WEBS Acquired by LoveCrafts
Kathy and Steve Elkins, owners of WEBS, announced today that they’ve sold the business to LoveCrafts, a UK-based venture-funded startup.
Pandemic Crafting Props Up Michaels’ Sales in Third Quarter
Mega-retailer Michaels is doing OK, but it’s not out of the woods yet.
News Roundup from the Scrapbook Industry: Winter 2020
Each quarter Nancy Nally rounds up the latest news from the scrapbook industry including product releases, lawsuits, mergers and acquisitions, new hires, and more. Check out this Winter 2020 update.
International Quilt Association, Host of World of Beauty Show at Quilt Festival in Houston, to Shut Down
The International Quilt Association, the non-profit that runs the World of Beauty quilt show at International Quilt Festival in Houston each November, announced today that it will be closing down due to low membership numbers and the impact of COVID-19.
The Ins and Outs of Selling Your Handmade Products with Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods is a catalog and website known for unique and quirky gifts. For makers, selling wholesale to Uncommon Goods can be a great opportunity to find a new, and large, audience.
McCall Printing Facility, Out of Commission Since Mid-October, Causes Delays
The McCall printing facility in Manhattan, Kansas has been offline since mid-October due to a network outage causing printing delays for indie pattern designers.
Missouri Star to Open a Yarn Shop
Missouri Star is opening a yarn shop. One Big Happy Yarn Co. will be both a brick-and-mortar in Hamilton, MO and will offer ecommerce.
2020 Trends in the European Craft Market, Looking Ahead to 2021
Representatives of a cross section of the European craft industry to weigh in on what changes they have seen in their business this year, and what trends they foresee for 2021.
Bolstered by High Sales, Etsy Prepares for a Highly Unusual Holiday Season
Etsy reported $2.6 billion in sales for Q3 2020, the second-highest quarter in its history. Mask sales are cooling as holiday shopping begins.
Electric Quilt Rereleases Barbara Brackman’s Iconic Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns
Electric Quilt is rereleasing Barbara Brackman’s iconic book, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Blocks, first published in 1993.
2020 Etsy Design Awards Winners Announced
Etsy has announced the winners of the 2020 Design Awards. We talk to the winners to find out what the experience has been like.
A Tribute to Pearl Chin
Pearl Chin, owner of Knitty City, sadly passed away on October 27, shortly after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She created a space that is welcoming, sometimes a little chaotic, and always brimming with passion for craft and community; a true reflection of her personality.
Kollage Square Needles Finds a New Home, and Shared Mission, at Career Services
Kollage Square Needles has been acquired by Career Services, a Canadian social services agency that provides job training for disabled adults.
Buying and Wearing African Wax Prints: An Exploration
African wax prints are fabrics with a complex and nuanced history and, although they’re trending on the fashion runways, some consumers question whether wearing these garments is cultural appropriation.
The Be Seen Project Creates Community for BIPOC Makers
The Be Seen Project is a new space, existing both online and off, for BIPOC makers creating work on themes of social justice.
2020 Etsy Design Awards Finalists Announced
The Etsy Design Awards are an opportunity for handmade shops to be recognized for their artistry and ingenuity. We talk with some of this year’s finalists to learn more about their work.
A Visit to the New Michaels Concept Store
Michaels recently announced a transformation of two of their stores in an effort to “re-imagine the optimal maker shopping experience.” We visit one to see what its really like.
Due to COVID, Churchmouse Yarns Embarks on a New Chapter
Like many businesses, Churchmouse had to shutter its bricks and mortar location during the COVID-19 pandemic. The owners have decided not to reopen and instead to shift their business online.
Michaels Bounces Back from Pandemic Closings
Craft retailer Michaels got this quarter’s sales up 11.1% over last year by going hard on e-commerce and new marketing initiatives.
News Roundup from the Scrapbook Industry: Fall 2020
Each quarter Nancy Nally rounds up the latest news from the scrapbook industry including product releases, lawsuits, mergers and acquisitions, new hires, and more. Check out this Fall 2020 update.