We have integrated our blog into the new website. We would love to see you there. Join us at our new spot! and keep updated on handmade happenings …
With the new year comes cleaning out of the old and focusing on new goals and how to achieve them. If you already have a handmade business, it is still a good idea to take a fresh start and realign with your business plan and what you would like to set out to do for the year.
Even if you are just stepping your toe into the fantastic world of handmade for the very first time, it is great to think ahead so that you can flourish with your creativity and ideas. The business side is always hard for everyone, thats why you should set some of your focus to it:
- Business goals and strategy for achieving them: What is the mission of your business? Will it be eco-friendly or will it donate a portion of proceeds to charity? Whatever your goals are, spell them out here. Be as clear as possible.
- Market Analysis: Who are you selling your products to? Why should a customer choose your product over a competitors? Are there regulatory restrictions in your industry? If you’re selling bath products, what laws do you need to adhere to for your state/country?
- Marketing Strategy: How are your target customers going to find out about your wonderful products? Will you buy advertisements on blogs or other websites? Will you use social media such as Twitter or Facebook? What is the minimum number of followers/fans that you want to have? How will you track prospective sales? Once you collect prospective customers, how will you continue to interact with them? Will you have an advertising budget or use completely free techniques?
- Products: Will you have one line of products or multiple lines? What is your value proposition–why should your customers buy your product? Do they need it? Do any of your products require patents or trademarks? Who are your suppliers? If your supplier goes out of business, is there a comparable supplier? What is the cost of your product and what is the correct price to sell it/them at?
- Financials: Include both past and future data (Profit & Loss Statements, Balance sheets, and Cash Flow Statements). If this is too intense, try to plan out how much profit (the money you earn from selling your products minus the cost of your products) you want to make each year. What do you need to do to achieve this?
With these foundations in mind, you will have more clarity and focus on your amazing ideas and products. It will be easier to work towards your goals if you know what they are.
We can’t wait to see you at Chautauqua in April!!
XOXO The Flygals
the eco-green fiend. If it wasn’t saved from the landfill, if it isn’t certified organic, you don’t want anything to do with it. We have some innovative upcycled items just for you.
- A Summer Afternoon + Natural Wooden Toys
- Affinitas Apothecary + Tinctures, Ointments, Teas & Oils
- Amber Lights + Pure & Simple Beeswax Candles
- Ash & Ore + functional leather luxuries
- Benjamin Ballerina + Pretty Tough Clothing for Kids
- BirdDog Press + Fabric-inspired Letterpress Paper Goods
- By Elke + All Things Handmade
- Damselfly Organics + handcrafted eco-friendly clothing
- Dandy Social Club + Hand-Tailored Children’s Clothing
- Eat Agar + handspun & recycled yarn
- Flora Fauna + A Whimsical World
- Hot Pink & Sequins + Revamped, Repurposed Couture Accessories
- La Budde + distintive digital accessories
- Make My Notebook + Hand Silk-Screened Spiral Notebooks
- Mountain Girl Organics + Relax, Renew and Revive
- Mr.Lentz + upcycled salvage jewelry & accessory design
- Mukee + Upcycled Skateboard Jewelry & Accessories
- Pearl Clothing + upcycled style
- Planet Ogie + encouraging outdoor play and urban gardening through children toys
- Swell Brand + quirky, irreverent, loved-in clothing
- Two+Two + sylish reusable snack bags
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
the design junkie. Color, line and shape. Form AND Function rule your choice in the sexy objects you surround yourself with.
- Afterglow Studio + Artisan Light Sculpture
- Alex Watson Pottery + Functional Art for Everyday
- Ash & Ore + functional leather luxuries
- BirdDog Press + Fabric-inspired Letterpress Paper Goods
- By Elke + All Things Handmade
- Fig+Yarrow + modern apothecary
- Haute Nature + Reuse.Reclaim.Reimagine.
- Ink Lounge Creative + screenprint art
- Jane E Roberti + mixed metal jewelry & accessories for ladies & men
- January Jones + city prints
- Make My Notebook + Hand Silk-Screened Spiral Notebooks
- Mr.Lentz + upcycled salvage jewelry & accessory design
- Mukee + Upcycled Skateboard Jewelry & Accessories
- Poiesis Design + modern laser cut wood designs
- Red Camper + Traveling Lifestyle & Modern Souvenirs
- Sjotime Industries + furnishings that merge traditional woodworking craftsmanship with modern design techniques
- Spruce Jewelry + Organic, Modern Jewelry
- Studio 22 + functional & assemblage art
- Swear Jar Design + Handmade Jewelry, Silversmithery
- Sweet Letter Press + design + letterpress
- Swell Brand + quirky, irreverent, loved-in clothing
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
the fashionista. style and profile. luxe and lovely things to stand out among the rest.
- Ash & Ore + functional leather luxuries
- Barberry and Lace + Vintage Inspired Accessories
- Dandy Social Club + Hand-Tailored Children’s Clothing
- Darn Craftistas + Indie-Knits
- Fern and Sprout + …oh so delightful
- Hot Pink & Sequins + Revamped, Repurposed Couture Accessories
- Jil Cappuccio + one of a kinds & limited lines
- Lo-Hi Bags + bohemian and urban chic handbags
- Luscious Metals + enchanting jewelry
- Naya + Artisan Revival SkinCare
- Parfums des Beaux Arts + Essence Studio
- PattErn + cozy fun knits
- Pearl Clothing + upcycled style
- Perlalu + Jewelry & Hair Accessories
- Poiesis Design + modern laser cut wood designs
- Spruce Jewelry + Organic, Modern Jewelry
- Swell Brand + quirky, irreverent, loved-in clothing
- Taylor Kenney Jewelry + sumptuous colors and textures
- Tempest Jewelry + by Miranda Wachtel
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
the foodie. ruled by flavor. the spice of life. obsessed with delighting the taste buds. favorite room : the kitchen.
- Alex Watson Pottery + Functional Art for Everyday
- All Good Wishes + Needle Felting & Collage Art
- Artist LTD + Simple Home Goods
- Counter Couture + by ModPress
- Ellen-Anne Harboe + clay artist. sculptor.
- Helliemae’s + Salt Caramels
- JJ’s Cocomels + original coconut milk caramels
- Oh, Yes You Candy! + Heavenly Carob Confections
- Planet Ogie + encouraging urban gardening through children toys
- Priscilla Cohan + paintings & pottery
- Sjotime Industries + furnishings that merge traditional woodworking craftsmanship with modern design techniques
- Two+Two + sylish reusable snack bags
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
girls just want to have fun. this could be just about anyone. life is all about finding happiness. for some it is discovering the yogini within or maybe it is yarn bombing by moonlight or even a giggle over tea with a friend that suits your fancy. bright colors and a dash of whimsy can’t hurt.
- All Good Wishes + Needle Felting & Collage Art
- Ash & Ore + functional leather luxuries
- Bluedye + Felted Wool Goods
- By Elke + All Things Handmade
- Damselfly Organics + handcrafted eco-friendly clothing
- Darn Craftistas + Indie-Knits
- Eat Agar + handspun & recycled yarn
- Ellen-Anne Harboe + clay artist. sculptor.
- Fern and Sprout + …oh so delightful
- Fringe + Sassy Hats & Scarves
- Hot Pink & Sequins + Revamped, Repurposed Couture Accessories
- Jil Cappuccio + one of a kinds & limited lines
- Lindsay Heppner + inspired paintings
- Lo-Hi Bags + bohemian and urban chic handbags
- Mountain Girl Organics + Relax, Renew and Revive
- Mountain Love + fabric fashionables
- Oh, Yes You Candy! + Heavenly Carob Confections
- Parfums des Beaux Arts + Essence Studio
- PattErn + cozy fun knits
- Pearl Clothing + upcycled style
- Perlalu + Jewelry & Hair Accessories
- Priscilla Cohan + paintings & pottery
- Sadie Belle + resin works inspired by nature
- Sister Hipster + sweet sewn art
- Swell Brand + quirky, irreverent, loved-in clothing
what is that saying? …
Well behaved women seldom make history”– Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
the mini me. they are the apples of our eye. happy things for the little ones in our lives.
- A Summer Afternoon + Natural Wooden Toys
- All Things Bean + Infant & Toddler Apparel
- Benjamin Ballerina + Pretty Tough Clothing for Kids
- Counter Couture + by ModPress
- Curious Lottie + Fancy Crafts for Kids
- Dandy Social Club + Hand-Tailored Children’s Clothing
- Elevated Scraps + Mobiles & More
- Hot Mama Designs + Heirloom Jewelry
- Lindsay Heppner + inspired paintings
- Planet Ogie + encouraging outdoor play and urban gardening through children toys
- Sister Hipster + sweet sewn art
- Swell Brand + quirky, irreverent, loved-in clothing
- Tilly Whistle + sweet sewn goods for baby & mama
- Two+Two + sylish reusable snack bags
and for furry children . . . SooperTramp + sit.stay.good dog.
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
and at the opposite end of the spectrum . . .
the nature boy. {or girl} almost everyone can find inspiration in nature. these handmade goods are dedicated to flora and fauna, the out-of-doors, and bringing that influence through handcrafted art.
- A Summer Afternoon + Natural Wooden Toys
- Affinitas Apothecary + Tinctures, Ointments, Teas & Oils
- Damselfly Organics + handcrafted eco-friendly clothing
- Deadwilder Design & Illustration + Natural History & Anatomical Artwork
- Elevated Scraps + Mobiles & More
- Fern and Sprout + …oh so delightful
- Flora Fauna + A Whimsical World
- Haute Nature + Reuse. Reclaim. Reimagine.
- Kiwi & Co. + cozy hand knits
- Lindsay Heppner + inspired paintings
- Make My Notebook + Hand Silk-Screened Spiral Notebooks
- Mountain Girl Organics + Relax, Renew and Revive
- Mountain Love + fabric fashionables
- Mr.Lentz + upcycled salvage jewelry & accessory design
- Neile + real butterfly wing jewelry
- Planet Ogie + encouraging outdoor play and urban gardening through children toys
- Sadie Belle + resin works inspired by nature
- Spruce Jewelry + Organic, Modern Jewelry
- Wonderbound Press + woodcut printmaker & illustrator
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
the gadget guru. even handmade can be a little nerdy sometimes, in the best way of course … here are a few things for the tech geek.
- By Elke + All Things Handmade
- Counter Couture + by ModPress
- Ink Lounge Creative + screenprint art
- La Budde + distintive digital accessories
- Mr.Lentz + upcycled salvage jewelry & accessory design
- Poiesis Design + modern laser cut wood designs
- The Gold Bug+ steampunk jewelry
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See the entire Gift Guide 2011 on our new website and continue to tune in here for the Gift Guide 2011 series.
Firefly Handmade 
