Jamie Karolich of Craft Your Commerce: Empowering Artists Through Business Education

Making a living from the arts can be a tough gig. Most art schools rightfully focus on studio skills and critical thinking but place very little emphasis on their real-world applications. Artists often double as their own marketers, using dated information that doesn't translate to tech advances in social media or the contemporary arts industry. In today’s podcast episode, Asheville printmaker Jamie Karolich joins us to discuss Craft Your Commerce, a program that equips artists with essential business skills through affordable workshops.

Craft Your Commerce: Economic Growth For Artists

Craft Your Commerce was designed by makers, for makers. As a practicing artist and the program director of Craft Your Commerce, Jamie is deeply committed to the economic growth and development of Asheville’s craft community. Designed to help artists throughout Western North Carolina and beyond, Craft Your Commerce is supported by Asheville-based nonprofit Mountain BizWorks, an organization that helps area entrepreneurs thrive. Craft Your Commerce offers guidance on everything from pricing artwork to marketing strategies and applying for grants.

In today’s episode, Jamie explains how Craft Your Commerce helps artists manage the business side of their practice and provides constructive tips for growing your toolkit, connecting with a supportive community, and elevating your art career. We also dive into common challenges creative entrepreneurs face and how to decide which course or workshop would be most beneficial for you.

The Entrepreneurs Toolkit

Craft Your Commerce changes its programming regularly to reflect industry developments and issues. This fall, The Entrepreneurs Toolkit, a series of business-related workshops, centers on expanding revenue streams, growing teams, and best practices for a creative web presence. Fall 2024 classes include Product Photography Best Practices, Retail and Booth Design, and How to Hire Your First Employee. An All Access Pass allows participants to attend all eight courses for a reduced price. Each virtual course features a local leader in their field.

While fall courses are winding down, there’s still time to register for Retail and Booth Design, How to Hire Your First Employee, and Financing Your First Hire. Craft Your Commerce programming is created in partnership with Cowork at Center for Craft, AIGA, ArtsvilleUSA, TD Bank, and local creative entrepreneurs. Register here.

Quotes From This Episode

“[Artists and craftspeople] are not always thinking about starting [a] business. But to continue to [make things] and – have our studio practice, we need to figure out how to sell things.” — Jamie Karolich [0:14:46]

“We're trying to help folks expand their toolbox, understand what's out there, and get a baseline understanding for what they can do with that knowledge and those tools.” — Jamie Karolich [0:26:17]

“We have a bunch of other resources on our page as well because we believe in uplifting all of the other resource providers for artists.” — Jamie Karolich [0:33:08]

“Craft Your Commerce exists because it's not present in a lot of programs. Whether you're in traditional academia in a university setting or if you're self-taught, there's not a lot of business programming that's offered for artists and craftspeople. Something that sets [Craft Your Commerce] apart from other general business programs is that all of our instructors and our curriculum developers are artists and craftspeople themselves who have been in business; either they currently own their own business or have owned their own business. There's a very unique connection and understanding of what it means to have a business in a creative field.” — Jamie Karolich [0:13:42]

About Jamie Karolich

Jamie Karolich is a printmaker, designer, and educator with over 10 years of letterpress printing experience. Jamie’s studio practice stems from observing and documenting patterns and forms in the built and natural worlds and takes shape through drawing, painting, and printmaking. She is experimental in nature with her print process and enjoys teaching. Currently, she lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her partner, Daniel Garver, and two dogs, Crayola and Loretta.

After earning a BFA in printmaking, Jamie participated in the Core Fellowship Program at Penland School of Craft with a focus on print, letterpress, and books. Jamie spent several years as the print production manager at Power and Light Press in Silver City, NM. Jamie has participated in residency programs at Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont School of Craft, Wells College, Kinston SmART, and Western New Mexico University. She has taught at various institutions and festivals, including Southwest Print Fiesta, Power and Light Press, Penland School of Craft, Mancos Common Press, and out of her home studio. Jamie is the program director of Craft Your Commerce, a program that equips artists with essential business skills through affordable workshops.

Craft Your Commerce: Website | Instagram

Jamie Karolich: Website | Instagram

This article has been edited for length and clarity. All photos published with permission of Jamie Karolich.