Some Craft Show Pointers

As a newbie to the craft show world, I am always on the lookout for great advice on how to better my booth and myself as a seller.  I learned so much at my first two this summer, but I have so much more to learn, and there’s always room for growth.

I recently discovered a very helpful thread from the perspective of a buyer on how to draw in potential customers and keep them for a sale.  Some of this I had learned previously because they’re obvious pointers, but the others I had not thought of before and provided valuable insight.  Below is the post verbatim:

petalbelles says:
I just left this huge annual craft show. I attended as a customer but also kept a running critique as an etsy seller. I know these suggestions have been posted in the past, but I thought it worth it to post it again.

As your potential customer

-Please smile as you sit in your booth even though you have no traffic in there. I know it’s discouraging but honestly it was a big turn off. A couple of people look pretty sour.

-Please do not hover over me or be obvious in staring at me as I look at your booth.

-A couple of vendors were successful in hooking me into their stall when I saw photographs of them doing their craft. One woman had a video that ran continously and I watched for a few minutes. Better yet, do some of your craft there. I saw a guy oil painting a canvas.

-I was really drawn to booths that had a lot of incandescent light. I know it’s not very green, but it cast a really warm glow on merchandise and made the booth look cozy. Pretty decorations are nice, but I found warm lighting was key.

-For those of you selling hair clips or clothes or wearable art, consider having the mirror mounted outside your booth if you have the space. At this show when people tried things on in an outside mirror, alot of people, including myself, stopped to see. This worked very well for people showing off how to put on these clever headbands that needed explanation.

-And finally, packaging. As a seller, I understand how difficult and possibly expensive it is to get some nice packaging. But if you’re at a craft show, try and make some kind of effort. There were vendors selling large personalized pillows and quilts who literally used garbage bags. Yikes.

Hope this can be helpful for anyone heading out to the craft fairs and festivals. Good luck!

Gift Guides

The group I am a part of, Unique Women in Business, is a very supportive group that I love being a part of.  They love promoting each other, encouraging each other, and have been a big part of my success as a seller.  They have helped me so much and have supported me so much.  The wealth of knowledge they have as a collective is amazing.

Looking for an awesome group to join?  Join Unique Women in Business and tell them I sent you!  Not only do I love purchasing their products and trading for them, they love doing so with my products.

 

Currently, Carla of Cobweb Corner is running Gift Guides on her blog.  They’re wonderful, creative, clever features.  Most of the items are plucked from the wonderful shops of UWIB members.  I’ve been fortunate enough to be featured in two.  PLEASE give them some loving!

Think Handmade – Buying for Kids 6 and Under

Think Handmade – Buying for the Older Teen

Don’t forget my SALE!

Hello!  Tomorrow starts my big sale!  I have many glass tile pendants, crochet items, and eco-friendly crochet items – over 88 items to choose from.

If you are a Linfield student, obviously this sale will be hard to participate in because I wouldn’t be shipping you your purchase.  If you’re interested in purchasing, convo me for a special Linfield Student BF/CM equivalent discount.

I JUST created a newsletter today!  If you would like to be on the mailing list for my shop’s monthly newsletter, sign up here http://www.eepurl.com/fmpP.  Sign up for BKD Signature’s monthly newsletter to learn more about my products, be notified of upcoming sales, and receive special subscriber discounts!

BLACK FRIDAY TO CYBER MONDAY ETSY SALE: PURCHASE $20 OR MORE WORTH OF PRODUCTS AND RECEIVE FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!!! Refund given via PayPal. As always, I include free goodies in your purchase!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!  MY ITEMS MAKE PERFECT GIFTS FOR BIRTHDAYS AND HOLIDAYS!!!

New Newsletter!!!

I’ve decided to start my own newsletter!  I’m SUPER excited!!!

Sign up for BKD Signature’s monthly newsletter to learn more about my products, be notified of upcoming sales, and receive special subscriber discounts!

Use the following link on the sidebar or click here.

Black Friday CCCOE Treasury

Please click and comment so we can make the front page!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=96247

NEW POLL – PLEASE PARTICIPATE – IMPORTANT

BLACK FRIDAY TO CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL

One of the biggest shopping days of the year is upon us.  I love looking in the ads to find great deals and maybe inspiration for holiday gifts.  Last year was my first official year participating in Black Friday.  However, I skipped the lines and shopped on Amazon!  Got some great deals on TWO new Canon cameras, plus other great stuff.  Not only did I avoid the early morning lines, but I still got the joy from Black Friday.

This year avoid the lines AND support handmade by shopping for gifts with me!  I’m offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders over $20.  I have TONS of glass tile pendants and crochet items, and I’m still creating new inventory to add daily.

Some of my fellow UWIB members are having sales that weekend, too.

For your stationary and gift wrapping needs (to go along with your wonderful purchase from me ), visit my wonderful friend Amanda at DawnCorrespondence.  I myself have ordered custom Thank You cards from her and plan on purchasing more stuff from her in the future.  She is also having a FREE SHIPPING sale.

Looking for some great handbags and bath products for your girls?  From now until Cyber Monday, get 26% off your purchase using discount code Thanks26 at Inspr’d Boutique.

Want some pretty art to adorn your walls?  At Kristen Stein Fine Art: “BLACK FRIDAY thru CYBER MONDAY (Nov. 27 – Nov. 30) “BOGO 50%”. Buy one item at full-price, receive 50% off the second item of equal or lesser value. Reserve items today, or visit my store this coming weekend when the etsy promotion begins. You will also receive FREE US Shipping and discounted international shipping on all items.”  I’ve been eyeing her Freud shirt myself, being a Psych major and all.

Elena at Fashion Touch wants you to know that “I will have Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale in my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FashionTouch Everybody welcome! FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING + 10% on your 2nd, 3rd, etc item. Custom orders are always welcome, same discounts apply on the orders made on these days.  Currently Free shipping on beaded necklaces at… http://www.etsy.com/shop/FashionTouch?section_id=6241674” Her products have been recently featured on the FP of Etsy.

For some more FREE SHIPPING deals, head on over to Rita’s Creations on Etsy or And More Bags.  Rita is offering the deal store wide for both of her shops.

Trudy announces in her shop: “November 26 to November 30 = FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS!!!  10% off all orders over $100 . . . save now!! Get ahead of the rush!”  Momma Goddess Treasures carries jewelry.

In need of some cute polymer clay treasurers?  Pink Fink is offering FREE SHIPPING Nov 26th – 30th.  I myself have purchased one of her adorable creations as a present for a friend.

Want some cute lingerie at an affordable price?  At Naughty and Nice Lingerie, Brenda is offering 10% off everything in her store when you email her your order to naughtynicestore[at]aol[dot]com.  This includes sale items as well.  And as always, you get fast free shipping (within the USA), dollar rewards, and free gifts!  She has a large selection of wonderful items.

Need another reason to buy handmade and local with me?  See this article on Etsy.

Interview Feature

I find it important to feature those who I find inspirational or I just absolutely love their products.  I have already posted several product features, but would now like to post my first interview.  I met the following Etsy seller through my forum California Chit Chat Thread.  This thread is filled with wonderful, inspiration people.

1. Any website urls, that you want featured (Etsy site or blog)

Del Guidice Studio
www.delguidicestudio.etsy.com
www.myspace.com/delguidicestudio
FBFP: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Del-Guidice-Studio/87889154914

2. Your name and location

Helen Del Guidice, San Diego, California
3. What’s the name of your business and how did you get started?

Del Guidice Studio … I started my Etsy shop because I have actually been a gallery painter for 20+ years but the art market and the gallery process is very ungratifying to me. I’ve been a high-realist oil painter so the process of making a collection of paintings, getting into galleries, sharing with the public and selling can take up to a year! Also the “art public” has gotten so small, and art so un-accessable that I felt my work was shared by too few people for all my heart-n-soul work! So this year I turned back to my first love, fashion, which is full of instant gratification and little delights, from purchasing and playing with fabrics to realizing ideas and seeing a finished work in a matter of days! Also more people can appreciate it, relate to it and afford it on a regular basis. My work becomes part of the buyers daily lifestyle and that is really cool to me.
4. What inspires and motivates you to craft/run your business?

I am inspired by so many things but history in particular. I have a great affection for historical garments and objects, the wardrobe of Marie Antoinette, early Roman and Etruscan art, Victoriana, artifacts, frescos. I work in museums here in San Deigo as an artifact handler and I am enchanted by the amazing quality, beauty and preciousness of the historical objects I am honored to touch! But also, having lived in Italy for part of my life I have so much respect for Italian quality! Quality is a source of great national pride for Italian artisans and when it comes to fashion they are probably the best in the world. This sense of quality inspires me to make the best garment I can make.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Etsy?

My favorite thing about Etsy, strangely enough since it’s the internet, is the human interaction! I have found undoubtedly the best, most friendly and encouraging community of talented people from all over the world amongst the other sellers. Certainly my business would not be as good if it weren’t for the insights the other sellers so gladly share. They elate in your successes and encourage you to keep going when things are tough and that is just amazing to me! But I also love the buyer interactions! The convos back and forth with buyers trying to make sure they get just the right thing and then finding out they love it… that is really gratifying!
6. Besides crafting, what other hobbies to you have?

It seems I’ve given up all hobbies in lieu of my shop but frankly my business is more fun! I also have a 16 year old son so these past years I make a lot of effort to help him develope his hobbies and find out what his talents are. But I am a big scooter entheusiast and I love going on big group scooter club rides!
7. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I love to be with friends and family since I work all alone and spend so much time with just my doggie and the radio! I love going out to live music, the Opera, theater, wandering the city and finding hidden treasure, eccentric spots! San Diego is not the best place for this kind of lifestyle so I’m hoping to move to London some day! Wish me luck!

Well, Hello!

Dear Blog,

Oh, how I have neglected you. Life has been so busy and I have not had time to write with you. I know you must be lonely. I have missed my Etsy shop and my Etsy friends. Maybe I will have time now. Oh, how I hope so.

Sincerely yours.

Treasury

So, yes, I’ve been MIA for awhile.  School has been crazy and I’ve been planning Recruitment for my sorority.  I’m slowly getting back in the game and able to focus more on Etsy.

I haven’t been included in a Treasury in FOREVER so I’m excited to be in this one!  This is made by one of my Etsy friends… hopefully, it’ll make it to the front page!  Please click and comment!