'The Craftys' Awards, Presented by Xyron, Launch September 1, 2015

    NEW YORK, NY, August 19, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Craftys, the awards that celebrate the best in DIY and craft across the United States, will launch on Sept. 1 and culminate in a livestream broadcast on November 6, 2015 from San Francisco. Hosted by PBS' crafting guru, Mark Montano, The Craftys is positioned to become the ultimate prize for crafters in many different disciplines, including categories that span from traditional crafts such as knitting, sewing and scrapbooking to "street art."

The Craftys' Best in Show winner receives $1,000 and each category winner gets $200.

"We're thrilled to be part of an event that celebrates great American works of art most people rarely get to see," says Chris Potter of Xyron, title sponsor for The 2015 Craftys.

Several companies and organizations are partnering with event, including Beadaholique, Better Homes and Gardens, BlogHer, Chronicle Books, the Craft and Hobby Association, CraftFoxes, Creativebug, Deco Arts, FaveCrafts, The Felt Store, MakersKit, Red Heart Yarn, Snap Conference and the Society of Decorative Painters.

"Red Heart Yarn is committed to celebrating crafters' creativity in big ways," says Carrie Leahew, Marketing Manager for Coats and Clark, a division of the world's largest supplier of crafting products. "The Craftys are quickly becoming a huge event for creators and the industry."

Crafters can enter their best projects online at TheCraftys.com and fans can nominate their favorite makers through October 25, 2015. Entry categories include fashion, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, home decor, jewelry-making and edible crafts. A special award will also be given to the Best Young Crafter under 18 that includes a $500 prize for the winner's school. Even craft enthusiasts have a chance to win a Crafty for the best DIY Pinterest Board or Instagram Account. The "Best of Show" award will be presented to one of the category winners for the craft that has it all - creativity, great design and that elusive "It" factor.

The Craftys is proud to introduce an acclaimed panel of judges:

Lisa Gasteneau - Lisa Gastineau Jewelry
Linda Augsberg - Better Homes and Gardens
Erin Flaherty - Marie Claire
Marie LeBaron - Make and Takes
Eric Gillin - Epicurious
Joselyn Hughes - DIY, Dammit!
Tamara Kelly - Moogly
Simone Collins - FaveCrafts
Beth Kingston - Kingston Crafts
Vickie Howell - DIY Network / HGTV
Ed Roth - Stencil 1
Meg Mateo Illasco - Author, "Craft Inc."
Haley Pierson-Cox - Make: Craft
Paul Lowe Einlyng - Sweet Paul Magazine

The awards event will be livestreamed on November 6. 2015 from Chronicle Books headquarters in San Francisco. Visit TheCraftys.com to learn more.

For more information about The Craftys contact: Andrea Burnett [email protected].

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