I Promise To Blog by Handmade Spark Member Fatdogbeads

by Handmade Spark on 3/16/11 | View Comments Comment(s)

Day one on my journey to become an active member of the blogging community. You would think that as a writer (copywriter – see portfolio at bobbihelms.com) I would dive head first into the blogosphere with a smile on my face and a brilliant idea to share in my head.
Uh-uh. Nope. …

Sponsoring a Giveaway: Bonus or Bogus?

by MCatherine Lunsford on 1/24/11 | View Comments Comment(s)

Do you suffer from ‘giveaway dilemma’? As a mini-micro business without a marketing/advertising budget, one creative way to ‘spread the word’ about your products is through blog reviews/giveaways. Do you participate in blog reviews/giveaways? Do you consider that due to pitching for product to review, particpating in giveaway contests and accepting a prize that a ‘winner’ and ‘reviewer’ are by definiton customers? Has sponsoring a giveaway been a bonus or bogus experience for you?

Can your blog work harder for your business? Yes! Take this class!

by Diane Gilleland on 1/20/11 | View Comments Comment(s)

Blogs can be wonderful marketing tools. They help tell the deeper story of you as an artisan. They help people fall in love with what you make. But it takes a little finesse to balance these important threads with regular, meaningful mentions of your business. After all, nobody wants to …

Craftypod: Crafty New Year’s Resolutions

by Diane Gilleland on 12/31/10 | View Comments Comment(s)

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In this show: A whole bunch of new year’s resolutions — of the crafty variety:
- Thoughts on expanding your horizons, or going deeper.
- Ideas for keeping your crafty self more organized.
- Musings on crafting to benefit your community.
- Ways to connect with other crafters.
New Links for a …

Thursday Blog Links: December 30th

by Laura Kuhlmann on 12/30/10 | View Comments Comment(s)

Split Rimmed Butterfly Bowl | $12 | Judy B Freeman
As we fast approach 2011, we are reminded here on our blog and elsewhere to make resolutions and goals both professional and personal to enrich our lives and businesses, to help us make 2011 a great year. With that in mind, …

Holiday Mess by Handmade Spark Member Sarah of Florida Scarf

by Handmade Spark on 12/25/10 | View Comments Comment(s)

Red Velvet Hood | $38 | Florida Scarf
I have a real knack for getting overwhelmed during the holiday season. I mean really, who doesn’t? But it seems to me that the time from Halloween to Valentine’s Day is one big blur. Coincidentally this time of festivities coincides with scarf selling season. So …

Creative Blogging Challenge Number 6: My Favorite Things

by Amber Jordan on 12/17/10 | View Comments Comment(s)

Today we want you to focus on highlighting someone else. It can be another handmade seller or maybe a fun local brick and mortar shop that you just love. Find something (or someone) that inspires you and go for it!
Blog Challenge Number 6: My Favorite Things

Nancy Needs Control Altered Art …

Spark 4: Teach Me Something, Handmade Spark Blogging Challenge Continues

by Amber Jordan on 12/13/10 | View Comments Comment(s)

I have a confession to make.  I have a fear of craft tutorials. Now, I love tutorials and we run them all the time here on Handmade Spark. I read through them, sigh and wonder why I can never jump in and try some of them out. I’ve set myself …