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Giveaway: Craft Corps

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We are halfway through our month’s worth of giveaways for National Craft Month. Lark Crafts generously offered several book titles to our readers with a new book giveaway each week.

This week Lark brings us Craft Corps: Celebrating the Creative Community One Story at a Time by Vickie Howell. In this book, Vickie not only interviews 30 professional crafters, but also speaks with several amateur craftspeople. This book documents how social networking sites, groups like Stitch ’n’ Bitch, and alternative sales outlets such as Etsy have helped create a close community of crafters passionate about their work and each other.

HOW TO ENTER
Simply leave a comment on this post and tell us how you network with other crafters and how it has helped you!  Tell us all about it before March 23rd at midnight CST!

ELIGIBILITY
As much as we would love to include our Canadian and international friends I’m afraid this giveaway is restricted to those with a U.S. mailing address. If you live outside of the U.S. but have an address within the U.S. that we can ship to then you’re in! Otherwise, we truly apologize. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be randomly selected on March 30th and notified via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond with their shipping address, otherwise an alternate winner will be drawn. Good luck!

Please note, all prizes will be shipped at the conclusion of our National Craft Month celebration. Winners should allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after April 1, 2011.

Keep your eyes peeled for more fun to celebrate National Craft Month!

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Comments

  3. I network with other crafters mostly through blogging. but also with a few other sahms in my area.

  4. This is so right up my alley! My craft community exists both online and in the real world, and the inspiration I get from both is invaluable.

  9. I network through blogs and I’m also lucky enough to work with some hard-core crafters who keep me in the loop on bunches of craft stuff.

  10. I network through Twitter. I have met so many other crafters that I never would have had the opportunity to meet before, people from my own community and people from other countries! I get ideas for projects every day by looking at what other people are doing or what they are recommending. Twitter has opened up a huge world for crafters and I am honored to be a part of it!

  11. I net work thought IC3 Ipswich craft chocolate and chat . we get together once a month and share our inspirations.

  12. I go to my church for quilting and to the senior center for knitting and crochet and the library for knitting. I guess I am the old fashion network crafter, except for this blog!

  13. I belong to several local groups that knit, crochet, craft, etc. Plus, I love blogging and reading about different ideas. Ravelry is also my friend!

  15. I network through blogs. I love looking through the various craft linkies and posting my own! It has helped me come up with a million new ideas!
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

  16. If I didn’t have other crafters to turn to then I would have a huge pile of unfinished projects. They have saved me many of times.

  17. I love to learn from other crafters. I take small, inexpensive craft classes at my local Jerry’s Artarama and always come away learning a ton of new stuff and enjoying my time with like-minded people.

  18. Ooh sounds like a good read. I constantly read craft websites. I am going to my first craft corner this morning, can’t wait.

  19. I belong to yahoo groups of people who do the same crafts I do . These groups help each other to learn the crafts do exchanges and swaps. They have groups for new commers to the crafts and groups for people who have done the crafts for a long time. I have l;earned a lot from them and made many friends.

  20. I network on FB and craftster.org. KNITTY GRITTY and Vickie are the reason that I taught myself to knit.

  21. I network through the blogging world and yahoo groups, very easy to keep up with everything new!!
    Thanks 🙂

  22. I network with knitters and tatters through ravelry and my blog. I do really love Craftgossip and craftbits for ideas and help tho!

  24. I network on Facebook, Ning groups, and blogs. Facebook is a great way to reach a lot of people quickly – while joining (and participating!) in a Ning group means a closer atmosphere. Sometimes FB can feel like you have to shout to be heard – Nings are more like being at a quiet gathering.

    Thank you – and Vickie does GREAT work!!

  25. This comp is right up my street! I seek advice and ideas both online and at the various local art groups and classes I attend, for example, currently I attend a pottery class, water colour class, a general art class (where we share ideas and try new things, and a knit and knatter group! I also follow several art and craft blogs, like this one! I also teach myself from online resources and library books and I also subscribe to several craft magazines! I spend a fortune on my hobby but it is worth it!

  26. This book sounds fantastic! I have been following various craft blogs and keeping in touch with many crafters via Craftser, Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, and Swap Bot. Being active in a craft community has helped me grow as a crafter and given me constant inspiration.

  27. I network both online and off with other crafters and glass artists. My husband and I even spent our honeymoon at a getaway for mosaic artists we had met online in Canada!

  28. I’m much better at networking with other crafters online than I am online–with the exception of FaceBook fan pages that is. I’m a member of The Soundry in Northern Virginia, which includes an open shared studio space in addition to a cafe, gift shop, and gallery. I go to the Soundry to work on projects because it enables me to interact with artists who work in different mediums than I do, and I find it inspiring.

  29. I network through blogs, forums, and places like this craft gossip. Facebook, twitter, and e-mails.

  31. I read as many blogs in a day as my time will allow, also joined crafts groups on Flickr

  32. This sounds very interesting! I have to admit, in my short time in the crafting blogosphere, people have been overwhelmingly kind and supportive, as well as helpful.

  33. I use the power of technology most of the time, but I do have several friends that get together several times of year to craft, network and have fun.

  36. My networking is mostly done through facebook and blogs. There are so many crafty people out there – I love to share my work with others and get great ideas from them!

  37. My blog, Etsy forums, FB and twitter. It seems like you don’t even need to look for it. I just stuble onto many forums searching on a topic I have a question about!

  40. I sometimes get CBFB (crafters brain freeze block) and then turn to a blog or a magazine for inspiration or spring board,

  41. Vickie is my Home Girl! I love her projects and have watche dher brilliance my whole life. I hope I win. <3

Have you read?

5 Must-Know Secrets to Turning Your Suburban Home into a Profitable, Sustainable Homestead

If you’re dreaming of creating a self-sufficient homestead but feel limited by your suburban setting, you’re not alone. Many homeowners believe that homesteading is only for those with acres of land, but the truth is, it’s entirely possible to transform your suburban home into a profitable and sustainable homestead. Whether you’re aiming to cut grocery bills, reduce your carbon footprint, or even earn some extra income, here are five must-know secrets that will help you turn your suburban space into a thriving, sustainable homestead!

Maximize Your Garden Space with Vertical Growing

In a suburban backyard, space can be limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow a bountiful garden. Vertical gardening is the key to utilizing your space more efficiently and maximizing your yield.

You can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs vertically by using trellises, hanging planters, and vertical garden towers. Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and beans do especially well when grown vertically, as they can be trained to grow upwards instead of sprawling out.

Secret Tip: Consider using vertical gardening methods for food that you and your family consume regularly—like herbs, lettuces, and even strawberries—so you’ll have a fresh supply right at your fingertips. Not only does this save money, but it can also reduce your grocery bill over time.

Incorporate Small Livestock for Eggs, Meat, and Manure

Raising small livestock like chickens, rabbits, or even bees can greatly contribute to your homestead’s sustainability and profitability. Chickens, for example, provide fresh eggs and natural pest control, and they can even be kept in smaller, urban-friendly spaces.

Secret Tip: Chickens are relatively low-maintenance, and with a well-designed coop, they can thrive even in a suburban backyard. If you’re interested in expanding your livestock options, rabbits can also be a great choice. They reproduce quickly and offer meat that is lean and nutritious. Plus, their manure can be composted and used to fertilize your garden!

Profit Tip: By selling eggs, surplus poultry, or even honey from your bees, you can generate some extra income. A small side hustle like this can help pay for your homesteading supplies or even turn into a full-time business over time.

Harvest and Store Water with a Rainwater Collection System

Water is essential to every homestead, and one of the easiest ways to become more self-sufficient is by harvesting rainwater. A rainwater collection system can help reduce your water bills and ensure you always have water available for your garden, livestock, and even for household use (if treated properly).

Secret Tip: Set up rain barrels or a larger rainwater collection system with gutters to capture rainfall from your roof. The collected water can be used for irrigation, washing your car, or even cleaning outdoor spaces. Just make sure to use a proper filtration system if you plan to use it for drinking or cooking.

Profit Tip: Rainwater harvesting also reduces your dependence on the local water supply, which could be especially beneficial during dry spells or in areas with water restrictions. You’ll save money while helping conserve natural resources!

Implement Solar Power to Cut Energy Costs and Increase Sustainability

If you’re serious about sustainability, investing in solar power is a must. Solar panels are a great way to reduce your energy costs, and depending on where you live, you may even be eligible for tax credits or rebates to offset the installation cost.

Secret Tip: Start small by adding a few solar panels to power outdoor lights, a small garden pump, or a shed. If your energy needs grow, you can gradually add more panels to your home. Some homeowners even sell excess energy back to the grid, which can help offset the cost of installation and lead to potential income!

Profit Tip: In addition to cutting your electric bill, generating your own solar power means less reliance on external sources of energy, making your homestead more resilient and eco-friendly.

Monetize Your Homestead: Sell Homemade Products and Services

One of the best things about turning your suburban home into a homestead is the ability to generate extra income from the hard work you put in. Whether it’s selling homemade preserves, eggs, flowers, or even hand-crafted items, there are plenty of opportunities to profit from your homesteading efforts.

Secret Tip: Start by making small, high-demand products like jams, pickles, or soaps and selling them at local farmers’ markets or online platforms like Etsy. If you’re raising livestock, selling fresh eggs or meat can also be a great way to earn some cash.

Profit Tip: The key to monetizing your homestead is to identify products or services that you can consistently produce and that have a steady demand in your area. Your local community may be looking for fresh, local produce or sustainable, handcrafted goods—and you can meet that demand while earning a profit!

Turning your suburban home into a profitable, sustainable homestead doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By using smart space-saving techniques, raising small livestock, harvesting rainwater, and implementing energy-saving solutions like solar power, you can reduce your reliance on external resources and create a thriving homestead right in your own backyard.

And don’t forget the potential to monetize your homestead! Whether you sell homemade products, eggs, or garden surplus, there’s money to be made in homesteading.

Start small, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, your suburban home will not only be more sustainable, but it will also be a profitable, self-sufficient homestead!