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In this month's issue of Inspiri Art and Craft Business Magazine:

New at Inspiri

I've posted a series on purchasing
craft canopies:

When to Buy Craft Tents
Are craft tents worth the investment? When you start applying to outdoor art and craft shows, inevitably, you'll ask yourself whether it's worth investing in a good craft show tent.

Display Tents Buying Guide
Not all display tents are created equal. If you're planning to buy a display canopy for your craft show booth, here are a few considerations to keep in mind.

You'll also find new book and magazine reviews:

Bead on a Wire Book
Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry is a great wire jewelry book. The photos are excellent and the instructions are clear, thorough and easy to understand.

Accessories Magazine
Accessories Magazine is written for people who sell women’s fashion accessories in any type of retail environment. While it’s not directly aimed at professional craft artists creating accessories, you will find great insight into upcoming trends

Art Jewelry Magazine
I never get tired of reading Art Jewelry Magazine. This magazine covers a real variety of jewelry making techniques from beginner metalsmithing techniques to working with metal clay.

And several other new articles:

Beads for Jewelry Making
You can find some pretty unique and competitively priced beads for jewelry making on eBay. Use these tips to find great, unique beads for jewelry making.

Juried Art Show Application Tips
If selling at juried art shows is part of your business strategy, these shows can become a significant source of profits for your craft business, so getting your craft show applications in top form is a big priority.

Become an Internet Entrepreneur
I didn’t set out to become an internet entrepreneur. I was happily selling my jewelry when my business mentor suggested (actually outright insisted) that I create a website for my jewelry business. I never could have predicted that my my research would take me on this amazing journey.

Feature Article

Stay Healthy to Protect Your Business

I'm not a medical professional by any stretch of the imagination, so I'm certainly not giving out medical advice here. However, I do have experience with this issue from a couple of different perspectives.

Some of you may know that I'm a musician. I studied music in university and started my career as a music teacher. As a result of too many hours locked away in practice rooms, I've dealt with repetitive strain injuries since my early twenties.

At this point, for me, playing for 20 minutes means I'll spend the next day in pain. After spending years and countless hours working to play at a certain level, it's quite frustrating to accept that I can no longer practice enough to play anywhere near the level I played at when I was younger.

I've had to find new creative outlets, which, of course, happily includes my business. Although the process of exploring new creative media has been fun and rewarding, it was also very challenging to be forced to start all over again learning a new skill. If you've invested a lot of time, energy and passion into developing the skills you use to create your work, you absolutely must protect your health and your ability to continue to do that work.

After teaching music, I became a career counselor, and, specifically, I worked as a vocational rehabilitation specialist. When people were injured on the job and could no longer return to their previous line of work, they came to me to plan and train for a new career. It is not easy to be forced out of a career you know and love, and accepting that reality was a real challenge for many of my clients.

If you work with your body, you must take care of yourself physically. Here are a few tips I've picked up along the way:

• Avoid prolonged positions.
  Don't sit or stand in the same position for long periods of time without a break. For most people, switching positions every twenty minutes or so is ideal. Set up your office and your studio to so that you are forced to get up and move.

  Put some tools on other side of your studio, away from your workbench or set up your computer printer so it's out of arm's reach of your desk chair. I know this is often easier said than done, but do find ways to make yourself move.
  
  

• Always follow safety guidelines.
  If the instructions say use a respirator, use one, and use a proper respirator that fits you, not just a dust mask. If the materials you use require good ventilation, be sure to heed those instructions. Refer to Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for materials you're using. Suppliers must provide MSDSs to their customers. If they're not available on your suppliers' websites, contact the supplier and they will give you information about using the materials safely.
  
  
• Be selective about the techniques and materials you use.
  There are certain jewelry making techniques I just refuse to use. I've experimented with plenty of jewelry techniques, and if it feels uncomfortable, I won't incorporate that technique into my jewelry, or I'll adapt the process so it's less demanding on my hands and arms.

  Keep in mind that the more your business grows, the more items you will be making and the more time you'll be spending on production. Some techniques or materials may not pose a problem when you use them in moderation, but they may pose a problem over time and in large quantities.

  If you're experimenting with new techniques, consider whether you could continue to physically manage that technique over time and whether your studio is properly set up to use certain materials safely.
  
  

• Plan your schedule so you can take breaks.
  Don't leave production to the last minute when you're getting ready for a big show. Plan ahead for inventory needs as much as possible so you can give your body the breaks that it needs while you're creating inventory.
  
  
• Exercise.
  The more fit and healthy you are, the better your body will manage the demands you place on it.
  
  
• Consider buying ergonomically correct tools and equipment.
  Ergonomically correct tools can make all the difference in the world. It's amazing how the subtle shifts in neck, hand or shoulder positions or grip that result from using well designed tools and equipment can allow you to work safer. You can find ergonomic office equipment at most office supply stores, and many better art supply stores sell ergonomic art and craft tools.
  
  
• Seek out medical help
  If you are experiencing symptoms, or concerned about potential hazards inherent in techniques or materials that you use, seek out help from a health care professional.
  
  
• If it hurts, back off.
  No pain, no gain is a disastrous philosophy when it comes to protecting your physical well-being and your ability to produce work for years to come. Pay attention to your body, and avoid working through pain, numbness or other symptoms.
  
  
• If you're experiencing problems consider consulting with an occupational therapist (OT).
  Granted, OTs are not cheap, but if you've established your business and are experiencing physical problems that limit your ability to produce your work, an OT could recommend solutions that make a huge, positive difference. If you belong to a local artists' association or guild, and others in the group have similar concerns, you could suggest bringing in an OT to speak to group and split the fee among the group.

Take care of your body and make health and safety a priority in all aspects of your work so you will be able to enjoy a long, healthy and prosperous business.

Online Craft Business Resource

Thanks for reading the Inspiri Art and Craft Business Magazine.