About Us

Published by ABCCraftEvents.com

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"About Us"

www.ABCCraftEvents.com is owned by Mary Reed. It is a family-run, home-based business - run from our home just outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Maryville, TN. This business has allowed me to be a "stay-at-home mom" and care for my two sons - Evans & Chance. Evans is 19 and in his Sophomore year in college. Chance is almost 4. Evans has literally grown up with ABC. He has helped in just about every aspect of the business - labeling newsletters, packing boxes, proofreading, selling at shows, and even making the occasional "executive decision!" And now, there is Chance who already knows all about computers and is definitely in charge of when work gets done!

What is now www.ABCCraftEvents.com has had an interesting evolution. In 1982, I left a job as a pharmaceutical representative with the veterinary division of what was then Smith Kline Co. I started a business writing, designing and printing client newsletters and brochures for veterinarians. This was back in the "dark ages" before most animal hospitals had computers - when we had to use MS-DOS commands on the computer, dBase was the big database application, and we had to do all of the titles and fancy lettering with rub-on Letraset lettering! I had no idea what I was doing... I had just seen a need in the industry and did my best to meet it! But, this started me in desktop publishing...

In 1989, we moved from the Nashville area to Maryville and I started going to some of the local craft fairs on the weekends. The problem was, I often would not find out about an event until I read about it in the Sunday paper - after it was over! Eventually, my husband Phillip and I started an art & craft event directory. Phillip handled sales and I did the data entry of the show information and the lay-up of the book. We even bought an old A.B. Dick Offset Printer and learned how to print! Our first edition was published in April 1993 - literally in the midst of the "Blizzard of '93" - as Arts, Bartering & Crafts Magazine. This was a 32 page, bi-monthly magazine that featured "over 100 Art & Craft Event Listings" for events "occurring with in a 150 mile radius of Knoxville TN." This publication grew into an annual, national event directory with 200+ pages and over 1500 event listings. Then, in 2003, Phillip and I were divorced and our business changed again. We both wanted to continue working with the business we had worked so hard to build. So, he kept the printed book - The ABC Art & Craft Event Directory and I kept the website portion of the business.

Prior to 2003, we had just used the website to promote the printed book. But, as more people began using computers and the internet, I saw a great opportunity to offer an art & craft event directory online. So, www.ABCCraftEvents.com was "born." Over the last three years, I have continued to expand the website and the products and services that I offer. I am really enjoying working with the website. It is great to be able to continually update and add information. It is a constant learning experience & challenge, but there is so much exciting potential!

I believe strongly in the value of family run, home based businesses and strive to make our website and products serve those who want this type of life. After having worked with several large corporations, I truly value the quality of life having my own business has offered. It has allowed me to stay home with my sons, to travel, and to enjoy our home and the beautiful location in which we live. I homeschooled Evans from pre-school through high school graduation and hope to do the same with Chance. I know that self-employment comes with a lot of risks and a high rate of failure, and I have definitely experienced the "roller coaster ride." I hope that my efforts with www.ABCCraftEvents.com will help make your "ride" just a little smoother is some way.

Sincerely,

Mary Reed

www.ABCCraftEvents.com and Mary Reed's ACE Guides

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