The Handmade Artist

By Beverley Start

August 2012

This is one member’s account of what being part of the Handmade Artists community is like and why I think artists and crafts people should consider membership not only to boost their online presence but to be a part of something great!

Let’s begin with the Handmade Artists Blog

I’m one of several monthly volunteer contributors to the blog. Anyone can sign up and commit to writing one article per month. Ideally the owners and staff are looking for enough contributors to post one new blog every day each month. As long as the topics are related to arts or crafts it’s considered golden information to the community. Volunteers are still being accepted but make your mind up quick because the spots are filling up fast!  Comments are always encouraged by everyone, they are helpful, and they are respectful.

Moving on to the Shops

For only $5 a month you can have your own online shop. NO FEES!!! That means no listing fees, no sales fees…ONLY $5 A MONTH!!! The owners of The Handmade Artist’s website really care about handmade and it shows. They want you to succeed, not to get buried by the mass produced. You can keep any shops you already have and join us too. You’ve got nothing to lose but $5 a month. Still have questions… everything you need to know is right here.

Now, let’s talk about the Forum

The forum is loaded with information and it’s where members really get into the meat of the work. Topics include “ Destash” which is a space dedicated to unloading any raw materials we no longer need to whomever needs it. It’s a place to barter or trade anything that you would like to get rid of or destash. “Site Support” gives us a place to let the owners and webmasters know when we’re having issues or any questions related to the site that need answers. “Introduce Yourself” is where new members can introduce themselves to the group. So, be sure to visit there and let us know that you’ve joined to give us a chance to say “Welcome”. For more exciting and interesting topics like these visit The Forum.

The Thursday night live chat

Come to the live chat and pick the brains of other artists and crafts people in real time. Topics have a wide range so jump right in with any comments or questions you have, don’t be shy. Oh, and if you’re confused about the whole time-zone thing don’t worry because the powers that be always send out a reminder e-mail to let you know where and when it is…in any time zone.

Handmade Highlights

The owners and webmasters have been schooling us on how Google works and one thing we all know is that blogs and highlights are very important to get Google’s attention. We love highlights so much that each week or so one member volunteers to host a highlights contest. The host chooses a theme and awards a prize to the highlight with the most comments at the end of the time period.  We post the rules and information in the “Contests” section of the forum but the actual highlight links get posted right here.

And if you still aren’t sold…

They advertise for you too!!! I’m not kidding…the Handmade Artists have tens of thousands of followers on several different social media outlets and when you post to the forum, or blog, or your own shop page, it gets posted to their followers…again – no fees! The views are unbelievable; in fact, some people voice their confusion wondering why they have over 1000 views on something they just posted. There’s no trickery or tomfoolery here people, just honest- to-goodness people viewing your products!

The Handmade Artists mission statement rings true and I for one am touched by their dedication and generosity.

Please join! I hope you give us a try because we’d love to have you be a part of our great Handmade Artists community.

Written by Beverly of Start’s Arts!

Tags: artisans, artist, artists, buy handmade, contest, craft, crafts, Creative Handmade Artisans, handcrafted, Handmade Artists, Handmade Products, membership, sell handmade, selling handmade online, selling tips

Posted in Handmade, Information