RESOURCE LIBRARY

Welcome! Here you will find a wide range of recommended reading topics including: starting or growing your business, marketing, sales, craft festivals, and ethics.

Business 101

Business Planning

SCORE Business Plan Templates

Free downloadable templates for business plans, financial statements, and more from SCORE mentors.

SBA Business Guide

The official U.S. Small Business Administration guide covering planning, launching, and managing a business.

Bookkeeping & Taxes

Wave Accounting Blog - Small Business Bookkeeping Guide

Comprehensive guide to bookkeeping basics, from choosing accounting methods to reconciling accounts.

FreshBooks Small Business Bookkeeping Guide

Step-by-step bookkeeping instructions for small business owners.

Fit Small Business - Start a Bookkeeping Business

Detailed guide including pricing strategies and tax considerations.

Building Your Business

The Business of Selling

Selling Online

Etsy Seller Handbook

Official guide covering shop setup, listings, SEO, shipping, and marketing.

How to Open an Etsy Shop

Step-by-step guide to getting started on Etsy.

Shopify Guide: How to Sell on Etsy

Comprehensive guide covering listing optimization, pricing, and growing your shop.

Amazon Handmade

Alternative marketplace for artisans with access to Amazon's customer base.

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online, by Kari Chapin

Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond, by Derrick Sutton

Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft’s Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing your Crafty Biz, by Kelly Rand

Best Practices for Selling at Events from Real Thread

Marketing Your Brand

Originality & Ethics

Inspiration vs. Imitation, a post by Jessica Hische

U.S. Copyright Office - What is Copyright?

Official resource explaining copyright basics for creators.

99designs - Copyright & IP Guide for Designers

Practical guide on inspiration vs. imitation, fair use, and protecting your work.

Creative Industries & Intellectual Property

Overview of IP challenges and ethics in creative businesses.

WIPO Resources for Creators

World Intellectual Property Organization resources on protecting creative work.

Craft Festivals

Finding Shows

FestivalNet

Comprehensive searchable database of craft fairs, art shows, and festivals across North America.

Fairs and Festivals

28,000+ event listings for artists, crafters, and food vendors.

Zapplication

Online application system used by many juried art and craft shows.

Resources & Guides

Tips for Craft Fair Success

Guide to finding and applying to craft shows, with printable tracker worksheet.

Funding Your Passion

Microloans & No-Interest Lending

Kiva U.S. Microloans

Crowdfunded loans of $1,000-$15,000 at 0% interest, no fees. Great for startups and underserved entrepreneurs.

SBA Microloans

Loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit community lenders.

Grameen America

Microloans for women entrepreneurs in low-income communities.

Grants for Small Businesses

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Grant Directory

Comprehensive, regularly updated list of grants for small businesses.

NerdWallet Small Business Grants Guide

Curated list of current grant opportunities with application deadlines.

Halstead Grant for Jewelry Artists

$7,500 grant for emerging silver jewelry artists (deadline: May 1 annually).

Amber Grant for Women

$10,000 monthly grants for women-owned businesses.

South Carolina Resources

SC SBDC - Access to Capital

Free consulting on financing options and loan preparation.

SC Commerce Business Resources

State-level resources for business development and incentives.

Our Bookshelf