Vanessa Vargas Wilson of the Crafty Gemini has a new YouTube channel with Missouri Star Quilt Company. It’s called Crafty Gemini Creates and there will be a new video released every Wednesday. I love that Missouri Star is bringing in diverse YouTube talent. On a side note, I’m writing an article about Vanessa for Artists and Makers magazine. The emphasis of my piece is on Spanish-language sewing instruction. There are very few nationally known quilting teachers who are bilingual, but Vanessa is one of them.
Amazon’s new marketplace for handmade goods, Handmade at Amazon, is getting closer to launch. You can now visit the landing page to learn more about how it will be structured and you can apply to be considered for a shop. I filled out the form and it doesn’t look like this marketplace will be open to digital products like PDF sewing patterns, at least not initially. Amazon certainly has the capacity to allow for the sale of digital goods so I wonder if they’ll consider adding them in the future.
Craftcation released a video that gives you a good sense of what this fantastic craft and business conference is all about.
Purl Soho is hiring. So is Soak.
Looks like I’m going to San Fransisco in August. More on this to come soon.
Hancock Fabrics is asking designers to create 12 exclusive projects for them over the course of a year in exchange for yardage and clicks. Remember GlueDots?
I’m noticing more and more designers and companies are doing some live streaming on Periscope. Do you have the app on your phone? I’m interested in doing one, but I’m not sure how many of your are there.
On a personal note, someone in a Facebook group referred to me this week as “a big name.” Actually, I think she said I was “a bigish name.” I thought about this quite a bit. For so long I worked as though doing this was my job, even when it totally wasn’t – pitching and writing and investigating and designing, even on days when I really didn’t feel like it, even when nobody knew who I was and nobody wrote me back. Ten years in I would describe having a small business like being on a bicycle. You have to keep pedaling if you want to go anywhere. Every so often you can coast along, but seriously you better pedal hard the rest of the time. Cheers and happy pedaling!
I am a new follower of your blog. As a budding quilt designer/pattern writer, I appreciate the business tips. Thanks for sharing so generously!
You’re welcome, Andi!
Thank you for the link to Amazon. I filled out an application. I enjoy reading your blog and often find myself forwarding it to other people in the art and craft society.
Thanks, Jan!
Thanks for compiling this information. It is helpful.
Thanks for the heads up on the Amazon Marketplace. I filled out the application. We’ll see what happens. Also, thank for promoting Vanessa. Everyone checkout her new YouTube Channel and subscribe! Love you both!
Awesome, Laura. I agree, Vanessa rocks!
You are a big name! 🙂 I was just out for a walk with my husband and telling him about a Facebook thread I had just read prior to going out. The one about Hancock’s. And I told him that you are my blogging hero and I am so inspired by you. Keep up the awesome work!
That’s very nice of you to say, Anita. Thank you.