I’m happy to announce that my first project since returning to crochet design earlier this year has just been published. You’ll find it in the Coats & Clark booklet, Crochet Made Easy. The design I produced for this booklet is First Baby Blanket on pages 30-31. It is also shown on the back cover. It is a very simple design but that was the whole point since the book is focused on teaching people how to crochet.
This is only the first of several designs that I have placed over the past few months. Since some are still in the publication process and others are still on my hook, I’ll announce each as they become available.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Rejection Slips: We All Get Them!
Rejection slips are a fact of any writer's life and, whether you've realized it yet or not, writing crochet instructions is a form of technical writing.
Don't let rejection slips get you down. Also, don't let them discourage you from submitting again or define how you feel about yourself as a designer. Instead, use them as a tool to help you improve your work. When a project is returned to you with a rejection slip, take a critical look at it and do your best to evaluate it through the editor's eyes. If you see room for improvement, make corrections and resubmit the project to another editor. If I you feel that if is fine as is, send it on to another editor without changes.
Ideally, you will get a feel for what your editors want from you and, you’ll get better at taking that critical look at your designs before you send them out for the first submission. As you get better at working with the editors and they learn what they can expect from you, you will place your designs with more regularity.
As a former crochet editor of several nationally distributed crochet magazines, I can assure you that editors reject projects for many reasons that have nothing at all to do with the merits of your project. Why? There are several reasons. Editors usually work with themes. If you do your homework to find out what the editor's needs are for a book or an issue of a magazine, you've got a better chance of having your work accepted. There are also times when an editor may have already purchased a design that is similar to the one you just submitted so they have no need for another design of the same type. And sometimes, no matter how much an editor likes a project and wants to purchase it, there just isn’t room to get it into the publication.
To improve your chances for placement:
1. Consult the editorial calendar for a publication, and submit what the editor asks for. Follow the submission process exactly. If there is something about the process you do not understand, ask.
2. Be considerate of the people you are submitting to. Make sure your designs are neat, clean and free of contaminants (pet hair, cigarette smoke, etc.) Keep in mind that some of the people who will handle your work may be allergic to some or all of these things. (I know someone who is, and she suffers a great deal when people ignore this simple request.)
3. ALWAYS include a check for return postage when mailing a submission. If you don’t, your submission may not be returned to you.
Don't let rejection slips get you down. Also, don't let them discourage you from submitting again or define how you feel about yourself as a designer. Instead, use them as a tool to help you improve your work. When a project is returned to you with a rejection slip, take a critical look at it and do your best to evaluate it through the editor's eyes. If you see room for improvement, make corrections and resubmit the project to another editor. If I you feel that if is fine as is, send it on to another editor without changes.
Ideally, you will get a feel for what your editors want from you and, you’ll get better at taking that critical look at your designs before you send them out for the first submission. As you get better at working with the editors and they learn what they can expect from you, you will place your designs with more regularity.
As a former crochet editor of several nationally distributed crochet magazines, I can assure you that editors reject projects for many reasons that have nothing at all to do with the merits of your project. Why? There are several reasons. Editors usually work with themes. If you do your homework to find out what the editor's needs are for a book or an issue of a magazine, you've got a better chance of having your work accepted. There are also times when an editor may have already purchased a design that is similar to the one you just submitted so they have no need for another design of the same type. And sometimes, no matter how much an editor likes a project and wants to purchase it, there just isn’t room to get it into the publication.
To improve your chances for placement:
1. Consult the editorial calendar for a publication, and submit what the editor asks for. Follow the submission process exactly. If there is something about the process you do not understand, ask.
2. Be considerate of the people you are submitting to. Make sure your designs are neat, clean and free of contaminants (pet hair, cigarette smoke, etc.) Keep in mind that some of the people who will handle your work may be allergic to some or all of these things. (I know someone who is, and she suffers a great deal when people ignore this simple request.)
3. ALWAYS include a check for return postage when mailing a submission. If you don’t, your submission may not be returned to you.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Want to Help Launch a New Craft Forum?
Some friends have launched a new craft forum at Funcraftics. They asked me to moderate some of the forums, including crochet and knit, and of course I said yes! So come on over and check it out, and help us get some discussions going. We look forward to seeing you there!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Home Again
I’m finally home again. What started out to be a one-week visit turned into two. I had a great time re-connecting with family and friends, and was able to squeeze in a fair amount of work, as well.
That’s one thing I really appreciate about being a designer—the ability to do my job from anywhere. I was working on a project for a publisher when I left home, so I took it with me to finish it up. A few days after I arrived in Illinois, I received a cell phone call from a different publisher offering me another job. I accepted, and she overnighted the materials I would need to finish it. I’m about halfway through that project, and will spend a few days finishing it up while I settle back into my daily routine. I can’t tell you what the projects are, of course, but I’ll announce all of my newly published designs here once they are in print.
I was also able to get some work done on the free pattern I mentioned in the last entry, but I’m sure you’ll understand that the projects for the publishers take top priority. Keep checking—I’ll try to get the free pattern up soon!
That’s one thing I really appreciate about being a designer—the ability to do my job from anywhere. I was working on a project for a publisher when I left home, so I took it with me to finish it up. A few days after I arrived in Illinois, I received a cell phone call from a different publisher offering me another job. I accepted, and she overnighted the materials I would need to finish it. I’m about halfway through that project, and will spend a few days finishing it up while I settle back into my daily routine. I can’t tell you what the projects are, of course, but I’ll announce all of my newly published designs here once they are in print.
I was also able to get some work done on the free pattern I mentioned in the last entry, but I’m sure you’ll understand that the projects for the publishers take top priority. Keep checking—I’ll try to get the free pattern up soon!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
On The Road Again...
My husband, Carl, and I are leaving in a couple of hours on a trip back home to Illinois to spend time with our family for the 4th of July holiday. I generally tend to over pack, so I made a conscious effort this time to travel light. I was doing ok, too, until it came time to pack my yarn and thread…
I tried, I really did. I intended to limit the yarn and fiber to just one bag, but it ended up taking two. Every time I tried to reduce the amount, I thought of “just one more” project I wanted to make or swatch while I was away.
I don’t feel too bad about it, though. The last time I made the trip, I threw in some yarn that I only had a vague notion of using. While I was gone, one of my publishers called and asked me to swatch something for them in that exact yarn brand and colorway. So, I was able to deliver what they wanted quickly which made them happy and ultimately made a sale for me.
Then there was the packing I did for our two dogs, Raven and Rosie, who usually go with us on long trips. Between their food, folding kennels and accessories, I think they have more luggage than I do!
On the drive to Illinois, I’m planning to finish a project I am designing for one of my publishers and which is due shortly. As soon as I have that done, I’ll be working on some free patterns. Be sure to check back to see what I come up with!
I tried, I really did. I intended to limit the yarn and fiber to just one bag, but it ended up taking two. Every time I tried to reduce the amount, I thought of “just one more” project I wanted to make or swatch while I was away.
I don’t feel too bad about it, though. The last time I made the trip, I threw in some yarn that I only had a vague notion of using. While I was gone, one of my publishers called and asked me to swatch something for them in that exact yarn brand and colorway. So, I was able to deliver what they wanted quickly which made them happy and ultimately made a sale for me.
Then there was the packing I did for our two dogs, Raven and Rosie, who usually go with us on long trips. Between their food, folding kennels and accessories, I think they have more luggage than I do!
On the drive to Illinois, I’m planning to finish a project I am designing for one of my publishers and which is due shortly. As soon as I have that done, I’ll be working on some free patterns. Be sure to check back to see what I come up with!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Red Heart Zoomy
If you haven’t yet tried Red Heart® Zoomy™, you’re in for a treat. I received a few skeins recently and immediately fell in love with it. It has the look of heather, has a nice sheen and is very soft. I haven’t decided what I’m going to make with it yet, but it would be great for hats, scarves, bags and more. The label states that this yarn should not be dry-cleaned. The manufacturer recommends hand-washing in cold water and drying flat, so you may want to keep your projects reasonably small to make laundering easier.Zoomy is 70% acrylic, 20% wool and 10% nylon. Each skein is 3.5 oz, 83 yds and 100g. The suggested crochet hook size is M/13 with a stitch gauge of 2 ¾ sts = 1 inch. For the knitters among you, size 11 needles will produce a gauge of 11 sts = 4 inches.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Pros & Cons of Designing
Like most other jobs, designing has both positive and negative aspects. Following are some things to consider if you're thinking of entering the world of crochet design.
Learning To Run A Business
If you don't already know how to run a business, you will need to learn. I won't go into it here because there are already a lot of books on the market that can explain the basics. But be aware that you will have to comply with federal, state and local laws. Be sure to check with the appropriate government agencies to see what you need to do to meet the requirements. If you don't know what questions to ask, ask the agencies to tell you what you need to do. A little research now can save you a lot of grief later.
Setting Your Own Schedule
Being your own boss means that you can set your own schedule, taking into consideration your needs and your family's. It is also one of the main reasons I became a designer. As a young mother, I wanted to contribute to the family income while being able to stay at home with my children. There is a lot to be said for being able to arrange your schedule the way that best suits you, but there is a certain amount of responsibility that comes with it, as well.
Earnings
If you're looking for a get-rich-quick job, this isn't it. What you earn is directly tied to the quality and volume of your work and how your designs fit into the needs of your editors. The more you are in tune with your editors, the more you will publish and the more you will earn. Do your homework and find out what the editors need, then do your best to fulfill them.
Flexibility
One great thing about having a job doing what you love to do is being able to express yourself through your work. However, if you wish to publish consistently, you will need to remain flexible and make compromises with your editors. Remember that they always have the last word in accepting–or rejecting!–your work. While your design may be lovely just as you designed it, the editor has the job of making it fit into his or her publication which generally revolves around a theme. If you are not willing to make the changes your editor asks, you may find that he or she has to move on to another designer. Don’t make the mistake of getting so emotionally attached to your designs that you can’t let go of them in order to do as the editor asks or to move on to the next design.
Erratic Pay Checks
Most likely, you won't be under contract to a publisher so you will be paid by the project rather than drawing a regular pay check.
Publishers in general have different points at which they issue checks. Some pay on acceptance, some on publication and others at certain points during the publication process. Keeping as many projects in submission as possible at any given time will help increase your chances for sales and minimize the gaps between checks.
Deadlines
Meeting your deadlines is one of the single, most important responsibilities you will have as a designer. Your editor will assign a deadline for you and if you don't meet it, you place the editor in an uncomfortable position. He or she must fill the space your design was assigned to, and if you don't meet the deadline, the editor has to make a last-minute scramble to find something to fill the space, which is often difficult to do. It may also make your editor think twice about contacting you to work up further designs.
Balance
Learn to balance your work with a healthy dose of play. It is harder to leave your job at the office when your office happens to be in your home. But, not allowing job responsibilities to overlap into family time will help you to be more relaxed and focused during normal working hours.
Learning To Run A Business
If you don't already know how to run a business, you will need to learn. I won't go into it here because there are already a lot of books on the market that can explain the basics. But be aware that you will have to comply with federal, state and local laws. Be sure to check with the appropriate government agencies to see what you need to do to meet the requirements. If you don't know what questions to ask, ask the agencies to tell you what you need to do. A little research now can save you a lot of grief later.
Setting Your Own Schedule
Being your own boss means that you can set your own schedule, taking into consideration your needs and your family's. It is also one of the main reasons I became a designer. As a young mother, I wanted to contribute to the family income while being able to stay at home with my children. There is a lot to be said for being able to arrange your schedule the way that best suits you, but there is a certain amount of responsibility that comes with it, as well.
Earnings
If you're looking for a get-rich-quick job, this isn't it. What you earn is directly tied to the quality and volume of your work and how your designs fit into the needs of your editors. The more you are in tune with your editors, the more you will publish and the more you will earn. Do your homework and find out what the editors need, then do your best to fulfill them.
Flexibility
One great thing about having a job doing what you love to do is being able to express yourself through your work. However, if you wish to publish consistently, you will need to remain flexible and make compromises with your editors. Remember that they always have the last word in accepting–or rejecting!–your work. While your design may be lovely just as you designed it, the editor has the job of making it fit into his or her publication which generally revolves around a theme. If you are not willing to make the changes your editor asks, you may find that he or she has to move on to another designer. Don’t make the mistake of getting so emotionally attached to your designs that you can’t let go of them in order to do as the editor asks or to move on to the next design.
Erratic Pay Checks
Most likely, you won't be under contract to a publisher so you will be paid by the project rather than drawing a regular pay check.
Publishers in general have different points at which they issue checks. Some pay on acceptance, some on publication and others at certain points during the publication process. Keeping as many projects in submission as possible at any given time will help increase your chances for sales and minimize the gaps between checks.
Deadlines
Meeting your deadlines is one of the single, most important responsibilities you will have as a designer. Your editor will assign a deadline for you and if you don't meet it, you place the editor in an uncomfortable position. He or she must fill the space your design was assigned to, and if you don't meet the deadline, the editor has to make a last-minute scramble to find something to fill the space, which is often difficult to do. It may also make your editor think twice about contacting you to work up further designs.
Balance
Learn to balance your work with a healthy dose of play. It is harder to leave your job at the office when your office happens to be in your home. But, not allowing job responsibilities to overlap into family time will help you to be more relaxed and focused during normal working hours.
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