How to make your craft a business

I am so lucky to be friends with some of the most business savvy crafty women in the country.  For real.  My friends Kim Dorn, Sara Dick, Christine Ernest and Kelly Rand from Hello Craft are real pros.  For the last three years these girls have curated, planned, booked and executed a three day national conference bringing together the best and brightest minds of the indie handmade movement.  Your favorite pickle maker (moi!) was asked to volunteer for this Summit of Awesome (yes that is really what its called!) and I got to peek into some of the amazing sessions and activities going on Friday, Oct. 21st and Saturday, Oct. 22nd.

Wholesaling 101 was an amazing workshop, I participated in an event called "Crafty Throwdown" with Jay McCarroll the hilarious, inspiring and sassy winner of Project Runway Season 1.  I sewed my name in cursive using needle and orange thread, I made book garland hearts from the pages of Pride & Prejudice and also got to hear some great tips on running an Etsy shop from Danielle Maveal, Etsy's own Seller Education Coordinator.

I really enjoyed being surrounded by so many successful, smart and nice people.  I am totally inspired to really pursue my dreams NOW because I have the passion, the business skills and the personality to do this.  A day spent doing something you don't love is a day wasted and life is too short!  I'm really lucky to have all the resources I need to make a change in my life and have an adventure and kick ass!  Needless to say, I am so signing up for a Hello Craft membership this year!!!

Post Crafty

CRAFTY!

Brandon & I woke up super early to load up the car and head out to Adams Morgan in the crappy weather.  I got a flat tire while backing up to the curb to unload the goods but luckily new Mazda's come with free roadside assistance for 2 years and they service guy put on the spare while I set up my booth with my fabulous booth mate the Vegan Cupcake Queen, Rebecca Scott!

I brought 60 jars to the fair and by the end of the day I had totally SOLD OUT!  I got to use my super nifty square app to take about $40 in credit card payments, I learned I probably should have brought more 1/2 pints as opposed to full pint jars and I left with *drumroll please* A MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE!  I came in 2nd place for best Pickles in the Crafty Food Awards, SUCCESS!!!  I was a little bit of a sourpuss for not coming in 1st but it wasn't something a little retail therapy couldn't cure.  I bought a few really awesome things from some of my favorite crafters including Jen Menkhaus's gorgeous felt flower headbands (the littlest bean) and an awesome whale necklace from Rhonda Wyman (figs + ginger).  

I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my friends, the help of my pickling assistant/lover and all the people who bought their very own jars of Blue Apron Pickles & Preserves to take home.  Thank you all and stay tuned for some big news and lots more adventures in jars!