Useful forums and links/networking

Hello everyone,

I am trying my best to stay on top of LinkedIn (which I have only started joining groups), and I am using this website alot to get to know artists/designers to network. Does anyone have any advice of what other websites could be of use?

I am trying to network on facebook with people too, I am very bad at Twitter though...don't really understand it to be honest. Any other arts and crafts forums? Made in Scotland websites? Any help would be amazing.

Cheers

Lorna

The Line, The Stitch & The Wardrobe

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Permalink Reply by Alison Anderson on October 15, 2011 at 17:48

Lorna, I'm on Linkedin already but only in the capacity of my previous profession! Sounds like a good move for networking with crafty people though, so I think I'll look into it too! There are discussion forums on the craftscotland website, Folksy, Etsy and the only other one I can think of off the top of my head is craftsforum.co.uk. I'm sure there are loads more though... hope you get lots of replies.

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Permalink Reply by Lorna Gillies on October 17, 2011 at 9:29

hehe, thanks. Yes LinkedIn is good, although you need to spend a bit of time on it. I have joined a few groups e.g handmade in UK, and other sewing/business forums. Need to keep up to date with it all so more people will see you and look at your work. I'll check out craftscotland though, cheers!

Lorna

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Permalink Reply by Lorna Gillies on October 18, 2011 at 8:37

Actually there is a very good website called www.creatingthehive.com - I've been with it for quite a while, you have your own page and is especially useful if you have a blog, as you can load it automatically to that website. It's a great place to make creative friends all over the world and to get them looking at your work.

Lorna

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Permalink Reply by Alison Anderson on October 18, 2011 at 11:22

Had a quick look at the website you suggested Lorna. It does look quite good. I'm busy getting ready for my holiday tomorrow though, so joining will have to wait until I get back. Not sure if I would do very well keeping up with a blog though, but I might consider giving it a try.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Russell on October 31, 2011 at 17:30

Hi Lorna,

i was invited to join up Linkedin by my sister who designs wedding stationary and then after that i ended up with a couple of other people. I don't use it really, but agree to be added with another person if they request. Initially i was a bit overwhelmed with Twitter, but have got used to it now......but there are still things i don't understand about it! Through that i have managed to make friends with fellow textile people and non textile people. It is helping me with contacts with galleries and also helps build up my confidence really. Got a piece of work into the Trees For Life Exhibition in Edinburgh - at Out of the Blue. Thanks to Twitter. I don't know of other forums, but will keep looking!

Katie

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Permalink Reply by Alison Moore on February 20, 2012 at 20:06

Hi Lorna

Have you seen the Cultural Enterprise Office website? It's full of really useful info for setting up your business (not really networking but useful all the same!).

http://www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/website/default.asp?menu=...

All the best, Ally :)

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Permalink Reply by Lorna Gillies on March 5, 2012 at 16:55

Thnk you for that Ally, thats very kind and useful! x

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Permalink Reply by Julie Hanlon Cole on March 6, 2012 at 20:05

Another good site is http://ukhandmade.ning.com I've found it good for networking and it also has a forum for Scottish makers.

I'm also on http://www.frombritainwithlove.com which I had to pay an annual fee to join but it seems to have generated a fair amount of traffic to my site and I know they do a lot of advertising and marketing. I think it's also used by journalists as well.

Hope that's useful.

Julie x

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Permalink Reply by Julie Hanlon Cole on March 6, 2012 at 20:09

What's your twitter address Katie? Mine is http://twitter.com/#!/Angelcakedesig1 I'm just about getting the hang of it!

Julie x

Katie Russell said:

Hi Lorna,

i was invited to join up Linkedin by my sister who designs wedding stationary and then after that i ended up with a couple of other people. I don't use it really, but agree to be added with another person if they request. Initially i was a bit overwhelmed with Twitter, but have got used to it now......but there are still things i don't understand about it! Through that i have managed to make friends with fellow textile people and non textile people. It is helping me with contacts with galleries and also helps build up my confidence really. Got a piece of work into the Trees For Life Exhibition in Edinburgh - at Out of the Blue. Thanks to Twitter. I don't know of other forums, but will keep looking!

Katie