If you're looking for inspiration on how to organize a craft show check out this article about a craft show Grace Dobush of Crafty Supermarket organized in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Juried from over 70 applicants and narrowed down to 20, it's being held on November 21 in a local tavern with live music, food, swag bags for the first 50 shoppers and a Make It! table where shoppers can get crafty with the BYOProjectors - a local craft cooperative. The article gives some really interesting tips that may inspire you to hold your own craft show next year.

For more info on holding cooperative craft shows check out my article on the topic:

Eight Basic Steps for Organizing Your Own Cooperative Craft Show

If you're a fan or crafter of contemporary furniture, you'll appreciate the design inspiration of Thayer Coggin's new Claes chair designed by Clark Coggin. It was showcased during the October 2009 show of the International Home Furnishings market in High Point, North Carolina.

Per Coggin, the influence for this design was pop artist Claes Oldenburg sculptures of colossal buttons, gigantic clothes pins and over-sized typewriter erasers which monumentalized objects of the artist's time. When you've hit the wall and can't come up with a design you like, follow Coggin's lead. Do some research about favorite iconic designers and look around you for inspiration.

FYI - If you're a Nip Tuck fan, another Thayer Coggin chair - the Classic Lounge Chair was featured in episode 21 - the one with the freaky doctor who took a shine to Christian Troy's office furniture.

Image courtesy of PR Newswire Photos/Thayer Coggin, Inc.

The November issue of the Journal of Accountancy had a great article on the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 7 if using Vista or XP.

Unfortunately my 'youngest' laptop operating system is Vista which has been a continuing problem. I've read in other magazines that if you've gotten used to using Vista and are anticipating getting a new laptop in the next 12 months, it might be a better move to wait and apply the upgrade $$$ to the new laptop purchase. Last time I checked the upgrade was about $200 for the professional version, which in today's marketplace is a pretty good downpayment on a basic laptop.

FYI - Microsoft is sending a free upgrade to many purchasers of newer laptops. My son purchased his laptop about 6 months ago and just received his free update.

If you're anticipating an upgrade to Windows 7, first download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor to see if your current hardware/software is compatible.

The current article is not available online. There is a September 2009 article about Windows 7 available that you may find of interest.

Also suggested:

• Should I Upgrade to Windows 7?
• 5 Ways Windows 7 Beats Vista

If you stay current, it's easy to find an arts/crafts contest or show to enter just about every week of the year. The newest one I've received info about is the Absolut Art Award. This year, Absolut Vodka decided to fund a yearly award to international young artists exploring creativity through the integration of art forms.

The first-ever winner is Keren Cytter who will receive the award in a ceremony at Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm. In addition to the cash prize and trip to Stockholm, the artist has the opportunity for a collaboration or an underwritten work with the Absolut Company in the upcoming year.

FYI - Andy Warhol was the first artist to collaborate with Absolut Vodka.

Image courtesy of Absolut Vodka

While researched my latest article on paper mache, I came across a gallery representing fiber artist and weaver Kay Sekimachi. Moving into a logical tangent to her fiber arts, the gallery is exhibiting paper bowls by the artist.

Crafted from handmade Japanese paper, these bowls range in price from $750 to $900. So if you think there's no money in paper crafts - think again. And I can totally see a paper mache application for these paper bowls.

For more examples of her designs (she also crafts jewelry), check out Sekimachi's exhibit online at Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco, Ca. The exhibit runs through November 29th.

If you need a light-weight flexible tripod for your arts and crafts business, I highly recommend you check out the Joby Gorillapod. It looks like a child's toy gone crazy, but it does an excellent job of supporting your camera in places where a 'normal' tripod just won't work.

Balance a tripod on a rock? No problem. Need to wrap your tripod around a railing? Gorillapod is ready! At $21.95, it's a no-brainer purchase for any photographer or artist/crafter who shots their own images. Plus, it makes for a great inexpensive holiday present.

The November 2009 issue of ARTnews has a very interesting article about the branding of Andy Warhol. Warhol died in 1987 however as a testament to how well he branded himself the demand for his work is stronger than ever.

I know it seems to be anti-arts/crafts to be talking about branding but establishing your company/body of work as a brand is one of the best ways to generate blockbuster sales and be able to charge higher-than-market for your products.

Branding doesn't mean the handcrafted nature of your products has to be compromised; merely that your business' name becomes synonymous with the type of product. For a broad example, think wrap dresses and Diane von Furstenberg, wild prints and Marimekko, or the twisted cable jewelry of David Yurman. Arts and crafts example - Myra Burg and her silent oboes

For more information about branding, the article, Warhol, Inc., is available online and this excellent Guide to Branding by About.com Marketing Guide Laura Lake.

Image of Andy Warhol artwork: Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images

Good news if you live in the Manhattan area: Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, just opened a storefront in Manhattan.

Located at the Columbus Square development at 808 Columbus Avenue at 97th Street, the grand opening celebration runs through October 31 with free craft workshops and product demos. Martha Stewart will be at the location October 26 at 5:00pm for a book signing.

If you have a child between the ages of one to 12 who is following in your creative footsteps, you'll be interested in finding out more about the Lands' End annual Kids Holiday Art Contest.

From now until November 20, artwork will be accepted in three age categories: 1-6, 7-9 and 10-12. First prize winners in each age group will receive a $500 Lands' End gift card, second prize winners receive a $250 Lands' End gift card and third prize winners receive a $100 Lands' End gift card.

To enter, mail a completed entry form and the holiday artwork on a vertical piece of 8 1/2" by 11" paper postmarked by November 20.

Image courtesy of PRNewsFoto: Morris Animal Foundation Holiday Card. Artist: Steven Bauer, "Penguins at Sea".

I recently received an email from a reader regarding how to tax the craft business S-Corporation distributions versus C-Corporation dividends. Distributions are tax-free when you received them while dividends are taxable. Although in the final analysis you pay tax on both.

Check out my quick tip about taxing dividends and distributions and why dividends are one instance of double taxation.