Important Announcement: Closure of Aftcra Marketplace

aftcra-logo-closure

Dear Aftcra Community, 

We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your creative endeavors. Today, we come to you with a heavy heart to announce that after years of serving the handmade community, Aftcra will be closing its virtual doors on March 31st, 2024.

This decision was not made lightly. Aftcra was born out of a passion for supporting local artisans and providing a platform for handmade goods to shine. Together, we’ve built a vibrant community of creators and supporters who share a love for unique, handcrafted items. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together and are grateful to each and every one of you who have been a part of our journey.

What This Means for Sellers and Shoppers:

  • For Sellers: Please ensure to download any data you require from your Aftcra store, including sales history and product data, by March 30th, 2024. After this date, access to your seller dashboard and the ability to retrieve your data will no longer be available.
  • For Shoppers: We encourage you to complete any purchases and connect with your favorite sellers before March 31st.

Looking Ahead:

We understand this transition may present challenges. We encourage our seller community to explore other platforms to continue showcasing your incredible work. The spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship that Aftcra embodies will live on through each of you in your future endeavors.

Thank You:

Thank you for your trust, support, and for being an integral part of Aftcra. Your passion and talent have made Aftcra more than just a marketplace; they have made it a home for artists and crafters.

With gratitude and best wishes for your continued success,

The Aftcra Team

Meet aftcra artist Jarrod Erbe

As the aftcra team closes out Summer and looks to Fall, we reflect on the great accomplishments our sellers have achieved in 2013. We can’t thank them enough for their support as we drive aftcra to the next level of success.

We continue to be reminded everyday when we explore aftcra that the site would not be possible if it weren’t for our amazing sellers.

As part of this piece, we’d like to highlight one of our first aftcra artists Jarrod Erbe of ‘Jarrod Erbe Photography’. Jarrod has impressed the aftcra team with is eye for detail and beauty in each of his pieces. Be it a glimpse from New Orleans (http://aftcra.com/item/1279), an Alaskan landscape (http://aftcra.com/item/352), or a beautiful sunset in Northern Wisconsin (http://aftcra.com/item/852), Jarrod’s work will make you feel like you are part of the experience and inspire you to see the world in new ways.

Please see our interview with Jarrod below and check out his aftcra shop http://aftcra.com/store/170. Show your support by purchasing one of Jarrod’s masterpieces and spreading the word about his work.

Give us a little background on who you are:

I am a self-taught photographer and am technically trained as research scientist (Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics). I am currently serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at a small, liberal arts college in Wisconsin.

How would you describe your art?
Much of my work focuses on nature, although I am frequently drawn toward the details in other subjects (e.g., classic cars). I enjoy the endless opportunities for experimenting with the post-processing of digital images and you will see a variety of “looks” in my images.

What gives you inspiration?
I enjoy browsing the great images on Google Plus and 500px. I also try to read as much as possible about the technical processes (both in-camera and post-processing) that other photographers use.

What is your favorite part about the US?
Hmmm…that’s kind of like asking “what is your favorite part of a hot fudge sundae”…

As an American artist, how important is “Made in America/supporting local” to you?
I was raised on a small family farm in Wisconsin, so the idea of “Made in America/supporting local” has been a part of my life from the beginning.

What makes you excited about aftcra?
The Aftcra creators are genuine and responsive. The Aftcra community is energetic and talented. I’m excited about Aftcra’s future.

Where can we find you this summer?
My family and I have a few travel plans in Wisconsin and I’ll be visiting one of my favorite cities, New Orleans, later this summer. You’ll be seeing some new pictures in my store!

What is your favorite movie?
My favorite “classic” is Caddyshack. Lately, I’ve been enjoying the Iron Man movies

aftcra’s Summer of Sellers – Meet Scott Hatton

Over the past 6 months, the aftcra team has been blown away by the excitement, growth, and feedback from our sellers and buying community.  We are excited to communicate some of the new enhancements inspired by you, our community, this summer.

We are reminded everyday when we explore aftcra that the site would not be possible if it weren’t for our amazing sellers. As such, we are are beginning a blog series we are calling the ‘summer of sellers’ to highlight some of the amazing artisans that call aftcra their home.

The first valued artist we’d like to introduce is Scott Hatton of ‘Hatton Custom Design’.  Scott and the aftcra team met during a meet and greet social sponsored by ‘Art Milwaukee’ (www.artmilwaukee.com) in Milwaukee, WI earlier this year.  Scott has impressed the aftcra team since that first introduction as we continue to experience his unbelievable artistist talent.  Be it a painting of the ‘Milwaukee Art Museum’ (http://www.aftcra.com/item/732) or a moment of ‘Solitude’ (http://www.aftcra.com/item/470), Scott is sure to impress you by his creations.

As such, we’d like to introduce Scott and provide our community a little more of who Scott and Hatton Custom Design are.   Please see a recent Q&A discussion between aftcra and Scott below.  We hope you visit his shop, purchase his product, and spread the word about his art. Visit Scott at www.aftcra.com/hattoncustomdesign

aftcra: Scott, give us a little background on who you are?  Scott: I’m an architect by trade and naturally a designer. I do many things: paintings, murals, custom motorcycle paintings, corporate logos, tattoo designs and anything else in the design realm the peaks my interest.  Painting is a passion of mine, It’s a short release from life where I can let my mind wander on canvas, whatever that canvas may be…

aftcra: How would you describe your art?  Scott: Typically I’ve done nature scenes for friends and family, you know for weddings, birthdays, house warmings, Christmas etc. But recently I have been branching out and diving into rustic old Milwaukee and it’s roots. My latest series “Gritty Milwaukee” takes a closer look at how the natural world transforms the man-made, and how rusty old things of the past can become beautiful artworks in the present.  Plus it’s just cool old stuff, the kind of stuff that built the backbone of this great country.

aftcra: What gives you inspiration?  Scott: I’m inspired by many things, beauty is everywhere.  What drives me is wanting to become more than just another artist, I want to set myself apart and share my art with the rest of the world.  That’s what constantly inspires me to do bigger and better things.

aftcra: What is your favorite part about Milwaukee? Scott: I love all of Milwaukee, the great buildings downtown, the festivals, the music, the people, the art scene and of course the beer…

aftcra: As an American artist, how important is “Made in America/supporting local” to you? Scott: It’s huge!  If everyone in this country focused on buying American we wouldn’t be in such trouble.  We would again be a prosperous nation, not sending all our hard earned money across the ocean for cheap crap that’s mostly made in China.

aftcra: What makes you excited about aftcra?  Scott: The fact that I can sell my art to anyone in the world, people who have never met me and don’t know my story, people that like my art for my art.

aftcra: Which fictional character would you like to be?  Scott: I’d have to say Iron Man, when you have the option, always be iron Man…  😉

aftcra: Where can we find you this summer?  Scott: You can find me all over this summer doing live paintings at Art Milwaukee’s Jamborees and occasionally at Rogues Gallery downtown.  Or on my custom painted motorcycle enjoying the breeze.  The rest of the time I’m spending at home with my family enjoying the beautiful weather and creating more paintings of course.

aftcra: Do you have a song that motivates you? Scott:  I don’t have a particular song that motivates me, it’s just always part of my life.  I often listen to music as I paint.  And it may be hard to tell from some of my serene and peaceful landscapes that I’m typically listening to hard rock and heavy metal or as my wife calls it my “angry music”…  Tool and Alice in Chains being some of my favorites.

Thank you Scott for you time and for supporting aftcra.

Please visit Scott’s site at www.aftcra.com/hattoncustomdesign

Get Real!

So the title is a little tribute to our Co-Founder, Erica, as this is one of her favorite sayings. But in all seriousness, I think she’s on to something.

 In a globalized world full of mass markets and instant gratification, it has become increasingly challenging to be truly unique. It’s an interesting paradox really; while we live in a time where self expression is encouraged, and even applauded, it is difficult to really stand out.

 

At aftcra, we thrive on challenges like this because it forces us to be purposeful. The challenge to stand out is especially important because we live in amazing country where the freedom for individual expression is foundation of our existence. Plus, we think your pretty cool and deserve some credit for it!

 

So how do you stand out? Here’s a few helpful tips:

1) Create a personal brand.

Think of some of your favorite brands and values they represent. Now think about the values and mission you have in your own life. Note how you would like to be seen and live by it…be your own brand.

 

2) Stick with a style.

Don’t try to be everything all at once. Stick with a style that makes you feel inspired and stimulated. Whether you’re classically elegant or a modern trend setter be true to yourself. This is how you will establish an identity that stands out rather than blending with the masses.

 

3) Shop aftcra.com.

Ever buy something because it’s close enough to what you wanted only to have remorse later because you don’t really love it? We guarantee that won’t be the case with the products offered on our site. Our products are uniquely handcrafted by artisans that know how to stand out!

 

Have your own tips on how to get real and stand out? We’d love to hear them so please share!

 

Keep it real!

Liesl, Co-Founder

That’s SOOOO Yesterday!

That’s SOOOO Yesterday

Does anyone else find it amazing how much our fellow friends, co-workers, family members, etc; live in the past? A few things come to mind, including: MySpace, LA Gear, Palm, etc. So what’s the point? Move to where the puck is going, not where it’s been – to take a page out of the sport of hockey. Success in all sorts of business requires forward-thinking and taking small risks in endeavors that seem a bit at the cutting edge. The biggest gains are made being ahead-of-the-trend, not chasing yesterday’s trends.

Even online, there are old-school ways of doing all sorts of things. Think AOL. There is a point in this rambling. Made in America is just now gaining traction because fellow Americans absolutely GET that the future of this outstanding country is well within our control – but it’s a choice each and every day. As we gain momentum here at aftcra.com it’s a humbling reminder that ideas that were once just an idea on the back of a napkin can be real, and can be really big. Globalization is SOOOO yesterday, and it’s an idea that has proven problematic for many reading this right now. The path forward for our country is pretty clear, and it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of how big it’ll be. Join this crusade – the puck is moving quickly! Let’s go.

Thank YOU aftcra supporters​!

In the spirit of being thankful, we want to take this time to thank YOU for supporting the launch of aftcra! We are a couple months into beta and we’re overwhelmed by your engagement and enthusiasm.

You have followed us on Twitter & Facebook and spread the word to your friends (and we like your friends)! You have also provided valuable feedback to help make our site better. A great example of this is the new “Guest Checkout” feature that is enables buyers to make quick purchases without registration. Incorporating your suggestions is exciting for us because this site is just as much yours as it is ours.

At aftcra, your success is important to us. Our priority is to provide the best customer experience by maintaining a humble, family-like approach to doing business while having fun and promoting all things handmade. If you have suggestions, don’t be shy, we want to hear them! We are excited for our journey together.

Thank you again for your support. We are thrilled to you have joined us in the made in America craftolution!

The aftcra team

Lost in the shuffle

Not only is it an increasingly difficult environment to compete in with regards to selling quality handmade goods, but popular online mediums are so crowded now that it’s trying to truly standout in the crowd. But in every challenge lies an opportunity.  aftcra recognizes this, and that is why we dedicated our site to handmade goods proudly made by American hands – and American hands only!

Here at aftcra, we recognize that not only is it necessary to exhibit raw talent, but also to exhibit within a medium where your products won’t be easily lost.  The thing is, retail is tough and in general commoditized, which isn’t optimal for the market that artisans like you are trying to address.  There is just too much mass-produced “stuff” in the marketplace today – plenty of it being made outside of the USA. This means the competition for placement of goods is fierce, and the pricing concessions that must be made oftentimes crush the financial rationale for producing the goods in the first place.

 

My belief is that we make our own luck and set our own trends. Decide to differentiate yourself, and break from the mold of the crowd – it is challenging and a bit uncomfortable, but it’s better to be ahead of the crowd than behind it. Help us, help you; and choose to be highlighted rather than lost in the shuffle.

Exercise Your Mind: Take Time to Be Creative

Let’s face it; life can be busy and hectic. We have all sorts of demands for our time and attention. When we get a moment to ourselves it is easy to revert to something mindless such as watching tv or checking our facebook profiles. That down time is important but so is taking the time to exercise. I am referring to mental exercise not physical. The best way to exercise our minds is by exploring our creative sides. From personal experience, I believe taking the time to be imaginative provides an array of benefits.

Recently, I joined a friend at a local paint bar which is exactly what it sounds like…a place to paint while enjoying an adult beverage (or two). I was surprised at how invigorating it was to explore my creative side in a new way (I am not a painter). With each brush stroke, all the noise from my day faded away. I was truly living in the moment focusing on what color to pick next and how to angle my brush. Was it a masterpiece? No. But I transformed a blank canvas into unique creation.  I found expressing myself artistically to be immensely satisfying and very inspirational.

My friend seemed to have the same reaction. She had a particularly rough day at work but by the end of our session she was smiling and laughing and having a wonderful time.

The best part about this form of exercise is that the options here are truly endless. So I would love to know, what are some of the ways you explore your creative side?

 

Liesl

[email protected]

Laura Martindale has an Artistic i

Image

We recently met up with one of our first sellers, Laura Martindale, to learn more about her passion for art and her thoughts about aftcra. First and foremost, who is Laura?

Laura is an artist from the low country of South Carolina, just outside of Charleston.  

As the founder and owner of Artistic i, Laura wields her brushes and paints on behalf of diverse residential and commercial clientele. She paints everything from nurseries and children’s rooms to model homes and commercial interiors. Whether it is a detailed mural or commissioned painting, Laura’s art is beautiful and purposeful. She works closely with clients to fulfill their vision and the potential of the space often in ways the client may not even have thought possible. Not only does Laura paint throughout the Southeast, she travels world-wide to perform at live events. She even creates live wedding paintings! 

Laura’s artwork doesn’t stop at the canvas, she also designs websites & logos to develop company branding. As quoted in Daniel Island News, “Laura has fine-tuned her craft so thoughtfully that she can produce a stunning oil painting one week and a tight corporate graphic design package the next.”  

 “Artwork can be a very powerful tool for any setting. I understand the importance of layout, design, color persuasion and how to speak visually to people. Instant gratification and awe are part of my weekly repertoire. The fulfillment of being a professional artist is immeasurable.” – Laura Martindale

 

Laura, we think you’ve got talent! How would you describe your art? 

Modern, colorful/bright. I enjoy high contrast and realism. My goal is for my artwork to demand attention when you enter a room.

 

 We love that your artwork can be customized.  How do you work with your clients to deliver what they want?

One of my strongest talents is listening to my customers. I ask a lot of questions and ask for photographs of the space (when necessary) or if I live close by I will visit the space. I listen to what my customer is envisioning and I make it happen. I’m happy to say, I’ve never had a disappointed client. My customers almost always say “This turned out better than I ever expected.” They are over the moon with the final product whether it is a mural or on canvas. That is my goal – to exceed their expectations.

 

 As an American artist, how important is “Made in America” to you?  

Products made in America are very important to me. All of the products I use: paint, canvas, stretcher strips, giclee printing, etc. are all made here in the states. I feel the government needs to do more to make it possible for more companies to operate this way.

 

What makes you excited about aftcra? 

I think it is wonderful that you are supporting “Made in America” companies. I know people that only shop this way, and now you have made it easier for them to do so!

 

 For original artwork by Laura, check out her aftcra store, myArtistici, by clicking here: http://aftcra.com/store/156

EXECUTION – It’s the only thing!

Ideas, ideas, and ideas – everyone has the next game changing idea. I’m sure you’d agree with me that most people like to share their business ideas but rarely execute on them. So today we’re writing about something that you’ve accomplished as a small business owner – the act of execution! Execution is the only thing that matters in the end. It’s the major step in starting a business that aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs need to think long and hard about.

What is execution and why does it matter? Execution is defined as: The carrying out or putting into effect of a plan, order, or course of action. At aftcra, we have learned how difficult this can be over the last couple of years. What started out as an idea quickly morphed into a constant challenge of execution – web development, social media integrations, online payments, etc. What that means is an idea is only about 5% of a total project (although absolutely critical). The other 95% of the project is tackling one thing at a time.

What I’m trying to say is, starting a business isn’t easy. We know how many long hours get put into your job to make sure that your product is exactly what you intended. We understand all of the other challenges that come along with being a business owner. We appreciate all of the blood, sweat and tears you put into your work and your company every day.

We believe that, by continuing to follow our passion and enhance aftcra, “Crafted by American Hands” will become something that creates a lot of value and promotes a movement that we are all proudly contributing to…

Dan

[email protected]

America, The Great

What makes this country so great? I believe it is the people, the collective and creative spirit that brings us together. As Americans, we are always looking ahead to the future. Questioning what’s next and seeking innovation. Our history is rich with ideas that have revolutionized our daily lives.

Here are just a few examples…

 Americans stay connected. You’ve probably looked at it in the last 5 minutes. Yes, I am talking about the smart phone which has become our lifeline to all forms of communication. Heaven forbid you leave home without it! What would you do? While the modern day version has undergone drastic changes, the original cell phone was invented in New York in 1973 by Dr. Martin Cooper. Nearly 100 years before, the first telephone was invented in 1876 in Boston by Alexander Graham Bell. We are always connected thanks to this wonderful technology.

Americans solve problems. It’s been a hot summer! All across the country are record breaking heat waves. Imagine living in this heat without AC! That’s right, the original air conditioning was invented in New York in 1902 by Willis Carrier. Thanks, Willis! We appreciate it more than ever!

Americans think big. Need to get somewhere far away? Depending on the location, you could drive, take a train or possibly a boat. But what if you need to get there as fast as the crow flies? Thanks to the Wright brothers we have that remarkable option. The first airplane was invented in North Carolina in 1903 by Orville and Wilbur Wright. Every time I fly I think it is amazing…I am sitting in a chair, in the sky 35,000 miles above sea level traveling 550 miles per hour. With the ability to fly, the world is truly ours to explore.

While these examples are quite grandiose (to make a point), it all started with an idea and the determination to execute. Our history is the road to our future. We must continue to explore our creative sides and share those talents. That is what we support here at aftcra.

To quote one of my favorite bands, appropriately named “America”, this is a place where “You can do magic, you can do anything that you desire.”

 

-Liesl

[email protected]

Creating your own destiny… Crafting your future with your own hands

Forget, for just a moment, the headlines that you have heard on a daily basis seemingly for the last ten or so years. I don’t know about you, but I’ve grown tired of being a spectator of the demise of just about everything. Is there hardship out there? Sure there is. Times are tough, people are hurting, and to be frank it isn’t a whole lot of fun. But the way I calculate it, if you live to be 100, every year that passes is 1% of your life. Don’t let a few tough years stop you from doing something. I’ve witnessed, as many of us have, that there are plenty of people out there taking control of their own destiny’s around the US. It’s an ever-resilient nation, which continually re-invents itself.

The best thing about crafting your future from your very own hands is that you, not some corporation, control the direction of your life and business. It’s not as if corporations are bad (they aren’t). The point of this post is that in my strong belief that, if you want a particular outcome, you ought to do it yourself. This is one reason that my family founded aftcra. We saw a unique opportunity to create a community of like-minded people that are looking to control their own destiny. The fire in your belly that comes from deciding to truly create your own future is contagious.

Over two years ago when our business was incepted, it seemed like the obstacles were constantly thrown in our direction. How on earth would we move this forward? We decided, like you should – one customer at a time! And then we took action. We began grinding weekly for progress. Today, we are on the cusp of our beta launch, and we’ve achieved a lot, but are just getting started. Our community is growing, and represents what we think is a large subset of this great population!

The fact is, time flies by. Opportunities come and go. But one thing remains very constant: the will of one to succeed is greater than any outside force. We’re just getting started here, and we’ve taken matters into our own hands. Try it anyway you can (via aftcra or not), as it’s exhilarating. Should you choose to join our community, you can expect dealing with like-minded people who have a passion for American crafted, handmade goods. Somehow I think we’re on to something…

Really looking forward to this journey,

-Dan
[email protected]

wow what a journey this has been!

beer

For the past year the aftcra team has been working on developing a website that focuses around the beauty of art and promotes handmade workmanship all while supporting America. It’s been such a whirlwind of great experiences and we’ve had the opportunity to meet some absolutely fabulous people along the way… we are so thankful and eager to see what will come next.

We are incredibly excited to get to know each and every one of you.

– the aftcra team