must-know-about links for artists & makers
get inspired
- GREAT BIG STORY – great videos about artists and more
- COLOUR IN YOUR LIFE – artist spotlights
- THE JEALOUS CURATOR – contemporary art blog
- A PAIR & A SPARE – DIY, home decor & sewing blog
- drawpaintacademy.com – learn to landscape paint with art history lessons
creative supplies
- OPUS ART SUPPLIES
- CURRY’S ARTIST MATERIALS
- MICHAEL’S
- FABRICLAND
- HUSHWING – handmade watercolor paints
- SKETCHBOX – monthly art supply subscription
- FABRIC.COM
- MAIWA – fibre arts & dying supplies
- KNITPICKS – knitting supplies
DIY & workshops
- CRAFTSY – online workshops
- EVERY TUESDAY – graphic arts & font design how-to videos
- THE RENEGADE SEAMSTRESS – refashion videos
- MAIWA – school of textiles
art prizes & competitions
- C4E – an international directory of artist “call for entries”
- SOBEY ART AWARD – $240,000 in prizes
- RBC CANADIAN PAINTING COMPETITION
- AUDAIN PRIZE FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE VISUAL ARTS
- VIVA AWARD
- SALT SPRING ART PRIZE – biennial competition
places to sell
ONLINE MARKETPLACES
- ETSY – handcrafted products
- REDBUBBLE – artwork printed on products for sale
- SOCIETY 6 – artwork printed on home decor products for sale
- IMAGEKIND – fine art prints
- CREATIVE MARKET – digital design assets
BC LOCAL CRAFT MARKETS
- MAKE IT! – spring & Christmas craft markets in Vancouver, Calgary & Edmonton
- GOT CRAFT? – spring & Christmas craft markets in Vancouver
- GRANVILLE ISLAND PUBLIC MARKET – April – December craft market
- CRAFT CULTURE – spring & Christmas craft market in Kelowna
- LAKE COUNTRY ARTWALK – the Interiors largest art festival in September in Lake Country
- CIRCLE CRAFT MARKET – Christmas craft fair in Vancouver
- WEST COAST CHRISTMAS SHOW & ARTISAN MARKETPLACE
- REFRESH MARKET – Christmas market in Squamish
marketing 101
- THE FUTURE – advise for graphic artists
- MELISSA GRIFFIN – general online marketing strategies
- FASHION BRAIN ACADEMY – marketing for makers
networking
- ALIGNABLE – a network for small businesses
running a small business
- MARIE FORLEO’S BSCHOOL – teaches how to set-up & run a small business
- ALYSON STANFIELD ART BIZ COACH – blog with great tips & advise
- VISTAPRINT – inexpensive promotional materials such as business cards & brochures
- TRELLO – online to-do list organization
- TAILWIND – pin and instagram post scheduler
- MAKER’S ROW – product manufacturing database
- SPOONFLOWER – printing on fabric