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Giveaway: Craft Corps

March 16, 2011 by Amanda Formaro

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

  1. Sara Garland says

    March 16, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    I love craft gossip.com!

  2. heather says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Most of my networking is done online, via blogs and sites like Ravelry.

  3. Christina says

    March 17, 2011 at 1:20 am

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

  4. Lindsay says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:44 am

    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.

  5. Michelle Murphy says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:50 am

    I network through facebook and blogs, it gives me inspiration for new projects

  6. Sylvia says

    March 17, 2011 at 3:15 am

    I started a blog, so am hoping to do more that way!

  7. Kelly says

    March 17, 2011 at 5:33 am

    I use facebook to network and taking classes with other artists helps out too 🙂

  8. Trisha says

    March 17, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Mostly through blogs or a few local crafters. It’d be great to get some new ideas!

  9. LisaT says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    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. Julie Ann Witt says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    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. Caroline Goddard says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:07 pm

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

  12. sue says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    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. Lisa says

    March 17, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    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!

  14. lixa says

    March 17, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    i read lots of blogs. it’s how i learned most of the sewing

  15. Mary Williams says

    March 17, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    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. Jaan says

    March 17, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    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. Kelly W says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    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. Sarah Fitzgerald says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    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. Karol B. says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    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. Jessica says

    March 17, 2011 at 3:38 pm

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

  21. Kimberly R. says

    March 17, 2011 at 4:43 pm

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

  22. Teresa says

    March 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm

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

  23. Charlene Anderson says

    March 17, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I network via Facebook, Twitter, my own newsletter and blog, and well as posting on others.

  24. Katherine says

    March 17, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    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. Tracy Nixon says

    March 17, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    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. K80 Haze says

    March 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    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. Deborah says

    March 17, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    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. Brigitta says

    March 17, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    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. Dennis says

    March 18, 2011 at 4:39 am

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

  30. Ruth Hill says

    March 18, 2011 at 3:58 am

    I basically network through blogs, e-mail, and facebook. I love crafts!

  31. Cathy Shore says

    March 18, 2011 at 9:51 am

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

  32. Kimberlee says

    March 19, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    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. Carol Douglass says

    March 20, 2011 at 10:33 am

    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.

  34. Lynn says

    March 20, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    great waiting to have more fun

  35. Bunnyfreak says

    March 20, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    I network with other crafters through blogs and forums.

  36. Emily Carter says

    March 21, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    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. Sunni says

    March 22, 2011 at 2:42 am

    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!

  38. Emily says

    March 23, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Online, through Facebook, blogs and yahoo groups.

  39. Courtney says

    March 25, 2011 at 12:30 am

    blogging and Junk Revolution!

  40. Pat says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:45 am

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

  41. Tilly A says

    March 30, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    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?

How the Wilthons Transformed Their Backyard Into a Self-Sufficient Homestead in Just 6 Months

Imagine this: a typical suburban backyard filled with grass and a few shrubs. Now picture that same space transformed into a thriving homestead with vegetable gardens, chickens clucking happily in a coop, and a rainwater harvesting system in place. This is exactly what the Wilthon family accomplished in just six months, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring. From the moment they decided to make the leap into homesteading, they were determined to live a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. Here’s how they did it.

The Beginning of the Wilthons’ Homesteading Journey

It all started during the summer of 2024 when the Wilthon family—mom and dad, Emily and James, and their two kids, Lucy and Ben—decided that they wanted to make a change. Like many families, they were feeling the weight of rising grocery bills and the constant environmental stress weighing on their minds. Emily, a stay-at-home mom, had always been interested in gardening and sustainability. James, who worked as a software engineer, had a growing desire to reduce their family’s reliance on the grid and live in a way that aligned with their values.

After watching several homesteading documentaries and following local homesteaders on social media, Emily and James had an idea. They realized they didn’t need acres of land to start their homesteading adventure—just a little bit of creativity, hard work, and determination. They decided to transform their backyard into a fully functional homestead that could supply their family with food, water, and even energy—all within six months.

Step 1: Planning and Research

The Wilthons knew that starting a homestead from scratch required careful planning. They spent several weeks researching different homesteading methods, talking to local homesteaders, and getting advice from online communities. They also created a budget to ensure they could make the most of their resources.

“We knew we had to start small and not overwhelm ourselves,” said Emily. “It was about making gradual, manageable changes that would add up over time.”

Their plan included growing a vegetable garden, raising chickens for eggs, collecting rainwater, and implementing solar panels to reduce their dependence on the power grid. They also decided to start composting to reduce waste and improve soil quality for their garden.

Step 2: Building the Vegetable Garden

The first major project they tackled was transforming a large portion of their backyard into a garden. They started by researching which vegetables would grow best in their climate, focusing on easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and peppers.

They used raised beds to make gardening easier, especially since the soil in their area wasn’t ideal for planting. Emily and James built the raised beds themselves using reclaimed wood, saving money while also practicing sustainable building methods.

“We wanted to make sure our garden would be productive, but we also wanted it to be low-maintenance and sustainable,” said James. “We opted for organic growing methods and started by composting kitchen scraps and using natural fertilizers.”

In just a few weeks, their garden began to thrive, and they were soon harvesting fresh vegetables right from their backyard.

Step 3: Raising Chickens for Eggs

Next on the Wilthons’ homesteading list was raising chickens. They did a lot of research on raising chickens for eggs and learned that it was one of the easiest and most rewarding aspects of homesteading.

The family built a simple chicken coop using leftover materials from their garden project, ensuring the chickens would be safe and comfortable. They started with six hens, choosing a breed known for being friendly and good egg layers.

“We were surprised at how easy it was to care for the chickens,” said Emily. “The kids loved collecting the eggs every morning, and we were amazed at how much of a difference it made to have fresh, homegrown eggs.”

Within just a few months, the Wilthons had a steady supply of eggs and were able to cut back on grocery store purchases. They even used the chicken manure to fertilize their garden, creating a sustainable loop in their homesteading system.

Step 4: Harvesting Rainwater

One of the most ambitious projects the Wilthons took on was harvesting rainwater. Living in a climate where water conservation is important, they saw the value in capturing rainwater for their garden and household needs.

They installed a rainwater collection system on their roof, which included gutters, downspouts, and a large storage tank. The system was fairly easy to install and didn’t require much maintenance.

“We’ve had a lot of rain this year, and the rainwater collection system has been a lifesaver,” said James. “We use the rainwater to water the garden, wash the car, and even for our outdoor cleaning. It’s amazing how much water we’ve saved.”

By collecting rainwater, the Wilthons not only saved money on their water bill but also reduced their environmental impact.

Step 5: Adding Solar Power

The final piece of their self-sufficient puzzle was adding solar panels to their home. The Wilthons had always wanted to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and solar energy seemed like the perfect way to do so.

After researching local solar panel installation companies and calculating their energy needs, they decided to install a small solar array on their roof. With their system in place, the Wilthons were able to generate enough energy to power their lights, appliances, and even their small garden pump.

“We didn’t want to go completely off-grid just yet, but being able to generate our own energy is a huge step in the right direction,” said Emily. “It gives us peace of mind knowing we’re contributing to a greener planet and saving money on our energy bills.”

Step 6: Learning Along the Way

The Wilthons were quick to realize that homesteading isn’t always easy. There were challenges, like dealing with pests in the garden and learning to manage the chickens. But every step of the way, they learned new skills and gained confidence in their ability to live more sustainably.

“We’ve made mistakes along the way, but that’s part of the process,” said James. “What’s important is that we’re learning and growing. The kids are more involved than ever, and we’re teaching them valuable skills that will last a lifetime.”

The Result: A Thriving Homestead

After just six months, the Wilthons had successfully transformed their suburban backyard into a fully functional homestead. They were growing their own food, collecting rainwater, raising chickens for eggs, and generating solar power to reduce their carbon footprint.

“We never imagined we’d be able to achieve all of this in just six months,” said Emily. “It’s been a lot of work, but the rewards are so worth it. We feel more connected to our food and the environment, and we’re teaching our kids valuable lessons about sustainability.”

Looking ahead, the Wilthons plan to continue expanding their homesteading efforts. They’re considering adding more chickens, possibly raising a few goats, and experimenting with more advanced gardening techniques like permaculture. They’re also exploring the idea of creating a small greenhouse to extend their growing season.

“The journey doesn’t end here,” said James. “Homesteading is a lifelong process, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”

The Wilthon family’s story is a perfect example of how anyone, regardless of their living situation, can take small steps toward self-sufficiency. With dedication, planning, and a willingness to learn, the Wilthons turned their dreams of homesteading into a reality—and they did it in just six months.

Are you ready to start your own homesteading adventure? If the Wilthons can do it, so can you!

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