the spell of paper and paper crafting rather quickly.

Why did you turn it into a business?

When Kathy took off for grad school, she needed someone to handle the reins of 16 Sparrows. My stuff is a little different from the feel of the products at 16 Sparrows; so I began an Etsy shop to handle my personal line of handmade goods.

What do you think is the best part of what you do?

Meeting other people who have the same odd fascinations and quirks that I do. Nowhere else can I find people who get as excited about office supplies or a bunch of old library cards as the people I've met through crafting.

The worst?

Logistics. It's a pain trying to get from place to place with all my stuff without a car. I have to rely of the kindness of my friends more often than I'd like to.

How do you get the word out about your business?

I've had enormous luck with The Sampler, and 16 Sparrows was a Daily Candy feature which was a crazy propeller.

How do you feel about selling online, & what do you think is/are the biggest challenge/s there?

Getting your name out is the hardest thing and maintaining that is the next hardest. You've got to stay on top of everything if you want to stay in business.

What do you like about your online presence (ie, your shop, you pictures, your copy)?

I love my pictures. I'm constantly surprised by the quality I can get with just natural light and a regular old Nikon. And this isn't my online presence per se, but I really enjoy doing my packaging and I often receive compliments on it.

What don't you like, and what do you want to do to improve it?

I don't like that I'm constantly referred to as Mr. Donovan Beeson. But I try to correct that whenever I see it. It's the curse of the gender-ambiguous name.

If there was one art/craft you could try, all expenses paid, what would that be?

Silk screening and Weaving. And I may get around to both sooner or later.

Whose work are you digging right now?

I love the shirts at Dyslexic Press and just got one of the Obama buck prints from there.

What are you currently reading, online or off?

System of the World
by Neal Stephenson

Chicago Public Radio,
Around Comics pod cast,
Comic Geek Speak pod cast,
The Moth pod cast, and an audio book by Neil Gaiman
.

Any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to impart upon fellow creative types?

Do something every day. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as you stay in the habit.