Created by Cockpit Arts this blog is packed full of news, top tips and articles on everything you need to know when developing and growing a business as a designer-maker.

Juggling the demands of a business? Want ideas on how to help things run smoothly? Look out for regular updates from our Business Support team and makers and industry experts for their insider knowledge and know how.

We welcome your comments and contributions and are keen to hear and exchange views, news, and opportunities with all those working in the sector.

If you’d like to contribute a post please email emma@cockpitarts.com

Cockpit Arts

Cockpit Arts is a social enterprise and the UK’s only creative-business incubator for designer-makers. It is a renowned hotbed of creative talent, helping 165 resident designer-makers to grow their businesses and hundreds more through Making It  workshops and seminars. www.cockpitarts.com

The Business Support Team

Head of Business Development, Ellen O’Hara

Ellen joined the Cockpit team in 2006 and has overall responsibility for Cockpit Arts’ business and professional development services including one-to-one coaching and Making It workshops and seminars. She has worked with over 300 designer-makers to grow their businesses. Ellen is an accredited business coach and holds a degree in Economics from the University of Birmingham and a postgraduate diploma in administrative management. She heads Cockpit Arts’ sector research projects and is a commentator on issues relating to designer-maker businesses. Ellen previously worked for The Princes Trust, Arts Council England and Andersen management consultancy.

Business Development Manager, Abigail Branagan

Abigail joined the Cockpit Arts’ business and professional development team in September 2007 to provide specialist training and one-to-one coaching in the areas of marketing, selling, and manufacturing. She has first-hand experience of the market for craft having been Marketing Director for a critically acclaimed retail space in central London. Abigail has also worked for support organisations such as Hidden Art and the Crafts Council where she project managed Collect 2006. She regularly writes about design and craft for industry magazines and resources.

Professional Development Coordinator, Emma Thatcher

Emma coordinates the Making It workshops and seminars as well as the one-to-one coaching sessions and toolkits. She also manages the Making It blog and e-newsletter for designer-makers. She is an artist and maker herself, with several years experience in organising arts events, projects, workshops, training and in mentoring artists and designer-makers. She works closely with both the Cockpit Arts’ businesses and an extended designer-maker network to plan and deliver a programme that is tailored to the business support needs of this target group.

Disclaimer

The views expressed on the Making It blog represent the personal views of the writer and no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person’s action as a result of reliance upon any information in these notes can be accepted by Cockpit Arts or the writer.