Marimello Takes on the Naughty Secretary

Marimello has been taking a bit of a summer vacay here, but not on IndieFixx, where today you can read my review of Jennifer Perkin's Naughty Secretary Club book, The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry. Check out the review here.

Craft Business Links: Tres Useful!

Average Jane Crafter posted this ah-mazing list of crafty business links. From general info to blogging and pitching your book ideas, Rachel has gathered the best links and created what will no doubt be one of the most useful and in depth resources for the business-minded craft.

Craft Job Post: Bazaar Bizarre Web Help

Marimello is sick as a sick dog, friends so please excuse the sparse/lazy style postings...we have however been adding to the calendar so check out all the new events.

Here's the post from Bazaar Bizarre:

We hope your summer has started off crafty and cool! The folks here at Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco are looking for a special person to take on some web maintenance for our part of the Bazaar Bizarre Web Site.

What we're looking for:

* A fellow crafter with expertise in HTML and FTPing files. Some graphic design experience is a plus!

* Ability to make minor changes as needed to the site from home. We have an expected rate of 2-3 days turn around. Peak work times are 2 months before a show. SF currently produces 2-3 shows a year.

* Commitment of one year to volunteer your services to us. We really don't anticipate this task taking up a lot of your time, but you have to be responsive and available by e-mail most of the year.

If you're interested in applying please send a message to:

E-mail Address: sf_info [at] bazaarbizarre [dot] org
Subject Heading: BBSF Web Maintenance Application

Include in your E-mail:

• Name
• Contact information
• Vendor Name + Url
• List previous shows you have vended with us
• A link to a resume or portfolio of your work
• What your work schedule is like for the next year
• Why you would be interested in becoming a permanent member of the Bazaar Bizarre Volunteer Team

Applications will be reviewed by several city organizers from Baz Biz. Thanks in advance to any interested parties! We really appreciate all the great support and feedback you have given us over the last year!

Are you looking for some one to help out with your crafty business, or is your company looking for some one interested, talented and experienced in crafting? Posting your job description on Marimello.com entitles you to a Marimello post about your company and the position available. A great investment for just $25. If you are interested in posting your Crafty job, please contact us at marimellodesign at gmail dot com or check out the job board on the right.

Industry Update: Interweave aquires Four New Magazine Titles

Yesterday, via Folio, we learned that Nielsen Business Media has sold four of its titles to Interweave, a unit of Aspire Media. As of yesterday, American Artist, Drawing, Watercolor, and Workshop magazines are all Interweave pubs, and while that may not seem like a big deal, it indicates a strength in the economy of crafting and creativity that is not being exhibited elsewhere in the magazine world.

Nielsen (gigantic! world power! Nielsen!) is shedding a few titles to Aspire, who predominantly publishes enthusiast titles. Enthusiast magazines (think, Dog Fancy or Hot Boats--the ads cater to the reader) typically weather economic downturns well, while regular old glossy magazines (think People, Life--the ads are for a more general audience) do not. Since acquiring Interweave in 2005, Aspire has increased the number of Interweave magazine titles from six to 21. Wowza! Aspire is on a mainline to craft city by creating a huge creative title catalog and clearly sees a huge potential for the genre. All of which is good news for crafters. Craft suppliers will continue to advertise. Project makers and pattern designers will continue to publish. And more importantly, Marimello will continue to have something to read on the train.

Craft Job Post: The Hobby Lobby

It's that time of year again and everyone is hustling their kids into summer activities. You know what that means? It means you can pick up some extra cash teaching crafts in your local shop.

Hobby Lobby Stores are currently seeking Independent Class Instructors.

We are currently seeking Independent Class Instructors. Would you like to share your expertise with other enthusiasts? If you answered yes, then this is the position for you!

Our independent instructors take home 100% of their class fees and there is no charge for the use of the classroom. This is an ideal position with flexible hours, and a great work environment!

Responsibilities:

• Planning the curriculum for classes
• Working with the store to schedule your classes
• In store promotion

Requirements:

• Experience/ Certification with craft or hobby that is being taught
• Works and communicates well with others
• Desire to share your talents with others
• Be self motivated

If you are interested in this position, please apply online for consideration, or you can apply at rebekah [dot] whittaket [at] hobbylobby [dot] com.

Are you looking for some one to help out with your crafty business, or is your company looking for some one interested, talented and experienced in crafting? Posting your job description on Marimello.com entitles you to a Marimello post about your company and the position available. A great investment for just $25. If you are interested in posting your Crafty job, please contact us at marimellodesign at gmail dot com or check out the job board on the right.

Craft Porn: Handmade Movements takes on and whole new meaning in PlayGirl Magazine

If you're on Etsy, you're probably familiar with the current buy-in ad campaigns they are running. It caused a kerfluffle of sorts when not every one who bought in was pleased with Etsy's exclusion of instructions for general searches on the site, but hey, you can't please everyone right?

But not all advertising is paid for and sometimes the best press is free press. So Etsy should be seeing some traffic from a different source very soon because Playgirl (that's right, the magazine) just did a little feature on their blog. Playgirl is also running the Etsy items in their print version which should be arriving in mailboxes very soon (er, not that we would know).

And no one should be surprised.

It's not news that craft sometimes takes a turn for the pervy, and even in the mainstream, porn has a DIY streak a mile wide. So, if Playgirl is reaching out to the Bust-subscribing, Jezebel-reading demographic, this is probably a wise move. This might turn out to be one of those moments when the handmade movement takes a little dip in the legitimizing waters of the mainstream. If G-rated crafters are a little peeved about the association with Playgirl, just think what porn did for VHS.

via the sweetie pie press, and Faythe on Glimmer.

[Image: Shannon Gerard, you can pick up these pins in the Witchfire shop on Etsy, or you can peruse lots more in Shannon's Etsy shop]

Economy Schmeeee-conomy: Etsy Posts Plus Signs

Those of you who have only been reading along for the last year, might not have noticed the frothy edges of Marimello's mouth when speaking about buying handmade. Suffice to type that Marimello toots the importance of buying handmade for a number of reasons, yet begrudges the need to consume and buy anything in almost the same breath.

Let's not get into the complete description here.

We gotta keep it short, because it's time to hit the road for Maker Faire, but we don't want to rub it in that we are going to the most fantastical geek fest, so here's some good news to leave you with:
Not making it to Maker Faire is nothing to be sorry about because there is SO MUCH going on this weekend. Check out the calendar for other options.
OK so what's the good economy news? While news about recession/slow economy growth keeps pouring in, Etsy news looks bright.
One one level, for sellers, maybe Etsy is sending out the "nothing to see here" message of calm. The last month has seen growth, but maybe not as much as projected.
Sales are out of this world though, so on another level it would seem that Etsy is succumbing to the same old slow down that most retailers are experiencing. Which is not as sad as it sounds! This might be the sign that Etsy really is legitimizing the handmade movement as a force to be reckoned with. Sure, Etsy has been making big waves in the smaller realm of the handmade community, but now it looks like some of those waves might be big enough to appear on the larger online consumer economy. Etsy certainly has the mainstream press to prove its influence on a larger social scale and reporting these kinds of numbers might fall on more mathematical ears as a sign of a new type of consumerism.

Your thoughts are welcomed...is Etsy's glass half full? What on earth does that mean? Should the handmade movement necessarily move forward in the mainstream?

Marimello Meetup at Maker Faire

Marie is going to be up at Maker Faire this weekend and would love to see some of your shining faces--like, in person. Drop a note to marimellodesign [at] gmail [dot] com, if you'd like to chat over some suds.

Craft Internship: Plush You/Schmancy

Wow, the jobs just keep rolling in! Marimello promises a serious post soon...in the meantime, if you are looking for experience in an indie shop, here's a good crafty internship. Let us know if you get it. We'll be jealous.

In case you aren't familiar, Plush You is an annual plush show that recently opened up a great brick and mortar up in Seattle called Schmancy. Here's the plea:

Folks, I just can't do it anymore all on my own. Elena is awesome and I wish I could clone her so I would have more of her but I can't. I am looking for an intern here at Schmancy to help with the gallery portion of my job. All the aspects of my job are like one full time job after another. BUT the internship is a part time gig that would help you learn the ins and outs of running a gallery.

Here are more details:

We are looking for an intern to help us manage the gallery side of Schmancy. This would be a part time position with us that can be done mostly from your home.

Description of job duties:
*update blog for gallery
*communicate with artists on a regular basis
*manage preview list
*promote the shows
*contact media about upcoming shows
*hang art with artist on day of openings (second friday of the month)

We are looking for someone right away. Resumes are due by April 25th. Please email me or drop them off directly at Schmancy 1932 2nd ave

Craft Job: Wm. Wright Co.

Wm. Wright Co. is a leading manufacturer of sewing and craft products such as Boye knitting & crochet implements, EZ Quilting tools, as well as trimmings, ribbons, home decorator trimmings and more!
This position is geared for a third or fourth year college student enrolled in a marketing or fashion merchandising program. You will be responsible for assisting the marketing team with preparation of new product presentation materials for the sales team, trade show materials, and assisting the marketing team in the day-to-day activities of the department.

This position will work with the Advertising and PR Manager for approximately 6 weeks and work with the Product Development team for 6 weeks.
Job Requirements:

• Should have working knowledge of Microsoft Office; knowledge of MS Project a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, juggle several projects at once.
• 20 hours per week minimum (2-3 days/week) for a twelve week period. Must have own transportation.

This is a paid position. College credit may be available depending on the requirements of your college or university.

• Location: Antioch, TN
• Compensation: $10 / hour
• This is a part-time job.
• This is an internship job
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

See the original post over here.

Craft Internship: Toronto Craft Alert

Read the original post here.

TCA is seeking interns to contribute the development of the project to be a greater resource to readers, and to reach people outside of our current community.

Depending on your area of interest, intern responsibilities may include:

• Research for an exciting new craft resource directory
• Coverage of local craft events
• Identifying creative venues and new ways to spread the word about the TCA
• Researching and posting blog & mailing list content

Perks may include tickets to craft related events, volunteer/internship hours for school programs, credited experience for your CV, and the opportunity to support and become more engaged in your local craft community.

Interested?
Respond to the following questions & attach your resume in an email to torontocraftalert@gmail.com.

1. What is your interest or how are you engaged in craft?
2. What type of work are you interested in doing for the TCA?
3. What skills and experience can you bring to this work?
4. How do you think this internship will serve your needs and interests?

Please reply to this posting by April 25, 2008.

Craft Job Post: The Knitter's Studio

If you love knitting and crocheting and are looking for a job in the fiber arts industry, The Knitter's Studio may be the place for you.

We're looking for an enthusiastic knitter to work full or part time with technical experience who can fix mistakes and help customers with good customer service skills. You must have a flexible schedule and be willing and able to work on weekends and/or weekdays. We are going on line as a retail shopping site very soon and computer literacy is required. Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop would be a plus. Punctuality and being responsible is a must. We need a minimum of a year commitment.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in knitting, retail, and ecommerce. Please email or fax us your resume if you think you would be a good match.

Phone: 323 655-6487
Fax: 323 655-6480

Craft Internship: Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Oh if only Marimello were younger and richer...

Martha Stewart Living magazine is looking for 2 summer editorial interns, one would receive monetary compensation, the other must be eligible for college credit. Candidates should have an interest in magazine publishing and a background in English, journalism or communications; a passion for home, crafts, food, decor, or gardening is a plus. Please email resume and cover letter to mbuffardi [ at] marthastewart [ dot] com.

MagKnits Update

Crafters are such nice people.
With the closure of MagKnits, there are patterns floating out there with out homes. Moonlight Stitches has offered up space on her blog for those patterns here. If you know of any one who published their patterns and is looking for a new space to host them, send them Moonlight's way.
What a nice warm fuzzy to tack on an otherwise sad story.

Crafty Bummer: MagKnits closes up shop

Marimello strives to be a resource and to provide you dear readers with calendar and job info. It's tough stuff, but not as tough as some of the other crafty services being provided out there in the internet. So tough in fact, that it can be overwhelming and it is with sadness that we read about MagKnits closing up shop after a four year run. It is with even greater sadness that the reason stems from a surge of negative feedback about the site:

"Lou and I have thought long and hard about what kind of action to take, and as hard as it is for me to give up MagKnits I know that it is the right thing for us to do. The amount of negative feedback we have been receiving has hugely increased this year and to be perfectly honest there is only so much of ourselves that we can give to the site. Someone made a comment about us earlier in the week that we would be stupid to run a business that didn't pay us a salary, this made us sit back and think 'Yes, you're right. We would be stupid to carry on giving so much and getting little in return.'"

Bummer. The silver lining is of course that the designers whose patterns were published on MagKnits own their designs and we expect to see a bunch of them posted on blogs. And also we're glad to hear of Kerrie's continued efforts on the big old supply site, Yarn Forward.

If you are really too bummed, go brighten your day with the neatoness in Amanda Sainsbury's shop.