Saturday 31 July 2010

Tips on how to approach people in the papercraft media/industry offering your samples

Hi everyone, a lovely lady called Caryolynne asked Leonie how to go about approaching either companies or craft magazine to publish. Since Leonie is a very busy lass: presenting, crafting and jumping off airplanes (wink) so she gave me her blessing to post on her behalf and reply to this query. Thanks Leonie, I hope I won't make a fool of myself.

To be honest I've only had one feature about me on a magazine about Men crafters and one card being published in a forthcoming book, my main experience was having my samples used by various companies on Ideal World/Create & Craft. But since I believe that craft magazine editors must have the same requirements as craft companies I thought I would write about what I know as the same skills are transferrable to any exercise of being published.


Now the way you can approach an editor is by letter or email, but I asked one lady I'm acquainted with who is already published : Paula Pascual.

And here what the lovely Paula had to say about her own experience.
Hi Fabrizio
Well, the way I got into Crafts Beautiful was because my friends suggested I send stuff. I prepared a selection of 6-8 cards in sets of 3/4 that coordinated together by technique or colour theme. They were some of my best to that date and really showcased what I liked to do to the best of my abilities. Ie, my unique point of view. I would recommend to label them all with full name and address on the back and write up something about the person who has made them.
I only did that once, the rest came knocking at my door. Lucky me, I suppose.

Take care, Paula
Please, rest assured I had Paula's permission to publish her tip on this blog !
It also helps to have a blog of your own as I know for certain that Editors 'blog hop' to get new ideas and feel about new trends and usually will approach you if they want some of your cards on their mags. I received such invitation out of the blue from Let's make cards as they were doing a men crafter feature last year.

I would personally contact by email each editor from each magazine (remember some publishers have several craft mags) and ask them if they're looking for new submissions and what kind of work they're looking for. If you have blog going showing your cards it will work for you as you can put it  under your signature. Make sure you take good pictures of your cards and that they are clearly lit.

I've shown on one of my blogs how to take pictures of cards 

Also I have it on good standing that Editors like when people create cards with the current supplies (stamps, new markers etc....) as like fashion they like not to be left behind with the current popular trends.

My last tip is don't get disheartened if you get refusals, they're not saying NO, they're actually saying 'not right now' ! :)


Resource:
Well I did some research and found for you lot the main publishers in the UK and their websites:







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