Patch Together November 4, 2009

Got an idea for the next hot toy?  Put it to the test over at Patch Together.

Here’s how it works: you submit an image of your awesome resin or plush toy design and Patch Together members vote on which designs are worth prototyping.  If your toy gets chosen, it will go up for pre-order in the Patch Together store.  Once it has enough pre-orders (20), your toy will be produced as a limited edition and you share the profits with Patch Together (40% you, 60% PT).

This is a pretty good deal if you consider that average licensing fees max out around 5% for artists and you get to keep the rights to your designs.  If you want to skip the contest part, you can pay PT outright to manufacture your toy.  They’ve also recently started accepting ideas for Flash animations and “products in general.”

“Mason” the vengeful birdhouse by Wickedbird.  Currently available for pre-order.

Art Critic Gig October 21, 2009

Anyone looking to make a little money or exchange critical writing for art?  The Present Group is looking for a critic.

BUST Craftacular Applications are Up October 3, 2009

For all the east coasters out there (or folks who can travel light), BUST magazine’s annual Holiday Craftacular has posted its application page for this year’s NYC show.  The 2009 Craftacular takes place Sunday, December 6th from 10am-7:30 PM.  Their booth fee seems steep, but it looks as though they’ve moved the show from Brooklyn to Chelsea, so it might very well be worth it.

Ponoko Meets Spoonflower September 30, 2009

over at Envelop.  The Belgian-based company digitally prints your designs onto fabric.  They make aprons and pillows (and other things) out of it.  They set up the eCommerce web site and do all the selling.  You upload your designs and reap the profits.  Becoming a member is free, but not all designs make the cut.  For tips, see their submission guidelines.

via SwissMiss

Ask Biz Miss: Licensing September 14, 2009

I was approached my someone who wanted to talk to me about licensing my work.  I was a little skeptical since I’ve never been approached with an offer like that and I wouldn’t know where to begin to look up the legitimacy of a licensing company.  Would you have any tips or advice for a newby starting out that would be interested in licensing their work?  I would hate to get involved in something that would not be in my best interest or in the interest of my work.

I’ve only ever licensed my work to other small businesses, so I don’t know what kind of situation you’re in, but in general, if someone is asking to license your work in the first place, they’re probably acting in good faith.  Most folks who aren’t will just rip off your designs with poor (or in some cases, even exact) copies and won’t ask you at all.  That said, businesses act in their own best interest and are happy to take advantage of your naivete.

A standard licensing percentage for a small business is 5% of gross sales, and the contract is often exclusive to the particular product for a limited time.  For example, a company might license your design to print on notebook covers.  Your agreement would likely give them an exclusive license to print on notebook covers  for two years (which may also exclude you from doing this if you’re not careful).  Under this agreement, you would still be able print your design on t-shirts, fabric, etc., or license them to someone else who would.  No matter what, you should never sign an agreement until you’ve seen a sample of the product that’s being made with your design.  It’s the only way to make sure you’re associating your work with a quality product.

If you’re looking at a much larger licensing deal with a bigger company, I would suggest hiring a lawyer to help you negotiate a fair contract, at least the first time around.  The Renaissance Business Center here in SF can point you to some free and cheap legal advice.  You can also find a good counselor there.

I can also recommend the book Your Crafts Business by Nolo Press.  Nolo is a do-it-yourself legal publisher.  There’s a whole chapter in there on licensing and the book comes with sample agreements.  Also, this article recently posted on Crafty Chica is helpful.

I hope that any deal you make is both fair and profitable.  Good luck!

Three More Days to Apply for Bazaar Bizarre March 29, 2009

This Wednesday, April 1st, is the deadline to apply for the May Bazaar Bizarre, which takes place during the Maker Faire in San Mateo on May 30-31st.  If you make your own wares, and you only have the time/budget to do one craft fair this year, apply for the Bazaar Bizarre.  Not only is it by FAR the least expensive to participate in ($130 for the entire weekend!), they really take care of you, providing dollies, load-in help, and free food and drinks all day long.  They even have volunteers to man your booth while you take a bathroom break or go get lunch!

The spring Bazaar Bizarre is always extremely well-attended.  60,000 people went to last year’s Maker Faire, and I think most of them came through the Bazaar.  Most of the time it was so packed I couldn’t even see the booth across from mine.  Last year it took the organizers a full hour after closing time to get customers to stop shopping and leave.  Having learned from experience, this year’s Bazaar will run two hours longer.

There are only 70 booths available for the Bazaar Bizarre, so competition is pretty stiff–usually two to three vendors vying for each spot.  But the organizers are committed to always reserving a certain percentage of booths for new crafters, so even if you haven’t been accepted before, keep applying.