Crafty Business Resources

Each month we'll post a list of resources that are relevant to that month's specific session topic. This month we've compiled a list of websites, publications and services where you'll find more details and comprehensive reading on areas of business planning and business management that may have sparked your attention.

If you know of a website or book - on any business topic - that you think might be of interest to other crafty business people why not send us the link so we can share it around. Email your suggestions to: millie@pinkpaperpinafore.com

Online Resources

Business Steps: a practical guidebook for small business
A simple guide published by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, it's the perfect short but informative read for those starting out in business. This guide is a free downloaded from the link above.




New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Guide: Planning for Success
This is really as complete a guide to writing a business plan as you are likely to find anywhere. It's intentionally broad and aimed to be of value to everyone at any level of business, small or large. Its worth downloading as it provides an extremely comprehensive view of the things you'll want to consider and it includes lots of templates. Follow the link above to download this guide.







The Business and Employers area on the IRD website - don't forget that IRD are there to help you, even before you are actually in business. The Business and Employers section of their website has all you'll need to know about company structure, starting and running a business and or course their specialty area: the tax side of your business.





Business Information New Zealand - this site is the government business site. The information is designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses and provides free access to a range of resources to help you start, manage and grow your business, as well as ways to deal with day-to-day challenges.

Books

* Indicates that the book is available from the Christchurch Public Library

Craft Inc.: Turn your creative hobby into a business - Meg Mateo Ilasco *

A great looking, recently published business primer for entrepreneurial crafters. It aims to help you turn what you're already doing for fun into what you do for a living.

Mastering the craft business: a guide for craft artists - Ann & Bob Phillips *

Another business primer but the distinct advantage of this book is that it is written in New Zealand by a couple based in Nelson. It was published in 1996 but the content remains relevant.

Crafting a business: make money doing what you love - Kathie Fitzgerald *

A guide to making your home based business a success. This book is aimed at women, in particular, stay at home mothers wanting to get a business up and running.

The global garage: home-based business in New Zealand - edited by Janet Sayers and Nanette Monin *

General issues for home-based businesses with examples from people who are operating creative businesses from their homes. There is an excellent chapter on managing you time while working from home.

The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build or Manage a Business - Martha Stewart *

Ok, so this book is a bit of wild card on the list but no matter what your feelings are about tax fraud Martha Stewart remains the undeniable queen of the crafty business. It's a quick, easy read and even if your ambitions aren't quite as lofty or global as Martha's you're sure to be at least a little bit inspired by her advice.

Other Services

The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce (CECC) - are now operating the Business Enterprise Training workshops that use to be offered by the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC). The workshops are aimed at upskilling the owners of small and medium sized enterprises and offer a range of great short training courses. Best of all, the training is fully funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise so the only cost to you is your time and energy!

Christchurch Small Business Enterprise Center - offer exceptionally reasonable hourly rates for business advice and accountancy services.

Session 2: The Big Picture

This month we're looking at the big picture - what's involved in running a crafty business and how to make it work for you.

Please bring along your creations for show and tell – we'd love to see your work!

Come and join us for a healthy dose of inspirational crafty company, business planning advice and a glass of wine at Churchills in Sydenham at 7pm on Monday 2 March.

Shaky Isles makes an appearance on Etsy

Deidre gets a well-deserved mention in The Storque on Etsy, in a story about fabulous handmade teatowels by flyingrhymes published on Saturday. Check out the article here.

A successful start

Thanks to everyone who came along on Monday for the first ever Crafty Business session! It was great to meet you all and it felt to me like a really positive beginning.

For those who didn't make it, our main objective for this first session was to get a feel for what sort of event Crafty Business should be and what we can do to make it as relevant as possible to makers and crafters making the leap into business.

After a welcome from Amy and a round of introductions, I spoke briefly about Felt, Craft2.0, where the idea for Crafty Business came from and where I think it could go. Briar of Rethreads raised the topic of promoting and selling overseas, which has gone onto our list of future session topics, along with the suggestion from Prue of Citrus Daisy that we run pricing and marketing sessions.

We have an audio recording of the session that I'll transcribe and make available on the Crafty Business website in the next couple of days, for anyone who missed it or would like to recap.

As I wasn't quite organised enough to remember my camera, I have no pictures of all the lovely people who attended, so instead here's some of their beautiful creations:




A talented bunch! Unfortunately I don't know everybody's websites or Felt alter-egos, so I'm sure I've missed people out – if you don't see your work here and you'd like to, email me, lucy@felt.co.nz.

Stay tuned for details of the next Crafty Business!