by: Noelle Backer

Only four weeks into my new position as editor of The Crafts Report and I have already been on the road to see America’s crafts industry.

My prior experience includes much appreciation of craftspeople, and more than a few purchases made at shows and exhibits, but little knowledge of the day-to-day business of crafts professionals.

That has changed drastically in these few weeks when I spent every day reviewing old and new magazine files and talking to readers of The Crafts Report. I also met both buyers and sellers of crafts at shows in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

In the coming months I will be attending shows and conferences around the country where I hope to meet more of you. Please introduce yourselves and let me know what TCR and its staff can do to make your jobs and lives better.

As always, we have tried to make sure this month’s issue includes help and inspiration for artisans at all stages in their careers.
Our feature story, “The Right Stuff,” has the inside scoop on what those picky jurors are looking for when they review your slides for entry to shows. Jury members may appear all-powerful to the artisans they critique, but these assessments and explanations of their job could surprise — and empower — you.

In his column on photography, Steve Meltzer has some big ideas about ways to improve the quality and usefulness of your slides and prints. Here’s another great way to be a stand-out at the next show.

In a press release we received this week, the Internal Revenue Service noted that corporations can opt to donate surplus merchandise for a tax deduction, but maybe something less drastic would be more profitable. In her column on retailing, Grace Butland suggests using some of your creativity to get customers to take a second look at the leftovers in your store.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch country, Carolyn Lee Vehslage tells us about artists making a public spectacle of some horses in Montana. An idea that’s caught on around the country is giving crafts new visibility and new audiences in the great outdoors.

Vehslage found out how different artists ranged far and wide for inspiration, using kidney beans, velvet quilt pieces, embroidery thread and 240 pounds of steel, copper, brass and bronze to corral a wild-looking bunch of ponies in Billings, Mont.

Bruce Baker suggests a makeover for much-traveled booths or fresher starts for displays-in-the-making. Baker points out that less is not always more — never mind better — and a little color and elbow grease will increase impact and sales.

And in her Business Wise column, Mary Strope has assembled a grab-bag of tips from experts on crafts shows. Strope explains things you can do ahead of time to prepare yourself and your merchandise for a successful and profitable show.

Reaching out to show promoters, fellow artisans and customers can mean big payoffs if you follow Strope’s most valuable tip. In a repeated refrain throughout her column, she urges artisans to ask, tell, read, think, smile, learn, observe, write — communicate on all levels with those around you.
As a magazine editor, I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be seeing you there.

AUGUST 2002 : TABLE OF CONTENTS