Interesting NYT business article on the “crafting” industry – “Feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, some holiday gift-givers are saving money this year by making their own presents or — for those who lack the time or talent — buying handmade gifts from others.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/business/23craft.html

Thanks so much for a great show.  We had about 7,800 attendees!  The biggest show yet.  We had tons of great response from customers, vendors, media, etc.  So Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!  We look forward to next year.  Besides finding us here, you can also find us on flickr!  Please feel to join and upload your pictures.  Or on facebook

Here is a picture of our swag making party last night.  Man there are tons of goodies to be had!

Author of Crafternoon.

UCU- Can you tell our readers more about you book in case they don’t already know?

MM- Crafternoon is a month-by-month guide to throwing your very own arts and crafts parties. At its core, it’s a craft book – there are instructions for all kinds of simple, cool craft projects, as well as crafting tips and recipes. But it’s also a manifesto for a new type of socializing. Crafternoons are a way to gather friends and family together for a creative experience, which is very different from your average social gathering. The simple pleasure of crafting with a group is hard to beat, and the goal of the book is to get people out and crafting with their loved ones.

Additionally, I’ve kept the projects basic so that the beginning crafter can have as much fun as the experienced crafter. And I’ve tried to write with a dash of humor, ‘cause it’s more fun for me to write on the lighter side of things, and I hope that makes the book more fun to read. I want to inspire people everywhere to start throwing their own Crafternoons!

UCU- What advice do you have for crafters that are trying to survive these economic times?

MM- I’m not a full time crafter, so I have a different perspective on surviving these hard times. I keep my crafting frugal by throwing Crafternoons! The great thing about these parties is that they are crafty potlucks, with people bringing everything from crudités to craft supplies to share with their fellow crafters. When I first started hosting these parties I was super broke, so I decided I wouldn’t spend more than $25 per Crafternoon. I would purchase what I could with that money, and ask folks to bring something to share. And it always works out well, because you’ll find that most folks are pretty generous when it comes to sharing.

More often that not, I come out ahead after a Crafternoon! I usually end up with lots of leftover hummus and cool fabric scraps and whatever else people brought along but didn’t want to bring home with them. When I was broke, I ate many a Hummus-Left-Over-From-a-Crafternoon Sandwich. And I held on to all the donated supplies, so I’ve got a get stash of cool stuff that I can bring to each Crafternoon to share with the next group of crafters, so it all keeps going back into my little crafting community.

UCU- What are you looking forward to the most at Urban Craft Uprising?

MM- I cannot wait to walk around and meet all the crafters! I love craft fairs. There is always such a fun vibe, and you get to meet tons of interesting people. And I love seeing the cool new crafts. It’s totally inspiring to be in the midst of tons of creative folks. Of course, I’m also excited to finish most of my holiday shopping in two days flat. I’m going to pack an extra bag to transport all my crafty purchases back to Brooklyn!

UCU- Do you have any advice for someone that wants to publish a book?

MM- For starters, do some research! Go to your local libraries or bookstores (and the internet, of course) to figure out what publishers might be interested in your book and whether or not they accept unsolicited manuscripts. If there is already a book out there that covers a lot of your ideas, think about how your book is different and why the world needs your book. With those answers in mind, write a proposal that includes an introduction, a sample chapter, and a chapter breakdown. Work on it until it is as perfect as you can make it. And then send it out! Of course, if you are concerned about copyright issues, your research should include finding out how to protect your writing before you send it out into the world. And above all, enjoy the process and believe in yourself. Just the process of writing the proposal will be rewarding, even if that is as far as it goes.

UCU- Got any new years resolutions you would want to share with us?

MM- I want to craft something for every new baby that has come into my life since 2008. It’s been such a busy year for me, and I’ve got a long list of adorable babies that are owed a handmade treat. I intend to make that a priority for the bleak midwinter.

And I also plan to start posting on my blog every day. I’m going to blog it up big time in 2009, so be sure to keep up with me online!

UCU- When did you start your business?

WT- In the fall of 2006, Wonder Thunder was imagined on an arctic voyage, just a loose collection of inanimate blood and guts, fabric, and thread. It wasn’t until March of 2008 when Sasha joined Meagan in her experiments of intergalactic animal fusion that electricity was added and the amalgamation of creature bits was imbued with life.

UCU- What is your favorite craft supply?

WT-Inanimate objects making faces.  and glitter.

UCU- Where do you sell your work?

WT- We sell our works on our website, www.wonder-thunder.com and at these fine establishments!

UCU- What is your favorite part of doing big shows such as UCU?

WT- Meeting people like angry toast and smug carrots. Peddling our goods to suckers.

UCU- Most anticipated “hot item” at your booth this year?

WT- Strawberry Guts Stuffed Banana…though bananas are usually a cowardly bunch, some smuggle strawberries over the border.

Meet Michelle, author of The Anti 9-to-5Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside The Cube and My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire

UCU- Can you tell our readers more about your book(s) in case they don’t already know about it?

MG- People have been asking me how I set my prices, deal with health insurance, and make sure I have enough money to pay my bills since I started working for myself as a freelancer 16 years ago. My first book, The Anti 9-to-5Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside The Cube, offers a variety of alternatives to the traditional 40 to 60 hour a week office gig, including temp, freelance, contract, telecommuting, flex time, part time, travel, and outdoor jobs, as well as starting your own nonprofit or small business.

My new book, My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire, answers as many questions about freelancing and self-employment as I could cram into 240 pages. Stuff like, How do you handle hell clients with grace? Negotiate copyrights without sounding like a greedy pig? Work at home without going insane? Besides my advice, I wove in the tips, tricks, and war stories of other seasoned writers, illustrators, designers, photographers, publicists, editors, web developers, financial gurus, and virtual assistants. Simply put, we made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

MG- Hobnob your brains out on communities like Craftster, GetCrafty, and Biznik. Your fellow crafters are your best source of tips, resources, and moral support. Don’t just network online though; look for ways to meet crafters face to face. (If you can’t find a group in your neck of the woods, start one of your own.) There’s strength in numbers. So rather than organize a solo open house or web promotion, team up with a handful of like-minded crafters.

Finally, look for ways to parlay your craft skills and knowledge into supplemental income. Maybe you can offer classes to newbie crafters, pick up some bookkeeping work for other small businesses, or design blogs or web portfolios for writers (trust me, we desperately need help with this). Anything you find yourself repeatedly explaining to others or doing for your own business is a skill you can sell.

UCU- What are you looking forward to the most at Urban Craft Uprising?

MG- Shopping! I bought such a fabulous purse and skirt at the last UCU. I’d intended to buy holiday presents for everyone on my list, but, well, you know how that goes. It’s impossible to not splurge on yourself at a craftastic event like UCU. I’m especially looking forward to buying myself a new necklace and pair of earrings. So many pretty pieces to choose from.

MG- Tons. I’ve taught entire classes on that topic. For nonfiction books, it’s essential to build a platform so that agents and editors know you already have a built-in following. Blogging, tweeting, writing articles, posting YouTube videos, teaching classes, and sitting on panels are some ways you can cultivate a fan base and hone your expertise in a particular subject area.

Publishers want proof that you can garner an audience for your book — before they sign you. And since authors have to do a majority of their book’s promotion themselves, it’s in your best interest to build up some buzz long before your book hits shelves. Besides, writing an article or teaching a class is a great way to test out material you’re thinking of turning into a book and see how well it’s received.

UCU- Got any new year’s resolutions you would want to share with us?

MG- I wish I could say something significant, like save the polar bears, fix the economy, or develop a car that runs on compost. But my resolutions are more mundane: Take the dog to the beach more. Make a new soup or stew once a week. Sleep at least eight hours a night. Watch less TV and rent more movies. Go on a two- to four-week writing retreat. Write some really funny stuff.

Meet Glam.Spoon

UCU- When did you start your business?

GS- summer, 2005… first sale in august of 2005.

UCU- What is your favorite craft supply?

GS- how to choose??  buttons!  no, thread cones!  no, wait.  fabric!  any kind of fabric!!!

UCU- Where do you sell your work?

GS- online through Etsy and in two local shops: Bouncing Wall & Frock Shop.  I also take referrals for custom pieces.

UCU- What is your favorite part of doing big shows such as UCU?

GS- UCU is quickly becoming my only annual show.  the organization and promotion are so top notch, it makes me feel like I have my own store for one weekend a year.  It is undoubtedly a great weekend for sales, but it’s also a great networking opportunity.  the number of shoppers I meet who take a business card, and then come back to buy from me later is really encouraging.  But when you come right down to it, it’s just FUN!

UCU- Most anticipated “hot item” at your booth this year?

GS- the cashmere sweater dress… mmmm.  cashmere.

UCU- When did you start your business?

SG- I started my business September of 2008. I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time and finally decided to do something about it. I work full-time as a graphic designer, and had a hard time finding time for my crafty dreams until I decided to start living out what I have been talking about! I am very busy, but inspired and motivated by the crafty community.

UCU- What is your favorite craft supply?

SG- I have many, but I will have to go with my Gocco, my life hasn’t been the same since we met.

UCU- Where do you sell your work?

SG- Right now I sell my stuff at Dwell Home Decor in Tacoma, (www.dwellhomedecor.com) and a couple things on Etsy. (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6075465) UCU is really my first appearance as Style Garden.

SG- This is my first, I will let you know next year!

UCU- Most anticipated “hot item” at your booth this year?

SG- My “hot item” this year would have be be my lamps. I have worked hard to find amazing vintage lamps, re-finished them, and handmade drum lampshades out of authentic vintage wallpaper. They have been a labor of love, but I am excited to put a product out there that is 100% unique. You are guaranteed to have a truly one-of-a-kind lamp that fits into any modern decor.