Design Nation is a membership portfolio organisation promoting artistic integrity and working to raise the standard of craft and design. It helps provide commercial opportunities for makers and offers different ways to support their craft practice.

The JUST A CARD campaign aims to encourage people to buy from designer makers and independent galleries and shops by reinforcing the message that all purchases, however small, even ‘just a card’ are so vital to the prosperity and survival of small businesses.

There are different ways to get involved as a maker, craft stockist or craft supporter. The team also run a digital marketing membership group with advice and support for makers. Be sure to follow them and get involved on Instagram @justacard.

Just A Card logo designed by @SarahHamiltonPrints

Would you rather stick pins in your eyes than sell? Does the thought of cold calling bring you out in a cold sweat? You’re brilliant at what you do, but if you don’t sell your products it is essentially a hobby – which is fine.  But if you want to either learn to sell or outsource your selling then Simon at Silent Sales can help you.  The husband of successful fellow maker and artist, Marna Lunt, Simon has a unique insight into the maker and art markets.  His training is fun, engaging and professional but informal and he can tailor sessions for you and your market either in person or online.  Or – you might want to outsource all of the proactive sales work to him so you can free yourself up to make more of what you and your customers love whilst he opens doors for you to grow your business.

Simon is also the host of popular business podcast “Don’t Sell Yourself Short”.  If you’d be interested to guest on the podcast drop Simon a line, otherwise tune in for insightful, often humorous conversations about sales and business from almost any industry you can imagine.

The Crafts Council’s goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft. In 1971 the Crafts Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed to advise the government ‘on the needs of the artist craftsman and to promote a nation-wide interest and improvement in their products’. In April 1979 the CAC was renamed the Crafts Council. It established independence from the Design Council and was granted a Royal Charter in 1982 ‘to advance and encourage the creation and conservation of works of fine craftsmanship and to foster, promote and increase the interest of the public in the works of fine craftsmen and the accessibility of those works to the public in England and Wales’.