Friday, July 11, 2008

Join the Craft Corps!

Calling all crafters! I’m gearing up to write my next book, Craft Corps (pronounced Craft Core) which will focus on the community perpetuated by craft and the designers & hobbyists who feed it. As part of the content, I’m hoping to include 50-60 short profiles of crafters of all types. If you knit, crochet, embroider, decoupage, paint, sew, bead, tat, work with ceramics, collage, etc.---I want to hear from you! Whether you’ve found success selling your handmade sock monkeys on Etsy or you crochet chemo caps for charity, I want to know who you are, what you craft and why you do it.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL CRAFTERS (in fact, it's preferable as the book's other content will focus on that)!

I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to receive e-mails from people all over the world, sharing their favorite memory of crafting, what crafting has done for them or what got them started and how they’ll never stop. These stories--from hilarious craft mishaps to touching crafty life stories-- have inspired me to collect more to share with the public, handmade community.  

If you’re interested in possibly being a part of Craft Corps, please fill out the following questionnaire, cut and paste it into the body of an e-mail, and send it to: craftcorps@gmail.com as soon as possible (but no later than AUGUST 15th.)  If we’re able to use your profile, an editor will contact you directly with more info.

Thank you so much for participating! xo, Vickie

P.S.  Stay tuned for the Craft Corps website

P.P.S.  Please pass this along to every crafter you know!

Craft Corps 
Crafter Profilee Form

Name:

Age:

Location:

Profession (If you’re in school just put what level of student, ie College Student, Middle School Student, ect.):

Craft(s) of Choice:

Blog (if applicable): 


Memory, Story or Anecdote related to crafting in your life (no more than 250 words):


Having trouble?  Here's an example to give you a little inspiration!

Sample Crafter Profile

Name: Libby Bailey (aka my mom)
Age: 64
Location: Lakewood, California
Profession: High School Special Education Teacher
Craft(s) of choice: Knitting, without a doubt.

“All of my life, the most important thing to me was becoming a mother, in the true sense of the word--not just one who gave birth. When my kids were little, my focus was being the kind of mother that mine wasn’t. Back then in my mind, one way to do this was to home-craft. Knitting made the first connection when for my brand new daughter, I made her a pretty, pink Scandinavian sweater and put it on her little body saying, “Mommy made this, just for you.” After that, every year I repeated the sweater in a different color and size. When her brother joined us, every year there were two sweaters knit by their mother’s hands.

As my children grew, there were many crafts we did together, as a family--with mommy’s hands, teaching little hands. And now, decades later, the little girl all grown up, teaches her mother the advanced intricacies of knitting. The circle is complete.”

65 comments:

  1. I can't wait to submit a profile! I'm spreading the word!

    http://mamasingstheblues.blogspot.com/2008/07/hardcore-no-craft-corps.html

    xoJen

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  2. Very exciting! You will get an email from me. http://polishedtwo.etsy.com

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  3. Ooh! I'll be sending my email this weekend! Great idea!

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  4. jaime6:17 PM

    oh, how awesome! your mom's teared me up a bit! i'll be sending an e-mail shortly.

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  5. super exciting! I posted about it on my blog here!

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  6. I blogged about it, too - this sounds *very* interesting to me ... love the idea. :)

    http://tinyurl.com/55t7w4

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  7. ooops - forgot to include the link:
    http://tinyurl.com/55t7w4

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  8. http://mixtapezine.blogspot.com/2008/07/crafty-corps.html

    we will get on to it asap

    justine xx

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  9. Hi Doll,

    Just posted it on my blog -
    www.cathiefilian.blogspot.com

    I'll put it at myspace too!

    xo cathie

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  10. Hi there, This is great. Count me in as soon as I learn how to cut and paste.

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  11. Very cool! I'm posting on my blog today and hopefully you'll get some responses from my readers!
    Theresa

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  12. Just sent you an email. Your mom's story is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it.

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  13. Ms. Vicki

    I posted you at the top of my weekly TastyLinks! Great concept.

    Cheers
    Ms. Margot

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  14. Anonymous6:15 PM

    i email mine yesterday

    kelley

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  15. Hey Vickie, I just posted about this but I just wanted to check first, is this open for international crafters as well? We're an Australian based Craft Blog so I just wanted to make sure I wasn't letting people know about something they can't get involved in!

    Thanks very much.

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  16. HOW EXCITING!! I just sent you my submission!!!! I'll pass on the word!

    Aimée

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  17. Linda--If you're on a pc, just highlight all of the text by left clicking and scrolling with your mouse, then right click and select copy. Open up an e-mail, right click and select paste. On a mac, command C is copy and command V is paste. HTH

    Fern--Absolutely international submissions are welcome! Community is community, yo. ;)

    Can't wait to read everyone's submissions! xoxo

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  18. Very cool! I posted this to our Etsy Seattle street team message board as well, so you might see some other Seattle entries besides mine :)

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  19. Lydia Hess11:51 PM

    Totally exciting! Is it OK, though, to be a member of the Journal Revolution ART ARMY and also be part of the Craft Corps? Thanks!

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  20. Elana6:28 AM

    Yay! Sent! You're going to get a lot of emails now, Craft put it up on their blog :-).

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  21. Hi Vickie, great idea! I've sent you my submission and posted it on my blog: lisamargreet.blogspot.com.

    :)

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  22. By applying, am I now also committed to an artistic militia group needing me in a post apocalyptic "road warrior" world that will attempt to keep crafting alive?

    I don't plan that far in advance.

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  23. Oh cool. I'd love to submit, but my crafting has been very lean recently. I've been spending a lot of time out in the garden and blogging. I will be looking forward to your book, though.

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  24. Really cool idea! I sent a submission yesterday. I will post to my blog (though I don't get too much traffic, sadly).

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  25. I'm in! Sent you an email this morning. I will also post this to my blog. Thanks, Vickie!
    Dawn

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  26. Girly Girl Bags8:15 AM

    this is great, I am submitting a profile right now. I've also informed the Southwest Ohio Etsy team

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  27. Just sent mine in! This is exciting, good for you!

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  28. Sounds like fun. Sent mine in, too. I can't wait to read everyone's stories.

    Alyice
    Book Review, Artist, Writer

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  29. Hi Vickie!
    Your submission was actually the first time I've ever thought about the "how'd I get here" part of my art! Thanks so much for the opportunity to put it down on "virtual paper!"

    Blessings,
    Paula Clare

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  30. Good thing I'm not too late!

    I can't wait for the book to come out.

    Cheers,
    Erika Ashley

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  31. HOW VERY FANTASTIC!!! I emailed you my info, and posted you on my blog!!! Best of luck to you!!! *kisses* ~ruthilyn

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  32. Wonderful idea! I posted it on my blog. I hope you get lots of e-mails!

    Cheers,
    Violette

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  33. good work ... great goin... visit mine...link1

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  34. good work... great going..visit mine link1

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  35. I just sent in my profile! Thanks for the opportunity! Love your blog & your show. I made the little preemie hat which I will be donating! It came out great! I will post this on my blog as well.
    Janet

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  36. I'm in! What a wonderful idea for a book.

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  37. Hello Vickie! I am Anita from São Paulo, Brazil. I love finding crafters like you - beautiful, young and full of joy and creativity. Visiting my blog you will find a post referring to you saying this words but in Portuguese. I will apply to Crafters Corps, it will be my pleasure to join your cause. Best wishes!

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  38. I'm so glad I heard about this opportunity, and found your nifty blog too! I just learned to knit this past winter, and will be watching your blog from now on.

    Thanks!

    Jess
    http://www.lieblingdesigns.etsy.com

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  39. I am going to work on this RIGHT now! :) What a wonderful opportunity!

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  40. Hi Vickie! This is so cool! I'm working on the form right now. I hope I make it to the book, but even if I don't I'm sure it will be great! :)

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  41. I just sent my profile in! How exciting! Good luck to everyone!
    Lisa

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  42. Christy9:44 PM

    Just posted it on my blog (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/crafts/) and sent in a submission too. Thanks Vickie!!

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  43. Not sure if I qualify, but sending a profile shortly anyway!

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  44. Great idea. I would like to join too. Visit my blog which i just started yesterday. www.hookedonhobbies.wordpress.com

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  45. Anonymous8:09 AM

    Sent it today, Thanks for the opportunity.
    -So Cal Teacher

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  46. Saw a story about your project on Baltimore by Hand and submitting a profile today!

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  47. OMG! I'm sending you an e-mail! Thank you for the opportunity! :D
    ~Shelle Cain
    http://crochetcabin.bravehost.com
    http://shelleden.etsy.com
    http://heirloomclassics.etsy.com
    http://queeniescabin.blogspot.com

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  48. Well, it's obvious that not enough people are interested in this! so I'm leaving a comment. I found this through Craftstylish, and it sounds fabulous! Of COURSE I'm going to apply! I don't knit, but I've admired your work on Stylecious and Knitty Gritty for a long time, and would love to represent my homies in the collage community.

    Rock on!

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  49. I would love to be considered for inclusion in your new book! I just started selling etsy's first plantable photo greeting cards and plantable ACEOs! I will be sending you an email for sure!

    Feel free to stop by my shop @ http://amomentamemory28.etsy.com

    Thanks so much,
    Anna

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  50. iwould just love to say-this is fantastic- ive never seen anything like-i dont know if im 2 late or not- any way im opening a bottle of lemonade-would you like to share-singing and skipping -jo...

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  51. You'll definitely get a profile from me. I'm drafting it now. (:

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  52. hmmm... i'm thinking about it. just don't know that i'm that interesting ;P

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  53. Blogged about this! Good luck to all, especially to Vickie!

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  54. Never give up! never surrender. Busby Seo Challenge

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  55. your mom and i live in the same city. awesome!

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  56. Awww to bad I missed this! I do it all kinds of crafts.

    http://craftsty.etsy.com

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  57. Oh Man! I missed the deadline ! I just found out about you!

    I make art from found items and trash. Jewelry from aluminum cans, and vessals/ baskets from newspapers for example. I have crafted all my life and becamse an illustrator and animator for my 30 year career. Now I do fine art full time and show my work on Etsy:

    http://urbanwoodswalker.etsy.com

    and my divere portfolio shines on Flickr here:

    http://www.flickr.com/urbanwoodswalker/


    If you are ever in need of a uniquely different vision and ap[proach to materials and techniques...just look me up. ♥

    Mary Anne
    Urban Woodswalker

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  58. I just put my profile in I hope you like it. Hello everyone how are you?

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  59. Thank you for being so proactive with your blog

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  60. Love the blog! Good luck with the book. www.designsbygalloway.etsy.com

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  61. Hi Vickie, Chelsea here. I like your blog, you share a lot of great ideas for people who loves crafts especially me. Looking forward on reading more of your blog.
    --
    San Francisco SEO|Seattle SEO|Seattle Real Estate

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  62. I cannae wait tae send an email :)

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