I would like to here from African American crafters. What are you making, whats the market like for Afrocentric items? What types of things are you making.

I have searched high and low, can't seem to find much on the internet. Where are you guys? I would love to exchange ideas and develope swaps as well.

Part of our culture was creating what we needed and wanted from what we found around us.

Today the creating is simply for the fun and pleasure of working with my hands in conjunction with my mind.

Sharon, Illinois.

Hi Sharon!

The area where I live has a high Latino population, so I'd guess the market in my area isn't very good. In fact, there was an African shop just up the street from me which has gone out of business. Too bad. It had just about everything - food, clothes, beauty products, crafts, etc.

Crafting has sort of become a big business. The supplies can cost a lot of money. Sometimes I really have to give a lot of thought to what I want to make because of the cost involved.

What types of crafts are you working on?

Hi back at ya!

Don't have any good shops in my neck of the woods either. I won"t do consignment, did that once but, the shop have so much stuff in them you couldn't see what you were looking at. Did quite a few shows but, that gets kinda tireing packing and unpacking. Then the people who come to the shows don't stop to see what you have. Now what I do is when I make things I give them to friends who in turn tell their friends who call for private showings, I like that much better. I have a three bedroom apartment, one of the bedrooms is my office. My livingroom area is my workshop, no room for a couch in there.

As for suplies I buy most of them at resale shops, flea markets, and yard sales. Crafters are always buying more then they need or buy things and never use them. I get bags and boxes of fabrics, craft papers, wood peices, tools, baskets, jars, tins, etc. Oh yes stationary places that sell discontinued items at a steal.

The small bottles I buy for my oils I get from www.sciplus.com Two to three dollars for 10 to 15 bottles. I also use these small bottles for necklaces that I put tiny notes and beads in. Check them out, go online and order their catalog, it's free.

I make wall hangings on anything that is large enough to be a substantial peice of art work. My last hanging I used acustic ceiling tiles, light weight and easy to work with.

If cowrie shells were still used for money I would be rich. Everytime I see them I get them for .50 to a 1.00 a string full. Once I bought a cowrie shell hanging pot holder. Therewere hundreds there. I'm still useing them, and still buying them too.

Went to a yard sale and bought 11 large burlap bags for 4.00. Also the garden department has rolls of burlap cheap, as well as large rolls of brown craft paper used as drop paper by painters, 6.00. I make my own gift bags and wall hangings that. Cancas drop cloth for painted floor cloths, 10.00.

Craft suplies are well over priced, you just have to look elsewhere and substitute that same item.

I have webtv and make good looking stationary, tags and labels for my crafts.

All in all I know how to cut corners by cutting out the middle man.

Sharon,Illinois

WOW! You are VERY crafty! I also get things at yard sales - usually baskets for gift baskets. I've been able to get them as cheap as 5 cents a basket. Your are right about raft items at yard sales - although around here people are trying to get top dollar for them.

As for craft fairs - the packing & unpacking is definitely a pain.

Next time I see a hanging plant holder made of shells, I think of you!