How do you add lights? How do you weave “love chains”? Where can I find a plush coyote for my homecoming mum?

In response, we have expanded our article on How to Make Homecoming Mums and have added an Index to all of our Homecoming Mum articles – which, by the way, includes answers to the questions above!

Please take time to check out our other effort at “Helping Crafters to Be”: The Artful Crafter Blog .

Here you’ll find something new every day, from crafting-for-profit advice to links to new patterns and project ideas.

Eileen

Learn How to Make Your Business Grow at the Mid-Atlantic Crafter Expo

The Mid-Atlantic Crafter Expo will take place in Annapolis, Maryland, January 13, 2007. This is not your usual craft show; the Expo is both an educational and business expo for crafters, hobbyists and artists - both new to the craft industry and "seasoned" artisans.

It’s an opportunity for crafters to gain access to important craft industry information in order to grow their craft business and promote a healthy and thriving craft industry for years to come.

Meet your peers, as well as for-profit crafters who may already be leaps and bounds ahead of you and have the benefit of their experience to share.

With over 30 exhibitor spaces and two main guest speakers attending as well, crafters and artists can learn it all – from what is involved in accepting credit cards to information on how to get into The Rosen Group’s Philly Wholesale Gift Show.

All this plus free goody bags, raffles for prizes and more!

The Expo will be held at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission for crafters and artists is $25 if you pre-register your tickets now (through the Expo’s website) and $30 at the door if tickets are still available.

The deadline for business, craft show promoters and non-profit exhibitors is December 13, 2007 and spaces are still open.

Details are on the Expo website - see you there!

Reader Letter of the Month

Question, I’ve been trying to make my own clay tiles for table tops. The tiles are coming out fine, but during the drying some tiles curl on the edges. What can I do to get the tiles to dry evenly?

Thanks,

Jeff

I consulted seven ceramic artists and guess what? I got seven pretty different answers! I did find some common threads though.

Read how the experts prevent clay warping here.

Videos

I don't know how many of you have found them yet, but I have added some how-to videos, like the one on Folding Origami Cranes.

Let me know if you like them or not. If you have some of your own videos you'd like to see on The Artful Crafter, let me know.