ArtFood

Spice Your Life & Stir Your Soul with Art & Fine Craft

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Artists Business Classes The Crafty World of Business Business Workshops Created Expressly for Artists    Have you been thinking about exploring the possibility of turning your hobby into a business? Or - Have you been selling your craft but want more financial success? Your art or craft can be profitable too! Learn how with this series of workshops designed and just for artists.   Each class is designed to address a group of related issues and makes extensive use of handout materials and worksheets designed specifically for the application. The classes are also designed to work together and build upon one another so that you can choose the areas you need to work on and continually improve your business knowledge. About The Instructors   Sharon Jeter and Melanie Updegraff have been perfecting the business of fine craft through the formation and successful development of their own art jewelry business. They are co-owners of Athena & Petra Designs, where they have been designing and creating art jewelry and marketing through the use of high-end juried art shows and galleries since 2000. They are both accomplished instructors in a variety of jewelry techniques and processes as well as in sales and marketing for artists.   Sharon Jeter 20 Years experience in corporate sales and marketing 5 years experience in sales training 2 years training/apprentice - metalwork for jewelry BS, SUNY Brockport - Education/Psychology   Melanie Updegraff 10 Years experience in retail sales and marketing Jewelry Artist through self-study as well as classroom study 5 years experience in jewelry arts instruction AAS, RIT – Sign Language Interpreting Pricing 1 to 2 Classes  -  $52.00 each. 3 to 5 Classes  - $47.00 each  -  Save up to $25.00 6 classes or more  -  $42.00  -  Save up to $60.00 Winter Session Starts In February Click HERE To Be Notified of Winter Session Schedule   Class #C001 IS PRICING EVERYTHING OR DOES IT JUST SEEM LIKE IT?   Become proficient at the simple but important steps to valuing your creative abilities and helping potential customers see that value as well. In this class you will learn the essential steps of effective pricing so that you can sustain a viable business, be profitable and successful. Learn the ins and outs of: The factors that affect pricing.   Product placement in the marketplace. Determining fixed and variable costs and how to use them. Avoiding the “Walmart Rut”. Wholesale vs. Retail pricing. Foolproof pricing formulas.   Taught in two 1 1/2 hour sessions DATES AND TIMES TBA     Class #C002 PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN   Running an arts based business can be a real challenge. The same factors and abilities that make you a great artist can work against you in the business world. This class will give you an overview of business startup and show you how to live comfortably in the worlds of art AND business. We will cover the essential facts of:   The legal basics of setting up a DBA and resale number. What you need to know about dealing with sales tax. Managing your income and the IRS. Forming a workable business plan. Implementing your plan and making it work for you.   Taught in two 1 1/2 hour sessions DATES AND TIMES TBA     Class #C003 GREAT DESIGN, NOW HOW TO MAKE 100 MORE Meeting the production demands of retail sales can leave even the most efficient person feeling overwhelmed. If you have ever found yourself facing a show with insufficient inventory or want to avoid that very anxiety provoking situation, you need this class. Learn how to:   Determine what sells, how and why. How to know what to produce and how much. The ins and outs of purchasing raw materials. The basics of effective production planning. Managing your inventory.   Taught in one 3 hour session. DATES AND TIMES TBA   Class #C004 JUST WHAT IS MARKETING ANYWAY?   Marketing your product can be enjoyable and rewarding, especially financially. But it is a big world out there and you need to find your niche without getting lost in the sea of the retail art world. Who you sell to and how is the focus of this class. We will cover:   How to determine your target market. Reaching your potential customer. Effective outlets and how to find them. The essentials of a marketing plan and how to implement it.   Taught in one 3 hour session. DATES AND TIMES TBA     Class #C005 IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU   You have only seconds to get anyone’s attention and get your message across at the same time they are being bombarded by dozens of other messages. The tools that you use to communicate with your customers need to be polished and professional and they need to put your message forth creatively and clearly. Learn how to develop and use effective marketing materials. We will cover:   Branding – what is it and how to use it like the big guys. Determining your competition - their strengths and weaknesses. The elements of a cohesive marketing kit. How to tie you and your product into an irresistible package.   Taught in two 1 ½ hour sessions. DATES AND TIMES TBA     Class #C006 BEAUTIFUL BOOTH DESIGN FOR THE THRIFTY ARTIST   Having a professional looking booth display is essential to being successful at art shows and festivals and putting one together can break the bank! But creative thinking, a little elbow grease, and advance planning can give you a booth to rival any show veteran. Whether you are starting from scratch or want to improve your “portable store” this class can be invaluable. We will cover:   How to attract attention and get potential customers to your booth. How to develop a booth display that is a cohesive part of your marketing plan. The WOW factor - determining your “style” and showing it off. Color and how to use it effectively. Remember – you have to carry all this stuff – how to pack, move, and then set up in three hours or less.   Taught in two 1 ½ hour sessions. DATES AND TIMES TBA   Class #C007 SUCCESSFUL SELLING IS ALSO AN ART   Selling – wow! It is NOT enough that your jewelry is fabulous, the booth is perfect, and you have all the marketing materials you could ever need. Believe it or not, there is more. This class will teach you how to present yourself as a creative and professional artist and get that jewelry off the display and into customer’s packages. We will cover:   Making yourself part of your cohesive presentation. How observation and a friendly smile can serve you. Service and education equal sales. How to sell comfortably and effectively.   Taught in one 3 hour session. DATES AND TIMES TBA