Maker Corner: March

Over the past few years, we’ve been developing and expanding our reach into the world of making, by offering both programs and resources.

What exactly is making? Well, we actually helped craft a formal definition for it for library staff across the nation. But the short answer is pretty simple: it is the process of being willing to get your hands dirty and learn while you create whatever you want to make to accomplish a task or just have fun. Do you cook?  Do you craft? Do you invent? Do you build? Do you fix things? You are a maker! 

In fact, some are even talking about making as at the core of a new type of literacy: invention literacy  (i,e, the ability to look around you and figure out how human-made things work). Like any type of literacy, you can never be too old or too young to start your making journey and nurturing the growth mindset on which all making depends. You also can never have enough tools in the forms of books to get your creative juices flowing.

So, this year we plan to highlight all of the various making resources we have–which range from needlework to Legos to more. March is all about how to turn your maker hobby into your own business.

We have a number of general resources on entrepreneurship and starting a business of your own, but if you’re into crafting, you probably have some questions that aren’t answered in these books. So, we also have several maker/craft-specific business resources that should help you along the way.

Abby Glassenberg and Maya Elson’s Crafter’s Market: The DIY Resource for Creating a Successful and Profitable Craft Business (2016)

If you want a good general overview of crafting as a business, this book is the perfect resource. It covers everything from branding to marketing to customer communication. You’ll learn about how to photograph your products effectively and write solid ad copy for them, how to generate press coverage, how to parley your skills into teaching classes, and more. It also has an expansive listing of craft markets, including craft shows and online platforms.

Kari Chapin’s Grow Your Handmade Business: How to Envision, Develop, and Sustain a Successful Creative Business (2012)

Another all-around book that covers how to start and launch a creative business, this one is especially interested in applying all the things you’d do for any new business (business plans, production plans, marketing plans, accounting) to a creative enterprise.

Kate Shoup and Kate Gatski’s Starting an Etsy Business (2017)

Etsy is the default online craft market, and this book breaks down all the ways to optimize your use of Etsy to sell your products. You’ll learn how to create an account, manage your storefront, showcase your products, and market your business.

Hilary Pullen’s Online Marketing for Your Craft Business: How to Get Your Handmade Products Delivered, Shared and Sold on the Internet (2014)

If your primary concern is how to go about marketing your craft business, this book is probably your best bet. Rather than focusing on the logistics of starting or operating a craft business, it focuses on how to market one. It covers social networking, content marketing, and cross-channel content strategy.

Stacy Miller and Angie Wojak’s Starting Your Career as an Artist: A Guide to Launching a Creative Life (2023)

If you’re specifically interested in pursuing a career in art, this book is a wonderful resource that really drills down on the essentials for being a professional artist. It covers the ins and outs of working with galleries and doing exhibitions and juried art shows, as well as how to pick MFA graduate programs, how to market yourself on social media, how to write effective artist statements, and even how to set up a professional studio space.

Mary Meinking’s Start Your Crafting Business (2017)

If you have a budding young crafter/entrepreneur, this book is for them. It’s geared toward children and covers the basics of making crafts for sell. Not a comprehensive resource but it gives the basics.

Are you a crafty entrepreneur? Interested in starting your own maker business? Tell us in the comments!  As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of these items or to place them on hold.