ADS ON DIRECTORY PAGES:

The ads at the top of the directory pages (under the heading “sponsors + friends”) are handled by Project Wonderful. Prices are determined by demand and are often completely free — but they are ONLY available to handmade businesses IN THE CHICAGO AREA that FIT UNDER ONE OF THE CATEGORIES on that page.

I know that I’m passing up ad revenue by doing it that way, but it’s more important to me to make the directory a showcase of local talent. I want those ad boxes to be an extension of the directory.

To place an ad on a directory page, go to that page and look for the link directly under the ads that says, “Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now…” Click on that link and follow the directions. If you get stuck, you can contact me at ChristineRenee@ChicagoCrafty.com for help.

Once you place a bid, I will need to approve your ad. It’s a little annoying, but once you’ve been approved, you won’t have to wait for approval again for ads on the same page.

All Project Wonderful ads are 125 pixels by 125 pixels. Animated ads are allowed.

ADS ON THE FRONT/CALENDAR PAGE

Ads on this page are also handled by Project Wonderful, but I’m a little more flexible about what is allowed there. Any Chicago crafter that falls under any of the categories in the directory is welcome to place an ad here. I will also accept ads for crafty events in the Chicago area, stores in the Chicago area that sell handmade stuff and craft-related web sites that aren’t necessarily local but would be of interest to someone locally.

See the explanation above for how to place a Project Wonderful ad.

ADS IN THE SIDEBAR:

125 pixel x 125 pixel ads are available for the sidebar, separately from Project Wonderful. The benefit of placing an ad in the sidebar is that it will be on every single page of the site.

These ads are available now for the price of $10/month. I plan on raising the price in the near future, once the site is a little more established and gets enough visitors to justify it. But if you prepay you can lock in this price for as many months as you want.

LARGE BANNER ADS:

468 pixels x 234 pixels ads are available above the calendar on the front page. These premium spots are primarily intended for upcoming crafty events in the Chicago area, but I might consider other ads if they are relevant to the goals of the site. Contact me at ChristineRenee@ChicagoCrafty.com for more information and pricing.

SMALLER BANNER ADS AT THE BOTTOM OF SOME PAGES:

You’ll notice that there are banner ads for non-crafty, non-Chicago companies at the bottom of some of the pages. I decided to place those ads through LinkShare in order to (hopefully) generate a little more revenue.

I have tried not to pick any companies that compete directly with any of the local businesses in the directory. I also prefer to pick companies that offer something that would be useful to crafty businesspeople.

But, if you have any concerns about any of the LinkShare banner ads, please share them with me at ChristineRenee@ChicagoCrafty.com. Especially if you see one that you think is a competitor to one of the businesses in the directory.

Please note: It is free to be listed in the directory. If you have a crafty business in the Chicago area, I want you in the directory. You are not required to place an ad, and  I will never, ever pressure you to place one. See here for more information about being included in the directory.