CraftNOW and NextFab Present the 2nd Annual “Tools of the Trades Conference,” For Makers by Makers
The conference designed for makers by makers is back. Craft organization CraftNOW and makerspace NextFab have partnered again, welcoming new partner LaserPhilly, to present the second annual Tools of the Trades, a four-day hybrid conference focused on connecting artisans to business resources in Philadelphia and beyond. From March 22nd to 25th, tickets will unlock access to experts, resources, and peers working in the craft and business community. Funded in part by Square, this conference is designed to deliver a variety of programming and materials – lectures, resource directories, and ample opportunities for audience participation – and strives to emphasize approachability, affordability, and a supportive environment where everyone can come together to share knowledge, resources, and tribulations.
After welcoming over 300 attendees to their inaugural conference in 2022, this year’s theme is focusing on connection, collaboration, and commerce – delivering all the tools you need to add fuel to your creative passion and make educated business decisions. Unique to this conference, it focuses on a diverse range of topics and experiences, from members of regional craft communities and seasoned fabricators. Topics range from conversations such as “Daydream to Day Job” and “Collaboration as Commerce,” which allow our experts to share stories of successes and failures that helped shape them, to practical presentations on “Taxes for Creators: Self-Employment and the Schedule C,” and “Crowdfunding Strategy for Artisans,” which provide tangible solutions and templates for your business.
Tools of the Trades is intended to provide a concentrated period for creative learning to help craft-focused businesses accelerate growth and find success however they choose to define it. “We were thrilled with last year’s inaugural conference based on the turnout from the community,
positive feedback from our artisans plus the engagement from so many service providers wanting to support them,” said Leila Cartier, Executive Director of CraftNOW. “NextFab is an excellent thought partner for CraftNOW because we are able to combine our unique resources and create a
well-organized, informative, and innovative program.”
New this year, the conference will kick off with the Arts + Business Council hosting a networking and creative innovation discussion on March 21st. After three days of digital content, it will conclude this year, with a limited number of in-person workshop tickets available to turn learning into action at the NextFab makerspace on Saturday, March 25th. From 2:30 pm – 4 pm, guests are invited to bring in products and participate in one of four workshops and starting at 4 pm, all participants are welcome to the in-person Happy Hour and CraftNOW Trunk Show to network, shop, and tour the NextFab makerspace.
Tickets to Tools of the Trades are $25 to access all digital programming, $25 to access the in-person workshops and happy hour, and $50 for digital programming plus the in-person networking event at NextFab on Saturday, March 25th. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
“Expanding our programming to include more in-person learning opportunities seemed like a natural next step with our hands-on maker audience. Our goal is to provide a supportive learning environment to turn learning into actionable outcomes for creative businesses.” Anna Solomon, Sales Manager of NextFab.
The second year of Tools of the Trades will offer a variety of programs led by professionals from TWEE, Oat Foundry, Twice Measured, Jawnaments, PxP Contemporary, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Creative Business Accelerator, Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, 3pts, Sunlight Tax School, Temple University’s Small Business Development Center, Project Joy Studio, YOGAMOTIF, and NextFab.
“One thing that makes Tools of the Trades so unique is that we create programming that considers the business and the business owner holistically,” Sharif Pendleton, founder of LaserPhilly says. “We have experts who help shed light on the financial health of a business as well as the well-being of the business owner. And, I think that helps to make small business owners feel seen and heard. They know that we recognize that their businesses are an integral part of their lives and how much hard work it takes to make it all happen.”
In the coming weeks, CraftNOW and NextFab will announce additional speakers and presenters andscholarship opportunities for attending Tools of the Trades.
