Tech-Savvy Crafters Can Go Global

The image of a crafter or artisan is often serene, even pastoral. It's easy to imagine a potter spinning his wheel in his barn-turned-studio and then selling his wares at the little farmer's market down the road. Or a knitter, knitting quietly with a dog at her feet and a cup of tea as she gets ready for this year's Christmas craft fair.

But, in today's global market, such crafters, artisans, artists and designers need not rely on farmer's markets and craft fairs alone. The Internet provides such crafters with access to a global market, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, traditional methods of selling just can't compare in terms of sales and exposure.

An online presence can be a great benefit for any type of crafter, be it a jewellery maker, a knitter, a glassblower, a potter or a painter. It gives crafters credibility as a legitimate business because now their customers can easily access their information, including contact details (in fact, customers may consider you less credible if you don't have a website).

Crafters can advertise their domain name on their flyers, business cards and signs, and potential customers will automatically go to their website to find out more about them and their products. Crafters can have a complete, updateable inventory of their products with photos on their website, making it easy for a buyer to simply click and order.

A presence on the Internet is essentially like having a store opens every day, all year long ? no waiting between those craft fairs or local tourist season. And their customer base grows automatically from a limited local market to a worldwide one.

Considering all these benefits and the knowledge that if you're not online, your competitor will be ? having an online presence isn't so much a question of "Should I?", but "How do I?". But the thought of managing a website, especially one that offers online ordering, can seem daunting for many small entrepreneurs.

Crafters can hire a website designer to create an online presence with ecommerce capabilities for them. There are often high costs associated with the design and management of websites, of course. There are also concerns about things like security and payment, which must be handled appropriately in this day and age of identify theft. Another option is to join an online crafters' mall. A good crafters' mall will make things easy for crafters, as it will have created the basic infrastructure already and they won't have to worry about the logistics of maintaining the website; they will only have to update their personal information and fill the orders that start coming in.

Catherine Stabler is owner of the virtual craft mall Gold Leaf Crafters (http://www.goldleafcrafters.com), which brings together crafters, artists, artisans and designers with interested buyers worldwide via the Internet.

---

The Making of a Slipcover: A Lost Art

Today in this world of fast everything, most of us just don't have the time (nor patience) to do an all consuming job of making a slipcover. We go buy them and not... Read More

Rubber Stamping: From Maya Indians to Scrapbooking

Who would have thought that your scrapbooking and card making had a connection to the Maya Indians? Rubber Stamping is certainly one of the fastest growing hobbies today, and for good reason. With... Read More

Making a Living Making Soap?Questions to Ask Before You Begin

Soap making can be a wonderful hobby but if you've ever thought of turning your hobby into a business you know how overwhelming the idea can be. Here are some questions to help... Read More

Plastic, Zinc, Brass, Embossing and Marking Stencils

Marking StencilsStencil is a cut-out form for an alphabets, numbers, symbols and illustrations. Embossing and Marking Stencils provide quality of work and save plenty of time. Stencils are available in a wide variety... Read More

Genealogy in Switzerland - A Longenecker Family Search

I recently visited Langnau, Bern, Switzerland and spent two days immersed in all things Langenegger. My wife and I arrived at the Langnau rail station on June 25, 2004, exhausted from a long... Read More

Tooling Leather

Use vegetable-tanned, light-colored top-grained leather for tooling leather. If you're not sure what you have, test the leather's ability to take a pattern by wetting a corner and making lines with different objects... Read More

Make A Stunning Dried Hydrangea Wreath

Dried hydrangea wreaths are so beautiful and versatile in a home, and a lot of fun to make as well.You can either purchase already dried hydrangea flowers from your local craft store, or... Read More

Creating Vacation Memories

My daughter and I recently had the opportunity to spend a week at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We were totally overwhelmed with all the things there were to do, and I had... Read More

Roasting Your Own Coffee - A Hobby You Can Love

There is nothing like a cup of coffee that has been freshly roasted, ground and brewed to perfection. There are a growing number of enthusiasts who are roasting their own coffee beans and... Read More

Comic Book Supplies, Necessities of the Serious Collector

If you want to keep your comic book collection in tiptop shape, comic book supplies will become part of your collecting life. As soon as a magazine is printed there are natural environmental... Read More

Origami Secrets Revealed

Origami, or the art of paper folding, has been around for centuries. It is one of the most intricate, but at the same time simple expressions of art in the world. Everything from... Read More

How to Create a Reverse Painting on Glass

Introduction:Glass is a non-absorbant painting support which does not allow paint to easily adhere to it - apart from through the paint's own drying process.For this reason the outlines of a subject painted... Read More

Bookmarks As Unique As You

Racks and racks of bookmarks ranging from funny to inspirational are available in most bookstores. But for a truly unique bookmark, make your own from a treasured digital photo.This idea came from my... Read More

The Most Powerful Attribute in Antiques and Collectibles

What can increase your sales volume and make you more productive day in and day out? You've probably heard this three word statement that seperates those who wish they could do better,from those... Read More

Gold Jewelry Hallmarking Secrets Revealed

We should be familiar with the BASIC hallmarks mentioned on the website. It might pay you to read them again, just to bring you up to speed and ensure you have grasped the... Read More

Why Do You Need to Have Your Tools Blade Sharpen After Work

If you like to do wood carving or making sculpture as your hobby, you surely need tools to make your creation. If you just starting this hobby, knowing your tools and how to... Read More

An Interesting Look at the Cuban Cigar

Even most non-cigar smokers have heard some of the lore surrounding the Cuban cigar. Long revered as the finest and best tasting brands in the world, they have traditionally been extremely difficult to... Read More

Do You Really Know What You?re Buying?

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a popular gift show in my local area. My purpose in attending this gift show was to scope out my competition and the quality of their... Read More

Scary Halloween Crafts

Looking for some great Halloween crafts for your Halloween party, haunted house, or just for trick-or-treaters?A fun craft is something that can keep you occupied for hours on end especially if you enjoy... Read More

Candle Maintenance

Many people don't know that you can actually improve the quality of the flame you get from your candles. Some people think that if a flame is too large or you are getting... Read More

Sewing A Button On By Hand

I have so many people come into my shop saying something like ? I can't even sew on a button. How sad it is that a whole generation has lost out on learning... Read More

How to Make a Childs Handprint on a Ceramic Tile

This is a fun craft to do with a group of moms and their kids, one child per adult works the best. Each mom will need:---One soft brush, any size but 1/2" works... Read More

Molding Leather Armor

In order to mould leather armor, soak it in water until it becomes pliable and soft. Then place it in the mould until it dries and hardens.Cuir BouilliThe application of heat will make... Read More

Soap Making For Beginners ? Melt And Pour Process

As you will learn, soap making can be simple or complex. Some people enjoy the challenge of going all out professionally, which is fine. However, other people simply want to make soap for... Read More

An Easy Way to Understand Your Collectibles

What kind of gifts you often receive? Is it toy dolls, animal figurine, antique, pottery, game, memorabilia or something you consider as a collectables? Well, what ever it is, as long as it... Read More

Friendship Albums

My 12-year-old daughter was mad at me when I refused to pay $25 for a school yearbook last year. Who are they trying to kid?In an attempt to appease my daughter, I suggested... Read More

Preserving Thanksgiving Memories for Scrapbooking

Last year our family tried out a new way to preserve Thanksgiving memories, and the result was truly a treasured keepsake.A day or two before Thanksgiving, my daughter and I used a turkey... Read More

Choose From A Wide Variety Of Off Road RC Trucks To Play In The Dirt

Are you tired of driving your cars only on the road? Are you looking to get a little bit dirty? Or even a lot dirty? If you need a change from RC street... Read More

Use Tags and Embellishments to Give Your Scrapbooks that Personal Yet Professional Touch

Tags are a little added touch of professionalism that adds to the overall well thought out look to your scrapbook. Tags can be used for accents, captions, and thought bubbles as well as... Read More