November 2022 Newsletter

Hi friend!

In our first official month building a cooperative handmade marketplace, we grew to over 150 members and raised $500 -- wow! We have a new fundraising goal of $2,500 to help with legal incorporation -- and our artisans created some fun chicken-themed goodies to help us get there.

Our priorities are to 1) support artisans businesses while 2) growing our cooperative and 3) developing the marketplace. More about all of those goals in this newsletter.

Read on for the latest news and keep spreading the good word!
Yours in solidarity,

- The Organizing Team at Artisans Cooperative

Photo of an Artisans Cooperative flyer on a busy public bulletin board

Get the Word Out

We made digital tools and shared easy ideas to spread the word with fellow artisans. Save our digital business card, network at holiday craft fairs, add a line to your email signature or profiles, put up flyers and more!

Grassroots Tools >>>

Man holding a small ribbon-wrapped gift in his hands, which form the shape of a heart.

Buy Handmade Campaign

The first gift guide and shop directory have already been posted! We're promoting artisan businesses and buying handmade gifts. Submit your products for free marketing and SEO backlinks all year-round.

Free Holiday Promotions >>>

Collage image of four fundraiser items: a button, digital phone wallpaper, beaded ring, and leather keychain

Shop the Fundraiser

Our first fundraiser items are live! Shop buttons, leather keychains, and beaded rings featuring our fabulous chicken branding. On our Ko-fi page, get info on digital rewards like wallpaper and knitting patterns.

Shop the Fundraiser >>>

Word art graphic asking what the Etsy alternatives are, is it handmade, are there enough customers

Educational Content

Our blog writers have been busy writing informative content to help our members learn more.

The latest posts:

The Best Etsy Alternatives You Can Try Right Now >>>

What Is a Cooperative? >>>

Hand-drawn Organizational Chart for the Artisans Cooperative Titled The Round Table Showing a Flat Structure

Volunteers Needed

Cooperatives are democratic businesses that can compete in this hard world because of one special advantage: people power. In the cooperative spirit of self-reliance, we need you to join the organizing team to lift the cooperative off the ground.

Volunteers Needed >>>

Visit Our Website

On Discord...

Marketing image of book Ours to Hack and To Own: The Rise of Platform Cooperatives, A New Vision for the Future, of Work and a Fairer Internet

We use Discord to engage in real-time chat with members.

In the #tech channel this week, members provided feedback for an upcoming Marketplace Priorities Poll for members, and an informational interview with platform cooperatives expert, Nathan Schneider, co-editor of the book Ours To Hack and To Own.

Questions?
Email us anytime or join our Discord to ask in chat rooms.