Ask children what they want to be when they grow up and the answer is likely to change with time. However, for Kent State alumna Grace Dobush, ’05, her childhood interest in journalism never faded and her education at Kent State sharpened the skills needed to turn that interest into a career.

“I would say that, from the age of 13, I knew that I wanted to study journalism,” Dobush says.

Today, Dobush is an associate editor for two magazines – Family Tree Magazine and The Artist’s Magazine – and the author of the indie crafting business guide Crafty Superstar: Make Crafts on the Side, Earn Extra Cash and Basically Have It All.

In her position as an associate editor, Dobush not only writes and edits stories, but, as one of the younger employees, serves as de facto social media expert – often creating Web content and blogging for the publications. While juggling so many responsibilities might seem daunting, Dobush credits her experience as a full-time student active with Kent State’s student media for staying organized and giving her the skills necessary to succeed. 

“I think that, having the experience of carrying a full load of classes and working for the Daily Kent Stater, Fusion and The Burr, I was well-prepared for multi-tasking,” Dobush says.

During her time at Kent State, Dobush worked as a copy editor and student reporter and even served as the Spring 2005 editor of The Burr. Her involvement with Kent State student media not only taught her to multi-task, interview sources and write for different mediums, but also helped her learn a valuable skill – how to be edited.

Learning to take criticism and allow her work to be edited, “kicked my writing skills up a notch,” she says. And those strong writing skills helped her to complete her recently published book. 

Intended as a guide for individuals trying to balance a crafting business with a full-time job, Crafty Superstar, published by North Light Books, combines Dobush’s love of writing and journalism with her love of crafting. 

“I had read a business book for crafters that was about making crafting your full-time business,” Dobush says. “But my book is intended for people who are part-time crafters, trying to supplement their income with a hobby. I interviewed dozens of crafters so I could offer advice on things like setting price points and marketing your crafts.”

While she regards her book as her greatest accomplishment, Dobush also experienced major success last November when she and a fellow crafter organized Crafty Supermarket, an indie craft show in Cincinnati.

With 20 vendors selling a variety of crafts and more than 1,000 shoppers attending the event, Dobush says the show turned out better than she could have ever hoped.

She is already planning the second Crafty Supermarket, which will take place in Cincinnati at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, April 17. Individuals interested in the event can learn more at www.craftysupermarket.com. 

Grace Dobush, '05, at her indie craft show