Creative Entrepreneurs

Stories of artists, makers, and skilled craftspeople building creative businesses—from first sales and home studios to independent shops and established livelihoods. Explore how they started, what they learned, and the practical realities of making a living through creative work.

Five Questions With: Burke Mercantile

Five Questions With: Burke Mercantile

Meet Burke Mercantile, one of my go-to places in Long Beach! I love how passionate Maggie is about being in conversation with her community, and how much she loves Long Beach. As a born-and-raised local, sometimes I need an outside perspective to help me appreciate what I have here;) Maggie is going on vacation next mo

Source: carleen.us

Studio Tour: Inside Mark Antonia’s Creative Studio

Studio Tour: Inside Mark Antonia’s Creative Studio

When I mention dried flowers, what do you picture? Be honest now, are those memories of dried roses that gathered dust on your grandmother’s bookshelf creeping to mind? Or, perhaps you’ve seen a bit of a revival happening on Instagram with that sweet whimsical look? Whatever idea

Source: decor8blog.com

We deserve to do what we want

We deserve to do what we want

Yep! You heard me! I didn't think that I was ready, or that I was "good enough" to teach my own class! I truly felt that I needed to know more, to understand more, to be a master, and well, just be better than I am. But, I really wanted to try, and so I took a leap and put up my workshop for sale! Guess what!? Within a couple of weeks, my workshop had sold out! That was the first event that helped me to realize that maybe I WAS ready to do this after all! Then, the workshop happened, and the

Source: karabullockart.com

Former lawyer turned knitwear designer

Former lawyer turned knitwear designer

For the last decade, I’ve been stitching my way through law school and life as a working lawyer. Knitting has been an invaluable source of centering calmness for me, and I’m passionate about helping other busy working professionals learn to knit, too.

Source: abeeinthebonnet.com

“The truth is we are in sales”

“The truth is we are in sales”

Without the structures and parameters of conventional work places, career progression in the creative industry can become hazy. How do you measure your professional growth with no yardstick to compare it to? In this week’s Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell offers her advice on the matter.

Source: itsnicethat.com

hey gretchen – why jewelry?

hey gretchen – why jewelry?

While she started her business at age 31, “I’ve always loved and had a fascination with jewelry,” Gretchen says. “I’m not sure why, but I have either collected it or coveted it from afar. As a kid, I can remember taking out my mom’s jewelry boxes, trying on all the necklaces, bracelets and rings, studying them, then pu

Source: coolstorybuffalo.com

Elana Lepkowski

Elana Lepkowski

Elana Lepkowski has been mixing drinks from her home bar for years, but began blogging her original cocktail recipes in 2011. In 2014 she left a decade long career as a creative director to pursue

Source: themediterraneandish.com

Danish knitwear designer Lærke Bagger | Laine Magazine

Danish knitwear designer Lærke Bagger | Laine Magazine

For her, it’s not always been easy to convince her friends and relatives – or, indeed, herself – that knitting could be a profession. But that is what Lærke most wanted to do. No one close to her was working in the creative field, and it was at times ha rd for her to trust her instincts.

Source: lainepublishing.com

A Beautiful Mess Podcast

A Beautiful Mess Podcast

Our podcast launched in October 2019 and we are rapidly nearing 300 episodes to date! The A Beautiful Mess podcast is a (mostly) weekly podcast about the lives and interest of Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman. We talk about our careers, motherhood, holidays, and books we love. There is lots of book talk! The podcast…

Source: abeautifulmess.com

How to Start a Spa

How to Start a Spa

Are you looking into opening a spa? Here's a step-by-step plan with everything you need to know about how to start a spa.

Source: squareup.com

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