Utica Crafter Gains Power Through Web Site

UTICA -- A hobby that grew into a business has now evolved into even more for Utican Linda Laubenthal, who helped found an Internet grouping of crafters in New York. 

The New York State Crafters recently launched their Web site, www.newyorkcrafters.com, but crafting is nothing new to Laubenthal. 

"I've been a craft show vendor for over 20 years," she said. 

But her Internet ventures began in the late 1990s after she got her business license and decided to sell her silk florals and knitted and crocheted products online. 

She eventually joined an online crafters forum and got connected with Carey Sevier of Marietta and Tonya Lockhart of Watertown. The trio launched the crafters group in July, and now have 36 artisans from all over the state signed on. 

"We're trying to keep the crafting business alive," Laubenthal said. With inexpensive imported products flooding store shelves, she said they want to promote the quality of handmade New York products. 

"We wanted to bring to the attention of the world that there are a lot of talented, professional crafters in New York," she said. 

The Web site includes artisans making a variety of products from quilts, knitted items, embroidery and decorative painting. Laubenthal said they hope to add even more home-grown New York products such as maple, honey and apple products. 

"We have a great group of things,"Laubenthal said. 

Visit Linda's site at: Hand Knit and Hand Crocheted Items at Knits and Bits By Linda

 

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