Maker Lessons from Market 5

We had our fifth market on August 14. I learned three lessons as a maker from that market.

1. Sometimes new is one of the best decisions you can make.

After hosting four markets in Decatur, market 5 was the first in Atlanta.

As a maker, it’s easy to want to rest on what is comfortable and reliable. But being a maker sometimes means taking risks and and trying something new.

2. The energy in the room at market 5 was magnetic and remarkably special due to gathering handmade makers and people to love to purchase handmade goods in one room.

As a maker I can contribute to that energy by showing up ready to share my wonderful goods and by supporting other handmade makers by buying their goods.

3. With the push for more video contents through Social Media platforms, Market 5 was an opportunity to capture not just photos but great video content.

As a maker during times where video is becoming king, I have to be more intentional about finding moments to capture memories through video.

Jazz Up Your Planner Life

Planners are a great way to stay focused and timely throughout the week. As artisans, makers and creatives, our style often pushes us to stand out instead of fitting in. Here are three ways to jazz up your planning life so your planner looks as hip as you do.

Watch a live session of an influencer who is savvy with planning as you prep for the week. A live session will give you tips, insight and fresh ideas on new ways to make planning your week fun. Here are a few IG accounts to follow – @planwithilysee, @theplannersociety, @planherway.
Incorporating stickers in your planning time is a quick way to incorporate your style. Stickers add a freshness to planning that brings instant joy as you prep for the week. Here are some planner businesses to purchase unique stickers – @goldmineandcoco, @naomilovedesigns.
Make it colorful. Using colorful makers and even painting your favorite colors is a great way to make your planner really pop.

How will you plan this week?

Must Read Blog Post Roundup

In this post, two of founders share their top blog posts to read and or revisit. These posts will encourage and inspire you. Let us know which posts were your favorites.

Here are Ciatta’s top 4 blog posts:

I really enjoyed “DIY Ankara Fabric Scrap Earrings”. It gave me a beautiful gift idea to show love to women in my life around the holidays.

“Three Mistakes I’ve Made As an Entrepreneur” reminds to keep moving forward as a maker. It’s great inspiration to reference on my maker journey.

“Three Black Illustrators who are inspiring us right now” from Charlene Dunbar spoke to the artist in me and reminded me that art created by people who look like you is necessary and compelling.

Market 3 was my favorite market and “Lessons Learned from Craft Savvy Market 3″ was a wonderful read. It’s awesome to read the different perspectives from my craft sisters on our labor of love.

by Ciatta-Mae Stubblefield

Here are Jandi’s must read blog posts:

COVID 19 Lessons Learned Makers Edition -We are all still learning through this pandemic. This blog post is special because it reminds us that even in tough times, we can still grow and learn and choose to move forward.

3 Ways to Beat your Creative Blocks
Creative blocks come from time to time. This post will help you beat those blocks and create space for creating the things you love.

3 Things I wish I knew before I started Crafting
Whether you just started your crafting, or you’ve been doing it for a while, there are some things we wish I knew when I started.

14 Easy Ways to Repurpose Content Coming up with content is difficult. This post will give you clever ways to repurpose your content.

Three Hobbies in 2020

“Find three hobbies you love – one to make you money, one to keep you in shape and one to be creative.

When I first read this quote on Pinterest, it really resonated with me. As makers we go hard for our passion. Chances are our craft is something we could do all day. But how nice would it be just to create something for the love of creating. If you already have other creative pursuits, maybe you can look to adding one more to your wheelhouse.

Here are five websites for some new hobbies to stretch your creative muscles and gain fresh mojo as a maker.

Candle Making

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/basic-candle-making-instructions-516753

Soap Making

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/free-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-cold-process/

Hand Knitting

https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Chunky-Hand-Knitted-Blanket-in-One-Hour/

Hand Lettering

https://littlecoffeefox.com/hand-lettering-guide-for-beginners/

Making Body Scrubs

https://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/8-homemade-salt-and-sugar-body-scrubs.html

Now I’m off to find hobbies to keep me in shape.

by Ciatta-Mae Stubblefield