I just finished an article on three arts and crafts trends from the last decade: conflict-free diamonds for fashion crafts, using eco-friendly raw materials and designing organic arts and crafts.

To stay current with customer demand, all arts and crafts businesses should incorporate eco-friendly practices into their business - even if your only eco-friendly act is to recycle shipping material. And, make sure to advertise that fact to your customer.

The December issue of The Crafts Report lists four tips for 2010. One is the fairly new Flat Rate Boxes from the United States Postal Service (USPS). Honestly, I can't quite remember when USPS switched to this method, but anything you can cram into one of their Priority Mail boxes ships for a flat fee, regardless of how heavy it is.

And FYI, even the USPS is jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon as their shipping boxes are - you guessed it - eco-friendly.

If you're looking for another online marketing option for your arts or crafts gallery, The Rosen Group, publishers of AmericanStyle magazine has launched a directory of galleries and boutiques that exhibit and sell gift and home goods made by American artisans. If you don't have a gallery to add to their list, it's a handy resource guide you can use to find galleries in your area who may be interested in showing your work.

Also, if you're an artist/crafter in the U.S. and Canada check out the Niche Marketplace, also powered by American Style. For a fee, you can create a profile, post pictures and descriptions of your arts/crafts work you'd like to wholesale to galleries, jewelry stores, museum shops and other art retailers.

Made in America banner courtesy of The Rosen Group.

If you're a new artist/crafter or just new to the craft show junket, this is the time of year to start planning for craft shows you may be interested in attending during next year's holiday season. Your planning should include keeping track of current shows to see if you might be interested in applying to them next year.

Here are two of the latest I've received info about:

All Things Handmade - Including Edibles in Sacramento, CA.

Beau Arts Bizarre in Columbia, MO

I also update the Arts/Crafts Forum throughout the year with info on shows, grants and contests.

And, check out the comprehensive list of Arts/Crafts shows in the USA and Canada from Sunshine Artists

I received a new catalog in the mail this week that has some really interesting crafts books on the topics of fiber, textiles, wearables, jewelry making and metals. There are also books on the topics of beads, basketry and clay. The range of coverage is fantastic. Check out the online catalog and you'll see what I mean.

If you're into oil, pen and ink and watercolor, you'll be interested in the offerings at North Light Shop. I've ordered from them many times for my mother and she's been delighted with the quality of the books. Plus they have fast and free shipping (orders over $25).

Lastly, if you're an artists, designer, jeweler or metalsmith consider joining the Society of North American Goldsmiths. Members have special advertising rates in Metalsmith magazine and there is a new online resource list promoting artists who give workshops.

I stumbled upon an article about pricing products for craft shows that reinforces the basics such as checking online for arts/crafts similar to your own and researching to find your niche.

None of it is probably new info if you've been in operation for a while. But I know that sometimes a refresher in the fundamentals of selling brings to mind simple facts you may have forgotten.

Here's some other recommended reading:

• Beth Peterson's (About.com Guide to Pottery) blog Have You Considered Selling in Craft Shows?
• Eight Tips to Holding a Cooperative Craft Show
• How Artists Figure Cost of Goods Sold

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.