The challenging economic times have left many unemployed people seeking solace in creativity.  In some cases, those artists dream of making a living with those creative endeavors.

But starting a business is daunting – most don’t know where to start and others start selling their work on a small scale, but then have no idea how to take it to the next step.

In either case, a weekend workshop is coming  soon, tailored to fit the specific needs of this unique market.

Taught by Olympia artist Pam Corwin, artist and owner of Paper Scissors Rock, and Manya Vee, jewelry designer and owner of Manya Vee Selects in Edmonds, the workshop gives a leg up to any artist ready to take their business to the next level.

It will be held March 23 and 24, 2013 at Seattle's Pike Place Market.

Sign up before January 20 to take advantage of an Early Bird price break!

The weekend seminar includes classes on selling craftworks in retail settings as well as through wholesale outlets.

Pricing and marketing tips will be addressed, as well as some great ideas on how to effectively display one's work at a crafts show.  There will be an opportunity to hear the stories of nationally known professional artists and learn from their experience.  There will even be a panel of art gallery owners who will share their tips, insights and knowledge.

One of the most valuable parts of the weekend is the opportunity for each artist to get individual consultations from Corwin, and Manya Vee as well as the guest artists and retailers.

This includes tips on how to price things, marketing, packaging, developing a cohesive line and where the best target markets lie.  All this from experts who are in that area of business already and are there to offer feedback and encouragement.

Corwin and Manya Vee met many years ago at a show - Corwin selling her clocks and Manya Vee selling her jewelry.  Both businesses grew over the years and the two stayed in touch sporadically.

Vee, along with husband Jeff Stilwell, opened their gallery of contemporary fine art and craft in 2000, which is highly successful.  Corwin’s business grew to a national scale and is now available in over 350 stores.

By coincidence, both started teaching about the business of crafts independently.  Now, both are successful and business savvy, they are joining forces to create a workshop to help other artists travel the road they traveled - but without as many bumps.

As they both say, "it's everything we wish we'd known when just starting out so many years ago."

To register for this weekend seminar, and to take advantage of an early bird price break that ends January 20, go to www.businessofcrafts.com, or call Pam Corwin at 360-357-3480, or email Manya Vee at Manya@manyaveeselects.com. Registration deadline, Feb 20.