I'm Grace Dobush, a freelance editor, writer, content strategist and crafter based in Cincinnati. An updated and expanded version of Crafty Superstar, my business guide for part-time crafters, was just released by North Light Books. You may have seen my writing in HOW, Wired, The Artist's Magazine, Venus Zine or Family Tree Magazine. Until recently I was the executive editor of HOWInteractiveDesign.com and the community manager for HOW and Print magazines, but I just made the leap to being a full-time freelancer and entrepreneur. I'm the co-organizer of Crafty Supermarket, Cincinnati's most rad indie craft show, and I occasionally get crafty myself. I love speaking at conferences around the country about DIY business and entrepreneurship. Want to know more? Browse through my work and get in touch.
Recent Projects
Speaking
Makeshift Society
March 2013 | San Francisco, CA
- Getting your book published
- Coptic stitch bookbinding workshop
- Zine making happy hour
Summit of Awesome
September 2012 | Washington, DC
- Getting your book published
- Coptic stitch bookbinding workshop
SXSW Interactive
March 2012 | Austin, TX
- Craft Tent
HOW Interactive Design Conference
November 2011 | San Francisco, CA
- Panel moderator
Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs
August 2011 | San Francisco, CA
- The Price is Right: Pricing Strategies that Work for Creative Products and Services
- Creating Customer Profiles: How Well Do You Know Your Audience?
Midwest Craft Conference
June 2011 | Columbus, OH
- Pricing Strategies for Crafters
- Panel: The Craft Fair Experience: From Applications to On-site Sales
- Get Published: How to Turn your Craft Experience into an Article, Blog or Book
Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs
August 2010 | Seattle, WA
- Can Part-timers Have It All?
Books
My business guides for part-time crafters include advice from craft superstars such as Jenny Hart, Grace Bonney, Cinnamon Cooper and many more. I interviewed dozens of crafters to get advice on how to boost your Etsy sales, promote yourself and your crafts, deal with customers and balance your craft life with your personal life. Basically, I wrote the book I wish I'd had back when I was starting to sell my crafts. The first edition of Crafty Superstar was released in 2009, and the updated and expanded Crafty Superstar Ultimate Craft Business Guide
Crafts
I've sold my handmade books and cards around the country since 2003 under the name gracie sparkles books. My hand-printed linocut cards tend to be on the nerdy side, and my journals are largely made of reclaimed and upcycled materials. I do sell on Etsy, but my favorite way to bring craft to the masses is at indie craft shows. Here in Cincinnati, I'm the co-organizer of Crafty Supermarket, a twice yearly show founded in 2009.
Contact me
I'm always into freelance editing and writing gigs, new ventures and consulting. Get in touch!