Make anything and put it out for public display and you’ll attract criticism. You’ll attract praise as well, of course, but no matter what you do there will be people who don’t like what you’re doing. Some will keep it to themselves, and some will tell you what they think. Of those that tell you,…
How to Review a Craft Book: A Blogger’s Guide
When you have a craft blog you should constantly be thinking of ways to create value for your readers. Writing a project tutorial, showing a special technique or tool, or explaining your design process helps readers know that they can turn to you for expertise. A look at your studio space or a show-and-tell of…
A Tribute to Kathreen Ricketson
I’ve been so saddened in recent days by the sudden death of Kathreen Ricketson, founder of WhipUp. If you haven’t heard what happened, here is the news story. Kathreen was a mother, a crafter, a leader in the online craft world. She was a forward thinker, a collaborator, and a unique voice. If you want…
Party Origami by Jessica Okui
Before I found sewing, I was really into origami. I think something about making three-dimensional shapes from a flat piece of paper has always appealed to me. Back in 2002 when we got married I folded 145 origami irises to use as placecards at our wedding. And when I taught middle school I held an…
Is Secrecy Necessary to Sell Craft Books?
On Monday evening I spoke on a panel at a bookstore in Boston with two other craft book authors and an editor from a craft publisher. We talked about how to write a book proposal, we discussed what editors are looking for, and we shared our experiences writing and marketing craft books. It was…
9 Reasons Why You Should Have a Blog
Want to see something embarrassing? Here’s the first post I ever wrote on my blog: Oh my goodness. Housewife? My head is now on my desk. But there’s something to celebrate here, too. The date. That was eight years and 1,065 posts ago. I’m still here regularly writing in this space. Starting a blog was…
Forecasting the Future of Craft Publishing
In early 2005 I became a craft publisher by starting a craft blog. Between then and now I’ve watched the industry change in radical ways. Favorite magazines folded (remember Adorn? Domino? Now Stitch Craft Create is no more). Big companies bought out smaller, craft-exclusive publishing houses (most recently F+W bought my former publisher, Interweave). More…
Why Saying Yes Will Help You Grow Your Business
What should you do when you’re presented with an opportunity to pursue a project that’s not perfectly aligned with the mission of your business? Most business advice would tell you to say no. Turn it down. Don’t stray. Your time is your most valuable commodity, so don’t go spending it on things that aren’t mission…
Bookkeeping for Your Creative Business
On December 1 my business, Abby Glassenberg Design, became an S Corp. Now I get junk mail that refers to me as CEO and President! As such I’ve commited myself to all that being in charge of a legitimate business requires and this includes serious bookkeeping. I first need to make clear that I…
How to Maximize Efficiency and Make More Time For Creativity
“You’re so productive!” “With three kids and a business to run, how do you find the time?” People say this to me all the time. For a long time I wasn’t sure how to answer. I would start to say, “Oh no, not really,” but that wasn’t true. The truth is I actually enjoy being…
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