Craftonians!
In this episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craft Cast, I sat down with the lovely Amber Christian, owner and editor of Handmade Seller Magazine, to talk about her journey from the corporate grind to becoming a champion for artisans and small business owners everywhere. It was a jam-packed episode filled with tips on turning hobbies into thriving businesses, a deep love for canning (with her famous Salted Caramel Pear Butter recipe), and, of course, plenty of laughs!
From Corporate Life to Handmade Biz Queen
Amber kicked off by sharing her personal leap from a 20-year career in tech and finance to taking the reins at Handmade Seller Magazine. Now she’s all about supporting creatives who want to do the same—turn their passion projects into real, thriving businesses. If you've ever wondered how to go from making cool stuff for fun to running a full-blown business, Amber had some fantastic advice. It’s all about planning, knowing your worth (hello, labor costs!), and pricing things in a way that works for you and your business. She really made it clear—it’s a mindset shift, but one that’s totally doable with the right help.
A Peek Inside Handmade Seller Magazine
We also took a behind-the-scenes look at Amber’s quarterly magazine, which is like a mini-business school for makers. It’s packed with practical tips on things like marketing, pricing, and scaling your biz—all super useful for anyone who's serious about their craft. Plus, Amber’s all about making the magazine a hands-on resource, so don’t be afraid to mark it up, jot down ideas, and use it like your own personal business guide. Bonus: Amber offered a free issue to our listeners, so if you're curious, now’s your chance to check it out!
Canning Love + Amber’s Famous Salted Caramel Pear Butter Recipe
One of the best parts of the episode was when Amber dove into her love for canning. (Seriously, who knew canning could sound so fun?) She talked about how she started small, making onion-free salsa, and now she’s a canning pro. If you’ve ever thought canning sounded intimidating, Amber assured us it’s way easier than it used to be. And, she shared her go-to recipe for Salted Caramel Pear Butter—it’s a family favorite, and it’s as delicious as it sounds! You can find the full recipe in the show notes, so get ready to impress everyone at your next get-together with this sweet, salty spread.
Crafting Retreats at Big Raven Farm
Of course, we couldn’t wrap up without chatting about the upcoming retreats at Big Raven Farm! These retreats are the perfect excuse to pack up your craft supplies, escape to the farm, and spend a weekend creating, learning, and relaxing. Whether you’re into knitting, painting, or anything in between, there’s a spot for you at one of our “Pick Your Own Projects” weekends. It's all about slowing down, making beautiful things, and hanging out with people who get it.
Fun Q&A with Amber
To close out the episode, we did a quick Q&A with Amber where we found out some fun facts—like her favorite word is “caramelicious” (no surprise there!), her dream sandwich involves tomato jam and cheddar, and her ultimate happy place is a cozy afternoon at home. Same, Amber, same.
Wrapping Up
All in all, this episode was an absolute treat! Amber Christian is such an inspiration for anyone looking to take their craft from hobby to business, and she made the whole process seem so doable. Plus, we got to geek out over canning and dream about future craft retreats. What’s not to love?
Show Notes:
In this episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craft Cast, Joleen sits down with Amber Christian, owner and editor of Handmade Seller Magazine. Amber shares her fascinating journey from the corporate world into the heart of the artisan community, offering tips on how to grow a handmade business and even diving into the world of canning with her favorite recipe, Salted Caramel Pear Butter. Whether you’re a hobbyist or serious crafter, this episode has something for everyone!
🌟Guest Bio:
Amber Christian is the mastermind behind Handmade Seller Magazine, a quarterly publication that delivers practical, down-to-earth advice for artisans and small business owners. With a background in tech and finance, Amber uses her expertise to support creatives looking to turn their passion into profit. When she’s not running the magazine, she’s a dedicated canner, podcaster, and foodie with a love for all things handmade.
🌟Follow Amber on Social:
🔗 Handmade Seller Magazine
🔗 Instagram
🔗 Youtube
🔗 Pinterest
🌟Episode Chapters:
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 00:58 - Meet Amber Christian and Handmade Seller Magazine
- 02:30 - The Difference Between Hobby and Business
- 07:25 - What Handmade Seller Magazine Offers Artisans
- 10:05 - Amber’s Journey into Canning
- 18:17 - Amber’s Favorite Recipe: Salted Caramel Pear Butter
- 22:35 - Free Issue of Handmade Seller Magazine for Listeners
- 34:40 - Upcoming Big Raven Farm Retreats
- 42:12 - Fun Q&A: 10 Rapid-Fire Questions with Amber
- 53:30 - The Scariest Animals Encountered by Amber and Joleen
- 61:10 - What Brings Amber the Most Happiness
- 63:00 - Next Episode Preview: Melissa Galbrath on Hand Embroidery
🌟Quotes from the Episode:
- “There’s a huge difference between monetizing a hobby and running a full-fledged business—and it all starts with understanding your costs and labor.”
- “For me, canning is a way to slow down, reconnect with my food, and enjoy the process—it’s foodie heaven!”
- “Creativity can’t be forced; it requires space, time, and sometimes a little bit of playfulness.”
🌟Links & Resources:
🌟 Next Episode: Hand Embroidery—Coloring with Thread with Melissa Galbraith
Register here
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