Book Review:  Crafter’s Market 2016 - How to Sell Your Crafts and Make a Living

edited by Kerry Bogert

Wow! Crafter’s Market 2016 is so full of information, I hardly know where to start! It is really more of an encyclopedic source of “everything you need to know” to getting started in the fiber arts, or even just crafting in general. Up until now, a lot of the information contained in this book was available only by networking one-on-one when attending craft conferences, or by trial and error. As a crocheter who has been in the field for over 7 years, I can honestly say that that this book would have greatly shortened my learning curve had it been available before now! I’m so thankful that Kerry Bogert has compiled this gem for the crafting community. Kerry plans on updating this book each year with the most up to date information, so you’ll want to check back for a new edition each year to stay up to date.

This book contains many essays from experienced designers, editors, crafters, and other folks who have a deep knowledge of how the business end of this community operates. As you probably already know, running a small business in this field embodies many roles. This book will help you to: understand the importance of collaboration, of eliminating time wasters, how to reach your on-line audience, choosing a craft show that fits your crafts, pricing your items, creative retreats (who would have known about these??), cruises, writing a book, plus hundreds of pages of references for every state in the United States! From just one perusal of this book, I have been inspired to make a few changes already.

I just love the personal perspectives of artists such as Abby Glassenberg, Heather Zoppetti and Meighan O-Toole, as well as Kerry Bogert’s own essay on “Tips for a Successful First Craft Show”. I certainly could have benefited from her wisdom several years ago, and I think you will too. The modest price of this book can save you hundreds of dollars by not investing in the wrong craft fair, and can help you multiply your time and money by spending where you need to make your craft business grow in the specific way you want.

In the section about craft fairs, there are over 100 pages of listings, plus many more for those interested in industry shows!  Are you looking for how to reach out to book publishers or magazines? There are over 40 pages of listings on this. This book also includes many listings of on-line communities where your crafts can be sold. It also lists many crafting retreats should you be looking for a fun getaway.  It is topped off with a very comprehensive subject index so that you can find the information you need quickly. 

Abby Glassenberg’s essay on “Newsletter Know-How” has motivated me to start my own newsletter for my Bonnie Bay Crochet design business.  I don’t like being controlled by social media’s constantly changing algorithms, thereby limiting how many people see my posts.  I want to be able to reach those loyal followers who are interested in my work without having to take a chance on whether they will allow my posts into your news feeds.  I am so motivated that I am working on my first edition of the Bonnie Bay Crochet Newsletter, but I only want to send this to those who are truly interested.  As a thank you for signing up, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a free copy of this book!  To enter, simply send me an e-mail to bonniebay@me.com and say, sign me up!  I will announce the winner on Facebook and via e-mail on Friday, February 12th.  I also want to make a promise to you about your e-mails.  I will NEVER sell these to anyone…ever, but will use them only to communicate to via a newsletter.  I’m hoping to make this a monthly letter, but maybe more frequently when special offers come up.  You will be the very first to hear of important fiber news from me.  I also plan to include special offers (pattern discounts, free patterns, new stitches, book giveaways, etc.) that will only be offered to my newsletter friends.  If for any reason you decide to unsubscribe, you will be able to do this easily and instantly.  I want you to know that I respect your e-mails and never want you to feel “spammed” by me.

This book is available from Interweave as well as Amazon.com.