The following information is taken from three separate studies conducted for HIA (Hobby Industry Association) by independent marketing groups which had no vested interest in the outcomes: the 1998 55+ Female Crafter Study by The Marketing Workshop, Inc., the 1998 Nationwide Craft/Hobby Consumer Study by The NPG Group, Inc., and the 1996/97 Size of Craft/Hobby industry Study by Fitch, Inc.

•	More than eight out of 10 households have at least one family member engaged in crafts/hobbies.
•	Sales of craft/hobby products topped 10 billion for three consecutive years: 1995, 1996 and 1997.
•	The breakdown of how people use their craft/hobby projects is: gifts (71%), home decorating (69%), personal use (62%), holiday decorating (59%) and items to sell (16%).
•	A staggering 97% of adult women (ages 55 - 64) surveyed have participated in a crafting activity in their lifetime. Of these women, 88% continue to craft.
•	At present, the typical crafter/hobbyist spends an average of 7.5 hours per week engaged in his/her craft/hobby.
•	Approximately one half (47%) of the youngest women in the 55+ female crafter study (ages 55 - 64), half of whom are employed, have completed a craft in the past six months. An almost equal number (46%) say they are likely to take on a craft project within the next six months.
•	The major sources from which craft/hobby participants get their ideas are magazines, books and catalogs. Family and friends are also an important source of ideas.
•	Despite the impediments of aging, four in 10 women over the age of 75 continue to craft.
•	Eleven specific crafts/hobbies have participation rates of 20% and over. These include: cross-stitch/embroidery (45%), crocheting (29%), apparel/fashion sewing (26%), home décor painting/accessories (25%), craft sewing (24%), cake decorating/cake making (22%), needlepoint/plastic canvas (22%), art/drawing (21%), floral arranging (21%), home décor sewing (21%) and scrapbooking/memory crafts (20%).
•	Most women (74%) find crafting relaxing and two-thirds of mature women like to give projects they made as gifts.
•	Almost one half of hobbyists purchase or subscribe to craft/hobby related magazines and newsletters. Almost an equal number watch craft/hobby related television shows.
•	Interest in learning new crafts is strong in mature women (50%), particularly among those between the ages of 55 - 64.
•	Virtually all adult women (ages 55 and over) have completed some craft project. When asked about recent participation in 31 specific craft activities, 85 percent of those surveyed responded positively.