Below are descriptions of the learning sessions, workshops and demos at the Summit of Awesome.  Check the Summit of Awesome schedule for session times, locations and speaker info.

Learning Sessions

Am I a Business? How and when to form a business for your crafty endeavors. Representatives from the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts will walk you through the ins and outs of buisness formation, including the different business structures and the pros and cons of each.

Branding and Identity. So you have a logo, now what? In this session learn how your brand is so much more than your logo. Successful branding cross cuts all aspects of your business from products, marketing materials to cultivating customers. Discuss these important branding principles and more.

Consumption and Sustainability. How DIY will Save the World.  Along with the happiness of creating, crafters often have a crisis of conscious and wonder if they are just buying into our consumerist society. This panel will discuss how you can live your values and how individual and collective action can have a positive impact on the planet.

Copyright and Trademarks. How to protect yourself and your work – With the lightening fast speed of the internet, it is even more important today to protect your ideas. Learn the how’s and why’s of copyright, trademarks and the difference between the two.

Craft Fair Booth Set up and Displays. Are you displaying your creations in the most effective way? Does your booth seem well stocked and inviting or just cluttered and jam packed? In this session learn how your set up and displays can help you sell at fairs and extend your brand.

Crafting a Green Craft. While eco-friendliness might seem like a fad, these crafters know better. Learn how easy it is to be green from all angles of the craft world including making and selling. This sessions’ highlights include sourcing greener materials, marketing your greener side and why all crafters should embrace environmental sustainability.

More session descriptions, plus workshops and demos after the jump.

Customer Service. Crafting with a Smile. Please and thank you. Hi, how are you? Everyday manners that your momma told you to mind. Learn how these simple things can help you sell your craft both online and in person. Session highlights include selling techniques, how to handle dificult customers and how engaing your customer can lead to long term relationships.

Developing a Product Line. Deciding what to make and sell. So you can sew, knit, print and glue. But that green pipe-cleaner caterpillar isn’t selling. In this session learn how to use your strengths and passions to create a cohesive product line. Highlights include price and time consideration, market niche and progressing your line forward.

Event Sponsorship. Looking to take your crafty event to the next level? Learn how sponsorship can help build relationships with the community and help with your finances. Session highlights include how to approach potential sponsors and the pros and cons of big and national vs. small and local.

Going out on a Limb. Learn from two successful indie businesses who have made the jump and went out on a limb for their art. Hear about their trials and triumphs and learn from their mistakes and inspirations.

Navigating the Art world with Craft. Feel there’s a clear line between the art world and the craft world? Well think again. Hear from these artists and crafters on how crafters are crossing the line into galleries and museums.

Organizing a Craft Fair. It says it in the name and this cracker jack panel will impart their knowledge on how to do just that. Highlights include exploring different fair models and event planning basics.

Selling in a Brick and Mortar. Hear from two different brick and mortar models on how to sell your wares in a real live shop. Highlights include store selection, honing your approach and business relationships.

Selling Successfully Online. With over 2 million users on Etsy alone, not counting numerous other online shops, learn what it takes to make your products standout from the clutter that is the internet and run a successful online store.

Street Teams. Why you should connect and collaborate. “Etsy Teams are groups of organized Etsy members who network, share skills, and promote their shops and Etsy together.” Learn how on the ground collaboration can help progress you as a crafter and the community as a whole.

Tax Implications of Starting a Business. April 15 has come and gone. Did you start a business or launch your product line? Did you get a refund? Or owe the government? In this session, learn how your craft business is viewed by the IRS and how this effects your yearly return.

The Ins and Outs of Trade Shows. Trade shows are a whole different animal with their own sets of rules and culture. Are you ready to wade into these unknown waters? Learn what you need to know before setting your sights on this level of selling. Highlights include wholesale pricing and what to expect from buyers.

What’s a Social Network and How to use it for Good. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Etsy Labs, Craftster, Blogger. Learn how online tools can be used to market your craft and help you connect to the larger crafting community.

Workshops and Demos

Embroidery Workshop. Split stitch, french knot and back stitch. Confused? Don’t be. Join Jenny Hart in this hands on session as she guides you through the beginings of the beauty that is embroidery.

Fiber Workshop. A combination demo and DIY project, learn how to needle felt a small bird and how to spin on drop spindles with Urban Fauna Studio. A spinning wheel will also be available to experiment with.

Fun with Duct Tape. Kristina Bilonick will guide you through the amazing properties of duct tape to create a CD/DVD holder.

How to Photograph your Work. Lights, camera, action! Sherry Insley will share her tips and tricks for how best to photograph your work. Bring your camera and learn how to stage, frame and light your craft.

Make a Small Book. Unlock the mysteries of book binding with this workshop on book making. Esti Gerson will help guide you through paper selection and paper cut avoidance to help you create a small book.

Plate Breaking Demo. Juliet Ames breaks plates and creates wonderful jewelry from the shards. Learn about her process and technique in this crack up of a demonstration.

Screen Printing Workshop. Learn a simple screen printing technique with Christy Petterson, then try your hand at it yourself and print a design onto a handkerchief. Bring a cotton t-shirt, scarf or tote bag if you want instead.

Sew a Felt Broach. Felt, needles, thread and great step by step instruction from Beth Baldwin equals a broach made by you.

Sewing Demo. Learn the basics of machine sewing. DC Threads will guide participants in the construction of either an easy tote bag or an “eye pillow”. Leave the session with a finished project in hand.

Simple Mold Making . Get your hands dirty with Adam Maron and learn how plaster and clay are utilized to create molds for fun and nifty objects.

Whew!  That’s a lot of awesome.  Excited about a particular session?  Tell us in the comments.