Dobush - Crafty superstar: make crafts on the side, earn extra cash, and basically have it all

Cincinnati, OH
www.mycraftivity.com

If youre at all crafty, youve probably considered this question. The DIY aesthetic is hot, and why shouldnt you get some of that cash people would otherwise throw at a big box store? Or maybe youd like to raise awareness and funds for a pet projectwhether its rescuing cats, paying for someones medical bills or fighting world hunger. Maybe you dream of escaping your cubicle and never going back, or maybe you just want to make a little dough to soften the blow of your credit card bills.

But you have absolutely no clue where to start.

The hundreds of successful crafters who came before you have been there. They feel your pain. They know the uncertainty of traveling a path thats barely been blazed.

Thats where this book comes in. Ive talked to scores of movers and shakers in the indie craft scene and distilled their vast knowledge into this cute, totable tome. Got questions about tax stuff? Youll get answers. Wonder what your prices should be? No prob. Curious about how crafters get into magazines? Im on it.

Im a crafter myself. During my freshman year of college I took a course on book design, which, combined with my background in printmaking, started me crafting, and I never looked back. I put my bookbinding skills to use for friends wedding albums, then branched out into linocut cards, then started doing blank journals. I joined online craft communities and, inspired by the growing craft commerce scene, cobbled together a Web site. I reached out to established indie crafters for advicesuch as Sublime Stitchings Jenny Hart, who I pestered again for this bookand started working the indie craft show circuit.

My business never blew up like Sublime Stitching, but I never really intended it to. My first loves always been writing. And although I absolutely love bookbinding, I cant imagine going full time with it. I prefer to keep my relationship with craft business casual.

And thats why I wrote this book. I wanted a business guide for indie crafters like me who do it themselves and want to stay that way. Whether youre just starting to explore Etsy or are trying to take your biz to the next level, Crafty Superstar will help you get where you want to go.

Crafts gotten so popular in the last decade that sometimes it seems like everybody and their grandma are getting on the business bandwagon. And with the dismal economic environment, lots of folks are seeking secondary (or tertiary) sources of income.

This chapter explores the reasons for the handmade craze and explains some of the terms that get tossed around. Youll also figure out what direction your biz should take by meditating on your motivations and expectations. If you just want to cash in on the handmade trend, you may be disappointed. Profits dont come easy, and theres a lot of competition in the DIY marketplace. If you need to make bucketloads of cash to have fun with craft, your heart isnt in itand buyers will be able to tell. (And this book isnt for you.) But if you really believe in yourself and the things you create, you should go for it. At worst, you lose a few bucks in Etsy listing fees. At best, you get your crafts into the hands of people around the world. Off we go!