Although Desert Bus 5 has only just ended, many of you have asked how you can get involved in next year’s Craft-Along. Here is a brief rundown of just what the Craft-Along is, and how you can participate.

The Craft-Along is a call for high quality handmade items, created specifically for Desert Bus and donated by the artist or crafter to bring in donations by being auctioned or given away during the event. Craft-Along items should be family friendly (PG-13 ratings, folks!), and should appeal to Desert Bus’ internet savvy, video game and geek centered audience. We do not accept unsolicited or unapproved items – you must send in a proposal and have your craft approved before it can be added to the Craft-Along. These rules allow us to ensure that we have enough items but not too many, that all the items are appropriate for our purposes, and that we receive a good balance of items without any repeats.

To seek inspiration and see what items have previously been included in the Craft-Along, you can check out the live auction, silent auction and giveaway pages from Desert Bus 5.

Craft-Along submissions for Desert Bus 6 will open in the spring of 2012. At that time, we will post a submission form, a full explanation of what is required from you to enter the Craft-Along and the deadline for us to receive all items.

If you have any further questions in the meantime, you can contact our Craft-Along organizer, Tally Heilke, at craftalong@desertbus.org. Please note, however, that she will not be answering specific Craft-Along item proposals until submissions are opened in the spring.

Thank you all, and happy crafting at all times, in all weather, for all purposes!