Dorrigo in New South Wales, Australia, population 1100, created an entire event to support local makers. David from the Red Dirt Distillery told us about Made in Dorrigo Day, where everything offered for sale had to be made, grown or produced in their local 2453 postcode area.

Back in 2014 when they started, David said, “Like with everything, it is just up to a few individuals to run the whole show BUT, we are doing something and it does make a difference.. even if it isn’t a “roaring success, financially” it does provide all those other immeasurable things – pride in community, and even [the feeling of] “community” sooooo important in our small (struggling) towns…”

As I write this in 2021, they’re still doing Made in Dorrigo Markets several times a year. They’ve taken small steps to build something meaningful out of their local arts, crafter, makers and manufacturers.

Holding “Made in” events helps redefine how people see your town. We just aren’t aware of how many different things are made, grown or produced locally. Getting them all together in one place can really make an impression on people’s thinking.

You’ll be influencing the growth of your future maker entrepreneurs and your future creative workforce.

Bonus: This would make a great tie in with MFG Day or Manufacturing Day in October.

Get more ideas for building your local maker economy with SaveYour.Town’s rural craft entrepreneurship video.

This is the story of Avard, Oklahoma, a town that knows how to make something out of nothing. Often listed as a ghost town, their population was never more than 300, and has declined since the 1950s. Avard is the kind of creative place where they wanted to raise money to restore their little lake that had dried up, so they sold dehydrated fishing licenses–good for all the dehydrated fish you could catch from the dry lake. Something from nothing!

In the 2000s, almost all of the 33 residents played a role in the Avard Folk Festival to bring cowboy and pioneer folk arts and crafts to life. Over 100 artists came from all across Northwest Oklahoma. Traditional musicians performed while craftspeople showcased their rope making, candle making, quilting and blacksmithing. They put on a trail ride, a dutch oven cook off, and an old fashioned baking and canning fair.

One of the organizers, Donna Schmidt said their goal was to preserve these arts by supporting the current artists, as well as providing exposure and hands-on experience to everyday people in a fun setting. They attracted over 500 attendees to their little “ghost town” and kept it going for several years.

That’s a terrific example of using what you already have, right down to the dry lake bed. In our Idea Friendly Method, this is the Take Small Steps part, and it focuses on creating more opportunities for your craft entrepreneurs.

Get the full video: Crafters Create Prosperity

This video clip is a sample from the SaveYour.Town video on rural craft entrepreneurship: Crafters Create Prosperity.

Your town has people and assets to build on. You have local crafts, local arts, and people who make things. We’re going to give you practical steps you can take to use what you have and what you make to create prosperity.

Find out more

More articles for arts and crafts entrepreneurship

Overcoming the Challenges of Craft Vending in Small Towns – Jeriann Ireland shares her story as she steps up from a craft hobby towards a craft business.

10 Tips for Increasing Your Sales at Art and Craft Shows – micro biz enthusiast Glenn Muske has 10 tips to get more money coming at shows.

Donna Maria on wholesaling your products – helping you think through the process of growing beyond shows.