Hello out there ! I have been lucky enough to end up with TWO copies of Craft Inc., the new book by Meg Mateo Ilasco. So, what to do with the second copy you ask? Give it away to another artist/crafter of course! That's right, it could be your lucky day :)
This book is packed with great information about how to name your business, getting publicity, developing products and lots more. One of the best things about the book is all the great interviews with established crafty entrepeneurs. They are humble enough to tell about their mistakes as well as their successes and how they established their businesses. I've already read my copy cover to cover and plan to start again this weekend to absorb more details.
So, I bet you want to know how to win this little gem! All I ask is that you introduce yourself in my comments section and tell a little about your art/craft and your business dreams. It doesn't have to be fancy....a few sentences will do the trick. I love to connect with other creative people so this will be fun for me too! Also, feel free to leave a link to your website/blog (if you have one).
I will "collect" comments until next Tuesday October 23rd at 8pm and will choose the winner by putting all the comments in a hat and picking one! I will announce the lucky person on my blog on Thursday October 25th so keep your eyes peeled :) Good Luck!
~Andrea
Hi! I do a lot of fashion sewing and have been seriously contemplating a home-based custom sewing business.
Posted by: Erica B. | October 21, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Hello, I'm JL.
My interest in crafts starts with cross-stitching when I was young, learned crochet from a friend 10 years ago and have not stop since then...and with the internet, one craft leads to another (shuttle tatting, knitting, simple jewelry-making...it's not ending here). I am only selling simple crochet items and earrings in the local (Singapore) auction. I'll like to think that my creations bring joys to people! ^-^
Cheers,
JL
Posted by: JL | October 21, 2007 at 03:21 PM
Hi! My name is Adrienne, and I dabble in just about every medium. Jewelry, sewing, knitting, reconstructing, etc. I have an etsy site, but am seriously considering starting up my own website/business elsewhere. I also want to change over to more recycle/reusable items. I was going to purchase this book, but would love to get it free! :) I am by no means a full-time crafter, but maybe after reading this book, I can see if I am ready for the challange.
Posted by: adrienne | October 21, 2007 at 03:23 PM
I make hand printed (silk screened) fold over cards. Like greeting cards and note cards. It's slow going because I have to work so much at my "real" job, on account of my wife recently quit working for the Man to pursue a career as an illustrator. I would love it if both of us could get out from under the thumb of the Man.
Posted by: aargh | October 21, 2007 at 03:25 PM
I've been lucky enough to grow up in my Grandmothers craft store and now that I'm in my 30's she would like to pass the store on to the next generation. The shoppe has been struggling for the last few years so I would love to make it a successful community store again.
Posted by: Michelle | October 21, 2007 at 03:31 PM
I've recently narrowed down my art/craft loves to photo-printmaking and crochet (that could change next week though). I also teach and love learning new techniques. I have an Etsy shop that I've embarrassingly not added anything new to months.
Posted by: amy | October 21, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Hi
I am a budding sewing & general crafting entrepreneur & have heard so many good things about this book! Thank you for this opportunity!
Posted by: Clair | October 21, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Hi there. My name is Tricia, and I'm a Graphic designer/illustrator. I was hoping to start selling some of my designs as prints, so this would be a great reference for my business. THanks!
Posted by: Tricia Lupien | October 21, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Recently, I was laid off, so I've spent all that free time creating. Mostly I make jewelry, but I dabble in almost everything clothing reconstruction lately. I would love to make creating my career and this book would be a wonderful starting point.
Posted by: Heather | October 21, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Hello :^)
I own a small press and produce books and a kids' mailorder club. Our focus is authentic art projects for children.
I have a good friend who is trying to start a sewing business and another who is pondering opening an etsy shop. I could make great use of these books! :^)
Posted by: Lori | October 21, 2007 at 04:05 PM
being the mother of four little boys, i use those bits of time carved out for myself for making small, beautiful things. i enjoy knitting and printmaking and am looking forward to learning embroidery.
Posted by: amber | October 21, 2007 at 04:31 PM
I'm a graphic designer, crafts-lover plush and softies maker... and I think this book could help me go further!!
Posted by: Plume | October 21, 2007 at 04:33 PM
Hi! Having had a long sejourn (sp?) away from crafts I came back to it again in the last two months with a mad crochet bout. I'm in the process of getting enough together to set up my etsy shop and speak to a couple of local stores. I also have a dream of doing something really cool which involves embroidery and t-shirts, but that will take a lot more time, and know-how (hello craft inc!) to get off the ground. Thanks for the contest!
Posted by: scarlettholly | October 21, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Hi! I'd love to have a copy of this book. I've recently tapped into my creative side and I am looking for a direction to go with it. Hopefully I can make it my business!
Posted by: Liana | October 21, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Hi, my name is Victor and my goal is to start a business in unique/odd jewelry that is not too eccentric but instead rather sophistic and wearable.
I can also knit and I'm fond of doing paper crafts as well like making cards.
Posted by: Victor | October 21, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Hello. I'm Desiree, and my crafts include Jewelry Making and drawing/painting.
I've been trying to make a business out of my jewelry for a year now. No luck! Hopefully this book could help! <3
Posted by: Desiree | October 21, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Wow! This could be a big help! I knit and do some sewing but I'd like to get involved in the local 'every Saturday craft/produce' fair that happens in the summer. Sounds like this would be a great start to my education!!
Posted by: Bonney | October 21, 2007 at 05:02 PM
I haven't started an etsy shot yet but it's my goal before the end of the year to do so. I want to start making collages from things i find and photographs i take. i'd also like to sell my photographs as well and work toward having my art in galleries. right now it seems like a dream that is far far away. but i know that i can do it eventually. i just need to start on the road there.
Posted by: MeganRuth | October 21, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Hi My name is Bronwen. I make artist bears (and other animals)and wire work jewellery. I would love to learn how to sell my creations well. I am relatively new to crafting as well and just feel lost.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Posted by: Bronwen | October 21, 2007 at 05:41 PM
I'm just starting to sell some of my papercrafting projects and this book sounds like a wonderful reference.
Posted by: Melissa | October 21, 2007 at 05:47 PM
Hiya, I'm Elizabeth. I run the Kansas City chapter of Church of Craft, and although I work a normal office job now, I have dreams of being able to sell my work to support me. I knit (and am currently looking into become a certified knitting teacher) and I'm also a traditional artist, with two (momentarily useless) BA degrees to wave around.
I would love to read this book and try and put it to good use in my life.
Posted by: Elizabeth Parmeter | October 21, 2007 at 05:57 PM
This sounds like a book I could really use! I like to create all kinds of things, right now my obsession being art journaling. I've been contemplating ways I could create art for a living. Help! ;-)
Posted by: Nicole | October 21, 2007 at 06:03 PM
I've got a shop on Etsy www.wisdomofthemoon.etsy.com and I sell aromatherapy necklaces. I've been thinking of expanding my business. I've also got a blog at www.wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com.
Posted by: Wendy | October 21, 2007 at 06:10 PM
Found your blog through Craft magazine's. I've been a spinner/knitter for years and am at work finding my niche in the universe. I do mail order fiber art supplies now (www.thebellwether.com) and have been learning all the in's and out's of that for a few years ... now I'm exploring how to more directly share my work with others -- teach, write, sell handspun, sell finished items, ... ? It's a challenge, and I'm loving it!
Posted by: Amelia Garripoli | October 21, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Hi! I'm Dan! My "craft" morphs from time to time, from quilting to spinning to knitting/felting. Currently my focus is on jewelry making. I can't say that I have a business, but I do have a few things listed over at http://danclark.etsy.com and you can find my blog at http://dan-clark.com Thanks!
Posted by: Dan | October 21, 2007 at 06:29 PM