The New York Times has a story about how craft stores are a bright spot in the weak economy. They also mention a boom at Etsy as people look to buy handmade items.
Craft stores, from giant chains like Michaels Stores to small scrapbook supply shops, are reporting that sales are higher compared with the last holiday season, and online marketplaces for handmade goods, like Etsy, are seeing a boom in listings and transactions.
Sales at Scrap, a craft supply store in Portland, Ore., were up 33 percent in November compared with the year before. The shop's customers have made a menorah out of yellow plastic bottle caps, Christmas tree ornaments from wood samples and calendars from fabric and paper collages, according to Sarah Dyer, the manager.
"A lot of people are doing a do-it-yourself Christmas, because of the economic downturn but also wanting to make their lives more sustainable, making stuff as opposed to buying more stuff," she said.
It's good to hear that the do-it-yourself theme for the holidays is boosting sales of craft supplies and handmade crafts. Crafts are a good way to get younger family members involved too. Signs of a renewed focus on homemade crafts were everywhere this holiday - even Oprah modified her favorite things and focused on thrifty holiday ideas. We will see if the trend continues into 2009. Valentine's Day offers do-it-yourself possibilities as well but it's not nearly as big of a holiday as Christmas.
Photo: Goth Punk Green Tartan Christmas Skulls Cotton Fabric Remnant sold here at Etsy.
Etsy Alchemy has returned earlier this month after popular demand. The service allows Etsy sellers to bid on making custom items for buyers. Buyers post requests for custom handmade items they want and and Etsy crafters bid on the opportunity to make these products. You can read a help page here.
The video description says: "Etsy Alchemy is going strong with over 600 active Alchemy requests after only a few days!"
2007 is going by quickly but that's no excuse to take another look at what's hot. The Smokey Mountain Sentinel is reporting that the National Craft Association (NCA) believes the following items will be hot trends in 2007 for both personal crafters and crafters out to make money with their crafts.
Metal crafts, whether they are stamped, sculpted, punched or embossed, are growing in popularity.
Pink - a favorite in the fashion world this season - is overflowing into the realm of home decor crafting. Other cheerful, bright colors are apt to follow.
Also in home design, "shabby chic," replete with peeling paint and an "antiquey" feel is being replaced with a more modern look that is clean and finished. Warmer tones with color and texture are very popular.
Needlecrafts, crocheting and knitting are still growing by leaps and bounds thanks to the extra exposure offered by celebrity endorsements. Plus, it's not just about baby blankets and scarves -- these handcrafted designs are also moving into home decor. Similarly, quilting has become more of an art form than a craft. Quilts are adorning walls, and the trend has also been carried over into papercrafting, where "quilted" looks are hot.
"Mixed m e d i a collage" h a v e become buzzwords in the world of crafting. These terms blur the lines between fine fine art and crafting and are fueled by scrapbooking, paper-crafting and other ideas about adding embellishments to art.
In a similar vein, embellishments in general - most notably beading - are current everywhere, from fashion to home decorating.
For those who dabble in sewing and fashion design, the preppy look is back, giving a nod to simple motifs, embroidery and monograms. And for patterns, stripe and polka dots are quite popular, while modern graphic prints are being joined with romantic and nostalgic prints to give them a modern flair.
You can also vist the National Craft Association (NCA) website at www.craftassoc.com. For more tips and resources be sure to also vist the Craft and Hobby Association's website at www.craftplace.org.
The New York Times has a 
