NEW! Call for New Members
We are on the search for artists, designers and makers to join our dynamic collective for the membership period 1 April - 30 September 2021. We are now in our 7th year and have enjoyed supporting designer makers representing a whole host of creative disciplines during that time.
We are proud to have fostered a supportive, energetic, idea-generating community with fantastic opportunities for selling your product. We would love to hear from anyone who lives in Muswell Hill or within easy reach of Muswell Hill to join us. All you need is your own original product which demonstrates a high standard of craftsmanship and social media presence/selling platform.
Our collective currently comprises a knitwear designer, weaver, Japanese textiles designer maker, leather worker, glass maker and jewellery designer maker. We're keen to have those working in other creative disciplines join us. Take a look at our Alumni page for others who have been part of the community over the years.
We're proud to have had endorsement from the Evening Standard's designer writer, Barbara Chandler and The Design Trust. They have both endorsed the benefits that working as a collective bring for business development, a sense of community and a solution for the solitary life that sometimes comes with the territory of making.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - Midday, Friday 26 March 2021
We are proud to have fostered a supportive, energetic, idea-generating community with fantastic opportunities for selling your product. We would love to hear from anyone who lives in Muswell Hill or within easy reach of Muswell Hill to join us. All you need is your own original product which demonstrates a high standard of craftsmanship and social media presence/selling platform.
Our collective currently comprises a knitwear designer, weaver, Japanese textiles designer maker, leather worker, glass maker and jewellery designer maker. We're keen to have those working in other creative disciplines join us. Take a look at our Alumni page for others who have been part of the community over the years.
We're proud to have had endorsement from the Evening Standard's designer writer, Barbara Chandler and The Design Trust. They have both endorsed the benefits that working as a collective bring for business development, a sense of community and a solution for the solitary life that sometimes comes with the territory of making.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - Midday, Friday 26 March 2021
Membership
Eligibility CriteriaProspective members of Muswell Hill Creatives (MHC) must be local to Muswell Hill and the surrounding areas, and creating their own original product. The preferred maximum number of members is 12.
The carefully curated collective will welcome members based on how their product range fits with the existing members' work (including any potential conflicts of interest) and whether it reflects the mission of MHC. All members need to be committed to our mission of actively supporting other members either face-to-face or via our online Facebook (FB) forum, Instagram and WhatsApp groups. All members need to:
How MHC works
By joining MHC, you will benefit from being part of a collective which has a dedicated coordinator – Rachael Booth-Clibborn. Rachael is responsible for coordinating the group, its events calendar, website and social media platforms. In addition, her background in PR and event management enables Rachael to proactively seek publicity opportunities for the group as a whole and provides you with access to this expertise should you wish to commission individual PR support (fees to be negotiated separately).
Whilst MHC benefits from having a coordinator/PR, MHC is committed to its collective ethos and the members very much work as a team. Members have an open approach to new opportunities and ideas and jointly assess their value to the development of the collective and to each individual. On the practical side, belonging to the collective may involve doing a shift at a MHC pop up shop or helping with set up/set down of a fair or other event. |
Key benefits
The opportunity to show and sell work at a minimum of two MHC events a year. These might include outdoor fairs on St James’s Square or Pop Up shops or virtual events.
A public profile on the MHC public social media pages and offline mailings and publicity. One page for each member on the Muswell Hill Creatives website. Other presence on the website mentions on the News & Events page. Blog features on the MHC website. These are generally written by the coordinator but on occasions may be guest written by a member of MHC. They are edited and posted by the coordinator. Regular social events to benefit from being part of a thriving creative community. These are organised by the coordinator or by one of the MHC members. Access to all MHC forums, mentoring sessions, social events and public selling events Being regularly informed of sales, PR, networking, training and new business opportunities by the coordinator. MHC members also exchange opportunities. PR/publicity: a presence in MHC feature/press story pitches and support in generating individual PR stories. Press materials are prepared by the MHC coordinator. Support/advice in brand, website and social media development by the coordinator or members of MHC. Increased exposure: being exposed to a growing audience with social media profile beyond Muswell Hill. Mentoring support: eg Etsy shop, social media, product development and training sessions (some will be chargeable as an extra depending on the nature of the session). |
Fees£140 for 6 months’ membership paid in advance. (Subject to one month's cancellation notice period.)
An additional coordinator fee is charged for the main MHC sales events (including fairs and pop up shops) to cover event management and publicity. The coordinator’s fee depends on the scale of the event and time commitment involved. Costs associated with the event are also shared amongst the participants. More details available on request. All members share ad hoc general costs including website hosting, MHC branding, social media ads, subscriptions etc in addition to their membership fee. Approximate cost per member is £20 and members will be notified of these costs ahead of membership renewal in March and September. Membership (and associated fees) are reviewed in March and September each year. Individual PR support is chargeable separately subject to discussion. What the Members Say
“One of the great things about the group is the interconnections. Things happen to you because you’re part of the group. Being in Muswell Hill Creatives catapulted my business from a standing start” Rob Jones, Romor Designs "I joined Muswell Hill Creatives in the Spring of 2018 and it has hands down been the best decision I ever made. The sense of support and community has kept me going and I feel that I am much further along in my creative endeavour than I would be if I were on my own. Working in a self-employed creative business can be lonely, but the feedback and encouragement I get from the group are invaluable." Cecilia Child, By Cecil "What started as a table top sale in someone's home five years ago has turned into an amazing creative collective. MHC has helped mentor, promote and develop independent makers into successful businesses." Michele Wyckoff Smith, Wyckoff Smith Jewellery |
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