News

Crafts makers follow their passion, but find it tough to make a living but they can learn more skills for success through the TRACE Program at MSU-COT

Shelley Sechrist makes jewelry with a message.

"Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity" declares her most popular pin.

Another says, "If you build it, they will come, So don’t build it."

Sechrist gets a kick when customers walk up to her Sacred Cow booth at crafts fairs and start laughing. It’s one of the psychic benefits of the work.

Making crafts has lots of rewards. But conversations with half a dozen sellers at Bozeman’s biggest crafts fair, the after-Thanksgiving Holiday Festival of the Arts at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, confirmed what you’d always suspected.

It’s a tough way to make a living.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/12/04/news/econcraftshard.txt

***

Learn more about crafts through MSU-COT

By Chronicle Staff

Crafts makers can learn more about how to market their art through the Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology.

Last year’s pilot program of classes for crafts people was successful, and so in May the state Board of Regents approved COT’s plan to offer a two-year certificate in creative arts enterprise.

Classes are held at the COT every other weekend.

TRACE Fact Sheet

TRACE, or Transforming Regional Artisans into Creative Entrepreneurs, is a Montana
State University-Great Falls certificate program designed to help artisans develop a broader
knowledge of business, while enhancing their skills in their craft.

This innovative workforce
development program is a pilot project designed to launch Montana’s promising artisans in
sustainable arts careers without having to leave the state. It targets students wanting a flexible,
short-term educational experience that nurtures the discipline of their art while providing them
with the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in creative enterprise. http://www.msugf.edu/aboutmsugf/deans/sharedleadership/trace.pdf

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/12/04/news/econcraftssidebar.txt

Posted in:

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.