One of my blogging friends, Vicki, awarded me this lovely blogger award. Thank you so much, Vicki! I’m honored.

In return, I was allowed to pass the award on to other deserving bloggers. You can find my selections of the 7 Most Kreativ Bloggers here.

How to Buy Bar Codes for a Small Craft Business

Do you know how to get bar codes for your craft business without the hassle of UCC membership, renewal, annual fees, setup charges, or any other ongoing commitments? Jo Ann learned how from The Artful Crafter.

I am a new online pastry company, Emily's Edibles. I am hoping to sell to some stores in addition to my web business and know I need bar codes.  I can't afford and am not comfortable with paying the $750 fee.  

Only your site answered all my questions. Simply Bar Codes seems to be exactly what I need.

Thank you so much.

Consider our "Pastries with A Purpose" when you need a gift and want to contribute to a great cause as well.

Thank you, 

Jo Ann

You're welcome. Thank you for taking the time to write and let me know. I'm so glad you found the information helpful.

Best of luck with your new venture. Emily's Edibles look scrumptious! I will be sure to keep you in mind when I want to send a special gift.

Reader Letter of the Month
Tote Bag Decoration Challenge!

I like to decorate canvas tote bags. I would like to see that craft covered by you.

Deb

I wrote back to Deb asking what type of decorated totes she’d like to see. She wowed me by sending back some lovely examples of ones she’s decorated herself and added,

" ... I use a lot of different mediums including appliqué, fabric painting, wire, beading. If the idea pops in my head I try to make it happen.   

One was for my mother-in-law who likes to do genealogy. So I made her one of her family tree ...

... the other I made for my daughter consisting of two sea turtles."

I love the charms for each member of the family tree one. How unique!

So now my mind is spinning with ideas for decorating canvas tote bags.

I’ve sewn a lot of Tote Bags but haven't done much decorating of them.

I’ve Hand Painted Dresses though and could apply those techniques to decorating totes.

Tee-shirt transfers are a very accessible crafty way to decorate a tote. Hmmm ...

In the meantime, I’m throwing this challenge out to other readers and inviting you to submit your decorated tote bag ideas or designs.

I’ll be posting reader submissions on The Artful Crafter blog. You can leave comments on the blog or reach me using the Contact Us form at The Artful Crafter website.

[P.S. I just learned that Deb’s family tree tote bag won second place at the San Angelo Texas Stock Show and Rodeo held a couple of weeks ago. Congrats, Deb. That’s awesome!]