Crafter's Market 2016: How to Sell Your Crafts and Make a Living, edited by Kerry Bogert, is a terrific source guide for crafters who have crossed the line from hobbyist to professional and want to check out everything about selling. First the reader will learn how to use the book, including how not to jump in too fast, and why it is good to winnow down the listings and articles which pertain specifically to you before you make a move.
There are explanations of how to work with the listings, how to pay attention to Copyright information, and how to look for specialties and niche markets.
The first section contains an overview of business basics and one on copyright basics. I wish I had had this book when I began my business, years ago. These are so clearly explained and very helpful. Articles and interviews follow, each one tackling a different aspect of being a businessperson in the arts and crafts arena. For example, the first one is by Janet Davila, and is titled "Establishing a Career in the Arts".The second one, by Abby Glassenberg, is called "Newsletter Know-How". As we all seem to connect with our buyers online, e-mail marketing, as Abby calls it, is an essential part of modern selling. She has some wonderful tips.Then there is a great article for those of us in the knitting business, and one on "Time Sucks" which means all those things you and I do which simply waste our time instead of getting things done. I smiled at that one, written by Meighan O'Toole, but I had to admit her tips and the resources she offers on how to move forward were excellent.
Kerry Bogert herself writes, "Tips for a Successful First Craft Show". It is terrific to read this all laid out, whether you have been in a craft show or not.
I don't know which parts of the first section of articles will resonate most with you but don't worry, it is all in here. It includes all the main crafts. too, and touches on everything right through writing a book. The interview with Carter Seibels Singh as well is enlightening. There is nothing self indulgent in this very large book. Everything you see here truly belongs here.
The second section lists off the industry shows, and after that come more local shows and fairs for the reader to explore.If you know how far you are willing to travel, you can find shows and fairs pretty close to where you live, if you are interested in selling that way. All the information you need to get started is in this part of the book.
After this comes a part on online marketplaces. It is eyeopening how many of these there are!
Very complete sections on book publishers and magazines follow this. There is a lot you can do to get your work seen in all sorts of ways.
An overview of online communities comes next, with specifics.These are great for networking, learning things, and getting support.
A list of retreats is included after this.
Finally, you see a regional craft shows by state. Canada and the UK are included here as well.
This mammoth undertaking finishes with a subject index. You can peruse this and find anything you wish to pursue from general crafts and crafting, antiques, aprons, assemblage, right on through to digital art, fiber arts and knitting. I am just list some of the things I saw in the index, which is totally wonderful. The last artisan subject in this index is yarn arts.
This book is a must if you are an artist and wish to sell your work. As it says on the cover: "Includes a Free subscription to ArtistsMarketOnline".
Way to go, Crafter's Market 2016: How to Sell Your Crafts and Make a Living, and editor Kerry Bogert! What a wonderful help for us to turn to.
1 comment:
Boy, I wish this book had been around when I got started! It might have saved me a lot of fumbles and wasted efforts. Another great review, Jean. I loved your observation that "there is nothing self indulgent in this very large book." It sounds very useful indeed.
Post a Comment