Hello there! I'm Diane and I make lots of things. That's what I write about here, along with musings on internet culture and creative small businesses. Thanks for stopping by! Would you like some tea?

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Creating A Blog Audience: an Unconventional Marketing Guide

Creating A Blog Audience: an Unconventional Marketing Guide

That whoooooshing sound you hear is me breathing a huge sigh of relief. My new ebook is finally out! I didn’t exactly make my self-imposed August 15th deadline on this one, but sometimes it takes longer than you think it will to say everything you want to say (coherently). I hope you all like Creating a …

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CraftyPod#99: Craft & Graphic Design, with Patricia Zapata

CraftyPod#99: Craft & Graphic Design, with Patricia Zapata

Patricia Zapata talks with me about how graphic design affects her crafting, and vice versa. We discuss how design principles can be beneficial to a small crafty business, and suggestions for developing your “design eye.”

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Big Thanks & Future Conversation

Big Thanks & Future Conversation

This is a quick post, with two purposes: First, I want to say a heartfelt Thank You to everyone who’s taken the time to offer their insights on yesterday’s ebook post. You’ve given me so many new avenues to explore, and much great food for thought. And I’m deeply grateful. ______________________________________________________ Which brings me to the other …

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CraftyPod #97: A Top Etsy Seller Downsizes, with Ryan McAbery

CraftyPod #97: A Top Etsy Seller Downsizes, with Ryan McAbery

An interview with Ryan McAbery, who was a top seller on Etsy, and then decided to walk away from it. Learn what drove Ryan to leave her business behind, and what’s bringing her fresh inspiration now.

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CraftyPod #95: Crafting for Money vs. Passion, with Paul Overton

CraftyPod #95: Crafting for Money vs. Passion, with Paul Overton

An interview with Paul Overton, author of the Dudecraft blog. We talk about the difference between crafting for money and crafting for passion. How does handmade work change when it’s made solely for profit? And what happens when independent craft businesses start flooding the online community with marketing messages?

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Considering Terms of Service…

Considering Terms of Service…

I’m a bit hesitant to write this post, because I don’t want to come off as sounding negative. But, BOY have I been running into this issue of late. And I feel compelled to offer up a friendly warning to my friends in craft. So, the chain of events that led me here: I got an …

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CraftyPod #92: Crafting Through Chronic Illness, with The Sick Chick

CraftyPod #92: Crafting Through Chronic Illness, with The Sick Chick

Juliann, aka TheSickChick, tells us about how crafting helps her cope with chronic illness. Learn something about how crafting helps in managing pain, anxiety, and depression. And find out how the craft community is a lifeline to Juliann, providing support and friendship under challenging circumstances.

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CraftyPod #90: Designers in a Changing World, with Sarah Hodsdon

CraftyPod #90: Designers in a Changing World, with Sarah Hodsdon

An interview with Sarah Hodsdon, a successful designer who has a lot to say about how that profession is changing. What’s the difference between a business and a glorified hobby? How does the influence of the web (and how easy copying and stealing ideas becomes there) affect a designer’s livelihood?

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Making a Great Blog: a Guide for Creative People

Making a Great Blog: a Guide for Creative People

Oh, this has been a week! But I’m happy at last to be telling you: I’ve just published an ebook about craft blogging! I’ve been working on this project for a long time. After three years of blogging, reading hundreds of other blogs, and teaching blogging classes, I wanted to address the subjects that I …

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CraftyPod #87: Creative Cross-Pollination, with Margaret Roach

CraftyPod #87: Creative Cross-Pollination, with Margaret Roach

A conversation with Margaret Roach: about her work with Martha Stewart Living, and about her creative adventures these days. There are some wonderful ideas on creative collaboration in this show – I love how Margaret speaks about this subject.

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