Registrations open for Crafty Mart Maker Sessions for beginner, advanced artists and makers

Crafty Mart will kick off another round of Maker Sessions programming, beginning Thursday, March 5.

The Maker Sessions is a seven-week workshop intensive, now in its fifth series, that invites artists and makers at various levels of experience to receive in-person training and guidance on all aspects of their business, concluding in a business launch party and Shark-tank-like pitch event.

Crafty Mart is a regional nonprofit that supports local artists, makers and artisans in expanding their creative businesses through education and markets. Thanks to support from Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Ohio Arts Council and a partnership with Bounce Innovation Hub, Crafty Mart now offers two tracks for Beginner and Master Makers.

The Beginner track is designed to help new makers walk through the process of planning, production, pricing, marketing, merchandising, budgeting, booth-building and branding, along with receiving expert advice, hands-on learning and access to community resources. This track will culminate in a Launch Market on May 30, where makers will combine everything they’ve learned to sell their products at a Crafty Mart Market.

The Master Maker track is designed for creative entrepreneurs who have been in business for some time and need more individualized attention and consulting to work through specific areas where help is needed. Makers who are interested in leveling up, diversifying their income and/or moving into other revenue opportunities aside from markets will greatly benefit.

Master makers can expect to connect with and learn from experts who will discuss topics such as: brick and mortar sales, studio space, hiring, online traffic, social media and marketing, collaborations, funding options, wholesale and merchandising, business finances and taxes.

This track will end in the annual Creative Catapult event, which takes place Oct. 9. At Creative Catapult, each maker in the Master Maker track series has the opportunity to pitch their business to the community in a Shark-tank-like event. Each maker will present how they would like to level up their business, and the public will vote for one winner to receive a prize package and $2,000 from Crafty Mart on the spot.

Marissa McClellan, executive director of Crafty Mart and creator of The Maker Sessions, said, “I am so proud of the new curriculum we have built for our makers. This is the first year that I worked with an education committee to make all of our Maker Session dreams come true and I really believe that having two tracks for Beginner and Master Makers will really elevate the program and ensure that our maker friends are walking away with the information they need to grow and succeed in their creative business adventure!”

TaRee Avery, owner of Dough House Cookies, a 2019 Maker Session scholarship winner and second annual Creative Catapult winner, said, “There’s so much to say about the Maker Sessions and Creative Catapult, but what I valued most was that I didn’t just gain knowledge but multiple skills that I could apply to my business immediately. The sessions were engaging and interactive and utilized up-to-date information and trends that I could take home and apply the same day. I now take better photos, pitch, present and tell our story better. I’ve also made invaluable connections with key people in my industry that have made wholesaling opportunities a lot easier. Lastly, the opportunity to compete for funding directly impacted our ability to open our brick and mortar location. Without my experiences with Crafty Mart, Dough House Cookies wouldn’t be where it is today; flourishing in our local community as a business that adds value, jobs and helps families create memories that linger beyond expectation.”

Beginner Track Package Deal tickets, which includes all seven sessions, may be purchased at: ticketstripe.com/beginnertrackpackage.

Master Track Package Deal tickets, which includes all seven sessions, may be purchased at: ticketstripe.com/mastermakerpackage.

The Maker Sessions will begin in March and run through May, and sessions take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Signal Tree event space at Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 S. Main St., in downtown Akron.

Free on-site parking and handicap access for all Crafty Mart Maker Session participants is available.

For info, visit craftymart.org/the-maker-sessions.