An investigative look at handmade culture
Handmade items have been around for generations, but the crafters of today have technology on their side and are using it to connect and do business in big ways. Advances in technology are connecting community members in ways never imagined, allowing vendors to network and work together to make a larger impact on commuities and the economy. Handmade is where the heart is explores the handmade culture and its impact on communities. This group of resourceful, socially responsible small business owners is growing in numbers and working hard to help change the way businesses operate.
Stories
Handmade Vendors Turn to Technology to Boost Their Business
Technology is a handmade vendors best friend, offering the ability to network with peers for advice, reach previously unattainable customers and collect credit card payments with a smart phone.
Read more about handmade vendors and technology
As Handmade Culture Grows So Does The Built in Support System
Members of the handmade community band together to form networking groups to offer support, reccommendations, training seminars and opportunities.
Read more about handmade support system
B Corps Are the New Corps
Social entrepreneurs have trouble fitting their hybrid missions of making money and doing good for the community into existing corporate models.
Read more about how B Corps are changing business
Multimedia
Etsy, an online shopping site which specializes in handmade and vintage items has produced some impressive statistics in its short time of existence. Check out what 11 million members and $314 million in sales actually looks like.
Festivals and markets are vital to handmade vendors, provding a location to sell their goods and network. View a map of the handmade festivals held in Baltimore, Md. in the fall and winter of 2011.
B Corps are a new type of corporation classification, which require a company to operate under higher standards to be classified as a socially conscious corporation. View a map that highlights the B Corps located in Maryland, Washington DC and Virgina.
