Craft Book Reviews

Here are a few craft book reviews I've written for some of my favourite reading material - I hope they're useful to you. If you would like to contribute a craft book review to this page, please submit it to me here.

You can buy or find out more information about each of these books by clicking on the title or picture.

Handmade for Profit by Barbara Brabec

This is one of my favourite craft business books, and has been for a while. I bought it when I started selling greeting cards and have dipped into it time and time again when I've needed some more motivation or ideas for my craft business. It's written in the US, but is very useful to anyone selling their crafts anywhere. There is even a specific section on selling your crafts at home parties!

How to Run a Home Based Jewelry Party Business for Fun and Profit - A Step-by-Step Action Plan for Building your Dream Business
by Lorri Ely

This ebook is a fantastic resource for jewelry makers looking to start (or grow) a jewelry home party business. Lorri Ely has obviously put a lot of work and research into it, and it is absolutely full to bursting with practical information and suggestions. It covers everything you need to know, from the planning stage, through legalities, doing the parties, and right up to growing and sustaining a profitable business. It's written in a friendly, easy to read style, but the information contained in it is very professional and will benefit anyone who wants to sell their jewelry this way. I love my copy and know that I'll be using it over and over again.

Craft Business Success Package by James Dillehay

James Dillehay is very well respected in the craft business community, having written a series of guides on starting a crafts business, which he has been publishing since 1992. This package of 5 books and a CD contains hundreds of craft marketing tactics based on his own experiences, including tips on making your crafts stand out from the rest, how to increase your craft sales, pricing considerations and even how to profit by selling at craft home parties! The 'Pricing Your Craftwork' book is a particular favourite of mine, and I refer to it often. Although the cost may initially seem high, if you take into account the fact that it consists of 5 books and a CD, it's actually great value for money, and a very worthwhile investment if you want your craft business to succeed. For more information, click here. Note: these books are generally written for a US audience. Shipping costs outside North America are US$30 for the Craft Business Success Package. However you do have the option of downloading the individual books, which may work out more cost effective for international customers.

Jewelry Making & Beading for Dummies

This is the book that got me started making jewellery. It's written in typical down to earth Dummies style, with plenty of illustrations. What I really like though are the chapters on Hosting a Jewelry-Making party, Turning Your Hobby into a Business and Ten Great Ways to Make Money Selling Your Creations. If beading is your thing, or you'd like it to be, this book is highly recommended!

The Complete Guide to Starting and Running Your Home Craft Business by Terry Couch

At first I wasn't sure whether to include this ebook in my craft book reviews or not, but I decided that although it's not for everyone, it will definitely benefit those of you who are new to the crafting business.

This is a really useful ebook for beginners, as it covers all the basics of having a craft business, including legal, accounting, pricing and selling advice.

If you're overwhelmed by all the ins and outs of starting your own business and don't know where to start, then this is the perfect book for you. However, if you've already had experience running a craft business, then you may not get as much out of it.

It's also worth noting that this ebook is based on the US law and tax system, so may not be as useful for international readers.

I'd love you to let me know about your favourite craft business books.
Click here to send me your craft book reviews.