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Giveaway: Artists & Makers Magazine

by 32 Comments

win copy of artists & makers magazine

Congrats to Alicia, nan50 and Shelli.

Interweave/F+W have been releasing a lot of fun special issues of their magazines lately. Artists & Makers (retails for $9.99) is a special by the editors of Cloth Paper Scissors, but it’s great for creatives of all types who are interested in starting or growing a business selling handmade goods.

The magazine includes profiles of artists including Brooklyn knife maker Chelsea Miller, letterpress master Kevin Bradley, sculptor Gustavo Victor Goler and portrait artist Jamea Richmond-Edwards. There first-person profiles give insight into the artists’ inspiration, influences and the evolution of their work, as well as peeks into their studios.

There’s also information on nuts-and-bolts business skills such as using social media in your creative business, finding funding, dealing with hagglers at shows and arranging your studio space for an open house, among other things.

You’ll also find reviews of books on creative businesses, all sorts of creative tidbits, a look into a day in the life of furniture artist Greg Klassen and brief profiles of creatives whose businesses give back (including Nicole Snow of Darn Good Yarn, whose company supports the female craftspeople of Nepal who make her yarn and other products from recycled saris and other cast-off fibers).

This magazine is a lot of fun and should serve as great inspiration and motivation for anyone who wants to start or grow a creative business in the new year.

I have three copies to give away to people who leave comments on this post before the end of the day Monday, Jan. 5. If you already have a creative business, I’d love to hear about it, and if not, I’d like to know what you’re thinking about or what you might get out of this magazine.

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Comments

  2. I am currently in business plan stages of a creative endeavor that brings “non-artisans” who are interested in crafting and making together with different local makers and artists… it’s a first go… a first jump – very scary and exciting all at the same time:)

  4. It is about time. I have been in business for 35 years and was ready to give up this year. I only sell retail in Utah and people here are so frugal it is hard to make a living. I designed a Tiny Tent in 1983, doll backpack, burp cloths, minky quilts and moving onto some purse and jacket designs. I want to sell only on line but have not as I am soooooo old school. I have had some designs published for recycling and several front page newspaper articles from working at home in the 80’s, copyright stealing, to refusing to sell finished products made in China.

  5. Ohhhhh…I’d so very much love to get a copy of this brilliant sounding magazine. I’ve looked in the shops here, but no one seems to have it. Understandably, as it’s new, but even when I asked them to check with their suppliers, they told me that it’s very unlikely that they can get it in for me. Boo to that!

    Please, please please enter my name into the draw/giveaway for this zine – I’d love to end 2014 on a creatively inspiring and motivating one. Thanks in advance for the very generous offer, even if I’m not one of the lucky ones who win it. 🙂

  6. Oops! I just realised I’m meant to leave a comment about what I’d like to get out of this magazine, if I won a copy. Well, I do have a small craft business, yes, and am looking for ways of taking it to the next level. I sell at markets and Christmas fairs and the like, but I want to expand on that.

    Thanks again for the generous offer of this giveaway. Fingers crossed I win.

  7. This looks a very interesting magazine, and would like to see the possibilities open to me as a possible newbie to business.

  8. New to the crafting business, my partner and I could use all the help and information offered. We believe this magazine could be the start of our education and welcome a chance to receive one of your copies. Thank you for considering us.

  9. I have just retired from my 9-5 desk job and I am looking forward to starting my business, using my creative side. I work in stained glass, quilting, and beekeeping. This could be a wonderful resource.

  11. Sounds like it would be a very good read. I am looking to start a home based business when I retire (hope that is soon lol) and I think I could get some good tips. Thanks for a chance to win.

  12. I’ve always wanted to have a clothing business…not sure what kind of clothes I’d make, but it’s something I’ve always thought about

  15. I’d like to see this magazine, looks interesting. I just like to learn how people make things and turn their craft into a business. Thanks for the giveaway.

  18. I am a graphic artist and think I would be inspired by this magazine and possibly get ideas to create my own creative business. Thanks for the chance!

  19. I would love to see this magazine. I create floral bouquets. I would be so appreciative to hear from others, as I am fairly new to the business. Thank Bels Bouquets

  21. I’ve often thought about opening some type of craft business, but don’t know really where/how to begin. This magazine looks really interesting and includes some wonderful artists. Thanks for this great giveaway!!

  22. I am Director of a small town library in Central Texas and would love to have a copy for display for our patrons. Thanks!

  25. I am thinking about selling the things I make, but it’s only an idea at this point. I’m interested in reading about it!

  28. I have started selling my creations both online and off. I do a variety of crafts including knitting, sewing, crocheting, and wreath and home décor design. I would absolutely love a copy of this magazine as it appears to have information that will be very helpful to me in trying to make this business work. Thank you for the opportunity!

  30. I like to read about how other people are living the dream of being their own boss. I dream of being able to support myself by buying and selling used furniture, antique or otherwise, that has been updated with a creative twist. Enter me in the drawing, please!

  31. So excited to read this new magazine! I have just started a new business for my own creative knitting needles and cannot wait to get up and running! I am a third year art student at RMCAD and will be happy to share the news with my FB and school friends! Would love to win a copy of my own!

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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