I wanted to give you a little update from the studio. The way this business works (and maybe the way all businesses work?) is that a lot goes on behind the scenes months before it’s shown publicly. I’m almost always simultaneously working on several projects for other publications while also working on everything you do see going on here on the blog.
First, my latest Simplicity pattern is now available. #1218 is my plush stuffed animal heads. I like the photos they took! Simplicity commissioned these designs from me. They sent me this inspiration photo and asked if I’d make four heads, one of which would be a deer:
Although I think plush taxidermy is neat (and I have the Pinterest board to prove it) I don’t think I would have designed these patterns without an assignment. But I’m so glad I did because they’ve been best sellers in my shop from the day of their release. Sometimes other people can spot trends that I don’t foresee. I’m so glad I took on this assignment. My next pattern is a set of nautical-themed toys that will come out in the spring.
I also finished an article for the Studio Art Quilts Associates Journal about email marketing for your art business. I turned it in at the end of December and it will be published in April. I’m now working on another one about using Instagram to promote your work. This is a print and digital journal and it looks like the back issues are online if you want to check them out.
On February 3 I turned in the manuscript for the puzzle balls book I talked about last month. It has six patterns and I loved working on it! The book should be out in July so I’ll show you more then.
I’m working on an essay for 2016 Crafter’s Market, a book that is now being published annually by Interweave. I bought the 2015 edition and it’s neat. The front is articles about running a creative business, and the back is listings of every magazine, publishing house, and craft fair organized by category so that you can submit your work and grow your business. My essay is going to be about…email marketing.
And finally, I’m putting together two slide decks for the class I’m teaching and the panel I’m moderating at Craftcation next month. The class is about email marketing (!) and the panel is about podcasting. Elise Blaha Cripe, Kari Chapin, and Dave Conrey will be joining me. I’ll also be on a panel about working while raising young kids, a topic that I really haven’t explored here on the blog. It will be great to chat with everyone.
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All neat and exciting things! I was reflecting on working on all of these projects and I realized that these opportunities, as well as many others, came about because I acted like doing this was my job. By “this” I mean everything you see here – designing patterns, journalism, podcasting. I didn’t have a job doing any of these things and I certainly didn’t have any real training. But I love each of them and so I just sat here and did them as though it were my job.
And eventually? It became my job.
Sharon | the teacup incident says
Congratulations on all your achievements, Abby! You work very hard at your job and its no wonder you’re seeing success from your efforts. Those fabric taxidermy heads are adorable – especially the elephant. He would look charming with patterned ear interiors in the new minky fabric by Spoonflower.
Anita says
Congratulations! I can relate to what you said. I probably would not have made the elephant head if someone hadn’t asked me to, but it was so much fun. I loved it. Once I finished him, I carried him around the house for two days before I sent him to his forever home. I kind of wanted to name him, but I thought that might be weird.
Abby says
Ha! That’s awesome, Anita.
ChristaQuilts says
Congrats on all you have going on! I agree about treating it like a job. As business crafters, the more we take ourselves seriously, the more others will, as well!
Kim says
this is awesome thanks for sharing all your projects and what’s going on.
I love how the taxidermy came out it looks great, it’s weird how trends take off 🙂
can’t wait to see your puzzle book!!!
Sara says
I have a friend who is editor of a main UK newspaper. She said the best way to get work as a journalist is to just write. Never mind the courses etc. You are proof of that. If you consistently write in an authoritative way about things you have knowledge of, then it will come to people’s attention. That’s the theory anyway. Well it seems it’s true! I’m not at all surprised that you have so much writing work and it touches upon what I said the other day about people who share being rewarded. You gave and continue to give your reader much food for thought in your blog, and sometimes I have felt a little guilty of all that information I have benefited from. As I try to be creative myself and don’t have anyone to make softies for, I felt that I was not able to support the money making part of your business which you so deserve although I have purchased one of your excellent eBooks. I feel a little better now, as I have certainly endorsed your blog to other people. It’s really great that you have carved out a niche for yourself with both your creating and writing skills. It must make what you do pretty interesting everyday.
Incidentally I was in London a couple of days ago in ‘The’ big bookshop in Charing Cross Road, Foyle’s (The road that is famous for it’s book stores) and The Artful Bird had been singled out for their display shelf in their extensive craft book section. ‘I know the author’ I thought. Well not really, but you know what I mean.
Congratulations on your fabulous new pattern. You work really hard and deserve all these good things.
Sharon says
Hi Abby and well done with all of your achievements. You really deserve it. You give so much insight into running a craft business and the hard work is paying off. Thanks for your helpful advice.
Abby says
Thank you, Sharon!
Stephanie says
Neat! Looking forward to seeing the nautical toys. I have a post scheduled for making time to sew with young kids at home – looking forward to reading yours about the business side!
Abby says
You’ve already seen them, Stephanie. This pattern will include Maya the Mermaid, Shawn the Shark, Penny the Fish and Roger the Pirate. I’m not sure I’ll write about balancing work and family here. Maybe this panel discussion will help me to solidify what I want to say, but I’ve tried to write about it several times and as of now I really can’t figure it how to explain it. So we’ll see.