Review: The Handmade Marketplace

The Handmade Marketplace

By: Kari Chapin

From: Storey Publishing

Retail: $14.95

Disclaimer: Mama Buzz and reviewers received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes

Turn your craft into a successful business! Even the most expert crafters may find it challenging to market and sell their wares, but with Kari Chapin you have an experienced guide at your side. Learn to determine your cost of goods, set prices, identify the competition, and understand the ins and outs of wholesale and retail sales. Explore the various sales venues available, including independent craft fairs, Web sites such as Etsy, and traditional stores, and learn to maximize your visibility and sales in each one. Want to start your own Web site? Chapin shows you how to style and prop your crafts for photography and explains how the most popular Web marketplaces operate. You’ll find everything you need to turn your talent into profits.

What a great resource for the world of crafters out there hoping to make a living, or just some spending money! I found some very helpful advice for the online store I am managing for a friend.

This book offers tips for every aspect of a handmade business and features some wonderful contributors from Design*Sponge, Etsy, Craft and CraftyPod, just to name a few. And the book has a fun, artsy look and feel to it!

From branding to marketing and everything in between, author Kari Chapin doesn't miss a thing in helping you make the most out of your talents and creations - in your community and online!

This book is also available on Amazon for $10.17.

Thank you to Storey Publishing for providing this book for me to review!

Girls Night Out: Craft Time!

In what is quickly becoming a monthly event for some girlfriends from church, we gathered last night for a girls craft night and it was fabulous!

We had a few snacks and then got to work, chatting all the while, of course!

Some define themselves as crafty, others not so much, but the chance to hang out with other women will make us do anything, right?! In the words of one mom there - "I just need some adult interaction!"

And everyone had a blast!

Sewing...

using Mod Podge...


and stenciling...

to come up with some CUTE stuff...

Our projects for the night included these fabric magnets from Make It and Love It...

experimenting with fabric flowers like these...

and my favorite from the night, these adorable monogrammed canvas bags from Ashley Ann at Under the Sycamore...

Regardless of level of "craftiness," fun was had by all and another night is already in the works for February!

Any projects we just have to do? Please share!

A BIG thank you to the hubbies for making this possible by watching and feeding children, etc. We love you guys!

This and That

Big J, his friend Z and I played a little Chutes and Ladders yesterday. Not super fun to be honest. More like super frustrating. But it was a learning experience for all.

For them: the number you spin is NOT the number you land on - it is the number you count to your next spot.

For me: relax and have fun, even if they don't get it.

I got this bottle for $2 at Hobby Lobby on clearance last fall. Not usually a yellow person, but I kind of like it. What do you think? Any great ideas of what to do with it?

After living in our house for 3+ years, we finally put something up on this wall in our living room. I'm quite fond of the pics and arrangement. Nothing special, but the kiddos are always smiling at us from the wall!

The boys (my two plus Z) snuggled up to watch Buzz Lightyear and they were just too cute to NOT take a picture. They look like they cold all be related!

My wonderful hubby and Big J brought home flowers the other day just because - with my fave, gerbera daisies...

These make me smile too :)

My friend Renee and I got crafty yesterday and each put one of these together...

I'm ready to make several in many colors - too fun!

And last, but not least, this verse really inspired me today and I hope it does some of you as well...

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders... 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NIV)

God bless and have a great weekend!

I'm a Knifty Knitter!

This product was sent to me by Provo Craft to review for this blog. I was not compensated in anyway for the review and all opinions are my own.

Ok, I'm not really a knitter. I can do very basic crochet and that's about it.

But I LOVE the way knitted and crocheted stuff looks. It is gorgeous.

So when Provo Craft asked if I would be interested in trying their Knifty Knitter looms, I immediately said YES!

And this is what they sent me...




Oh man, was I excited. The box arrived on a Friday night right before we left for a party.

We got home around 9:30 and I was ready to knit.

After only a few hours, I finished my first project, a newborn hat for a friend...



I couldn't believe I had just made that! And it was incredibly easy!

Now, I will not go into exactly how it works because there are a million and one tutorials online that do a much better job explaining than I would.

But I will tell you this - it does not take much time, it is very simple to figure out and the results as fabulous.

I am addicted.

In less than two weeks I have made two newborn hats (blue loom), a hat for my oldest son (red loom)...



A hat for my sister (green loom) to match the scarf I gave her for Christmas...

Two "baby sacks" like this one for my photographer friend...



(Here one is in the process)

And this yarn is for some of the projects to come!

I really can't tell you how much I am enjoying my looms. Sure, it takes time, but I like to keep my hands busy and this is perfect for me!

There are lots and lots of patterns online and I am excited to try some new stitches in the coming days and weeks.

In addition to the round looms, Provo Craft also has long looms - ideal for scarves, blankets, etc. - and a flower loom - adorable creations from that. I am looking forward to trying the whole variety of looms in the near future!

So where can you get them?

There are different places - Amazon, eBay, and so on. But I found this link to a "variety pack" of sorts that looks perfect! It does not include the newborn hat size loom or largest round loom, but it has everything for kid and adult hats, scarves and flowers. This would be a great place to start and you can always add additional pieces as you wish!

If you've ever been interested in knitting at all, but the needles have scared you off (like me!), the Knifty Knitter is perfect for you!

A HUGE thank you to Provo Craft for sending me this product to review!