Quilters and stitchers who want to sell their quilts and needlework on the Internet have needed technical and business know-how to get their products online and to the right markets. But as technology advances and users grow more creative, selling fabric crafts online has become easier than ever. One website that is helping connect fabric artists with online shoppers is Quilt 'n' Stitch Marketplace, which is celebrating its Grand Opening on July 4, 2009.
Founder Joyce Lucas, named a Women Entrepreneur of the Year by Country Living in 2008, was inspired by the success of Make Mine Pink, her online boutique shopping and networking site which has over 1700 forum members and over the past 5 years, over 500 online boutiques, to create a similar community for the quilting and stitcher market. Lucas says, "Our track record for helping hundreds of women get started in or maintain their business on the Web is one of the reasons that I decided to open this model up to the quilting and stitcher market. My hope is to bring quilt shops and pattern designers, quilters and suppliers, stitchers, and artists of fiber arts together - all for their common love of their craft."
As a group, members of Quilt 'n' Stitch Marketplace will have access to opportunities that are difficult to create on their own, such as:
- Access to national advertising in publications that target the needle art community
- Private forums to learn business skills
- Participation in contests and giveaways for greater visibility
- The ability to add their entire inventory to a powerful search engine on the Quilt 'n' Stitch Marketplace website.
With three levels of membership, ranging from free with limited benefits to full membership with a boutique on the website's front page, quilters and stitchers can choose the level of membership best suited for their business and circumstances.
For those who come to shop for quilts, fabrics, and supplies, Lucas hopes to create a customer service focused online shopping experience reminiscent of small-town shopping we all remember as children. As well as being able to search for exactly what you need in the powerful search engine, visitors can also chat with shoppe owners in the forums.
Come visit http://www.quiltandstitchmarketplace.com/
