Monday, April 26, 2010

The Handmade Marketplace Book Giveaway!


When I first opened my shop on Etsy in 2006, a kind person name Kari Chapin contacted me. She was a crafter living in Massachusetts and was eager to meet other like-minded folk. It's hard to believe now with Twitter and Flickr and Facebook connecting us all, but at the beginning we were all isolated crafters hungry for interaction with others like us. Little did I know that connection with Kari would have such an impact on my creative life and business!

This year she published a fantastic book! It's called The Handmade Marketplace. It's an inclusive guide to selling your crafts locally, globally and online. While she was writing it, Kari contacted a diverse group of crafters, bloggers, podcasters, etc. and dubbed them her Creative Collective. I am very honored to be included in this group! The advice from the Collective is sprinkled throughout the book in friendly conversation blocks. This style makes the information accessible and not daunting as the whole subject can sometimes feel.

Dell took me to Barnes & Noble to see it when the book got published:

It was incredibly exciting to see a book with my friend's name on the jacket!

The whole book stands out to me for its attractive layout and friendly tone. Taking the step to sell what you love making can be very intimidating! It feels like there's so much to learn and so many people who are already ahead of you in the game. I think if you read this book you will discover that it is all within your reach. This book is like a friendly mentor taking your hand, giving you important information about running a business while encouraging you to follow your dreams. This makes sense because that mentor is exactly who Kari Chapin is!

Kari selected four members of her Collective to participate in a panel discussion that Etsy hosted at its Brooklyn headquarters on April 1st, 2010. I got to spend a day with Kari and meet other creatives with whom I instantly bonded.

From left to right: Jennifer Judd-McGee, Betsy Cross, Kari, me, and Kim Werker.

We had a good crowd in-house and the discussion was beamed out onto the internets where my husband was able to watch from home and snap this screen shot:


I didn't notice until just now that because it was April Fool's Day, Etsy changed their name to "Esty" (a common mispronunciation) in their banner as a joke, ha! I'm still laughing at the waffles April Fool's gag they did years ago.

Anyway, being in this book has singled me out as a resource, which I love. I'm so grateful I am able to help newbie crafter/sellers get their footing and figure out what's essential to getting their business going. I loved participating in the panel and hearing what people are trying to learn about running a craft business. I am still learning too! The most important thing, in my opinion, is gathering around you a community of like-minded crafters. Just like Kari did 3 1/2 years ago. Thanks Kari ♥

NOW, the Giveaway!
Leave a comment on this blog, whatever moves you; advice, questions, your favorite color cupcake pincushion, anything. Just be sure the comment either links back to you or includes contact info so I can let you know if you are the winner.

I will close commenting on April 30th at noon and use a random number generator to pick one lucky person who will receive a free copy of The Handmade Marketplace! Good luck :)

36 comments:

  1. I can't believe I didn't notice the "Esty" april fool's... especially since back in 2006 when I first joined I kept calling it that! Too funny!

    Was going through my library recently and weeding out all the books I have about selling crafts pre-Etsy. Things have changed so much... it's great to finally see a book addressing this!

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  2. White with pink frosting! So cool that you are offering great advice in the book, I feel like I know a celebrity :)

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  3. This sounds like such a helpful book. I'm very glad Kari created her Creative Collective - we all need one of those! - and went on to write the book. Thanks for participating Liz; you always offer good advice and ideas.

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to win a copy.
    vicki @ oriondesigns.net

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  5. I just wanted to say that I just got my copy of this book & it is great. It had been on my amazon wishlist for ages and pre-ordered. Now I have it, I will be getting copies for friends!

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  6. What a great book! I haven't a clue how to sell on etsy. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  7. I recently opened an etsy store to supplement my website but have not found success there yet. Heard great things about the book and would love to use it to help out my small biz! thanks for the contest
    @sweetlydias

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  8. The book looks fabulous! Super exciting to have a local Ma craft writer have such success! Congrats!
    ~Chrissy
    www.chrissyannceramics.blogspot.com

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  9. You are too fancy for words, Liz!

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  10. I will probably buy this book if I don't win! It would be so helpful to have the advice of people who have been in the position of a newbie crafter :)

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  11. Awesome giveaway, Liz, thanks for sharing!

    Gave me an extra chance to check out your pincushions all in one place - my fave is the "rust and moss" - such rich colors!

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  12. I like how you and Kari encourage other crafters, and how you all communicate with each other. And I love the support and advice you give so freely.

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  13. I was taking a look at the cupcake pincushion and for me the white one is the prettiest.I want to open a store on ETsy and this book would be helpful.

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  14. Am finding you through a library lent copy of the book, but would love to win one for myself. It is great.

    Molly

    acyder {at} gmail

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  15. Hi Liz --- so funny I was just reading this when I got your convo through my shop ... We talked a bit about the book at "Mimi's meetup" (hope to meet you at the next one?) .. your take on the importance of finding a "community of crafters" rings so true for me. one way or another ... I must get my hands on it!

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  16. yay for Liz! This book looks like the kick in the pants I need. And congrats again for getting on the Martha Stewart show!!!!!!!!!!!! You are such an inspiration!

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  17. I've been eying this book for awhile now at my local bookstore-It looks great:)

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  18. The internet helps so much with finding a supportive community of indie crafters. I've seen this book often online but have yet to check it out. Looks very informative. Am hoping to one day make the leap from Etsy buyer to also being a seller.

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  19. That is very cool!
    I'm a new crafter and planning to open up my etsy shop this summer. I'm trying to pay for college myself so I really hope this shop works out for me.
    You've inspired me and encouraged me to keep trying when my projects fail or when people don't want to buy my things.
    Thank you!
    my e-mail is brittany.pelletier@ni.edu

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  20. Hi Liz, Meeting you and Kari at craft shows has been great. You two are the most charming.

    oh! look at that... it just so happens the giveaway lands on my birthday! *sprinkles birthday magic on the random number generator*

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  21. I love the vanilla mint!

    jmeyer814@yahoo.com

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  22. hi liz! thanks for the chance to win this awesome book! what an awesome way to get handmade out there into more people's hands. if i'm not chosen, i'll have to head out to pick up my own copy!!

    cheers,
    Lesley

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  23. It sounds like a book that I'm going to have to have - even if I don't win it. What an exciting couple of months this has been for you! Congratulations and I wish you continued success.

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  24. Amazing work my friend. Perhaps someday when my kiddos are a bit older, I'll have some time to
    commit to more serious crafting. In the meantime, I'll ooh and ahh all of your amazing creations. Btw, love the chocolate cupcake with fuscia frosting. Yum!

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  25. This book sounds great! I was just thinking about my Etsy shop the other day. I've been slacking lately and haven't updated it lately. I get a little discouraged when I go a while and don't sell anything. Maybe the book will help me get more motivated to work at it!

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  26. I am having a hard time deciding my favorite felt cupcake flavor (which is why I haven't gotten one yet!).

    Etsy hasn't been the best for sales for me, but I've met some great artist b/c of it and have also been invited to so many wonderful shows because I have a shop there. I'm looking forward to checking this book out!

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  27. Congratulations for the book !!
    I have visited your blog few times and everytime you have been such an inspiration. Myself and my sis we recently had babies and though Engineer by profession we are crafters at heart. We wish to have our craft shop one day and what else to expect than to land to your blog and now this book !! Very timely and truly inspirational. Love all your crafts esp love your sharing attitude !!! Good luck and loads of success to you. Do visit our blog and advice a thing or few.

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  28. Thank you for your article. I am looking forward to reading this book!! Loved you post about Martha. Always wondered what kind of machine she ran!!

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  29. I have found a lot of inspiring information here on your blog, next to gorgeous felted broches. I believe this book is OK if you say so. Thank you for being you and writing this blog.

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  30. I am so pleased that you write all of this nice stuff Liz! And these comments are all really special. Thanks for doing this giveaway. xoxox

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  31. What a great contest, I would love to win this book :)

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  32. I neeeeeeeed this book. Seriously. I want to find a way to make some income from my crafting, and Handmade Nation is #1 on my list of things I need to get started and do it the right way (I assume there is such a thing?). If I don't win, I will still find a way to get my grubby little hands on this book. Like "life" in Jurassic Park, I will find a way. ^_^'

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  33. I just love the chocolate with strawberry swirl icing! My advice would be to talk talk talk with others in the business and take their advice into consideration. I would love the book for more information to help me in my endeavors.

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  34. Its so great to share. I have learn't so much through my lovely crafty friends here in the UK when we meet up every two weeks and also the worlds crafty community through esty & flickr (like you Liz). Kari's book sound perfect just what is needed :D:D:D

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  35. This sounds great. I'm in MA and a crafter too - would love to read this book!

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  36. Yikes, i'm almost too late. I would love to win this book, I'm pretty crafty and am trying to figure out how I can stay home with my baby while also bringing in some cash- the book sounds right up my alley.
    Thanks a bunch
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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