Starting a New Chapter

Up until this year I had only done one or two craft shows a year. I have dreamed of building my hobby into a business for a long time. I knew that in order to do that I had to start branching out to where I did year-round shows. The problem was, this was totally out of my comfort zone. I knew what the market was for fall and winter crafts. I had a base of inventory that I build on from year to year for the year-end shows. But I had absolutely no idea what inventory to make for spring and summer shows. I couldn’t wait to see what would be popular in department stores, because I had to start on inventory right after Christmas. All that I could do was wing it based on what research I could find on Google and Pinterest.

Jumping in Headfirst

I created a board on Pinterest and labeled it “Spring and Summer Crafts”. I wanted examples of things that were popular in the last year or so. Over time a pattern emerged. The most prevalent decor trends seemed to revolve around Bees, Lemons, Garden Gnomes, Water Melons, and Florals. I don’t like making replicas of other people’s creations, I want my decor to be unique. I had my subject matter planned, now it was time to start getting creative.

Spring & Summer Crafts on Pinterest

Buying Supplies

When it came to crafting supplies for spring and summer crafts, I had very little in storage that I could use. I was starting from scratch. I was able to buy small wooden hangers from Dollar Tree to use as a base for many of my projects. But I bought a lot of my supplies from both Joann’s and Hobby Lobby as well. Stocking up on the new supplies proved very expensive.

Mistakes That I Made

I will be frank here, I overspent! I was so nervous about not producing enough inventory that kept buying supplies for new projects (many of which I never even started work on). Finally, my daughter stepped in and told me that she thought I was overthinking it, and overproducing what would actually fit inside my 10 x 10-foot craft booth. She advised me to do a mock set-up of my booth in the garage before I made anything else. She was absolutely correct! I had let my nerves get the best of me.

Advice to Self

In order to keep from repeating the mistakes that I made this year and again next season, I am making “notes to self”. I thought that I would share my list here with you all as well.

• Don’t create expensive items for the booth. Limit the top price to $40.00.
• Create large items that look high-end, but that I can afford to sell under that $40.00 maximum. Examples: burlap hangers, Large wooden-shaped hangers, etc.
• Create lots of “littles” that range from $1.00- $10.00
• Pack a toolbox into the vehicle before anything else (I walked off and left my toolbox at home for the first time ever!).
• Use supplies that I have on hand before buying new supplies. I spent a fortune on supplies that were totally unnecessary for this show.
• Try and visit the show if possible, or at least google it and look for photos of booths set up there in recent years. If I had done this, it would have saved me a lot of unnecessary spending. I should have paid more attention to what I was spending. Have a budget for supplies and stick to it.
• Stick to local shows that do not require an overnight stay!!

The Show

It stopped raining at about 11:00 in the morning. By the time it stopped, the showgrounds were a muddy mess. I was amazed that people started showing up. I didn’t leave the show with the profits that I had hoped for, but at least I broke even. Sadly many others didn’t far that well.

What Worked, and What Didn’t

Was it Worth It?

To be honest, when I left the show, I decided that I wouldn’t do a Spring show that far away from home again. I was out the cost of the booth space, gas, and hotel fee. When you do outside shows, you are at the mercy of the weather. It’s a gamble at best as to whether it will be a good show or not. The rain hurt the turnout. I was lucky that I broke even. Many did not.

After talking to my daughter she made me see things in a more positive light. It could have been worse. I at least broke even. It was also my first spring show, and I was unsure of what to take in the way of inventory. Yes, some of my inventory seemed to go unnoticed, but much of it sold and got attention. I made mistakes that I shouldn’t have. It’s not like I am new to being a vendor. But, I intend to learn from those mistakes moving forward. Although, I am still undecided about whether I will invest in the Glendale Spring Show again. Maybe next year I will go enjoy the show as a customer and leave the booth space open for those more adapted to the frivolous nature of spring weather in Kentucky than I am.

Looking Forward

Being a vendor is always a risk. You never know what will be your “big seller” and what inventory will be ignored. You are at the mercy of the weather, whether it is an inside or outdoor show. It’s tiring work. You are never going to get rich being a vendor. So why do I keep doing it? I love it! I love interacting with people coming and going from my booth. People return year after year to buy my artwork. I love talking with young kids that are already artists. I love seeing them examine my work, and talking with them about ways that they can have a career as an artist that does pay. For me, it is a hobby. So as long as I break even, I will likely be at craft shows.

Craft Show Vendor: to be or not to be, that is the question that I am currently asking myself! It is always a risk when starting a new venture. And even though I have done shows for years, trying to expand is almost like starting over. The only thing I can say is this: if you love interacting with people and making beautiful things craft shows may be the perfect fit for you. I hope that this article has been a bit of a help to those considering becoming a vendor. Remember research is your friend. Keep your budget firmly in place when buying supplies and displays. And most of all, enjoy the adventure.

Thanks for stopping by. Drop in again real soon.

Vikki

The post Updating a Booth Display appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

I have put together a list of 20 tips for craft show success. This list is compiled of things that I have learned in my 30 years of experience at craft shows. Believe me, I made a lot of mistakes along the way.  Hopefully, my list will provide you with useful information that will pave your road into vendor selling and make the way a bit smoother.

1. Make a List, and Check it Twice

Though I only do a couple of shows a year, it takes a lot of planning, commitment, and work to prepare for setting up a vendor’s booth for an event. When I first started out, I would pack for a show in advance, and still end up forgetting needed tools or staging supplies. I soon learned that there are some things that I always end up needing. I started creating a checklist. This helped me to be prepared and to get to the show with everything I need.

2. Make a Tool Kit

Put together a tool kit that contains any necessary items that you may need. I sell handmade home decor, wreaths, and burlap door hangers. My kit contains the supplies that I use if there is damage during transport, supplies to re-price if needed, and emergency canopy and display repairs. I always take a tube of crazy glue, extra price tags, pens, a sharpie, duct tape, plyers, floral wire, zip ties, a calculator, a flashlight, extra batteries, safety pins, and scotch tape. Being prepared for emergencies can make the difference between a stressful show and a successful one.

3. Visit the Bank Before Hand

Take extra change with you. It is usually next to impossible to leave a show to get change. I avoid taking large bills and stick to ones, fives, tens, and a few twenties. If you have twenty dollar bills you can usually buy a drink from a vendor and get change in return to add to your change box.

I try my best to avoid breaking hundred-dollar bills for customers. I have learned that if you say no to a hundred-dollar bill, the customer will usually bring out smaller bills.

Take a test pen with you to check for counterfeit bills.

4. Check for Cell Service Before Show

 If you are using PayPal or other online transaction sources, test before your customers arrive to ensure that you have a connection. Have the information on hand for easy transactions.

5. Make Sure the Show is a Good Fit

Do your research before you commit to a show. Decide if your products fit into the show’s overall theme, or aesthetic. Each show has a unique vibe and audience.

6. Plan Ahead

Make sure you have enough inventory to fulfil the commitments at all the shows you have booked. Decide how much inventory you will need to take with you to each show. I have a small SUV, so I have learned that I can only take what will fit into my vehicle (this includes all my tables, supplies, and inventory).

You only want to take what you need. Remember that you will have limited time to unpack, set up your booth, and get ready to greet your customers. Worse still, at the end of a long day will you too pack it all up for transport home.   

7. Think of Your Booth as a Traveling Attraction

Your booth has to have appeal before customers stop. I like to do a mock set-up of my booth before my first show of the season. This allows me to get a visual plan on how I will set the booth up at the event. If you have been to the show before this is easier to do because you will know the shape and orientation of your booth space.

Most booth spaces that I have encountered are 10 feet by 10 feet, but size can vary. Read your booth rental contract carefully as they generally provide you with booth space sizes and any restrictions or requirements that you will need to know for setup. If you need to know the orientation of your booth layout, and it is not provided, contact the organizer and they should be able to provide you with that information.

8. Pack Your Own Snacks

If allowed, bring your own snacks and drinks. There have been times when I wasn’t able to leave my booth to get food. Last year food vendors ran out of food. Having the snacks on hand can replace a meal if the case arises.

9. Show Them That They Are Important

Remember not to eat when you have customers. You always want the visitors to your booth to feel like welcome guests.

Avoid being distracted by your phone when you have customers. They need to know that they are important to you and that you are there to answer any questions. I have walked into booths that have lovely things, only to be ignored by the seller. Not wanting to appear rude by interrupting them, I walked away.

10. Don’t Assume That They Will Ask

Price everything in advance. It will save you valuable time the day of sat up. Make sure every item is priced and that the tag is easy to see. If items are not priced, people will walk away. They need to be able to decide for themselves if your product is worth the asking price.

11. Neatness Matters

Keep your booth neat and inviting. If your booth is not neat and orderly all that people focus on is the mess and overlook your products. You want your customers to see you as a trustworthy individual who offers a quality product.

You have to earn their trust. Appearance matters. To do this, avoid clutter. Keep all boxes and inventory out of sight. If you store those items under your tables, make sure to keep them tucked away behind a tablecloth.

14. Dress for Success

Dress nicely, but don’t overdress. You want to appear neat, but approachable. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. If you are at an outside show, you may want to consider taking an extra pair of shoes just in case of rain.

13. Choosing The Right Canopy

If you are intending to do outside shows, a canopy is a must. Most booth spaces are 10 x 10 and canopies larger than that will be charged for two spaces. Another thing to consider is that some shows will only allow white canopies. Invest in a quality canopy. I bought one that I thought was good only to find out that it was not built as strongly as I had hoped. It also collects moisture inside the canopy ceiling on cool nights. Lesson learned. Next time, I will do more research before I buy. 

14. Manners Matter

When you have good manners, you become more preferred as a vendor. Be nice to everyone that is helping to run the craft show. I oversaw a local craft show for several years. It is a full-time, year-round job trying to organize a large show. Trying to help vendors sign into the show, and problem solving all the issues that arise is exhausting. Show that you appreciate their time and effort. If you are rude to those helping run the show, you may not be asked back.

15. Don’t Dismiss the Power of Social Media

Advertise on your social media sites. Provide information on where and when you will be set up. Selling the show as an interesting and fun event not only helps get people to visit the show but may help draw visitors to your booth. Post photos of some of the items from your inventory.

16. Post Photos of Your Booth

Take photos of your booth once you have it set up. Use them to post a second time on your social media sites. Also, save the photos for future use for blog posts, advertising, etc.

17. Everyone Loves a Bargain

Upsell your items. Have a set price for individual items, then offer a discount when buying two, or more, of that same type of item. Offering a saving as an incentive can boost sales tremendously. Just make sure that your discount does not cut into your profit margin.

18. Booth Information Folder

Keep an information folder for the show you are attending. Keep booth rental confirmation, receipts, directions to the site, etc. close at hand. Also, when applying for a booth space at shows make sure that you are truly in contact with an actual representative of the show. Sadly, there a now scammers who will run false ads with their contact information listed. I have heard of several people showing up to a show thinking that they had paid in advance for a booth rental only to learn that they were never registered with the show.

19. Make or Break Your Booth Appeal

Make sure that your table clothes get to your show in as neat a condition as possible. Press the clothes ahead of time and transport them in a bin to prevent them being crushed. Again, neatness matters in the overall aesthetic of your display.

When choosing table cloths, avoid patterns that compete for your customer’s attention. You want their eyes to automatically make contact with your products as they walk by. A busy table covering distracts the viewer. If they are visually overwhelmed, they will move on to something more appealing.

20. Ignore Negative Energy

Almost every vendor that I know has experienced the same issue: people will stop at a booth and make rude comments about products or prices. This sort of visitor can make you feel belittled, and sometimes insulted. Try to remember that not everyone has the same taste. A masterpiece to one person is junk to another. Try not to take it personally. Just smile and reply, “oh I am so sorry that my product doesn’t meet your needs, maybe you will find a better fit at the next booth. If there is anything I can help you with, just let me know.” Smile politely and walk away to focus your attention on greeting another guest. I have learned that there are some people who are just not happy individuals. Sadly, there is nothing you could say to justify work and or pricing to them.

Wrapping it All Up

 Each year I get so excited when fall craft show season rolls around. I often tell others to be confident in their products, but even after all the years of setting up booths, I still get nervous before a show. I always worry that my items will not sell, or that I have the pricing off. So far, I have only attended a couple of shows a year. Now that I am retired, I hope to take my crafting from being a hobby to starting a small craft business. This is going to intel me to create even more inventory and attend more shows each year.

Best of Luck

I learn something new at every show that I attend. I hope that sharing this list helps you avoid some of the mistakes that I made along the way. But remember, everyone makes mistakes. Try not to get discouraged. You can do this!

If you are new to being a vendor at craft shows, please drop a comment, and let us know how your first show went. If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to subscribe to my blog and share.

Come back soon,

Happy Crafting,

Vikki

The post 20 Tips for Craft Show Success appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Recently I started sewing baby burp cloths to add to my booth for the fall festival. As I worked, I started to think about the best way to display the burp cloths. I have baskets here at home, but they all have high sides. I needed something that would allow customers to view the cloths easily without having to dig through them.

One of my favorite places to shop locally is at the Hospice Thrift Store. I have found furniture, clothing, and other items there that I have upcycled into something else. This time, I was on the hunt for a basket that was the size and shape that I needed for my display. After a couple of times stopping by the shop, I found what I was looking for. The basket that I chose was a brown wicker basket. All that it needed was paint and a liner and it would be display ready.

Supplies Needed

• scissors
• material
• basket
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• spray paint
• twine
• cardboard box
• gloves (optional)
• wood glue (optional)

Preparing the Basket for Its Makeover.

Remove any dust from your basket.

Secure any loose pieces with wood glue or hot glue, and let the glue dry completely before painting. If using hot glue make sure it is not on the surface that is to be painted as the paint will not stick to it.

Ready to Paint

1. Gather Supplies: basket, gloves, white spray paint, and a box
2. Use a box to keep grass and other small items from blowing into your paint. It will also keep your lawn from having paint marks.
3. Shake spray paint well. Keep the can at the distance recommended on the can for painting. Paint the bottom of basket. Use several light coats of paint, this will prevent the paint from running. Let the basket dry between coats, turning as needed to cover all areas. When the bottom area is dry, turn over and use light coats to paint the top. Paint the handle, then the under side of the handle. Let dry.

Cut Your Material

When deciding how big to cut your material, measure across the basket from the rim to the bottom, then back up to the rim at the other side. Add four inches to this measure. This is the size you will need to cut the diameter of the material (for a circular basket).

My basket is a bit of an oval shape, I measured as I would for a circular one, only I measured from the longer length.

Find the center of your material and place a pin to mark it. Line that up with the center of your basket, remove the pin and use a bit of hot glue to hold it in place. Start carefully folding the edges of the material under to where the material will fit just to the top of the rim of the basket. Once you get the material in the shape you need it, place a very small dot of hot glue in four different places around the inside rim of the basket.

You may need to may darts (tucks) in the material to fit it snuggly to the rim. Glue in place, moving from the center of the basket to the next glue dot. Go to the other side of the basket and repeat. Do this until all four of the sections have been glued in place.

Add Twine to the Basket Handle

Cut pieces of twine that are about 12 feet in length. Use a small piece of cardboard to wrap the twine around to use as a spool. Decide how much of your handle you want to cover in twine, making sure it is centered on both sides. Mark beginning and endpoints with a small pencil mark. Place a small dot of hot glue on your pencil marks.

Start wrapping the twine around the handle. Occasionally use a dot of hot glue to secure as you work. Continue wrapping until your chosen area is covered. Don’t sweat it if you cut your twine too short, just cut more and again spool it around your cardboard. Place a small dot of glue to secure the new length of twine and resume work. Finish your twine with another dot of hot glue.

What it Cost For the Basket

I got the basket for $1.00.

I already had spray paint here, if you go to buy the paint it will cost about $6.00 for a quality can of paint (you should be able to paint four medium sized baskets with one can of paint).

The material was from Joann’s Fabric. I buy material when I find it on sale. This material would cost about $7 a yard at regular price. I used about 1/4 yard of fabric, but the amount you need will depend on the size of your basket.

The twine came from Dollar Tree at $1.25.

For me, the overall cost of the basket was about $4.50 (I still have paint, material, and twine for other projects so I estimated the cost for only what was used for this project).

The post Upcycled Thrift Store Basket appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.