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Crafts Report writer Patrice Lewis wants to know about your flops. She is looking for successful, established craft business owners to give their examples of products or ideas that flopped. Perhaps nobody bought the item. Perhaps people laughed. Perhaps it fell apart in a customers hands. Perhaps all of the above.
Yes, it was embarrassing. Tell her HOW or WHY. But did it teach you a lesson? What kind?
Patrice is looking to keep this article lighthearted, even funny, so give her your best examples of what you goofed up but how you kept your sense of humor about it. More important, “tell her what you learned.” What did you do differently later on so as not to repeat the mistake?
Please DO NOT reply by saying you have all kinds of info and that she should contact you. Instead, write at length with your story and advice. Be sure to include your business name and website so she can give you credit. Please put “HARO Craft Flops” in the subject line of your email and send to patrice@patricelewis.com Deadline is January 12, 2010
Networking Witches is viewing test products for review for their Bewitched Valentines Event and a Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) Event. They also have an up and coming Easter Event as well.
Networking Witches can also sponsor a giveaway for your business. When it is over they will contact you with the winners information so you can send it. Please take a look at their site and see if they are a good fit.
Do you use postal mail to send promotional material to your customers? The way to increase the number of opens is: replace that single first class postage stamp with six or more ‘less denomination’ stamps. The more individual stamps you include the better. Recipients will get curious and want to open your letter.
Here are some last minute valentine gifts PR opportunities. Hurry, because the reporters have imminent deadlines.
If your craft items make creative ideas for valentine’s day gifts, NetworkingWitches.com is seeking info on Valentine gift items to feature on NetWorkingWitches.com, gifts for (all ages) men, women, children, even for pets. Especially interested in green gifts for Valentines? Send your creative Valentine ideas to Rose by email RoseRedNeckWitch (at) gmail.com. Use “Valentine Feature” in the subject line. Deadline is January 11, 2010.
100CafeStreet.com – a Dessert Blog is looking to feature some of the most beautiful Valentine cupcakes out there. If you have pictures, recipes or just sell cupcakes online, e-mail Betty at 100cafestreet (at) gmail.com. Include “Valentines’s Day cupcakes” in the subject line. Deadline is Jan. 12, 2010
 Adverblog: Examples of Interactive Marketing When marketing your crafts, think about ways to get people to interact with you. It may be your only defense against them shutting you out in a busy world that’s full of interruption messages.
Interaction is key to getting them to pay attention to your crafts. I came across examples of interactive marketing for other types of products at this blog and thought they might provide inspiration for craft business owners.
 With so many craft shows to choose from, how do you know which events will pay off? Often times, you can learn a lot just talking to other vendors where you are already displaying your crafts. But that may not be enough.
Where the Shows Areis a quarterly guide ($49.95 per year) to craft fairs in the Eastern United States. It lists hundreds of craft shows along with the dates, available booth spaces, whether the event is juried, what kind of items are allowed, contact information for the event and more. It’s like a Yellow Pages for craft fairs.
Each issue / book is divided into several sections. The first section includes articles on how to improve your craft business and reviews of shows. Then there is a listing called “Shows at a Glance.” Following that is a “Location Cross Reference”. And then there comes the show listings in detail. The final section is for upcoming deadlines so you can keep track of what actions you have to take to get your application in on time.
Click here for more information or to subscribe.
 The Institute For Arts Entrepreneurship CHICAGO, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ — A Chicago-based program, set to launch in September 2010, is designed to eliminate the long-held “starving artist” stereotype and, instead, will teach artists how to become successful entrepreneurs.
The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship(TM) is a two-year program with a curriculum that combines experiential learning, mentorship and a personalized classroom environment that provides one-on-one time with the faculty of successful artist-entrepreneurs.
Founded by 25-year business veteran and serial artistic entrepreneur Lisa Canning, The Institute is based on her enthusiasm for the new wave of whole-brain thinking and the firm belief that the arts -and artists–can and must be allowed to contribute to the world’s financial recovery.
“There is simply no reason whatsoever that artists cannot be relevant and earn a living. And now, more than ever, society is not only willing but must innovate,” she says. “The arts hold many key ingredients that can help fuel economic growth. The time has come for artists to financially benefit from what the world now most needs–their creativity.”
Faculty at The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship includes entrepreneurial artists and artistic educational leaders. Among them: Dennis Rich, former chair of the Columbia College Arts, Entertainment & Media Program and Martin Atkins, serial artistic entrepreneur and renowned drummer; part-time faculty members include interdisciplinary arts leader John Cimino of Creative Leaps International, New York; musician, author, composer and educator David Cutler, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA; Gary Beckman, visiting professor at the University of South Carolina School of Music and Francois Kloc, vice president of sales and marketing for fine musical instrument maker Buffet Crampon & Cie., Paris.
The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship(TM) makes its home at Flourish Studios, a collaborative art studio and community center located at 3020 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.
Enrollment is limited to 45 students. Applications are available online to apply for the institute. There is no age limit for enrollment and the requirements to apply simply include artistic excellence. For more information about the school, go to http://www.TheIAE.com
Joan Stewart publishes a great free newsletter called ‘The Publicity Hound’ from which I always pick up new useful promotion ideas. Joan is giving her subscribers a free ebook with 26 of her best tips for getting publicity from her 2009 newsletters.
Joan is allowing me to pass this on to you. And you don’t have to subscribe to her newsletter to get it. Click here to download your free copy of “The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2009″.
 Buy and Sell Crafts at Craftsu.com is a new social platform for artists, craftspeople, and photographers to tell their stories and interact with shoppers looking to “buy handmade.”
Craftsu was born from the marriage of two emerging trends:
1) Purchases of handmade crafts online grew almost every month for the last twelve months, despite the tough economy. Etsy.com, the leader of the pack in sites that offer handmade crafts for sale, sold $58 million worth of goods in the first five months of 2009, doubling their sales volume over the same period last year.
2) The latest stats show people are turning to social networks to find out what products people are talking about and to look for special deals. Mashable.com reported on a prediction that more than half of shoppers would research gift ideas and check out friends’ and family members’ wish lists this year.
Craftsu.com founder, James Dillehay, has a history as craftsman and author/publisher. “As much as any artist or writer, I know the inner struggle that goes on between finding time for creative expression and the need to pay the bills. My background includes a time when I was weaving full time and making my living solely from selling my work. At some point, I decided to move up the social ladder from ‘starving artist’ to the more respected status of ‘starving author,’” he says. “Because of my own experiences, I feel motivated to help remove the ‘starving’ part from creative careers.”
Dillehay thinks the handmade life is easier on the mind. But for now, he is active online at the site about 12 hours a day, encouraging artists to promote themselves through their stories with pictures, displays and links to their Etsy or other storefronts for making sales.
For more information, visit Craftsu to buy and sell crafts.
In addition to growing Craftsu and weaving his own craft items, Dillehay has authored nine books and been interviewed in Family Circle Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Bottom Line, The Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur Radio and on HGTV
 As I wrote in a previous post, Craftsu.com is a new site to promote your craft from. If you already signed up, but have not yet created a profile or uploaded images of your work, you may want to do that now.
The first of many news releases to come announced Craftsu to the media today early this morning. Over the weekend it will get picked up and read by thousands of sites and news outlets. In just a few hours since going live, the news release has received more than 8000 impressions.
If you have not yet signed up for a free artist’s account, I recommend it. If you are promoting your
crafts online, Craftsu will help you reach more buyers. And it’s completely free to use.
Some helpful tips to remember when creating your profile on Craftsu (or any other shopping site):
1) use quality images; good photos are all shoppers have to look at to make a buying decision
2) link to your Etsy, Artfire or other domain from your profile and in any posts you make
3) uploaded images of your craftwork rotate front and center on Craftsu.com . But you can
increase your exposure by using the instant blog tool to post your images, product descriptions and
links again
Craftsu is a network to buy and sell crafts
 If your craft involves style or fashion, consider getting an account and posting on Fashism.com Members can ask post questions which the community votes on and may even give you helpful suggestions.
Fashism chose to open their site during Fashion Week in September, a clever way to tie into publicity already happening. The site proves ways to use the Internet for getting style advice and recommendations.
If you are a crafts-maker of accessories or clothing, can you see yourself offering tips and ideas on how wearing a particular piece makes someone look? And you may be able to work in some subtle self-promotion here.
 EarthGift.com Check out www.earthgift.com it is open for business!
These soaps are yummy and make absolutely fantastic gifts. This is the best handmade soap in North America – bar none.
And Asaera is offering a 5% discount, just use the discount code “craftmarketer” (without the quotes) when you checkout.
Publicity is free; ads cost money. People believe articles and reviews they read in publications;
people typically distrust what they read in advertisements. Media expert, Paul Krupin, and I want to send you the definitive guide for getting publicity coverage about you and your craftwork.
Paul is a publicity expert and former news editor. He’s helped my clients and I get national press coverage in newspapers, magazines, blogs and other news outlets. Because of Paul’s advice, one of my coaching clients had his handmade craft products featured on The Today Show, CNN, BBC and many other major outlets.
Paul is the author of a 196 page ebook called “Trash Proof News Releases.” It’s expressly designed to be an immense help to anyone who even thinks about writing a news release. Here’s the description:
“TRASH PROOF NEWS RELEASES” is a tool designed with one specific goal – to get you publicity in your target media that achieves a return on investment that rivals and even exceeds your best marketing. It offers you everything you need to know to give media everything they need to run with the story using you and the resources you’ve arrayed and meet their needs in today’s fast paced environment and ever changing technologies.
I got the first edition of this book in 2001 and it was like having a veteran news editor standing over my shoulder pointing the way to get the media to notice and cover my story. And it worked. I got all kinds of publicity that brought in more sales than I ever got from paid advertising. The new 2009 edition is more up-to-date and more exciting.
You can grab a copy of this gem for free. But there is a small catch. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you any money and it will be good for you.
 Buy and Sell Crafts at Craftsu Here’s what I want you to do. Register for a free account at the new social networking site for craft artists at http://www.craftsu.com
For several years I’ve been researching the best ways to promote art and crafts via the Internet. I believe I’ve come up with a venue that delivers and will continue to provide the most effective methods available for harnessing free traffic online.
Craftsu.com will help you as a craft artist / artisan / photographer get more exposure and attract new customers for your products. Think Facebook + Etsy + blogging. It’s more than just a place to buy and sell crafts.
And Craftsu is free to become a basic member.
Craftsu is built on the latest search engine optimization techniques. And it’s going to get a lot of publicity aimed at attracting craft buyers. I use Paul’s “Trash Proof News Release” system and it works. You don’t want to miss out on having a presence on Craftsu when the PR starts kicking
in.
From Craftsu, I’ll be coaching members on how to get the most value from the site’s features. For now, though, just go to http://www.craftsu.com, register and create a profile for yourself and join the group “Artisans”. I’ll be broadcasting tips to the Artisans group.
If you have images of your crafts, posting them to your profile will allow them to show up on the site’s ongoing slide show. When someone clicks on the photo, they are taken to a larger image and can then view your profile.
If you are already web-savvy and / or already selling on Etsy or CafePress, you can easily import your store items to create a mini store on Craftsu. You can also import your Flickr images into a photo gallery. And if you have a WordPress blog, you can bring your posts right on in. The more content you add, the better your chances of getting search engine hits. And I’m going to teach you how to place the right keywords in your content to attract more visitors.
Did I mention that membership is free?
Go now to http://www.craftsu.com. Register, read the “About Craftsu” for artists, and then join the group called “Artisans”. I’ll be in touch with you soon about the next steps to take.
Once you have joined the Artisans group, I’ll email you instructions for downloading the 196 page ebook: “Trash Proof News Releases.”
In a recent post, I blogged about 5 common myths of copyright infringement. That post turned out to be highly read and passed around so since we are entering the holiday spirit of giving, I decided to replace the Craftmarketer newsletter issue with a free special report for you.
This report goes into 12 common myths about copyright infringement and explains basic issues of copyright every craft artist needs to know. It helps describe the 1976 copyright act and answers frequently asked questions like:
Why is copyright important to you as a craft artist?
Are titles names and logos protected under copyright?
When is a copyright registered?
What happens to a copyright when someone dies?
How long does a copyright last? When does a copyright expire? Is there a time limit on a trademark or copyright?
Who can claim copyright?
Where can I download printable copyright forms?
What is the difference between copyright and trademark?
How do copyright and patent differ?
What should be included in a copyright notice?
What’s the penalty for copyright infringement?
What is the definition of copyright law?
How to go about obtaining a copyright application?
What is public domain copyright?
How do I contact the copyright office in Washington D.C.?
What is the copyright designs patents act 1988?
What was in the 1976 revision of copyright act?
And links to frequently asked questions that answer just what is copyright and how it affects you as a craft artist.
 Here’s the link to your free craft business copyright infringement report. Please bookmark and share. This is a keeper.
Happy Holidays!
Here is an idea for an overlooked market. Many families hire babysitters on a regular basis. One of the most common questions Sittercity.com gets from parents this time of year is what they should give to their babysitter or nanny this holiday season. For the answer, Sittercity went straight to the source, asking their sitters what they would like to receive.
Among the top requested items was handmade gifts. Sitters and nannies often love getting handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Have the kids make your sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and or a thoughtful card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciate for all that your caregiver does.
 Tiger Lily Boutique Tiger and Lily Boutique is offering my readers $5.00 off their already discounted 6 month subscription to sell crafts through their site. The total for sign up and 6 months worth of vendor services is $35. Or $7 off of the 1 month signup fee and first month vendor services. See their vendor services information here: http://tigerandlilyboutique.com/sell_it
 LadybugMarkets.com Ladybug Markets, a hip and creative place to buy, sell and talk all things handmade. This, quoted from a new Brisbane based website, entices local crafters to gather round, to enjoy and take part in a new craft community. Visit Ladybug Markets for all your crafting needs at: www.ladybugmarkets.com
Ladybug Markets offers an online, year round presence. Targeting the online market,Ladybug Markets provides that creative place to buy, sell and talk all things handmade.”The concept of Ladybug Markets was created for people like me!” says Jennine Schuster, a Ladybug Market
stall owner and Site Operator. “As a crafter, I have felt the highs and lows of being a crafter. There was the excitement of my first sale, seeing somebody wearing one of my pieces or the frustration of a pattern simply not working out.”
Schuster explains that the site caters to all craft types. From the crafters who want to sell their handmade goods but perhaps don’t know where or how to start, to the entrepreneurial individuals who are creatively ambitious but have yet to explore the tremendous potential
of crafting online. With the state of the current financial market, smart, creative people are looking at multiple streams of income, the online marketplace allows for a 24/7 presence accessing both local and world-wide clients; this generates sales while you sleep, a concept
not traditionally undertaken by the crafting industry.
Crafters of any skill, age or interest, are welcome to set up a Ladybug Market stall, in much the same manner they would for the local weekend marketplace, but with substantially more access to a larger, untapped market. Products are individually displayed and described, and may be sorted by craft categories or by the seller. Once an item is sold, it remains within the stall as a portfolio to be viewed.
Virtual stalls may be accessed by visiting the featured artist’s name, or via the featured products areas on the home page, earning excellent recognition and hits. In addition a selected “local artist” is chosen monthly for the Crafters blog entry. Each “stall” may be directly accessed via a personal URL . Example: www.ladybugmarkets.com//shop
At the moment, all the Ladybug Market services are free to use for the seller. The craft shoppers will have access to all styles of imaginable craft, so long as it really is handmade. So much is
available, from paintings to pottery, jewelery to fascinators, dolls to clothing… you name it. Featuring local Australian craft, prices are listed in AUD, and PayPal is used for the safety of the
transaction.
The site was designed to be a one stop reservoir for all your shopping and gift needs. On starting the business of Ladybug Markets, Schuster describes the site as a mosaic of talents. Since the beginning of the project, Jennine notes there has been a lot of trial and error, “It
can be difficult and trying on the ego, but ultimately it all adds strength to the project.” Schuster appreciates customer feedback, as it is essential in developing a small business that caters for a
divers range of crafters.
Schuster extends her commitment in the form of a blog and forums within the Ladybug Market site. Accessible to any viewer, blog posts range from project ideas to marketing advice and local knowledge of events, while forum topics range from self-promotion of new users to “show-and-type” and craft technical help. In addition to the LBM craft club on Facebook, and using Twitter to promote new products, this creates a sense of community; like-minded individuals always need that safe place to discuss and share industry knowledge.
Ladybug Markets is home to many Australian crafting ideas and a safe haven for the budding craft business entrepreneur.
Here are five misconceptions regarding copyright about which every craft artist needs to get clear to protect their designs.
#1 “Someone buys my original art and now has the right to reproduce it.”
False. Even if you sell an original, you control the rights to reproduce and sell or distribute copies, not the purchaser. The exception being when they specifically buy the copyright from you, which you should not do without careful consideration and large remuneration.
#2 “If a craft item doesn’t show a copyright notice, it is not legally copyrighted.”
False now but was true in the past. Almost everything created privately and originally after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether the piece contains a notice or not. You should assume for other artist’s works that they are copyrighted and may not be copied unless you have permission or you know otherwise. It is true that a notice strengthens the protection, but it is not necessary. If it looks copyrighted, you should assume it is. This applies to pictures, too. You may not scan pictures from magazines and use them in your work without permission. You
must be careful about applying “fair use” in justifying copying other’s work.
#3 “The work is in the public domain, so I don’t have to get permission to use it.”
Don’t count on it. Public domain refers to the lack of copyright protection. A design or piece of work may have become trademarked or identified as a logo for its originator. Works not registered or protected under copyright, may enjoy protection by trademark or some other form of contract law. Also, identifiable people such as celebrities may have rights as to the manner in which their name or likeness is used.
#4 “If I don’t make money from the sale, I’m not in violation of an artist’s copyright.”
False. Whether you ask money or not may affect the damages awarded in a lawsuit, but it’s still a violation if you take control of someone else’s design and give it away. You may be found guilty of causing the originator damages by hurting the commercial value of the piece.
#5 “The design / artwork I plan to copy was in an out-of-print book. Therefore, the design is in the public domain and I don’t need permission.”
Don’t count on it. A book can go out-of-print while still being covered by copyright. A book that is out-of-print is considered in a temporary state. The copyrights usually go back to the author or illustrator, which means the underlying copyright protection is still in effect.
Video with more information about copyright infringement
 The Sewing Bible is having a contest. Three lucky readers will each receive a copy of The Sewing Bible. The Sewing Bible By Ruth Singer. If you are a craft artist who sews, The Sewing Bible: A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques is a must have resource.
This guide is a sewing encyclopedia with step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos on techniques for hand and machine sewing. Everything about sewing is covered. It comes with twenty sewing projects.
You must include your email address in the blog page comment form field (won’t be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Monday, November 23rd. Click here for details.
 Food Craft Gift Ideas Just came across this gem of an article from Craftzine with some unique, cheap craft gift ideas containing food and drink. They are inexpensive ideas to make and sell now while the holiday gift buying frenzy is in full swing.
Some of the craft gift ideas described include: Russian Doll Measuring Cups, Limoncello, Chalkboard Tablecloths and Placemats, Blooming Tea, Garlic Masher or Mojito Muddler, Hand-Painted Glasses and Bottles and many others that can be made at little cost. Read the complete article from Craftzine.com.
Just a quick post to let you know that I have updated the page with free articles on starting a crafts business here.
I was teaching a crafts marketing workshop and I started by asking everyone present to say their name, their craft and what they want to get out of the class. Many of the participants were already selling crafts but reported that sales weren’t as good as they wanted.
It’s probably safe to say that almost all of us would like a boost in craft sales. However, I have found that the ways we choose to market or sell crafts through tend to run in the same directions over and over again – like driving in well worn ruts on a dirt road. (I live on a mountain at the end of such a road so that image is probably a little more real for me).
A lot of craft business owners look to Etsy, eBay, craft fairs, craft malls and/or retail stores for where their market is. True, those are popular and somewhat proven venues for selling crafts, but I would like to give you some outside-the-box variations that may help you find new business.
First, let’s look beyond craft shows for a minute. Several types of trade shows rent booths to vendors (and many of them are not juried). Maybe your crafts would sell at one of these events:
* Renaissance fairs
* Historical theme shows
* Mall shows
* Local fashion shows
* Home shows
* Boat shows
* Horse races
* Gift shows
* Health fairs
* Wedding expos
* Baby expos
Beyond craft malls, there are many different kinds of retail stores to sell handmade items through:
* Gourmet stores
* Airport and hotel gift shops
* Museum stores
* Hospital gift shops
* Beauty salons
* Campgrounds and gift stores at National Parks
* Christmas shops
* Fashion boutiques
* Cookware stores
* Florist shops
* Gun stores
* Military bases
I put a video together on brainstorming new places to sell crafts from.
 Handmade Nation DVD If you did not catch the movie / documentary called Handmade Nation, it’s coming to DVD. The film documents the new wave of art, craft and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. It is the feature film debut of director, author, artist & curator Faythe Levine.
Levine traveled to 15 cities to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members. Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art.
The film captures the craft business community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs. Interviews were conducted on-location in artist studios, homes, boutiques, offices and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals. Get a copy at discount here.
If you are using the web a lot, it makes sense to have a fast, stylish way to provide customers and contacts with your contact information. Here are two free services that do that:
 Card.ly is lets you publish your own social media business cards. It’s super easy to input your business information and your social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook. You can also choose from a variety of themes.
 Magntize works like Card.ly and is pretty much offering the same kind of choices. You can add your photo, links to your blog and your company website. Magntize can also pick up content from your other social sites and display it on your virtual business card.
The other day, I posted about social shopping sites and why you should consider them when promoting your craft business (i.e. selling crafts online). Today, I got further confirmation of the importance of using social shopping and review sites from an article on eMarketer.
 The latest statistics are showing people are turning to social networks in larger numbers to find out what people are looking for and to look for special deals.
Recent stats on social media shopping from eMarketer:
27% of shoppers online will look to social networks for gift ideas.
45% will “use social networks to research items, compare prices and look for offers.”
17% of consumers will be using social media in some way this holiday shopping season according to another report from Deloitte.
More than half of shoppers will research gift ideas and check out friends’ and family members’ wish lists.
Check out these social shopping review sites for listing your handmade crafts:
Epinions.com — Epinions provides a platform for people to share their experiences about all kinds of consumer products and services, both good and bad. Contains millions of reviews.
 ThisNext.com — ThisNext is a shopcasting network where visitors discover products based on members’ recommendations. When visitors want more info about an item or they are ready to buy it, they can click to the retailer where users originally found it.
Buzzillions.com — Buzzillions is a social site with shopping reviews. Reviews (good and bad) are collected from the companies who make the products; a retailer must have a consumer product reviews solution installed on its Web site.
These are a few more of the list of 50 social shopping and shopping blog sites included in the book, Sell Your Crafts Online, More Than 500 Free and Low-Cost Ideas to Reach More Buyers of Handmade Crafts.
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