How to Get Started as
a Professional Crafts Designer
by Lisa Galvin
Arts and crafts have always been a part of my life. From placing
painted rocks in my mother's booth at local craft shows as a teen, to
doing projects with my own children; being creative was something that I
enjoyed.
After quitting my full time job as an assistant at a local elementary
school a few years ago, I decided it was time for me to begin
really planning a career for myself. Encouraged by my family and the
teachers at our school that I had a creative talent I should be
doing something with, I began my search to explore the possibilities. At
a bookstore I stumbled onto the 6th edition of Barbara’s Creative
Cash book. Armed with an open mind and a highlighting pen I consumed
it!
I had no idea that a person could actually make a living in arts and
crafts! No one that I knew around my small town was doing it. With great
interest I read the personal accounts written in the book--real people I could relate to telling how they began their
businesses and talking about their
successes and greatest strengths, as well as the turning points in their
professional lives. I could not have imagined how many opportunities
await a person with a little imagination and A LOT of determination! I
was excited!
Of particular interest to me were the profiles of craft designers.
Their early beginnings were like reading my own life story; having many
similarities that I could compare and relate to. With that section of
the book littered with highlighted pages I knew without a doubt that
this was the direction I was looking for.
Catching my interest was an organization referred to many times
called The Society of Craft Designers* (SCD). But what was it? I had
never heard of such an organization. I sent for information regarding it
and with nervous anticipation sent my check to join. It was a BIG step
for me as money was tight. The next SCD Seminar was to be in
Minneapolis, Minnesota in October. It was nearly a year away. I was
disappointed that I’d have to wait so long to get started; however, I was notified through SCD of the Arts,
Crafts and Creative Industries (ACCI)
trade show which was to be held in Chicago in July. There, design members
of SCD and ACCI were invited to showcase their talents in a Designer
Forum setting for editors, publishers and manufacturers to view as they
sought new projects for their issues and/or designers to work with. I
decided to dive in! There was only one problem--I didn’t know anyone
else who would be there, had never gone to any event like this one, and
I would have to make the trip alone. This was very difficult and scary
for a small town stay-at- home-mom like me, but I was determined to try!
My First
SCD Seminar
I didn’t sell any of my designs at The Forum, but did have the
opportunity to meet a few other designers who gave me some great input
on my showcase display and other tips for success. They were incredibly
supportive! I was especially encouraged by one comment: "If you’re in SCD, you’ll
never eat alone at one of these shows
again." I felt immediately at home and welcomed.
Attending my first seminar in Minneapolis, I saved on expenses by
rooming with another designer I had met while at ACCI. Taking classes
tailored to the needs of professional designers at every level, the
opportunity to network and interact with other designers and the various
publishers and manufacturing members were abundant. I remember getting
goose bumps when I realized I was sitting at the table talking and
eating with many of the people I had only read about or watched on
TV just a year earlier! They were REAL people just like me; if they
could do this--why couldn’t I? While there, I was fortunate enough to
sell several of my showcased designs to an editor for publication the following year.
(One editor literally booked a design I was
wearing for her upcoming issues while we were having lunch!)
That first seminar was nearly three years ago. I’ve attended every
one since; always coming away feeling that it was worth the money spent
and having grown professionally because of the experience. Volunteering
to assist wherever I could from my very first seminar, I’ve found there is no better way to
learn the ropes and meet new contacts than to
get involved and be active.
Currently, I do design work for various magazine and book publishers,
and my new book, Metal Punch and More is scheduled for release
in August 2003 through
Grace Publications
Designing in mediums from metal to polymer clay and leather, I work
closely with several manufacturers, demonstrating at trade shows as well
as doing kit design and consulting.
It’s been an incredible journey, with many pleasant surprises along
the way as doors continue to open for me. I look forward to the new
directions and opportunities that come my way and wake up each morning
feeling blessed that I can do what I love as a career. Am I making a
fortune? No, but my income has steadily climbed each year as I’ve
broadened my skills and increased my proficiency. Growing tremendously
both on a personal level as well as professionally, I’ve learned my
strengths, weaknesses, capabilities--and limits. My work has offered me
the opportunity to travel to places I never dreamed of going and to meet
some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of
knowing.
This
article continues on the next page: Tips For Beginning
Craft Designers
2006
UPDATE
