Handmade Seller Magazine

Here is the article that goes along with this audio recording:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/observations-on-the-upcoming-holiday-season

Show Description

I've read several research reports on what is trending for the upcoming holiday season. I share my observations on how this season will play out.

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✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

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Here is the article that goes along with this audio recording:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/the-marketplace-report-indieme

Show Description

I asked Jackie, the owner of IndieMe to join me to share more about this wholesale marketplace.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Platform Origin Story

(01:40) What's eligible to be sold

(05:03) Who's a good fit for the platform?

(07:09) What are the fees?

(09:22) What makes a good product listing?

(10:57) Advice for artisans on choosing a marketplace

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

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Handmade Seller Website

Here is the article that goes along with this episode:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/upcoming-stripe-changes-coming-october-1st

Show Description

Stripe has recently announced changes to their platform. In case you are holding your breath, it’s not a price increase announcement. They have announced new payments that are being enabled that you may or may not want on your account.

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

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Handmade Seller Website

Here is the article that goes along with this audio recording:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/the-platform-report-pedddle

Show Description

I invite Nicki Capewell, the founder of Pedddle, to share more about how this platform to help manage in person events helps UK artisan businesses.

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website

Here is the article that goes along with this audio recording:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/seven-trends-from-the-stationery-industry

Show Description

I asked four artisans from the stationery industry to share the latest trends that they are seeing within their business. Across the 4 businesses, I have seven trends that you can also watch for.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:42) Scrappy and perfectly imperfect

(03:50) Whimsy and Nostalgia

(05:12) Mail clubs are booming

(07:09) Bad Art is better than AI art

(10:47) Quirky and Sassy is gaining ground

(14:34) Personalization beyond Monograms and Names

(18:00) Gift-ready bundles and elevated everyday gifting

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

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Handmade Seller Website

There are two articles that go along with this audio recording:

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/the-indieme-experience-a-thoughtful-curated-space-coming-to-american-craft-made-baltimore

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/the-new-chapter-goimagine-handmade-com-s-latest-news

Show Description

I cover two articles as part of this episode. First, I cover the new IndieMe experience as part of American Craft Made Baltimore show. Learn more about this unique offering.

Second, I cover the latest updates from the combination of Handmade.com and goimagine. Learn more about how these two are working together now as the team joins Handmade.com

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro and The IndieMe Experience

(09:00) The new Chapter:Handmade.com + goimagine

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website

Want to read the article that goes along with this audio recording?

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/don-t-wait-for-luck-start-pitching-for-earned-pr-in-30-minutes

Show Description

I explore the strategic value of earned public relations for handmade businesses, focusing on low-cost, high-impact marketing techniques. It defines the differences between advertising and earned PR while outlining six primary benefits, including increased trust, SEO authority, and longevity. The content provides actionable guidance on three types of attainable PR: product collaborations, special section placements, and point-of-view storytelling. It also offers practical advice on assembling a media pitch, organizing assets, identifying unique business angles, and utilizing free platforms to connect with journalists and publishers

Key Takeaways

💡There are several key takeaways to consider:

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:36) How earned PR done well benefits your Handmade Business

(07:01) PR and Advertising are not the same thing

(08:37) Creating a new lens for the strategic value of PR

(10:50) Three types of attainable PR for artisan businesses

(14:38) Assembling the pieces for your PR plan 

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website

Want to read the article that goes along with this audio recording?

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/an-unapologetically-local-strategy

Episode Description

Maria Legget-Guldner shares the story behind Maria's Sauce Co.

She approaches growing a chef-driven hot sauce brand through authentic community building and local partnerships.

She details the transition from product-focused sales to a relationship-centric model that prioritizes networking, storytelling, and supporting local farmers.

The discussion emphasizes the power of being 'knowable' as a founder, the importance of consistent community engagement for handmade business owners, and the necessity of prioritizing genuine connections over transactional interactions to achieve sustainable business growth.

Key Takeaways

💡There are two key takeaways that seriously heated up her local sales game. You'll learn how to:

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:33) Building a local sales strategy

(02:49) What it means to show up everywhere

(09:03) From our Farms Friends to Your Fridge Storytelling

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website

Want to read the article that goes along with this audio recording?

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/trends-from-artisan-soap-makers-pt-2

Show Description

In the second part of our series on artisan soap-makers, we feature two additional soap-makers sharing trends within their businesses. They share what they are seeing around intentionality and scent adventurous customers.

Chapters:

(00:52) Intentionality rules the day

(03:25) Scent adventurous customers on the rise

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website

Want to read the article that goes along with this audio recording?

https://www.handmadeseller.com/p/trends-from-artisan-soap-makers-pt-1

Show Description

Artisans share key developments influencing the handcrafted soap and candle market. The discussion highlights a shift toward book-themed products, a growing consumer demand for clean, vegan ingredients, and the rising importance of value-based shopping. Participants also address the impact of economic frugality on purchasing habits and the necessity of ingredient transparency and sustainable packaging in building brand loyalty. This analysis provides actionable insights into how small businesses are adapting their product lines and values to meet evolving customer expectations.

Key Takeaways

💡There are several key takeaways to consider:

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:43) It’s all about the books!

(02:10) Simplicity and Value are driving our business

(04:49) Products that match their values

Want to take the conversation further?

✨Running a solo business can feel lonely. It's easy to feel like you are building your business in the dark.

✨You need fresh ideas to inspire your next business move from other artisans that understand how unique the handmade industry is.

✨ Ready to get out of your own head and learn what other businesses are doing? Join us at Handmade Seller.

✨Not sure yet if it is right for you? Check out our trial offer for new subscribers.

Find and Follow Handmade Seller

Handmade Seller on Instagram

Handmade Seller on YouTube

Handmade Seller Website