Review + Win This Book: The Handmade Marketplace

Monday, July 19, 2010 9:17
Posted by Christine Ernest in category Events & Contests, Reviews & Interviews
View Comments

Win this book! The Handmade Market PlaceKari Chapin’s book The Handmade Marketplace is chock full of tips on how independent business owners can be successful in the handmade industry. Whether you are a part-time crafter or someone ready to quit the dayjob and try crafting full-time, the resources Chapin shares are extremely helpful in the quest for profitability.

Chapin has an impressive crew of handmade professionals to weigh in throughout the book including Diane Gilleland of CraftyPod, Emily Martin of The Black Apple, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, Leah Kramer founder of Craftster and Natalie Zee Drieu of CRAFT. The best attribute about The Handmade Marketplace is this crafty jury of experts giving advice on each topic.

The book goes over three main areas: getting to know yourself and your business, spreading the word — and images and getting down to selling. Unlike other business-minded books that cover the same topics, The Handmade Marketplace really fleshes out the full picture from more than one voice. This is very important as there is not one secret to success. There have been many paths to selling handmade and Chapin’s book explores a multitude of them.

For example, the section on advertising and publicity is phenomal. Not only does Chapin explain the importance of a virtual press kit  and writing press releases, she also includes an interview with Holly Becker of decor8 explaining how to approach a blog. (Full disclosure: I recently lead a session with Chapin at this year’s Summit of Awesome. We talked on “How to Get Press” and I was really impressed with her forward thinking about approaching print and online outlets. As a former publicist myself, it is refreshing to hear someone admit to others you do not always have to submit a hackneyed press release in order to get coverage. There are other important details to focus on such as taking time to read the outlet before you approach them, make the email personalized, don’t attached huge photos, etc.)

WIN A COPY OF THE HANDMADE MARKETPLACE

Hello Craft has three copies of The Handmade Marketplace courtesy of Storey Publishing, and we want to give them to you, our awesome readers! You have three chances to enter win one of our three copies! Here’s how:

  1. Comment on this post and tell us why you’d like a copy of The Handmade Marketplace and how it can help your crafty business.
  2. “Like” us on Facebook and tell us you did so by commenting on the post announcing this contest (new and old fans alike!)
  3. Follow us on Twitter and tell us by either RTing the contest announcement or @ us why you want to win (new and old followers alike!)

So there you have it! Three ways to enter and three chances to win! The deadline to enter is noon, PST on Friday, July 23. The winners will be chosen at random, one from the blog, Twitter and Facebook and announced on Monday, July 26.

Good luck!

Photo: Christine Ernest

About Christine Ernest

Christine Ernest is Hello Craft’s Communication Director. She does a good amount behind-the-scenes work like organizing the Hello Craft blog content, sending out press releases and formatting the page you are reading right now. In her free time Christine documents her thrift finds and crafty endeavors on her Tumblr, thinks about pulling out her Brother knitting machine and crochets one too many granny squares. Her DIY hero is her mother, who is handy with both a chainsaw and a sewing machine. To contact Christine, please email christine[at]hellocraft[dot]com and follow her on twitter: @cernest

Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
  • Stabitha

    I’d love to win this because it looks like an amazing resource. My mom makes the most amazing handbags and accessories but has no idea how to go about selling them online. I wish I knew more so I could help her. She hasn’t been able to find a job since going through a divorce, and I want to help her get back on her feet.

  • LindaMarie

    I would love this book for tips on my business
    http://www.lindafulghum.com

  • WVUAlesha

    Wow! The timing of this article can’t possibly be any better. I’m getting ready to finish school (FOREVER!!) and want to start an inventory to do craft shows this fall. I’m hoping to make a little extra money towards the holidays and of course bills! Thanks for the great review – I’m going to share it on my facebook, blog, and with my crochet friends.

  • niftycurly

    This sucky economic downturn has actually been a blessing in disguise as it’s freed up time for me to turn my crafty needs into a real breathing, creative business. So this book would be a great help as we’re in our getting started faze. Sales this weekend $89, woohoo! http://www.niftycurly.com

  • shi-girl

    I’m a part-time crafter, but I’ve been crafting since I was a kid. I always dreamed of being able to sell enough of what I make to eventually quit my day job. I am nowhere near that stage, but I think this book could help me on my way.

  • xoelle

    I’ve had my eye on this book! As a maker, who happens to also be an entrepeneur, in such a specialized industry, it’d be awesome to gain insights from successful crafters on how it’s done. Thanks for sharing this book!

  • skinnychiquita

    i started out just making holiday/birthday gifts for friends and family, and am now looking at doing more with my sewing… signed up for a local crafts fair and would like to start a small business, maybe through the internet. this book would give me the information and insight i need to start!

  • handpecked

    I really would like to win this book as I am overwhelmed by the prospect of starting my own business. As a crafter with a full time job, I have enjoyed the stability of a dayjob but the urge of having my own shop has been growing with more curiosity. I’d love to get pointers on how the pros do it.

  • Melissa of craftgasm

    I’ve been making full-time thanks to the economy, and I’d love to be able to stop looking for a full-time 9-5. It sounds like the section on getting press would be a great read for me.

  • Melissa of craftgasm

    I also follow on Twitter as @craftgasm!

  • Melissa of craftgasm

    And, though I didn’t know there was a page on Facebook until reading this, I am now a fan! Thanks so much for offering up copies to give away. :)

  • http://passionandart.blogspot.com thienkim

    After many years of my friends telling me to start selling my crafts, I think I’m finally ready. I can use all the help I can get!

  • Marci_Girl

    I would love to win a copy of Handmade Marketplace because I want to take my etsy shop to the next level. I have had a great first year and a great start, but I want to advance my shop more, marketing, branding, and would love the build my website and blog! I really hope I win!!!!@

    marcijdebetaz (at) hotmail (dotcom)

  • Marci_Girl

    I follow on twitter and just tweeted about this giveaway! @Marci_Girl

  • mollysmuses

    I FOLLOW you on Twitter:) MollysMuses

  • mollysmuses

    I soak up the inspiration of everything I see in these youtube videos, the ladies who were on the labs via etsy at the summit of awesome and I KNOW owning a book would be AWESOME!

  • mollysmuses

    I like you on facebook! PS I couldnt adore the hedgehog anymore

  • moonlight bindery

    I am very interested in the publicity section of this book. I also follow on FB and Twitter!

blog comments powered by Disqus
«
»