24-27 May - Check website for opening times http://craftcentral.org.uk/madeinclerkenwell

If you’re not exhibiting, Craft Central invites you to Made in Clerkenwell: Summer Open Studios. Catch up with fellow Network designer makers and be inspired by the exceptional craft and design on display.

We are pleased to be part of the Clerkenwell Design Week fringe - As well as open studios we have special exhibitions, live window displays and making workshops lined up to celebrate Clerkenwell Design Week. More details coming soon!

Cost FREE to Network members (non-Network price £2.50)

‘Rachel helped to find a direction for my business – pragmatic and supportive.’ Network Member

These surgeries allow individuals to express concerns and discuss remedies, plan for the long term, increase confidence and raise expectations. Each surgery lasts one hour and delegates can provide details of topics they wish to cover beforehand through the Craft Central office.

About Rachel…
Rachel trained as a designer and was director of an architectural practice before completing an MBA. Since 2000 she has been advising design businesses to help them achieve more profit with less stress, teaching design management at a number or educational institutions and working with support organisations including Crafts Council, Arts Council and University of the Arts. Rachel has also completed research into the successful strategies of small design businesses through a PhD at Birkbeck, University of London.

Cost £26
PLEASE NOTE – DUE TO OVERSUBSCRIPTION, ONLY ONE SURGERY WITH RACHEL SMART CAN BE BOOKED PER BUSINESS/NETWORK MEMBER PER QUARTER

During your 45 minutes, you will discuss your work and present your product. The panel can critique your current collection from a consumer angle and offer advice using their sector knowledge.

Please bring along examples of current work and promotional material (e.g. postcards or images of your work).

'Great advice and general overview of what I need to do!' Network Member

Fed up with working in isolation? Fancy some objective feedback from your peers and someone who’s been there and done it? Being a one man band often means you miss being able to run your ideas past others. Having to make business decisions on your own can be stressful when you’re not sure of your ground...

This is an opportunity for some one-to-one help with your business in a group setting. You will get the benefit of solid and sound advice from the trainer as well as a forum of like minded people you can use as a sounding board to think through your issues and brainstorm ideas.

This meeting of minds will be tailor-made to the individuals who attend. All participants should bring along their products and send in the top 3 issues they would like to work on prior to the session. The workshop will broadly cover:
• developing products – one offs to productions runs
• making it all yourself or farming out the work
• working with manufacturers, home-workers and assistants (interns)
• range building, when to introduce new lines
• packaging & branding
• pricing – how much can you charge?
• the impact of trends
• making your products viable

If you have a complex issue or something that is not listed above we may recommend you book an individual one to one session. Issues to do with selling and presenting yourself will be covered in the next POW WOW workshop.

About Dan…
Dan Maier is best known for her lighting designs which sold through Harvey Nichols and Liberty and became best-sellers in Heals and The John Lewis Partnership. Her business grew from a ‘one man band’ to a limited company employing 20 people and owning her own studio. Although her background is in textiles, she has manufactured products in a wide range of materials. She now specialises in bespoke commissions for display, theatre, advertising and interiors. Clients include Le Creuset, The Hayward Gallery Shop, The Old Vic, Saatchi’s and The Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners. With over 15 years working in industry, she now shares her wealth of knowledge and experience as a business advisor and mentor to designer makers.

THIS IS NOT A TRAINING SESSION

These opportunities have already been booked. Please pay ONLY if you have confirmed your booking with the Craft Central office.

More details here http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/exhibition-facilities

Booking for 2012 will be released Summer 2011.

NOTE TO PARTICPATING DESIGNERS:

You must have had confirmation that the cabinets are available for you to use BEFORE making this payment

‘Michael's been absolutely brilliant! He’s an amazing support in many ways and continues to help my business. He has assisted me in organising the financial part of my company and with important things like costing products. He has helped me with various contracts and has opened my eyes to the aspects in business to watch out for! He also listens and gives his experienced opinion regarding design worries. He promotes my range when travelling around the country, mentions me to any boutique that he pops into and visited me at my first trade show! I am very lucky to have been part of this mentoring scheme with Michael and really do recommend it!’ Network Member

If you are new into business (0-3 years) and need extra guidance and support why not sign up for Craft Central’s mentor programme. Business Advisor Michael Humfrey will assess your needs and subsequently arrange to meet you regularly. Michael will mentor you for as long as he feels necessary, this will vary depending on each designer’s issues and goals, although there is a maximum of 8 hours. Each mentoring session lasts approx one and a half hours and can take place at Craft Central or your studio (within reason).

To apply for the Mentoring programme please phone the Craft Central office for an application form or email inbusiness@craftcentral.org.uk . After being submitted your application will be assessed and if successful a hugely subsided fee of £75 will be required to cover the entire package of support by Michael.

Cost £75 (Working out at an incredibly reasonable rate of under £10 per hour of mentoring!)

THIS IS NOT A TRAINING SESSION

These opportunities have already been booked. Please pay ONLY if you have confirmed your booking with the Craft Central office.

More details here http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/exhibition-facilities

Booking for 2013 will be released Summer 2012.

NOTE TO PARTICPATING DESIGNERS:

For current Craft Central Network Members only- you must Join/Renew before paying for your Showcase booking. ALL DESIGNERS exhibiting in the group must be CURRRENT members.

Payment for hire in 2012 is due ASAP or 30 days from receipt of booking confirmation email. If you fail to make payment by this date, your booking will be cancelled.

THIS IS NOT A TRAINING SESSION

These opportunities have already been booked. Please pay ONLY if you have confirmed your booking with the Craft Central office.

More details here http://www.craftcentral.org.uk/exhibition-facilities

Booking for 2013 will be released Summer 2012.

NOTE TO PARTICPATING DESIGNERS:

For current Craft Central Network Members only- you must Join/Renew before paying for your Showcase booking. ALL DESIGNERS exhibiting in the group must be CURRRENT members.

Payment for hire in 2012 is due ASAP or 30 days from receipt of booking confirmation email. If you fail to make payment by this date, your booking will be cancelled.