I have something really exciting to share with you. Today is the launch of my new venture: Craft Industry Alliance. I’ve been working with my business partner, Kristin Link (of Sew Mama Sew) over the last 10 months to found a trade organization for craft professionals and today we open the doors.
Craft Industry Alliance is for makers, suppliers, designers, and pro bloggers in all areas of craft.
Our mission is to be a trusted source of industry information, creative inspiration, and community for craft professionals. Our goal is to help members:
- Stay current on industry news, trends, and opportunities
- Make connections with other small business owners
- Develop viable business models
- Achieve profitability
- Run their businesses according to their own standard of ethics
Membership gives you access to three different kinds of benefits.
1. The Journal
Craft Industry Alliance members receive a subscription to our bi-weekly, professionally written, digital journal packed with craft industry news and analysis, and articles that address the business issues most important to craft industry professionals. It’s like the in-depth reporting on the industry that I do on While She Naps, but more! Now I’ll have a team of writers working with me to create the kind of trade journal we so desperately need.
2. The Community
Craft Industry Alliance members have access to a vibrant online community of industry professionals through our secure, online forums and specialized groups. Connect, collaborate, and get your questions answered. Use the classifieds to find what you need or offer your services.
3. The Resources
Each issue of the digital journal comes with a printable or tool you can download and use right away. Over time these will build into a library of business resources just for members. You’ll also get access to webinars with legal, accounting and other professionals.
Invest in Yourself
Joining Craft Industry Alliance is an investment you’re making in yourself as a professional and in your business. We’ve kept membership prices affordable and right now we’re offering a significant discount for early adopters.
Please rest assured that While She Naps the blog, my sewing patterns, podcast, and my newsletter will continue as usual.
I hope you’ll share in my excitement about this new venture. We’re stronger when we come together.
The first issue of the journal comes out on Tuesday. Join now and I’ll see you in the forums!
Hi Abby,
Congratulations! This is great news. I’ll definitely be joining and look forward to participating.
Annette
I’m so glad, Annette!
Congrats, Abby and Kristin! This is a fantastic venture and will hopefully fill a much needed role in the craft industry.
Thank you, Amy!
Abby will you continue this blog which I love and read regularly?
Absolutely.
This is so cool! I’m not at all the target demographic, but I’m so pleased that you’ve start this. Crafty peeps, unite!!!
Thank you, Gillian!
Congratulations to both of you, I have just joined and it looks fantastic.
This is really exciting! I love the serious, business-oriented articles you write, so having a larger environment for content of that nature is appealing. However, as a young woman starting my own business, money is really tight for me. Would you consider offering a free trail period for the Craft Industry Alliance? I think it would help a lot of people like me make an educated decision if this is something we want to invest in.
Hi Abby,
Congratulations! What a great, badly-needed forum.
Could you let me know if it’s going to be largely US-focussed information and resources, or will it provide equal value for money, for those outside America?
Cheers,
Tara
Great question, Tara. We added an answer to this question in the FAQ section on the section on the site: http://craftindustryalliance.org/315-2/
Here’s the answer: Absolutely! Our community is open to craft industry professionals all over the world and we strive to cover issues that affect you as a small business owner no matter where you live. We encourage you to look through our forum topics. What you see there are the kinds of conversations we’re encouraging and the topics we’re likely to address in the journal. If you are most interested in social media, marketing, and graphic design for example, then what we have to offer is relevant no matter where you live. If you’re most interested in copyright, taxes, and legal issues, you might find our information specific to the US. But overall we’re making a strong effort to keep the content and the conversations applicable to a global community of craft professionals.