Editors Journal by Bernadette Finnerty

We've talked frequently about the impact of the Internet on the business of selling crafts ... and there's no denying that the overall impact is huge. The problem, as is all-too-common in the crafts field, is that we don't know what the true financial impact is, because it hasn't yet been measured. Well, The Crafts Report is launching the first-ever study of Internet craft sales. The study is in the form of a questionnaire and is accessible online at www.craftsreport.com. Please participate!

Hot-button issues on the outdoor show circuit
Non-refundable booth fees are becoming more and more of an issue for artists who exhibit at outdoor art and craft festivals around the country. The best shows are more competitive than ever, and many artists find themselves applying to more than one show in a single weekend, in the hopes that they'll get into one. The problem is that since booth fees must be paid with the application, this puts a strain on cash flow. It becomes even more troublesome when the show won't refund the artists' money, if they decide not to do the show. While many shows are beginning to accommodate artists, others say they have good reasons for keeping the booth fees. The main reason is to ensure that the artists who are juried into the show actually do the show. ... Carrie Groves spoke with both artists and show promoters on this and several other hot-button issues on the outdoor show circuit. Find out what both sides have to say in her article, "Controversy on the Outdoor Show Circuit."

Permission marketing
The concept of permission marketing was spawned by the explosive growth of Internet commerce. Marketers have targeted groups of potential customers and deliver specialized sales pitches directly to them. If you've ever allowed a company to send you an e-mail to tell you of a special sale, new product or service, you've been a subject of permission marketing. Bruce Baker says the same concept can and should permeate your entire craft marketing effort, not only through Internet, but in personal interaction at craft shows. Check out his column, "Permission Marketing: A New Approach to Craft Selling."

Recycled art
I am continually awed by the ingenuity of craft artists, regardless of their medium. This month's Insight section features recycled art, which is truly a melting pot of many media. The most important thing about this section is that its premise really captures the spirit of craft artists, who always seem willing to share what enables them to create and sell their work. The artists who were chosen for our section this month have not only given some excellent practical advice, but have given us a glimpse into the thought processes behind their work. In my opinion, their entries embody the spirit of ingenuity and creativity that so many craft artists possess. I hope you'll find them as intriguing as I have.

Bernadette Finnerty is editor of The Crafts Report.

JUNE 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS