Listen Up! Dozens of Podcasts for Crafters and Entrepreneurs
A great round-up list of creative podcasts from all perspectives! Pottery, knitting, sewing and quilting and entrepreneurial business podcasts as well.
AccuQuilt, a Division of TekBrands, Acquired by Private Equity Firm WILsquare Capital
AccuQuilt, maker of the GO! cutting machines, has been acquired by a private equity firm. WILsquare Capital, a St. Louis-based firm, announced the acquisition of AccuQuilt’s parent company, TekBrands, late last week.
ArtFire to Shut Down at the End of 2021
The handmade marketplace ArtFire will be shutting down at the end of 2021.
“Blown Away: Christmas” is Home for the Holidays on Netflix
A scaled-down version of the hit reality show glassblowing competition Blown Away is streaming now.
Craft Market Data and Research
This roundup of craft industry research studies can be helpful to you when seeking funding, creating a business plan, or expanding into new sectors.
A Cooperative Future for Fancy Tiger Crafts
Fancy Tiger Crafts, the Denver, Colorado-based retailer for modern fabrics and yarns, has been sold to its employees.
Beyond Ravelry: Pattern Platforms for Knitting and Crochet Designers
Over the years, Ravelry has dominated the independent sellers market for its ease of use and large database. However, a combination of factors has seen designers turn to additional sales outlets. We look at what’s available.
The Supply Chain Bottleneck Impacts the Crafts Industry
Hold on to your supplies, whether needles and thread, yarn, fabric, or templates. The supply chain bottleneck means getting necessary tools and stock is taking longer than before.
What is the Most Important Business Lesson You Learned Through the Pandemic?
We asked seven craft business owners to share the greatest lessons they’ve learned over the past 18 months. There’s so much wisdom in their words and we hope you’ll find their answers to be inspiring and motivating.
Berroco Acquired by Premier Needle Arts, Owner of KnitPicks and WeCrochet
Premier Needle Arts, a Blue Point Capital Partners portfolio company, announced today the acquisition of Berroco, Inc., a leading supplier of knitting and crochet yarns and patterns serving local yarn shops and ecommerce retailers.
Michaels to Launch No-Fee Marketplace for Craft Supply Sellers
Art and craft supply retailer, Michaels, has announced on its website that it will be launching a marketplace for third-party craft supply sellers, the Michaels Marketplace.
An Evaluation of Etsy’s New Star Seller Badge Program
Etsy rolled out a new Star Seller Badge at the start of September. Sellers have had impassioned responses, including one who wrote a detailed forum post which we have permission to republish here.
Behind-the-Scenes with Melañio Gomez, Making It Season 3 Contestant
Contestants on the reality competition show Making It on NBC race against the clock, crafting elaborate projects in order to be named Master Maker and win a $100,000 prize. We sat down with Melañio Gomez, a contestant on Season 3, to learn more.
Go Imagine a Marketplace that Helps Charities: Jon Lincoln Did
When it comes to businesses, Jon Lincoln is a wide-ranging maker. The Boston-area entrepreneur has launched a comedy club, as well as a document manager for insurance companies. But his latest product, Goimagine, is a maker marketplace with a difference.
Stitching Stolen Lives Focuses on Quilts as a Catalyst for Social Change
A new book by Sara Trail and Teresa Duryea Wong documents the work of the Social Justice Sewing Academy including the Remembrance Project, Memory Quilts, and workshops with young people.
AFCI to Merge into NAMTA
The Association for Creative Industries (AFCI) announced yesterday that it intends to merge with The International Art Materials Association (NAMTA). Pending a vote by both organization’s members, the merger will be finalized by mid-August 2021.
Spoonflower Acquired by Shutterfly, Artists Are Apprehensive and Hopeful
Spoonflower announced yesterday that the company will be acquired by Shutterfly for $225 million.
McCalls Printing Plant to Close By the End of the Year
The McCalls printing plant in Manhattan, Kansas, will shut down at the end of 2021. The plant, currently employs 85 people and prints and folds sewing pattern tissue.
Etsy to Acquire Resale Marketplace Depop
Etsy announced yesterday that it is acquiring resale marketplace, Depop, for $1.6 million. We look at why they made this acquisition and what it might mean for sellers.
Where’s My Fabric? Craft Businesses Continue to Face Delivery Challenges
A combination of increased demand, shipping delays, and the labor shortage coming out of the pandemic is causing craft companies to struggle with product delivery delays.