Blog - Craft Industry Alliance

An Interview With Zibbet Founder Jonathan Peacock about the New A.C. Moore Marketplace

by Abby Glassenberg | Jul 22, 2019 | Blog, Inside the Industry, Monetization and Diversification, Selling Products

We sit down with the founder of Zibbet, Jonathan Peacock, to discuss his new partnership with A.C. Moore and the launch of the A.C. Moore Marketplace.

Sommer Street Associates Serve as Book Ambassadors for Independent Retailers

by Guest Contributor | Jul 22, 2019 | Blog, Publishing

Sommer Street Associates is helping independent craft retailers find and order the best books for their shops, all in one place. Started by two former F+W employees, Sommer Street works as a go-between helping shops order from many different publishers, including self-published authors.

‘Blown Away’ brings Glassblowing Reality Competition to Netflix

by Erin Dollar | Jul 18, 2019 | Blog, Profiles in Business

Blown Away, Netflix’s new original series, is bringing craft artistry back to the reality tv stage. The first season debuted on Netflix on July 12th, highlighting ten master artists, who complete glassblowing sculpture challenges for the chance to win a $60,000 prize.

Yarn Industry News Update

by Guest Contributor | Jul 15, 2019 | Blog, Inside the Industry

The yarn industry continued to see a lot of action in the second quarter of 2019. Stacey Trock brings us this report on the latest news from this sector of the industry.

The Slow Decline of Nancy’s Notions

by Guest Contributor | Jul 10, 2019 | Blog, Inside the Industry

Nancy’s Notions recently announced the closure of its retail store in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. This longtime shopper says she’s saddened, but not surprised given the brand’s decline over the past few years.

Why Etsy’s New Free Shipping Policy is Good for Your Business

by Abby Glassenberg | Jul 9, 2019 | Blog, Inside the Industry, Monetization and Diversification, Selling Products, Websites and Mobile

Etsy announced today that free shipping will soon become a core part of the shopping experience. “By making free shipping the norm on Etsy, rather than the exception, we’ll connect more people with items that they love,” CEO Josh Silverman stated in a press release. Here’s why this policy might be a good thing for your business.

How to Successfully Sell Your Designs on Spoonflower

by Guest Contributor | Jul 8, 2019 | Blog, Monetization and Diversification, Selling Products, Sourcing Products

Spoonflower is a print-on-demand service that allows you to create your own design, upload it, and print it on fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap. Designers have the option to sell their unique surface patterns on the Spoonflower Marketplace and receive a small percentage of each sale. The key to selling anything online is getting found and the same is true of the Spoonflower Marketplace. Use the tips to optimize your listings so that you can make the most of this platform.

Hello Bargello is Reviving a Bygone Craft for Today’s Maker

by Abby Glassenberg | Jul 7, 2019 | Blog, Profiles in Business

Bargello was a craft that was big in the 70’s, but then fell out of favor and for the past few decades it’s been essentially forgotten. At least until recently when Brett Bara of the hip retail store and workshop space, Brooklyn Craft Company, stumbled upon a pile of Bargello books at The Strand, a used bookstore in the East Village, and became obsessed with bringing it back. Her new brand, Hello Bargello, is dedicated to making Bargello the next hot crafting trend.

How Applying for a Business Award Can Lead to New Opportunities (Whether You Win or Not)

by Guest Contributor | Jul 7, 2019 | Blog, Business Planning, Communication, Funding and Financing, Press and Public Relations

With the recent launch of the Etsy Design Awards (AKA the Etsies) and with applications to the Spoonflower Small Business Grant open through August 15, 2019, we wanted to explore why craft businesses participate in awards competitions, and what’s to be gained.