| Create an Account

Book Giveaway: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts

comments (74) August 5th, 2010     

Pin It

_nikki_ Nicole Smith, contributor
Love it! 11 users recommend
Photo: Alpha Publishing
Add CommentAdd Comment
PrintPrint

Do you dream of quitting your day job? Do your friends look at your crafts, and offer to buy them from you? Have you had strangers request items from you?

If so, maybe you should look into selling your own crafts, and this guide by Chris Franchetti Michaels has everything to help get you started.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts (Alpha Books, 2010) helps walk you through all you need to know to start your own handicraft business.

Chapter topics include: Are you really ready?, Exploring the Indie Craft Marketplace, Creating and Managing Inventory, Pricing It Out, Simple Promotion and Promotion for the More Active Seller, Sales Venues for the Casual Seller and Beyond, Becoming More Businesslike, Growing Your Assets, separate chapters on selling on websites, craft shows, and wholesale, and many many more

We're giving away 5 copies of this great book! Comment below for a chance to win before 11:59 pm August 6, 2010, and we will choose 5 people at random to receive the book.

posted in: sewstylish feature
Add CommentAdd Comment PrintPrint
Back to List

Comments (74)

audreydoll writes: I have so many things I make and upcycle that people I give them to always say to me "you should sell these. And I have sold a few but I would love to sell more. I NEED THIS BOOK!
Posted: 10:26 am on March 29th
jmscrochet writes: I would love to sell my crocheted items & I think this book would be a great asset to getting me started.
Posted: 1:44 pm on January 27th
TonkasToy writes: I check this book out of the library often (it's difficult because there are many holds-including mine) because I cannot afford to buy it. I would really like to be the proud owner of this book so I may have it at my fingertips when I need to use it instead of waiting so long for it. Thank you. :-)
Posted: 5:05 am on December 29th
wendyfire writes: I would LOVE to win this book! Just the confidence and precise information I would need to get me off the couch and creating for profit!

Posted: 6:54 pm on July 29th
Shinyredglass writes: Fabulous! Sell a cupboard full of prior craft obsessions....restock supplies, start again.
Posted: 7:29 am on July 26th
ashkisser writes: WOA!!! ok so this is PERFECT for what im doing for my senior project! just perfect!
Posted: 12:29 pm on July 13th
Jean_in_IL writes: this sounds like great book that explains things that I have not seen in other books
Posted: 1:38 pm on June 14th
gearjammingranny writes: Nice to see I am in such good company!!
Posted: 11:09 pm on May 27th
Sherbear2u writes: I have had a jewelry site for 3 months now, and no sales. I am trying everything to make my business work, and to generate sales, and so far, no luck.
This book sounds like something I could use!
Posted: 4:57 pm on February 7th
Sherbear2u writes:
Posted: 4:55 pm on February 7th
craftybegonia writes: Thank you for the information. I did not know this book was available.
Posted: 9:07 pm on January 11th
missconniegirl writes: I've often wondered how to do this. Seems we are always financially behind on something. This would be an awesome way to bring in extra for my family and doing something I enjoy doing. This would definitely be a blessing to my family. Thank You - Connie
Posted: 5:03 pm on November 5th
MisplacedHawaiian writes: <--Complete idiot needing a guide
Posted: 3:51 pm on October 16th
Nana23 writes: The only way that you can work from home and have it pay for itself while you really enjoy doing it.
Posted: 11:08 pm on October 15th
classycrafty writes: I live in small town America and this looks exactly like what I need. If wishes would make it happen this book would live at the end of my pot of gold said to be at the end of those beautiful rainbows after it rains. Thanks for allowing me to enter the wish for comments.
Posted: 2:27 pm on September 24th
BlackSheepBoutique writes: This book would be amazing for me!:)
Posted: 4:47 pm on September 11th
Magicspinkles writes: What a great idea! Sounds excellent, even when the giveaway is over and if i'm not the lucky one, I might need to invest! :D
Posted: 10:56 am on September 11th
jewelrybug writes: I think that this would be a great resource. Thank you for postint!
Posted: 10:09 pm on August 14th
gypsymommab writes: this looks very interesting.. It is a weak spot I could use some help with..I want to be able to sell full time once I retire..
Posted: 8:21 am on August 14th
gardienne writes: This looks like a good book to help with starting out! :)
Posted: 10:34 am on August 9th
redcoat90 writes: LOL Well, since I am the "Complete Idiot" when it comes to selling things...this book would be perfect for me! ;)

Good luck to everyone who entered!!!
Posted: 10:17 am on August 9th
MelanieSaliba writes: having a book like this could really help a crafty gal. :)
Posted: 8:43 am on August 9th
MsMartyD writes: I would love to win this book. I'm making preparations to sell some of my things online and I need all the help I can get. Thanks for the offer.
Posted: 9:34 pm on August 8th
TexasTori writes: This looks great - went to my Barnes & Noble Friday and couldn't find it yet. Would love to win!
Posted: 8:28 pm on August 8th
mayllow writes: That sounds amazing! I have read many "Idiot's Guide" and they are generally good quality books. I would buy this one because I have been making many different crafts and I paint and draw as well but being a shy person, I never really knew how to approach people to sell them my work. Right now I feel like I would welcome such knowledge since I have left my husband of 6 years for all types of abuse. This whole time I had to quit making jewelry and polymer clay figurines, paintings and drawings because he thought I was wasting time on something futile and which didn't bring money home. What he did not understand is that arts helps us stay in touch with ourselves. Creativity is crucial to our well-being since it helps us so much by being a vehicle for our many different emotions that need to get out. When I look at my work, I feel like I am looking at parts of myself because I have put so much in those pieces. Especially paintings and clay figurines. My ex husband did not understand that this was a part of me, an important part of my life. I now live alone with my 18 months old baby, trying to start a new life and I am beginning to breathe fresh air again and getting back into arts and crafts, for my own pleasure and well-being. It would help me greatly if I could learn how to sell my creations since I could have a little extra money to make my treasured daughter happy. I also want to teach her and encourage her to be creative and learn to appreciate her emotions and use them to create things. I believe it is very important for all of us!
Posted: 11:11 pm on August 7th
FIORELLA writes: I would love to win this book, it will probably allow me to dedicate myself 100% to my crafts and no longer drive hours to get to my 9-5 job
Posted: 9:14 pm on August 6th
nifer writes: this would be really helpful. I want to win!
Posted: 7:24 pm on August 6th
sarathelaundress writes: I need this book. I've been crafting for years but I don't have a clue about getting started selling my crafts. I'd love to be able to do that, and hopefully make some extra cash.
Posted: 4:21 pm on August 6th
Carolee888 writes: I thought about selling some craft items but didn't have a clue of where to start.
Posted: 4:10 pm on August 6th
hermitandhappy writes: Im at the "been there done that" stage in my life. Raised my kids, owned a buisiness,lost a business, remarried and moved to the country and became a trophy wife. I LOVE that I have all this free time to create and design...(quite good at it too...) One problem, I seem to ALWAYS give away everything I make. So you see, I definitely need some kind of guidance and this book would be great.
Posted: 4:07 pm on August 6th
Coleen_Franks writes: I am already selling, but would like to do better. Im sure there is much I could learn. Thanks for allowing the opportunity.
Posted: 4:04 pm on August 6th
PurtyBird writes: I'm neck deep in it & could use the guidance!
Posted: 3:47 pm on August 6th
tswilliams writes: Just started thinking about selling my items so this book would be great to get me started!
Posted: 3:02 pm on August 6th
SansSouci572 writes: I seem to be lacking the practical aspect of sewing etc. myself, and would like a book like this to bridge the gap between hobby/income!
Posted: 2:50 pm on August 6th
thejam writes: I would love to sell my crafts but i dont know where to start. So im sure this book would come in handy.
Posted: 1:04 pm on August 6th
Cocoasmommy writes: This is exactly what I need and the timing could not be better! Please...
Posted: 12:21 pm on August 6th
FinelyFabricated writes: This sounds like a handy book to have.
Posted: 11:21 am on August 6th
mensign85 writes: I'd LOVE to win this book! I haven't started looking for a new job yet because I'm hoping selling my sewing projects will take off!
Posted: 10:48 am on August 6th
Sarah_L writes: I'm hoping to sell my crafts during my mat leave. This book would be tons of help.
Posted: 10:05 am on August 6th
VinChic_Designs writes: We are struggling entrepreneurs looking for assistance wherever we can find it. I believe this book would be great for us idiots who are poor in business savvy but are rich in drive. We would greatly benefit from this book, thanks.
Posted: 10:02 am on August 6th
karland writes: My sister and I are going to try this, so this would be an awesome start!
Posted: 9:06 am on August 6th
Luckysluna writes: I would love to have this book! I really want to sell my crafts on etsy and I'd like to learn how!

luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted: 8:09 am on August 6th
sunnyb64 writes: I would love this-- I'm completely clueless when it comes to marketing and pricing!
Posted: 7:49 am on August 6th
SewStylish writes: I really could use this book - I have been told by everyone I know to sell my crafts, but I never felt like I could or even how. I hope I win one!
Posted: 7:12 am on August 6th
M_i_c_h writes: Oooh yeah - this is me !! My daughter will start school in February and I will have to go back to work (yeah well that's what hubby expaects anyway...) I have been thinking about what to make and sell for ages but can't settle on one thing so I have been crocheting hats and trying to sell them online. It is a start and it gets the ball rolling at least. I have spent many hours making a free website to display my wares but lack the courage to sell at a market yet. I was thinking of looking in the library for a book like this one - what a coincidence I saw this - obviously haven't visited Craft Stylish in a while....


Posted: 5:13 am on August 6th
Mylyne writes: I'm contemplating on being a self-bosser and would like to know the way around a business. This would be something I can use to the fullest.
Posted: 2:25 am on August 6th
cmeans23 writes: My friend and I have been working for months trying to come up with crafts to sell. She is in her 40s and I am in my 50s. We have both decided that making and selling our crafts would suppliment our income since she is attending school and I work part time in retail and my husband lost his job. It is costly to set up at flea markets and we are at a loss. We need help.
Posted: 2:06 am on August 6th
AZwanKenobi writes: I would love to win this book since I've been considering trying to sell the things I sew. Great giveaway!!
Posted: 1:00 am on August 6th
chebre writes: Sounds great, count me in!
Posted: 11:52 pm on August 5th
cindy_sews writes: This book sounds great. I really need it!
Posted: 11:48 pm on August 5th
coztumegrl writes: I would love to win this book. It's just what I need to get started...
Posted: 11:38 pm on August 5th
isewmean writes: I would love a copy of this. I need to get things from "Oh! This is cute!" to "Wow! I need this! How much?"
Posted: 11:34 pm on August 5th
pollyprissypants writes: That book is 100% what I need!
Posted: 11:30 pm on August 5th
3BBB writes: I've made many thing over the years, some have sold and some have not. I've got several really cute tote bags now that aren't selling. I really could use this book!
Posted: 11:29 pm on August 5th
tilda2 writes: wow, looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it.
Posted: 11:15 pm on August 5th
MidnightBeadery writes: It sounds like an extemely useful book. I wish we could all win one.
Posted: 11:03 pm on August 5th
Risca writes: I would love to have one. To earn income from crafts especially during this economic crisis time that we had, this will be a greatest Gift ever!
Posted: 10:55 pm on August 5th
DomesticDisaster writes: Well I'm a complete idiot. I'm a perfect fit! ;)
Posted: 10:19 pm on August 5th
CraftyMummy writes: Would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted: 9:52 pm on August 5th
jsahawkwiz writes: What a great idea for a book! So useful!
Posted: 9:30 pm on August 5th
Dora_Quevedo writes: I would love to have one!
Posted: 8:47 pm on August 5th
pattrishy writes: This would be perfect for me. I know I've made some rookie mistakes. With the economy in the state it's in crafters need all the help they can get...craft on!
Posted: 7:47 pm on August 5th
JennyBolech writes: This would be so great to have - I'm thinking about selling, but feel kind of like an idiot about what to do ;)
Posted: 7:43 pm on August 5th
Luceida writes: This is exactly what I need!!!.... Hope I win it!
Posted: 7:17 pm on August 5th
emisid writes: As a new retiree from teaching, I now have the time to work on my crafts. I have no experience on contacting or setting up a crafters business. This book would help take some of the fear of showing my creations with others. Success in this area would be superb.
Posted: 7:12 pm on August 5th
t_yakoubek writes: This would be a great book for me! I wish everyone the best of luck for the giveaway!!
Posted: 6:47 pm on August 5th
PirateBrit writes: this book would come in good hand for me as i have been trying to do this for years and i need income right now kinda badly...thank you for this opportunity :D and good luck to us all :D!
Posted: 6:19 pm on August 5th
bekabug8 writes: I would love this book! I need it!
Posted: 6:14 pm on August 5th
PhysChick writes: That looks like a great book! It would be a big help too.
Posted: 5:38 pm on August 5th
annree writes: pick me! I'd love to get a copy of this book!
Posted: 5:33 pm on August 5th
megstermeter writes: Yes please! I would love to get some tips...I'm hoping to launch an online shop soon!
Posted: 5:07 pm on August 5th
toast44 writes: I would LOVE to have this book, just LOVE to!
Posted: 5:02 pm on August 5th
Sheryl67 writes: I NEED this book. :)
Posted: 4:59 pm on August 5th
CountryWineCrafts writes: Looks like a great book to get us crafters off on the right foot selling our crafts.
Posted: 4:24 pm on August 5th
You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.