The Handmade Marketplace, 2nd Edition: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online

by Kari Chapin

Overview

Make money doing what you love. Kari Chapin’s insightful and inspiring guide to turning your crafting skills into earned income has been completely revised and updated. The Handmade Marketplace is filled with proven techniques that can help you brand your business, establish a client base, sell your products, and effectively employ all aspects of social media. Learn how easy it is to enjoy a lucrative career while leading the creative life you’ve always craved. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612123356
Publisher:	Storey Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	05/20/2014
Edition description:	Second Edition,Revised
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	625,513
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Since the publication of The Handmade Marketplace in 2010 and Grow Your Handmade Business in 2012, Kari Chapin has gained national visibility as a sought-after speaker at craft business conferences and events. She also offers one-on-one creative coaching and courses online. She is known for her effective coaching style and distinctive, supportive voice, along with her strong ability to market and network.

Table of Contents

Introduction
My (All New!) Creative Collective

Part 1 Getting to Know Yourself and Your Business

Chapter 1: Setting the Scene for Success
Setting Goals, Build a Nurturing Space, Staying Inspired, Translating an Idea into a Reality

Chapter 2: Branding Your Business
Who Are Your Customers?, What's Your Message and Look?, What's in a Name?, Developing a Logo

Chapter 3: Establishing Basic Business Practices
What Kind of Business Are You?, The Next Steps, Collecting Money, Pricing Your Work, Hiring Help

Part 2 Spreading the Word — and Images

Chapter 4: Marketing Basics
Marketing Defined, Essential Marketing Materials, Photographs are Key

Chapter 5: Your Craft Community
Making Connections, Online Communities, Reaching Out to Your Fellow Crafters

 

Chapter 6: Blogging

Blogs and Websites Defined, Basic Setup, Writing a Successful Blog, What’s your Online Look?, Give and Take, Creating an Online Newsletter

 

Chapter 7: Advertising and Publicity

Advertising Online, Be Your Own Best Ad Agency, Attracting Media Attention, Approaching Media

Chapter 8: Social Media
Choosing an Avatar and a Name, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr, Follow Me, Follow You, Video

Part 3 Getting Down to Selling

Chapter 9: The Craft Fair Scene
First Things to Know, The Fair Application Process, Getting the Word, Preparing for the Fair, Designing Your Booth Space, Fair Day Etiquette, Starting Your Own Craft Fair

Chapter 10: Selling in Online Stores
Evaluating Marketplaces, Setting Up Your Online Shop, Customer Service, Answering Customer Questions and Comments

Chapter 11: Selling In Brick-and-Mortor Stores
Getting Your Foot in the Door, Persuasive Leave-Behind Materials, Meeting with the Store/Owner Manager, Selling on Consignment

Chapter 12: Get Creative: Other Selling Options and Opportunities
Join a Co-Op, Teach a Course, Hold Trunk Shows, Host House Parties, Offer Kits and Patterns

Parting Advice
Resources
Index

 

 

 

What People are Saying About This

Amy Butler

Kari has thoughtfully created the very best guide book for navigating the craft marketplace. Her personal voice, guided by personal experience is evident throughout the book. You'll feel encouraged, inspired and informed..... totally confident to jump start your own craft business!
— Amy Butler, Amy Butler Design

Betz White

“D.I.Y? Why not?! The Handmade Marketplace gives you all the answers to the D-I-Whys, Whats and Hows of being a crafty-preneur in one handy, great and very informative guide!”
— Betz White, designer and author of Sewing Green

Jenny Hart

It's remarkable to read so much of the information I spent years divining from trial and error between two covers! The Handmade Marketplace isn't just a guide for navigating a very unique and burgeoning market, it's a fascinating record of how so many people in the DIY movement have collectively contributed ideas about running independent businesses with cornerstones of honesty, ethics and above all: personal creativity.
— Jenny Hart, founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidered Effects

Jennifer Perkins

“The Handmade Marketplace is the first small business book I have seen that is written to, for and by the Indie Crafter. It is perfect for any crafter thinking of taking that next step and selling their wares. The Handmade Marketplace is also a real page turner and enlightening read for someone who has been in the crafty biz for years.”
— Jennifer Perkins, designer

Faythe Levin

The Handmade Market Place is a fantastic resource full of useful tips and guidelines from top D.I.Y. insiders. Their testimonials along with Kari Chapin's easy to follow outline and the fabulous design work of Emily Martin (aka the black apple) makes this book a must have for any makers library.
— Faythe Levin, Director and author of Handmade Nation

Editorial Reviews

The Handmade Marketplace is the first small business book I have seen that is written to, for and by the Indie Crafter. It is perfect for any crafter thinking of taking that next step and selling their wares. The Handmade Marketplace is also a real page turner and enlightening read for someone who has been in the crafty biz for years.”—Betz White, designer and author of Sewing Green

“D.I.Y? Why not?! The Handmade Marketplace gives you all the answers to the D-I-Whys, Whats and Hows of being a crafty-preneur in one handy, great and very informative guide!”—Amy Butler, Amy Butler Design

Kari has thoughtfully created the very best guide book for navigating the craft marketplace. Her personal voice, guided by personal experience is evident throughout the book. You'll feel encouraged, inspired and informed..... totally confident to jump start your own craft business!—Jenny Hart, founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidered Effects

It's remarkable to read so much of the information I spent years divining from trial and error between two covers! The Handmade Marketplace isn't just a guide for navigating a very unique and burgeoning market, it's a fascinating record of how so many people in the DIY movement have collectively contributed ideas about running independent businesses with cornerstones of honesty, ethics and above all: personal creativity.—Faythe Levin, Director and author of Handmade Nation

The Handmade Market Place is a fantastic resource full of useful tips and guidelines from top D.I.Y. insiders. Their testimonials along with Kari Chapin's easy to follow outline and the fabulous design work of Emily Martin (aka the black apple) makes this book a must have for any makers library.—BookPage

"For folks who create unique things with a view to getting paid, this book should prove quite useful...for makers at any stage, from just-thinking-about-it to ready-to-quit-my-day-job."

From the Publisher

The Handmade Market Place is a fantastic resource full of useful tips and guidelines from top D.I.Y. insiders. Their testimonials along with Kari Chapin's easy to follow outline and the fabulous design work of Emily Martin (aka the black apple) makes this book a must have for any makers library.

BookPage

It's remarkable to read so much of the information I spent years divining from trial and error between two covers! The Handmade Marketplace isn't just a guide for navigating a very unique and burgeoning market, it's a fascinating record of how so many people in the DIY movement have collectively contributed ideas about running independent businesses with cornerstones of honesty, ethics and above all: personal creativity.

Director and author of Handmade Nation Faythe Levin

The Handmade Marketplace is the first small business book I have seen that is written to, for and by the Indie Crafter. It is perfect for any crafter thinking of taking that next step and selling their wares. The Handmade Marketplace is also a real page turner and enlightening read for someone who has been in the crafty biz for years.

designer and author of Sewing Green Betz White

D.I.Y? Why not?! The Handmade Marketplace gives you all the answers to the D-I-Whys, Whats and Hows of being a crafty-preneur in one handy, great and very informative guide!

Amy Butler Design Amy Butler

Kari has thoughtfully created the very best guide book for navigating the craft marketplace. Her personal voice, guided by personal experience is evident throughout the book. You'll feel encouraged, inspired and informed..... totally confident to jump start your own craft business!

founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidere Jenny Hart

The Handmade Marketplace is the first small business book I have seen that is written to, for and by the Indie Crafter. It is perfect for any crafter thinking of taking that next step and selling their wares. The Handmade Marketplace is also a real page turner and enlightening read for someone who has been in the crafty biz for years.

designer Jennifer Perkins