'The Craftys' Awards Launch November 14, 2016 | Judges Include Lisa Loeb, Olympian Tai Babilonia and HGTV's Laurie March

    NEW YORK, NY, November 02, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Craftys, the awards that celebrate the best in DIY and craft across the United States, will launch on Nov. 14 and culminate in a livestream broadcast in February from New York City. 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 "Geek Crafts."

The Craftys' Best in Show winner receives $1,000 and each category winner gets $200. Launched in 2014, the annual event averages over 1,200 entries and 400,000 votes.

This year's judging panel includes HGTV host Laurie March, world champion skater Tai Babilonia and bespectacled singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb.

"I love doing crafts with my kids, my friends, and even my new album cover looks kind of crafty," says judge Lisa Loeb, whose most recent album is "Feel What U Feel." "I'm happy to be a judge for The Craftys, which is a great way to celebrate creativity."

In addition to traditional craft disciplines, ShurTech Duck Tape is helping to launch a new category for Duct Tape Crafts and Red Heart Yarn is sponsoring a Baby Crafts award, for those who make items for newborns and toddlers. Another new category is Geek Crafts, which includes cosplay costumes, fan DIY and handmade technology.

Several companies and organizations are partnering with event, including Darice, Red Heart Yarn, Tuttle Books, ShurTech Duck Tape, FaveCrafts, TueNight, the Craft and Hobby Association, Babble, Westcott, FoodStirs, Consumer Crafts and the Society of Decorative Painters.

"So many wonderful crafts are made every year that are only seen by friends of the creator. The Craftys are a great way to celebrate amazing work," says Sarah Kubelka, Social Marketing Manager for Darice, one of America's largest craft supply manufacturers.

Crafters can enter their best projects online at TheCraftys.com and fans can nominate their favorite makers through January 9, 2017. Entry categories include fashion, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, home decor, jewelry-making and edible crafts. 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:

The Editors of Babble
Marisa Pawelko - Modern Surrealist
Yolanda Soto Lopez - All Crafts Channel
Marly Bird - Yarn Thing Podcast
Beth Kingston - Kingston Crafts
Vickie Howell - DIY Network / HGTV
Ed Roth - Stencil 1
Mark Montano - Big Ass Book of Crafts
Galit Lebow - FoodStirs
Amber Kemp-Gerstel - Damask Love

The awards event will be livestreamed in February 2017 from New York City. Visit TheCraftys.com to learn more.

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

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