The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line »

Kari Chapin has worked in marketing and publicity for a variety of arts and nonprofi t organizations and managed a retail store featuring artisan goods.

It's an exciting new world for crafters. Handmade is hip, creativity is what the market wants, and there are many profitable sales opportunities that didn't exist a few short years ago. For crafters who have more confidence running a sewing machine than setting up a Web site, The Handmade Marketplace breaks down and makes sense of the global possibilities for marketing and selling crafts.

First, determine the right price for every item — not too expensive and definitely not too cheap. Whether the product is beaded jewelry or felted slippers, illustrations or tote bags, author Kari Chapin helps crafters determine cost of goods, market competition, and the pros and cons of wholesale and retail sales. If the price is right, customers will buy.

Then it's on to selling. The boom in indie craft fairs and sites such as Etsy ("Your place to buy & sell all things handmade") is providing artisans with an ever-expanding marketplace for handcrafted items. Chapin demystifies every venue. She explains the guidelines that craft fairs impose on exhibitors, the typical yearly calendar of shows, and how to start a new craft fair.

For the crafter interested in online sales, there are tips on styling and propping crafts for photographs and technical explanations of how the most popular Web marketplaces run. Traditional brick and mortar consignment stores are still very good options for many crafters. Chapin explains how to approach shopkeepers and build strong relationships.

Wrapping everything up with media advice and tips on how to get the word out, The Handmade Marketplace is the sales and marketing bible that today's crafters need.

founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidere 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.

Part 1 Getting to Know Yourself and Your Business

Chapter 1: Setting the Scene for Success Setting Goals, Build a Nurturing Space, Getting Unstuck, 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?, Develop 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, Community Swaps

Chapter 6: Blogging Blogs and Websites Defined, Basic Setup, Writing a Successful Blog, Give and Take, What Makes a Blog Successful, Create an Online Newsletter
Chapter 7: Advertising and Publicity Advertising Online, Be Your Own Best Ad Agency, Attracting Media Attention, Approaching Print Media, Putting Together a Press Kit, Writing Press Releases

Chapter 8: More Online Marketing Networks Podcasting, Social Media

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 Craft Show Supplies Checklist Index