During this search, organizations that are additional resources for artisans might also come up in the results. Example: Minnesota Watercolor Society 

Because you might be feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to begin, you might want to take a look at helpful resources on the Web and in print. There are specific associations for artisans, cooperatives, guilds, specialized businesses, and state tourism and arts and craft commissions and departments in some states.

Craft Organizations Directors Association
http://www.codacraft.org/pages/home/home.htm

Handmade in America
http://www.handmadeinamerica.org

Art of Ohio
http://artofohio.com

American Craft Council
http://www.craftcouncil.org

Texas Commission on the Arts
www.arts.state.tx.us/txoriginal/index.asp

What are the organizations do you have in your community that can help artisan businesses?

Fast Facts:

• Research has demonstrated that increasing the technology capabilities of the smallest businesses has enabled owners to expand their businesses and improve the confidence of those with fewer business skills.

• You can benefit from learning these skills. Learning computer and Internet skills and improving them with practice builds confidence.

• One source of research found that because artisans prefer to focus on creating craft rather than marketing, finding a skilled technology specialist was beneficial.

• Time and money are factors that affect Web site development and Internet skills. However, technology is here to stay, and consumers of craft are using it. Business planning and good management entails thinking about the future.

Introducing technology can help strengthen businesses in a number of ways:

Track products made and sold (inventory).

• Record sales
• Keep active record of supplies
• Easier communication with suppliers through e-mail, instant messaging, and online assistance in real time.

Develop marketing materials.

• You can tell your story online: how your desire to be an artisan began and how your business got started.
• Online is the perfect place for portfolios to be stored and shown.

Maintain customer records.

• Customers can refer friends to crafter sites.
• Potential customers who visit booths at trade shows, fairs, festivals, and other venues can be can contact the artisan or be contacted about upcoming events via e-mail.

Saves money

• Photos of a craft product can be e-mail rather than spending money on prints and mailing costs.
• It reduces travel time and costs to display and sell handcrafts.
• The Internet offers valuable reference tools and access to current information, including online learning.

Another Great Benefit!  Work can be submit online!!

ZAPPlication

• Designed for artists in submitting work online for juried reviews.
• A juried review is the process of selecting art/craft by a panel of experts for the right to take part in a show or exhibition. 

 

Online portfolio submission
http://www.zapplication.org