11 years ago, I took a few crafting classes with the hopes that I'd keep my hands busy and snackless (oh, the wistful, rational thinking of a 20-something).
It didn't work. I still snack (I never met a block of cheddar cheese and a pack of crackers I didn’t like!)...
… But now I do it as the owner of a 6-figure handmade jewelry business — bel monili — that travels around the country (in non-pandemic times) and has been featured in national publications such as Country Living Magazine.
I know this struggle all too well, my friend.
Back in 2010, craft shows were the only way to go when it came to starting a handmade business. I loved getting out there and making sales...but man oh man there were some real duds on the schedule.
What started out as a hobby grew into a full-fledged handmade business, and while I LOVED doing shows, I knew that I was not going to be able to keep up that kind of grueling week-after-week show schedule for the long term.
I've got a not-so-secret secret to share: you don't HAVE to be running to art fairs and craft markets every weekend in order to make money.
In my 10+ years of owning a handmade business, I have learned that forming genuine relationships with the right people is the key to growing a business that can thrive without having to rely on in-person sales events (ah, the unexpected business lessons of 2020).
It took me 7 years and a L-O-T of hustling to get my handmade business it's first 6 figure sales year, and in that time I discovered a framework for online growth that was proven time and time again.
That's why I launched Bloom: I want to share this framework with other makers who want to sell more and schlep less – because there's room at the table for all of us!
Being a handmade business owner isn't for the faint of heart: that's why the Bloom community is so near and dear.
I'm a firm believer that there's room at the table for everyone, and when we work together as a community of makers we can lift each other up to levels we never dared dream of.
There's enough for everyone
Success is a journey not a destination
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them
Love and kindness are never wasted
Community over competition
I'm not a super woo-woo kind of girl, but I do have a set of core beliefs that are at the root of my business, and of my life.
My sweet baby, Evelyn Agnes
Family and friends
Any flea market!
Beads, beads, and more beads
Making or markets!
Pumpkin spice anything
Laura Stuart, Studio Forget-Me-Not!
I am so thankful for the Clear Cut Canva course created by Lucy at Bloom.
The most exciting thing that happened (as a result of this course) was that I finally finished a coloring book that I worked on for about eight months.
The course shows you how to navigate all the tools that you will need to create a professional designs, logos, brands, color schemes, photo edits, fonts and so much more. She even shows you how to organize your projects within the program. I was able to make a dream happen and I am so grateful! I just launched my first coloring book on Amazon!
Jodi Heerman, Eclectic Expressions by Jodi
I love the Bloom community and I've gotten to know members away from the group: we collaborate together.. The encouragement you provide to the group is what stands out above other programs out there. I highly recommend Bloom because of the personal contact, easy to understand modules, resources, and encouragement.
Katherine Orr, KatOrriginal
I needed to redesign my website and up my online presence. There's a lot of advice out there, which makes it confusing. I loved Lucy's professional approach focused on artists/artisans/crafters. And...her program works! My advice to anyone considering Get Online, Grow Online is DO IT! Don't wait, it's worth it for yourself and your business! I almost signed up a few months earlier and regret not doing it earlier.