Your suggestions welcome

Crafty Business is about to turn 1 year old. We covered so many topics during the first 11 sessions and as far as providing an overview of running and sustaining a crafty business we feel like we've done a pretty well rounded job.

So onward and upward for 2010 and now we are looking for your feedback on anything you'd like to get a little further into. Was there a specific topic we covered this year that you'd like to hear more about? Perhaps there was one aspect from a session you'd like us to cover in more detail? Maybe you'd like to lead a session and share your own skills and expertise?

If you have a suggestion feel free to email either of us: lucy@felt.co.nz or millie@missmillie.co.nz

All suggestions and feedback welcome.

New year, new (temporary) venue for Crafty Business #11

Images courtesy of Rafael McStevenson and Christchurch City Council

Crafty Business is back! Monday 1 February is our first session for the year, and due to renovations underway after a change of ownership at Churchills, we are temporarily shifting to Our City O-Tautahi for the February and March sessions.

For this first session we're very lucky to have Jenna-Lea Philpott coming along to speak to us about her experience working in the UK craft sector over the last two years.

Jenna-Lea is an experienced arts advocate, creative business advisor and craft consultant who has founded several charitable trusts and groups such as the NZ Creative Industries Trust, the Christchurch Music Industry Trust (CHART), the Christchurch Creative Industries Network, and has supported the development of other organisations such as the UK-based Heritage Crafts Association.

Previously employed by Arts Access Aotearoa, the Canterbury Development Corporation, and Creative & Cultural Skills UK, Jenna recently led the public consultation and co-wrote The Craft Blueprint: A Workforce Development Plan for Craft in the UK which was launched at the House of Lords in London last year. Establishing and developing close working partnerships with craft makers, guilds and societies, and organisations such as the Crafts Council, Craft Northern Ireland, craftscotland, HI-Arts, Shetland Arts, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Cockpit Arts, The Goldsmiths Company, The Craft Study Centre, the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, The Basketmakers Association and others, Jenna helped to pioneer new research and qualifications in the UK craft sector. For example, the development of national occupational standards that underpin qualifications for freelancers and craft makers, and new research which indicated the UK craft sector generates nearly $3 billion GVA each year to the UK economy.

Now back in NZ, Jenna runs her own business, Tango Creative Consultancy, providing business advice and support to arts organisations and creative practitioners. She's keen to support the development of the NZ craft sector and work with craft makers, so we hope to give her a great introduction to the Crafty Business community.

Come along to Our City O-Tautahi on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace at 7pm on Monday 1 February, meet Jenna-Lea and join us for your monthly dose of crafty company!

No Crafty Business in January

There is no Crafty Business in January, since a lot of people are off on holidays and enjoying the sunshine. Crafty Business will start the new year on Monday 1 February. Hope to see you then!