Etsy generously sponsored two lucky winners to attend the School House Craft conference this September. We thought we'd check in to ask them about their experiences.

1. Before you came to the conference what did you hope to gain from your experience? Did the conference meet those expectations?

Kerry with Horse and Hare

I hoped to learn new ways to improve and expand our business and in the very least meet fellow artists and crafters. I really didn't know too much about the class itinerary or what speakers were going to be there ahead of time so I was pretty giddy the first day when I found out Kari Chapin and Noah Scalin were there. Overall, the conference blew me a way and went well beyond my expectations. From the handmade notebooks to the after school socials...you guys thought of everything and did an awesome job!

Flannery Print by Horse and Hare on Etsy

Erin Dollar

When I first heard about the Schoolhouse Craft conference, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity to really focus on how to grow my business. I'm like a lot of artists who are just starting out selling their work - I've got a to-do list a mile long, and I'm a bit overwhelmed with where to start. I thought that attending a conference with lots of like-minded creative business owners would help get me on track. Luckily enough, I was right! After attending the full weekend of workshops, I feel empowered to move forward with making art a full-time.

Keep the Roof On Print by Erin Dollar on Etsy

2. What was your favorite class at the conference?

Kerry of Horse and Hare

I can't say I had a favorite class. I especially learned a lot from "The Do's & Don'ts of Approaching Shops and Galleries" and the Craft Shows class but I learned something new in every class and they were all fun...even Bookkeeping 101!

Erin Dollar

Hands down, the Bookkeeping 101 session. This was the workshop I was most afraid of, because it's the area I have consistently procrastinated on researching. Turns out, Danae Horst had a way of presenting the vital information in a way that wasn't scary or intimidating, and she calmed my fears that I was incapable of handling that part of my business. She introduced me the tools I needed to get my financial info organized, and to better track how my business is growing. Danae has an amazing wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from, and she was eager to share it with us.

3. Did you have a 1 on 1 Etsy session and if so what did you think of it?

Kerry of Horse and Hare

I did! It was very encouraging to hear that we are doing some things right! I also got a lot of great tips on tagging, titles and descriptions and ways to improve our product pictures.

Erin Dollar

I met with Michelle for a quick session, and it was great to get feedback from an Etsy Admin! She had a bunch of ideas for how I could improve my shop, from photography tips to ideas on how to better organize my shop. It was also really helpful to get more clarifying info on the best way to write out my titles and tags for SEO purposes.

4. How do you think the conference will help you improve your Etsy shop?

Kerry of Horse and Hare

Since I got back from the conference I have taken the advice I got from my shop critique; changing up tags etc. and also changing out our product photos. I also hope in the next year to enter into some craft shows, diversify and expand our products and do more wholesale.

Erin Dollar

I think the conference will help me improve my professionalism in general, which can only lead to a better Etsy shop. The conference helped me focus in on the things I can do to improve my business overall, and how to balance the administrative tasks with my creative goals. I think the conferences helped inspire me to visualize the future of my business, which will help me build a stronger collection to present on Etsy in the coming weeks.

5. Do you think you'll come to school next year?

Kerry of Horse and Hare

I would love to come back next year. There were a lot of classes that I wish I could of gone to and I met so many great people I'd love to see again!

Erin Dollar

Heck yes! It would be great to participate every year, and enjoy the burst of inspiration that comes after meeting so many driven creative people in one weekend. Schoolhouse Craft was a great opportunity to meet a ton of crafty people in my community, and for that experience alone, I feel lucky.

Thanks so much to Etsy for supporting School House Craft and offering this amazing opportunity!