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.

Goals

My goals:

My goals seemed simple enough. Work at the store two to three days a week. Work on craft inventory daily. Write one blog article a week. Clean the house each day before, or after, work. Seems simple enough, right? I thought so too. Until I realized that I don’t have a set work schedule at the store. Also, on some days I come home so exhausted that creating art is out of the question.

I soon learned that trying to create art when I am tired just leads to frustration. Also, working on art in the living room makes it hard to keep the house clean. More frustration. It was like trying to balance bricks and feathers. Impossible.

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way

There had to be a way to accomplish all the goals that I have thrown into my “basket”. The thing is, I haven’t found the exact formula for success yet. I tried using goal planning sheets. That helped for a while but trying to balance everything became overwhelming. I have room for improvement in achieving the desired peaceful balance.

In fact, I had all but abandoned this blog. I would think of blog topics, but getting them created and published just wasn’t happening. By the time I got home from work, or finished with my list of daily chores, I just didn’t have the mental energy needed to write. life has been getting in the way of me staying the course toward making dreams a reality! Something had to give in order for me to get back on track.

Here is what I have found to help so far. First, I can’t have one set day that the blog post goes out. I am going to have to be flexible on both when I create content and when it is posted. Second, I am going to have to limit painting and crafting to my days off. And last, the household chores have to be divided into manageable daily chores.

Is it Working?

You may be asking at this point if my new system is working. It is, though there is still room for improvement. There are times when I get things organized and neat. I even promise myself that I am not going to make a mess again. It lasts until I start to work on projects again. Thank goodness my husband is patient with me. He helps out with the cooking on the nights that I work. He even puts up with my creative mess.

Short Cuts to the Same Path

I am picky about what I put in my booth for sale. If it doesn’t look high-end and professionally crafted, it doesn’t make the cut. In the past, everything was free hand-drawn, and then painted. I have started using stencils for some of my wordage. It cuts down on mistakes and work time. Once the background is in place, I then can go on to create original works of art. It may sound a bit like cheating, but I have found a way to save time without sacrificing the quality of the finished piece.

Home Studio=Messy House

As for the house, I am going, to be honest here, it’s still a mess. I have started getting better at cleaning the living room at the end of each day of crafting or painting a canvas. I have also found that keeping a pump bottle of cheap dish soap by the bathtub allows me to clean the tube each time it is used. Alexa is very useful for setting reminders for chores such as cleaning the cat box, removing the trash, etc.

Show Time

Now the big question is, “Will I be ready for the show in May”? The answer: I think so! I have been able to create three to four pieces of art per week. I just have to keep reminding myself of the big picture. Then I have to keep working towards that goal. And that means to stop and breathe instead of panicking about not having enough made for the booth. In fact, I did a trial set-up of the booth and was amazed at how full it looked. But that’s okay because I have found another show in July.

First Things First

I will be set up at the Spring Craft show at Glendale Kentucky on May 20th. If it goes well, then I will try to add a second spring show next year and build from there. No that’s not growing as fast as I wanted, but it is moving in the right direction. I overspent, and will not even break even on this show. That my friends will be a topic for another day, I promise we will get back to that one.

If you get a chance, drop by and visit during the show. You can find directions to Glendale online. I will be set up near Greetop Antiques.

Is it All Worth the Trouble?

It’s not easy. Especially considering that soon it will be time to plant the garden, travel to Texas, and start adding DIY posts on here. But I am determined to get this blog back into motion. I am determined to build my craft hobby into a business. And I am determined to do a better job of keeping this house neater.

Goals, Dreams, and Reality, Oh MY!

Finding a balance among all my goals has proved to be a challenge. So what can you take away from my failures, mistakes, and challenges? First, we are all human. We all make mistakes. We all get a bit overwhelmed and lost at times. And, that is okay so long as we remind ourselves that we can achieve. We all just have to find the right balance within ourselves.

Hopefully, my friends you have a dream! Set goals, and work toward them. You can do this, and so can I! We just have to stay in motion. Stop back by soon.

Hope to see you all at Glendale.

Vikki

The post Finding Balance in Life appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

In the past few years, Covid-19 has impacted all of us. Prices have increased, and supply shortages have made us all question the safety of relying on the supply chain. Covid has caused life changes as well, I left my job as a Para Professional at a public school. Covid-19 brought about financial and life changes that I wasn’t ready to face. At 57 it is hard to move into a new career. Suddenly I feel as confused and misplaced as I did as a teenager.

I am Alpha-One Deficient through both parents, and have had two siblings die from lung cancer. My health care providers warned me that if I contracted Covid (before the vaccines were available) that even if the virus itself didn’t cause extreme illness, the scaring in my lungs would highly increase my risk of lung cancer. I gave up my job. Like so many others, I found myself at a loss. Where do I go from here? I hadn’t finished my college degree in order to stay home with our kids. I worked at a public school for 20 years. My work experience is limited, and out of sync with the needs and requirements of the current job market. Even my crafting and selling at Craft shows came to a halt. Now I am faced with the fact that in order to get back on track, I have to remind myself that we are never too old to grow or learn. Dreams remain dreams until they are put into motion.

Overcoming Personal Roadblocks

Before Covid, I had plans for expanding my crafting hobby into a small business. I create one-of-a-kind wreaths, wall hangers, and art. My décor items sell well. The problem was that I did not have a social platform from which to sell my products. I was limited to selling at a couple of local shows each year. My current Facebook page is dedicated to my Crafting which is linked to my private page. I am a rather private individual who does not like having strangers access my personal page, I knew that to expand my sales I would have to overcome my reluctance to let others into my inner circle. No one can move forward if they refuse to change. Facing my fears head-on was the only way to move past them. This blog was my first step toward self-growth.

Moving Forward: Building a Growth Plan

On the advice of another female entrepreneur I started work outlining a growth plan. My plan is a very simple model.

• Start a blog: The blog needs to include interests and hobbies. Eventually, it will be expanded to include a section that will allow sales of my personal products including homemade soaps, candles, art, and crafted items. Another goal for the blog is to eventually offer affiliate links to products and services.
• Facebook Business Page: As of now my Crafting page on Facebook has a very limited audience. My goal is to increase this base by the end of this calendar year. Then by the end of the next calendar year, I intend to expand to a professional business page. In doing so I will be able to offer DIY videos, products for sale, and links to local craft show events.
• Creating a Work Space: I have stacks of crates that hold crafting supplies. I try to organize them for easy access, but with my current system, it is next to impossible to access supplies easily. In order to build my innovatory I absolutely have to create a craft-shop. The shop will need shelving that allows easy access to my crafting supplies and machines. It will also include an area for making videos, and for staging and photographing items for sale.
• Getting a Business License: Until now I haven’t sold enough to warrant the expense of a business license. Expanding sells will make this a necessity.
• Expanding Attendance at Shows: Currently I only attend a couple of local shows each year. In the coming years I intend to book at least one show per month. That is going to mean increasing my inventory to include items that span across seasons.

Branching Out

Until now the products that I offered for sale were restricted to décor for the fall and winter seasons. Branching out will be necessary in building an inventory that will allow online sells as well as attending shows year round. In order to meet this goal, I intend to add Spring and Summer décor, nursery décor, and sublimated items.

Handmade Soap and Candles will be limited to online sells only. The transporting items to and from craft shows, and limited booth space, restricts the number of items that I can display and sell.

Personal Growth= Personal Challenge

Growth is never easy. Change can be both intimating and frightening. I know that for me personally, fear of failure has restricted my success. I may stumble from time to time, but I refuse to allow self-doubt to cripple me any longer. What about you?

Where do you see yourself one year from today? Is there a dream you have long held in your heart? Then make it a reality. Dreams that are left fallow tend to become regrets. If you have a chance, then take it. Even if you fail, at least you can say you tried your best. Remember, we are never too old to grow in new directions or to learn.

Songs that Inspire:

‘Til You Can’t, by Cody Johnson

You Say by Lauren Dingle

Featured Photo

The featured photo is of a batch of homemade soap that is almost at trace… meaning it is a work in progress. It felt perfect for this post because that is where I find myself: a work in progress.

Thanks for Stopping By

If you enjoyed the post today, please subscribe and share. Stop back by for updates, and new posts.

Good luck on making your dreams come true,

Vikki

The post My Hobby is Growing Up: Building a Growth Plan 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.

I started sewing on my grandmother’s antique treadle sewing machine. I learned how to make doll clothes, ragdolls, and sock monkeys. But these were not the first items that I sold.  I figured out at an early age that I could create flower arrangements from dried wildflowers to sell at a local festival. I’m sure that my arrangements, during that time, looked very primitive. But the praise from customers who bought my arrangements encouraged me keep continue creating unique items.

When I entered college, I stopped creating items to sell and instead focused my crafting as a means to produce gifts for family and friends. I remember that when we moved to Louisville and I set up the Christmas tree, I was a little embarrassed that all our ornaments were ones that I had made. One of my neighbors came for a visit and was enchanted by my tree. The next thing I knew, others were stopping in to see my tree and asking if I made ornaments for sale. This in turn started my journey towards crafting items to sale at craft shows.

Until now I have only done one to two shows a year, as a way to pay for supplies. Now I am considering starting an actual arts and crafts business. I have started doing research on how to acquire a business license and other facets of setting up a business.

There are so many things to learn and consider. What is an LLC? How do I do the bookkeeping? Will I be able to use supplies that I already have stocked up for my business? The list goes on and on.

I absolutely love crafting and passing on those skills to others. My husband is teaching himself web development and offered to create this blog site for me. We both thought that creating a blog would not only give us a project to work on together but also may give me the motivation to move forward in creating a business.

The onslaught of COVID brought about my early retirement from a public school system. I, like so many others, found myself lost and displaced. I told my husband that sometimes I feel as confused as I did as a teenager, and recently told my son that I’m having trouble trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! Closing the door on one chapter of your life and moving into another is frightening and can be very confusing. This is where I find myself at this time. It also makes me think that I can’t be alone. That there has to be others in similar situations.

Trying to figure out how to start a small home-based business is very daunting. I will admit that I have had more than one headache from trying to figure this stuff out. As I go along this journey, I plan to update you as I figure out this process and resources that offer help.

Thanks for stopping by.

Come back soon,

Vikki

The post TO BE OR NOT TO BE? CRAFTING: HOBBY OR BUSINESS appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.