Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
Tapestry is a form of textile art. It is woven by hand on a weaving-loom. The chain thread is the carrier in which the coloured striking thread is woven. In this way, a colourful pattern or image is created. Most weavers use a naturally based chain thread made out of linen or wool. The striking threads can be made out of silk, wool, gold or silver, but can also be made out of any form of textile.
Both craftsmen and artists have produced tapestries. The "blueprints" on cartboard were made by a famous artist, while the tapestries themselves were made by the craftsmen.
The term is commonly (though incorrectly) applied to embroidered items made in canvas work or needlepoint, probably because this type of embroidery mimics the woven effect.
The success of the decorative tapestry can be partially explained by its portability. Kings and noblemen could transport the tapestry from one residence to another. In churches, it could be displayed on special occasions.
Iconography
The iconography of most Western tapestries goes back to written sources, the Bible and Ovid's
Metamorphoses
being two popular choices. Apart from the religious and mythological images, hunting scenes are
the subject of many tapestries produced for indoor decoration.
Historical development
Tapestry has been known in Europe since the early fourteenth century. The first wave of
production originated from Germany and Switzerland. Over time, the market expanded to France
and the Netherlands. By the 16th century, Flanders had become the centre of European tapestry
production.
By the end of the 16th century, the Northern Netherlands became the most important producers of tapestries, and Delft and Amsterdam became the most important tapestry cities.
Business
Tapestry as a business is classified as an industry based on its purpose. It can be in the
manufacturing industry as a textile product (NAICS Code 314999) if what is produced is a new product to
be sold. It can be in the arts industry if the tapestry is considered to be a work of art
(NAICS Code 711510), rather than a product.
There are a variety of ways people make money from tapestry. Some sell their product locally, at trade shows or via the internet. Others sell original patterns or kits they have designed themselves. And, still others teach tapestry. The best way to learn more about the viabiiity of any of these business models is to participate in Professional Resources, subscribe to magazines that are related to your interests, and read books that give more in-depth information about the business.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
The Basic Guide to
Pricing Your Craftwork
Basic formulas for pricing craftwork, retail or wholesale.
The Basic Guide to
Selling Arts & Crafts
Step-by-step help on over 150 topics for marketing your home made crafts.
The Basic Guide to
Selling Crafts on the Internet
Unravels the mysteries of selling crafts online with clear, step-by-step advice.
Business and Legal
Forms for Crafts
A complete set of business and legal forms designed to meet the active craftperson's every
need.
The Business of
Sewing, Volume 1
Sample price lists; lists of organizations and lending institutions; payment methods you can
offer your customers; how to get a merchant account for credit card sales; how to collect money
on past due accounts; buying in bulk with a list of suppliers and a sample letter to contact
them; business and financial plans; studio design, networking; time management; tackling your
fears; turning sewing into a business and making the transition; how to avoid getting
frustrated; industry statistics.
The Business of
Sewing, Volume 2
How to make a "Consumer Price List", and how to structure a "Working Price List" and the use of
both; what "Pricing" method is best for you and how to handle price resistance; how to conduct
production analysis with a time and motion study; how to make a project inventory list; how to
market your business; subcontractors or fabricators and how to hire them; E-commerce and
on-line merchant accounts, web design, shopping carts and E-newsletters; how to write books and
articles, teach seminars and workshops, and produce sewing audios and videos.
The Business of
Teaching Sewing
Guide to setting up a business, identifying what, where and when to teach, creating lesson
plans and visuals for teaching, then marketing yourself and your product.
Crafting as a
Business
How to develop a thriving retail business.
Crafting for
Dollars
Covers every aspect of starting and managing your own craft-based business.
Crafts and Crafts
Shows
Good business practice in dealing with customers, pricing, and presentation in the show booth.
The Crafts
Business Answer Book & Resource Guide
Answers to questions about starting, marketing, and managing a homebased business efficiently,
legally, and profitably.
Dream Sewing
Spaces
Design and organization for spaces large and small.
Flemish
Tapestry
A comprehensive overview of Flemish tapestry history, spanning the 15th century to shortly
before the French Revolution. Guy Delmarcel, a Belgian expert in Flemish textiles, covers every
aspect of the design and production of these treasures. The wealth of illustrations includes
famous and never-before-published tapestries and many close-up details, as well as a number of
complete sets of tapestry panels.
Free Stuff for
Sewing Fanatics on the Internet
Guide on where to find information on many types of sewing, notions, fabrics, discussion
groups, and mailing lists, as well as free patterns and project sheets.
Handmade for
Profit
Hundreds of secrets to success in selling arts & crafts.
Jill Gordon't
Needlepoint Creative Tapestry Designs
Exquisite ideas and loads of colorful photos of her luscious designs. In their subtle shadings
and even their subject matter, they resemble paintings more than traditional needlework - not
surprising, since the author confesses a lifelong love of painting and uses watercolor sketches
as templates for her tapestries.
Make It
Profitable!
The best ideas and information from 80 professionals in various fields of the craft industry.
Publish Your
Patterns
How to write, print, and market your designs.
Tapestry
Weaving
The most useful techniques in wonderfully detailed photos.
Tapestry Weaving:
A Comprehensive Study Guide
A thorough explanation of basic weaving techniques, and a series of illustrated projects with
step-by-step notes. Problem-solving tips are presented along with inspiring photos.
The Unicorn
Tapestries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Written by one of the world's leading authorities on medieval textiles and illustrated with
many lovely color reproductions, The Unicorn Tapestries traces the origins of the tapestries as
well as possible interpretations of their symbolic meaning.
Your Crafts
Business: A Legal Guide
Explains legal principles that protect a crafts business and help it grow. It also provides
practical advice on how to deal with day-to-day problems -- such as dealing with delinquent
payments. The book provides over a dozen tear-out contracts and other legal forms, plus
step-by-step instructions to fill them out.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
American
Craft
Celebrates contemporary craft, focusing on achievements in the craft media.
Crafts
For the crafter seeking excellent original design, full-size patterns and complete accurate
instructions for how-to projects in general crafts, needle crafts and floral.
Craftworks
Features a variety of "how-to" projects and articles for home decor and garden themes. Discover
the latest craft and decorating trends and how you can easily and affordably bring these looks
into your home.
Decorative Artists
Workbook
Each issue features step-by-step instructions for completing decorative projects on wood, tin,
fabric and other surfaces, plus tips on showing and selling artwork.
Embroidery &
Cross Stitch
Projects in this magazine include a choice of traditional and contemporary styles from leading
Australian designers. A double-sided pattern sheet presents charts, diagrams and design
outlines in full size in every issue.
Fiberarts : The
Magazine Of Textiles
Reviews national and international exhibitions, and explores new trends and issues facing the
field.
Handwoven
Handwoven provides ideas, inspiration, and instructions to handweavers of all skill levels. It
features articles on special techniques, history and projects for the home and clothing.
Inspiration
Features the work of top needlework, smocking, and sewing designers from Australia and around
the world, complete with embroidery keys, full-size patterns, illustrations, and step-by-step
directions for completing projects at home.
Textile Fibre
Forum
Publication covering contemporary and historical textile arts and crafts mainly in Australia,
New Zealand, and the Pacific region.
