Lark Books and Lark Crafts just published a new book, Craft Corps, Celebrating the Creative Community One Story at a Time. Lark Crafts team member Kathleen, who I met through the Belt Buckle project last year, emailed to see if I wanted to give away the new book on my blog, so of course I said yes!
THE AUTHOR
The book was written by one of my favorite handmade gals Vickie Howell. She is quite the crafty celebrity. She hosts the show Knitty Gritty and , is part of Austin Craft Mafia, once had her own yarn line, and writes a column for PBS Parents called Craft Apparent. I've followed Vickie since before I started Stitch Machine- I used to check her blog daily while I was working in an office and dreaming about being a crafter full time.
Keeping up with her along with Jenny Hart, Jennifer Perkins, and Kathy Murillo around 2005-2006 is what really got me excited about the modern handmade movement and starting a crafty business. What I loved about these ladies was that they were very successful, while still being independent and extremely accessible. They coded their own websites (at first), they spoke often at conferences, did their own video updates on their blogs, and manned their own booths at craft fairs. I thought this was the bees knees! But, I digress...
THE BOOK
Vickie's new book Craft Corps is a series of in-depth interviews with the most interesting people. If Handmade Nation was Handmade 101: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design , then Craft Corps is Handmade 202: The Steady Steering of an Ongoing Movement. Thirty of the superstar Makers are there, like fabric designer Amy Butler, stencil artist Ed Roth, Big Ass Book of Crafts writer Mark Montano, and TV icon Carol Duvall. I love that this book also includes lesser known quietly successful business owners and people who craft for fun.
See an interview excerpt: Travis Nichols Interview
Watch Vickie's video trailer for the book:
And now, without further ado, enter Stitch Machine's book giveaway drawing!
CONTEST RULES
Anyone in the world who visits the Stitch Machine Blog can enter the drawing and possibly win a free Craft Corps Book- it may as well be you! You can enter the contest a maximum of 3 times, once in each of the ways listed below.
1. COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST
Only one entry will be accepted via commenting on my blog. Include the following information:
a. Tell me who your favorite crafter or maker is and why. Someone you know? A relative? A character from a movie or book? A celebrity? (Induct them into our Mock Craft Corps list below by leaving your comment! :) )
b. Your email address. I don't need this if you have a profile that links to an email, but just remember- if I can't contact you, you can't win.
2. FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/stitchmachine
Your name will be entered into the contest once if you become a fan of Stitch Machine on Facebook AND tell your friends about this contest using @stitchmachine in your status update somewhere (so I can track it).
3. TWITTER
www.twitter.com/stitchmachine
Your name will be entered into the contest once if you Tweet one of these sentences, or something like it, being sure to put @stitchmachine somewhere in the update:
Who's your favorite crafter or maker? Tell @stitchmachine for the chance to win a free copy of the book Craft Corps. http://bit.ly/aVfev3
Induct ur fav. crafter 2 the Mock Craft Corps at @stitchmachine blog & U might win a Craft Corps book by Vickie Howell! http://bit.ly/aVfev3
Entry period begins July 23, 2010 and ends on July 30, 2010 at midnight. One winner will be chosen randomly using Random.org. I will announce the winner on this blog, my Facebook page and my Twitter page as soon as I get a response from the winner.
Alright, good luck everyone and I can't wait to see who you will induct into my Mock Craft Corps below! (And you can always join the REAL Craft Corps on Vickie Howell's website, which is not directly connected with this particular contest.)
If you don't see a space to comment below, click here.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite crafter is probably my Nana who taught me how to knit, sew and bake before I went to school. She had seven grandchildren, all of whom were clad in hand-knitted sweaters, hats and scarves every winter. Even now, after three strokes she knits scarves for charity and I think she's simply amazing.
My email address is vonnie@blottedcopybook.co.uk and I've retweeted you xx
My favourite crafter is, I think, my Nain (grandma). She was a seamstress, and made my mother's wedding dress (which was gorgeous). She did so many crafts (sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet), but none of her children were interested in learning any of them. Finally with me she succeeded! Her eyesight is going now and all she can do is crochet, but she's made so many gorgeous blankets for my son, and for the hospital sales.
ReplyDeleteMy email is rhian_drinkwaterATyahooDOTcoDOTuk
My favorite crafter is Pat Morey. She was a lady I used to work with that taught me how to crochet. I'm no longer working there but whenever I have a crochet question she's always there for me. She rocks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this! WVU_Alesha@yahoo.com
My favorite crafter was a very dear friend who is no longer with us. She came from a very crafty family. I was so thankful to learn how to crochet from her. I could call her on the phone and get advice. She is sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite crafter is Mary! She had become my co-author and is one of the most talented people I have ever met. She isn't afraid of a challange and has a great sense of humor to go along with it. Rock on, Mary!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite crafter is Chelsea,my 7 year old niece because of her innocence and I taught her everything she knows ;)-hypersky5@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSherri
hi, (i will become a fan after i head back to facebook!) My favorite crafter is my mom! She and my gram got me into crafting and always supported my love for it by having items for me to use, allowing me to use their equipment, answering questions, etc. I am 40 and my mom and i still craft together every chance we get, even in sending goodies to eachother for crafting. Sadly my daughter shares her love of electronics with her dad, crafts come 2nd.
ReplyDeleteVickie Howell and Cathie Filian are a couple of my favorite crafty people.
ReplyDeleteI think one of my favorite crafters has to be the lovely lades of the past Lime and Violet. I was sad to see it end, but fell in love with their yarn line, digital art collections, roving, podcast, art journaling, etc. Great great stuff. I just wish I was able to buy their stuff, when they were selling it, darn living on a student budget.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite crafter is my sis in law Michelle. She's a graphic designer by trade, but a true designer by nature and designs everything around her, from designing and sewing cute monster bags/lunch sacks for her son to designing and implementing a new outdoor patio. She's such a creative inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Ann
Ltorres78@gmail.com
My favorite crafter is me. I knit and crochet and sew. I do theatre in what little spare time I have, and when I do, it's a very creative environment. I sell my knitted and crocheted goodies at local craft shows.
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful friend named Emily Davin who is a crafter extraordinare! She does paper arts, fiber arts, beading, drawing, and painting, and she used to drive a train for a living! I think she would be an awesome additon to this book. <3
ReplyDeleteMany of these stories resonate with me and are taking me down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, leaving a comment here gets you entered into the Stitch Machine drawing to win the book Craft Corps by Vickie Howell....the book is already published, and telling your story here does not nominate them to be in the book. (Though I agree with you emarci- I would love to read a whole book just about your friend Emily!)
Do visit Vickie's site at http://vickiehowell.com/craftcorps/ Thanks for sharing your stories with me (Sarah) & Stitch Machine readers!
<3 <3 <3 Keep them coming!
Hey Sarah-
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to pop by since I met you at The Big Crafty! I love, love, love these kinds of books! I think reading and learning from other crafters is so important since being a crafter usually means you're locked in a room by yourself most of the time! Its also such a lovely, authentically NICE community and I'm happy to be a part of it in my own little way. I'm also happy to live in the same place as Lark Books!
My favorite crafter is my sister-in-law, SeDonna. We get together and knit and crochet and bead and shop for supplies and talk so much about knitting and crocheting and beading that her husband (my brother) and my children tease us mercilessly. But we don't care!
ReplyDeletepam.asberry@gmail.com
My favorite crafter is Vickie Howell, because she incorporates so many mediums into her eco and cost-conscious, accessible approach.
ReplyDeleteI love how so many people's favorite crafters are mothers and grandmothers - how these women in our lives have inspired us to create things by hand, ourselves. And I have to agree with them too! My favorite crafter was my great-grandma ("Granny"), Annie Isabelle. I remember sewing on her ancient Singer when I was little, and I got my love of crochet, baking, and canning from her too. She lived the handmade life because she grew up in a time when you had too, and I feel so lucky and so honored to be able to choose to do these things just because of the pleasure they bring.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for offering this contest, Sarah! I'd love to have this inspiring book.
xoxo,
Amanda, verabellevintage@gmail.com
My favorite crafter is my good friend Alesha. (wvu_alesha, who posted above)
ReplyDeleteShe is always making something...sock monkeys, jewelry and so many different crochet projects.
She donates to many charities and is always willing to help a fellow crafter.. she amazes me with her talent!
Tina
addedtouch@roadrunner.com
my fave crafter I totally and completely admire is Kari Ramstrom, aka artsymama.com
ReplyDeleteLove her vintage style and her beautiful art journals and scrapbooks..
bonnierose
bonnieangel1797@gmail.com