Craft Inc

I've been meaning to post about my latest book, Craft Inc. It's truly the book I always wish I had when I started my first business (the wedding invitation biz) 8 years ago. Though the business did well, I'd have to say I was lucky because I honestly did not know what I was doing. It was a whole learn-by-doing experiment of sorts. I made alot of mistakes namely not writing up a partnership agreement and pricing my work incorrectly. Whoever bought invitations from me in the early days really got a sweet bargain. And man, I wasted a crap load of money on advertising! I remember in 2001, I got together with a few other designers and all of us had so many questions like "what the hell is a press kit?" If we only knew how simple it was to put one together.

There is a lot of the book that comes from personal experience: I started a creative business without a degree in art or design; I’ve experienced the follies of partnerships and the freedom of being a sole proprietor; I’ve opened a retail storefront; I’ve sold a business; I have a blog; I've participated in a trade show; I’ve struggled with burnout; and I am a mother (of two kiddos). Of course, I don't know everything! So addition to drawing on my personal experiences, I picked the brains of some of the best craft/design entrepreneurs out there, as well as publicists, representatives, and trade show management to provide the most comprehensive view I could of this incredible industry.

Craft Inc should be available widely in book stores in September, but you can certainly order it now through Amazon or Chronicle Books. And I have events planned, including a launch party, which I will post about real soon.

And a very big thank you to all the blogs and zines that have posted or reviewed Craft Inc so far including:

Sunset Magazine
Venus
Not Martha (the book giveway contest has gotten over 400 comments. i am stunned!)
Oh Joy!
Anh-Minh

If you've blogged about the book, do send me the link. I'd love to read your feedback: good, bad, or otherwise (I'm hoping mostly good). I've gotten some emails already that were so nice. I'm glad the book is already helping folks with their business or getting their business off the ground!

PS. I have gotten a ton of compliments on the design of the book. Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for that! The credit goes to Sarah Meyer, the designer and illustrator of the book, and Jay Salvas at Chronicle Books for the art direction.

PSS. One more thing, Chronicle Books and Bust are giving away a "library" of Chronicle Book craft titles inlcuding Craft Inc. Here's the link to enter that contest.

Comments

[Ez]

It is lovely book... and so needed! The only thing that could previously be found on the subject were hideous looking (not inspirational at all), out of date, publications from the 70's... and even those are few and far between.
I can't wait to get my copy in the mail!

Thanks for all your hard work... the end result is a true gem!

xo
Ez

[cathy d]

hey meg! congrats on the new book! your are quite the busy lady. that's so awesome that you got to interview such cool designers. i just bought lotta's book. kisses to the li'l ones!
--cathy

[Victoria E]

I look forward to posting our interview on my blog soon for all to read. :)

[jen]

hint, hint: keep an eye out for a great review in the october/november issue of readymade magazine. ;)

[janice]

i cannot wait to read this!! i have so much to learn. :) xoxo

[Nicole]

I love the book. Devoured it one day! Finally there is a small business book that targets the indie world. Thank you!

[meg mateo ilasco]

thanks for all the nice comments everyone! and victoria, i'm working on the interview right now. :) i can't wait to see the readymade review...

[derek]

congrats, very cool

[Casey]

I blogged about your book just the other day. Go take a look, if you like. I just ordered a copy for me, and I truly truly can not wait to read it. I have been desperetly needing a book like this, to help me out in my business endeaver. Thank you so much!

[Janet]

I have been seeing your book "all over the internet". Now I am going to have to go get a copy.

[Tara (Funky By Tara)]

I just bought this book on Friday and I'm already done reading it. I can say that this is the most informative simple book that I have read thus far on this subject. I couldn't put it down. I am so inspired by the interviews I read about in the books that I emmediatly started searching for someone to recreate my logo etc. This is a dream of mine and you truly have made me realize that I can start my own business and be successful. Thanks you so much for writing this book .I'll keep it forever and ever.

P.S I will be writing my blog tomorrow about this book and I will come back to give you the link.
T

[Tara (Funky By Tara)]

Here is the link for the blog I did today on this book. It's about three entries down.
have a good one
- T

http://funkybytarablog.blogspot.com/

[Tara (Funky By Tara)]

Here is the link for the blog I did today on this book. It's about three entries down.
have a good one
- T

http://funkybytarablog.blogspot.com/

[Neumann Studio]

Congratulations! It is in my wish list for sure, I will try to find it here in Czech Republic if not I will buy it on line.

[susie]

'craft, inc' is incredible! all biases completely aside! you should be very proud; we're a hard to please crowd, we crafters.

[bowiestyle]

this book is great - i would recommend it to everyone. i blogged about it today on print & pattern :)
thanks meg for writing the book we all need

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/

[meg mateo ilasco]

you guys are so sweet. thanks for the compliments on the book!!

[Amber]

wait a second - did you write this book just for me?! seriously, I am stunned right now. I am a designer starting my own wedding invitation line, press kits, etc.. and have been looking for a book to help me out along that way. I am beyond excited, and I will be blogging about it today!
a

[Elisa]

Lovely! I just got it in Amazon.com...

[logo design]

Nowadays, people spend a lot of time searching for a particular image but are not able to find the exact one they need. If you are having such a problem, can check http://xcavator.net/

I hope it will help you. It has fantastic visual search tools that work with just a few keywords.

[Rita Van Tassel]

Hello, I have read and loved the Craft Inc. book! I just posted a blog review here...
http://cottoncandycupcake.wordpress.com/

[Logo Design]

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