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Quilting Arts magazine is offering a free 7-page e-book with patterns for seven quilted bags.  While you need to register to get the PDF, registration is also free.  Some patterns include Melanie Testa’s pretty purses and Susan Brubaker Knapp’s blue, yellow, and purple evening bags.  The e-book also includes a mini messenger bag,  easy/elegant quilted bag, and an eco bag.  While at the site,  be sure to visit the Free Stuff area where you can download a variety of articles in PDF format.

Do you ever find yourself wondering what may happen to your artwork after you die?  Morbid as it may sound, I do.  I came across a website for the Senior Artists Initiative and was pleasantly surprised with the guidelines offered.  While the site is geared towards seniors, there is some helpful information for any artist.  Visit the Publications page for articles such as “What do inheritors do with artwork?” and  “Where there’s a will, there may be a Monet.”  Most helpful is the “Guidelines for Senior Artists.”  It’s a collection of articles and advice, nothing too lengthy or extensive, but it covers topics such as writing a will, will substitutes, planning techniques for lower tax liability, and more.   If you’re looking for some guidance on where to begin, the site offers some.  For me, it’s a start.

© thr3fold, Laura Kemshall, Linda Kemshall and Catherine Nicholls

Isn’t this cute?  It’s a FREE pattern from for a bag called “Hands On.”  I had to share this because (1) it’s such a cool project; and (2) because I received some email after posting a note on the Quiltart list about a book/magazine called thr3fold.  Thr3fold is a series of 52 page book/magazines filled with articles, projects, and inspiration geared primarily to textile/quilt artists.  It’s written by Laura Kemshall, Linda Kemshall, and Catherine Nicholls.  Thus far there are three thr3fold books available.  I purchased mine for the past couple years while at the Festival of Quilts show in Birminham, UK.  But it’s also available from their website. Each sells for £17.95, with another £4.50 for postage (about $33.50 which is actually several dollars less than last year because of the exchange rate change).  If you have the extra funds, it’s a real treat.  The publication also includes a CD with a lengthy PDF (generally in the range of some 50+ pages) that expands on the various articles in the print publication and includes series of video demonstrations.

Speaking of the video demonstrations, note that the free pattern also includes a video.  Windows users, you’ll have no problem watching.  It uses Windows Media Player to work which sadly means it’s problematic for Mac users.  I’m trying some work-arounds and if/when I get this resolved, I’ll post.  Even without seeing the video, I still recommend downloading the pattern.

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December 13th update:

If you’re using a Mac and cannot view the video, install the Flip4Mac plugin from Microsoft:.
The free version works fine.

I came across this site that I thought I’d share.  The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) “is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.” The site offers a lot of helpful information including several free ebooks.  Of particular interest are:

“Marketing Crafts and Visual Arts: The Role of Intellectual Property: A practical guide.” The purpose of the 105 page PDF book is “to provide a basic knowledge and understanding of marketing techniques and of Intellectual Property (IP) to artisans and visual artists, to enhance the chances of their business success. It seeks to indicate why, which, what, where, when, whether and how consideration ought to be given to the effective management of IP assets by using IP tools for successful marketing of craft and visual art products.”

“A Stitch in Time, Smart Use of Intellectual Property by Textile Companies” is free 22-page PDF publication offered by the WIPO.  It’s described as “a snapshot of the value of effective use of the different tools of the IP system (Industrial designs, copyright,  patents, trademarks, geographical indications, trade secrets) for enhancing the competitiveness of products in the textiles, clothing, footwear, and fashion industries, both in the domestic and export markets.

“Creative Expression, An Introduction to Copyright and Related Rights for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises” is a 66-page ebook geared to “help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to: understand how to protect the works that they create or in which they own rights; get the most out of copyright and/or related rights; and avoid violating the copyright or related rights of others.”  It covers and intro to copyright and related rights for crafts, visual, and performing arts, design and fastion, and more.

“A Visual Artist’s Guide to Estate Planning is a comprehensive handbook designed to assist artists in planning their estates.”  The free 183-page PDF book is based on a conference co-sponsored by The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation and The Judith Rothschild Foundation.  The book covers such topics as Why do I need a Will?  What should be done with my art work?  What is important to save? How can I make sure my work continues to be seen?

I am not an attorney, but years ago I worked in a law firm and was involved in estate planning.  I am impressed and grateful for the helpful information supplied in this book, including a sample will, health care proxy, power of attorney, and so on.  It’s a good foundation for thought and planning, and it reminds me to get my papers in order.

Get the book here, and be sure to also download the 2008 supplements.