Here is an idea to bring in an extra few dollars.. At your next craft show, display your craft and then have bags made up of various supplies that a crafter could use to make a similar project.

This way you create sales from two types of customers... the customer who will buy your already made craft, and the customer who prefers to make their own crafts, but could always use a good deal on some supplies. An example, if you make quilts, then cut out squares from your left over fabrics and package them for a good price, or if you do needlepoint or cross stitch, package leftover cloth, and a few skeins of cotton, or if you are a knitter, extra balls of wool, or just make a complete mixed up bag of all kinds of usable leftovers, and price them for a couple of dollars.

I find this works well, you clean out your studio, and it gives someone a chance to try a craft without breaking the bank for supplies. People love a good deal, and you could set up a wicker basket with these zip lock bags of supplies and let them dig thru.

Grab Bags at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

If Christmas crafts are your bread and butter, then July and August are the best time to get a head start on them. Spend July figuring out what you are going to create, and then get the supplies. In the summer, many people come away from crafts because of holidays etc, and this is a good time to get the deals.

In August get yourself a good head start and make as much as you can. This is when you can find out any problems with your creations, and still have lots of time to correct it. Have as much done by September as you can, so that you do not have the added stress of trying to find supplies, create, price and organize in time for a show, like everyone else will be doing....

If you follow this type of schedule, you may get chuckles from your family and friends, as they lay around in their bathing suits while you are creating Santa's!!, but this is your business, and like any other business, the early bird catches the worm. Its no different than seasonal catalogues, that do all their layout work months in advance.

All you want to be doing when it gets close to show time, is last minute changes, packing your products, and looking your best at the craft show, not all frazzled, hyped on coffee because of lack of sleep while trying to burn the midnight oil to get things done.

You want to look your best, and its already busy enough with every weekend filled with shows, so as the girl guides always say "BE PREPARED" let the others laugh, but you will have the last laugh when you rake in the sales because you are organized!.

How to Organize your Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

If you take care of details, then you will do well.. Selling at craft shows, is like having a live version of your business card on display. I have been in many craft shows and have been witness to the most amazing "faux pas" you can imagine!..

You have worked all year, putting your heart and soul into your arts and crafts. Now its your turn to shine!.. You want to promote your products.. so make sure you display them in a creative way, don't overcrowd your table, make your product "customer friendly".. let them get close and have a good look, and you need to be available!..

Do NOT be sitting behind your table reading the latest romance novel (I see this all the time!) and make sure you make arrangements to have a friend or craft partner or your family relieve you for bathroom breaks, and especially LUNCH breaks!.. There is nothing worse, than having potential customers around your booth, trying to ask you questions, while you are munching away on a monster cheeseburger!.. remember what image you are trying to portray.. look alive, look interested!.

Set up your area or booth, so that it invites potential customers off the path they are all shuffling along on.. you need to make the stop, look, and enter your area, where you can show off your crafts, smile and be proud of them!.. Most craft shows give you an area and one table, but you can get more tables on request.. if you can, then set one table at the back of your area, and 2 up the sides, this creates a "store" area, for all of your displays, and you stand on the edge, so as to give them lots of room, rather than just the one table with you sitting behind it, people tend to keep shuffling along the path and just glimpse, after all these shows have loads of vendors and there is a lot to take in. Quite often people are just overwhelmed, and its nice to get off of the path, have some of your best pieces near the path, that will make them stop and take a look.

Make sure you have a spot at one end of the table for brochures, business cards, and special order forms if you do custom work, or ballots for draws, or a signup form for your newsletters, keep them all neat and tidy at all times, and do explain your work, or what you can do for custom work..

Dress neatly, smile and do not be eating while talking to your customers.. There is a fine line between not bothering your customer and scaring them off!.. don't worry, if you have faith in yourself and your products, then you will shine!... have fun!

Watch your Details and Watch your Manners at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Try this, at your next craft show, create a ballot box, and create a nice craft for a draw.. you could offer it to customers only.. but if you want a bigger list of people, make sure to have no strings attached!... Place it near your brochures and business cards, so they can pick those up as well.

Create a ballot, that will contain their name and address, phone number (for if they win the draw) and their email address.. and make sure to write under the email address that you will NOT be giving out their address, that this will be for newsletters only.

Now, you will get some people, who will not give you their email address, or some people who just don't like dealing with computers.. (there are still a lot of people like that) in this case, you can send them a paper newsletter...

You will end up with 2 lists... those that you can send by email and those that will need a hard copy of your newsletter.. now as we know, it can be easier to promote your website or products with a email newsletter.. but don't give up on the non-computer list, as you can keep them informed of your next craft shows, what you have for sale, pictures of products, coupons, and still type in your website and email address under your name.

Its worth the stamps.. as I have found many a customer with newsletters thru the mail.. the old fashioned way of advertising!.. You know what??? It still works, and should not be put in the "old fashioned" pile yet..

In both cases, your potential customer has volunteered their information, and you will not get accused of SPAM.. we don't need that.. Make sure to go ahead with the draw, and publish the winner in your next newsletter.. if you do this at each show.. then your list will grow and grow..

Another note, make sure the art or craft you create for the draw, is not too big, as you may end up with visitors from all over the countryside, and you will need to mail the prize to the winner... with your brochure, business card, and latest newsletter.. never pass up the opportunity to sell your products, website, or service thru the mail..

Respect the privacy of your potential customers.. and you never know, they may become "repeat customers"

How to Grow your Newsletter List at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Find a crafter or artist that has products that differ from yours or compliment each other, so as there is no competition, and share a space at a Craft Show.

This is a great way to get your "feet wet" in craft shows, and see if you like doing them, its also great for rotating bathroom breaks and lunch breaks.

Just make sure to label your products well, and when a customer purchases something from both of you, just take the tags off and keep them in a box, this way the customer does not have to fuss with separate bills, and this makes you look more professional.

At the end of the show, add up your tags and collect your share!

If your craft partner takes credit cards, then you just make sure that she/he takes into account the fees involved before giving you your share. I have done this, and it works great, not just for the first craft show jitters, but also so that you can do more shows this way, as you split the rent and expenses, and can experiment with which shows are the best to consider again next year...

Why not visit local craft shows, and talk to some of the vendors, and ask if they would be interested in pairing up for the next season, many say yes, as long as your product does not compete with theirs, or better yet, find someone you know who is also considering craft shows, and you can both be new at it together!

Pairing Up at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

I have been in the craft business enough years, to have met all walks of life. The most humorous ones I have met, are what I call the "High Society Cheapskates". These are the people that come into your store, craft market, or craft show, and will spend ages telling you how well they are known in "high society" or the "right circles", and how well your piece of art or craft would show at one of their high society parties, as they have connections.

This is where they are leading up to you GIVING them your creation or product for FREE.. they feel that with their connections and social life, that your piece would be on constant show to all the right people with money, and therefore you would get lots of publicity and orders. Therefore you should give them the piece for FREE.

I am not kidding!. First of all, unless you know this person well, this could be a lot of hype. This is where your gut feelings come in to play. Listen to your gut!

From my experience, most of the "high society" people do not brag about it, and so therefore, the ones who come and brag to you, are usually "wanna bees".

As you progress in your business, you are going to meet all kinds of people. There are many that view arts and crafts as a fluff business, and do not take it seriously at all. They do not appreciate the hard work you have put into your creations.

So, do not take it personally, and get a chuckle out of all the creative ways people will try and get your work for free. In a twisted way, you should also feel honored that they like your work enough to try this on... just laugh.
great tips for craft shows

High Society Cheapskate at Craft Shows, Watch Out is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

I have been involved with crafts shows for a long time, and have been on both sides of the table... as a vendor and as a customer.. Here is a list of the top ten "money losing" tricks.:

1) Lay out your crafts on a table without any thought of display, look grumpy, set up your chair behind the table and read a book. Better yet, don't even pay attention to your potential customers.

2) Eat a large onion laden cheese burger, that is bigger than you mouth, have it loaded with ketchup and mustard, and let everyone know you are eating it!, then try and explain your crafts while people are backing away from you! (why do they always sell cheese burgers at craft shows???)

3) Dress like you just rolled out of a barn, look crusty, and act as if you would rather be somewhere else... anywhere else. Total lack of interest always attracts customers...NOT!

4) Take absolutely no interest in setup... Take your table and jam it right up to the aisle as close as you can, and then lay all your crafts out in a single file. or better yet, pile them in a pile.. or in bins... ignoring all that free space behind you where you could have spent the money on shelves and displayed your products nicely.

5) Do not smile, at all, look totally peeved that you were dragged out of bed for this weekend, and you and your crafts look like it. Show a total lack of interest when a potential customers stops to look or asks a question, better yet, wander off and chit chat with other vendors.

6) Make sure your crafts are put together literally the night before, and are about to fall apart, and then stick a high price tag on them. After all no one will notice right?

7) Thinking this craft business is a great money maker, and pricing your crafts as if people should bless you for making them.. and then look totally crusty by the end of the day when people are not buying.

Make sure and have NO small change, or bags, that way you won't have to get up and complete the sale.

9) Make crafts that you do not like making, or don't know how to make properly, do not explain them to anyone. Show no passion in your work or display, let everyone know, you are there for the money only.

10) Explain to people that you are on the verge of welfare, and need this money, and produce stick it notes for your business cards..

Don't laugh... everyone of these things has happened at shows I have visited or shows that I have been in. I was actually set up beside someone who told me she hates crafts, but figured it was easy money... guess what?.. Her sales were non-existent.

Smile, show some passion in your work.. be confident in your work, and the best way to do that is to create a craft you are passionate about. Something you would make, even if you were not selling it. Look proud to be there... after all you worked hard all year for this show!

Find out what your passion is, in the craft world, this makes all the difference, and it shows in your work.

Set up a pretend display at home, I know this sounds like a lot of work, but on setup day, there will be panic all around you, and if you pack your things away in some sort of system, you will then unpack them in a calm manner. You can even do a drawing of your setup that you did at home, and follow it. You will be distracted by other vendors, especially those wanderers who spent 5 minutes setting up...so its best if you are practiced.

Find something you like to do, and do it. There are many ebooks on line now, that you can buy today and be learning the craft tonight, these are written by passionate people. Give that a try or take a class... just find something you like and your craft shows will make you some money. try a new craft

Top Ten Ways to not Make Money at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

A virtual craft show is an online craft show that allows artisans a chance to promote their crafts online. Online craft shows, such as HandmadeCraftShow.com, are easy to use both by artisans and visitors to the site.

The best virtual craft shows are ones that allow visitors to purchase directly from the artisans. This way artisans are able to receive all of their profits instead of having to share a percentage of it with the virtual craft show.

There are many other benefits to showcasing your crafts in a virtual craft show. Such as being able to link directly to your shop or web site. This way you are increasing the traffic to your site, that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Another benefit with virtual craft shows, such as HandmadeCraftShow.com is that you don't have to worry about uploading your items. You simply provide 3-5 pictures to represent your crafts and craft show visitors simply click on the pictures to be brought to your site to see more of your crafts and to make a purchase.

There are many other benefits to exhibiting your crafts in a virtual craft show. I invite you to give it a try by joining us on handmadecraftshow.com. Handmade Craft Show is a never ending online craft show that allows crafters to get the online promotion they need to sell their crafts online. We allow handmade crafters a chance to select virtual booths of their choice and add up to 5 pictures that represent their crafts. We are quickly becoming one of the most popular virtual craft shows so if you are a crafter, we invite you to stop by and join us now.

Virtual Craft Shows – The Latest Craze is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Virtual craft shows are the newest websites that help handmade artists promote their handmade crafts online. Virtual craft shows like Handmadecraftshow.com are perfect for handmade craft artists who do not have a lot of money to spend on advertising but need some extra traffic brought to their online shop or website.

Virtual craft shows are located online and so they are available to online craft shoppers twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, rather rain snow or sunshine. There aren’t any parking problems or location restraints since virtual craft shows are located online.

If you can’t afford or don’t have the time to learn online marketing techniques to promote your crafts online, then a virtual craft show is the perfect place for you.

Whether you are new to selling crafts online or simply want to bring a little extra attention to a new handmade craft item you should visit the nearest virtual craft show.

I recommend first stopping by HandmadeCraftShow.com one of the fastest growing virtual craft shows. HandmadeCraftshow.com offers handmade craft artists several features that bring much needed attention to their handmade items. Their unique design and setup entices online shoppers to visit the websites and online shops of handmade artist. They offer virtual booths that allow handmade artists to display up to five pictures of their crafts and give a brief description of their shop. Best of all the virtual craft show booths link directly to the handmade artist’s site. This way craft shoppers are able to purchase directly from the handmade craft artist.

If you would like to learn more about virtual craft shows visit www.handmadecraftshow.com.

Virtual Craft Shows – What’s All the Buzz About? is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Virtual craft shows allow handmade artists to advertise crafts conveniently from their home. And after simply completing an application and submitting a few pictures of their handmade crafts the person who manages the virtual craft show booths takes care of the rest. Handmade artists are then free to do other things with their time, like making more crafts.

Virtual crafts shows like HandmadeCraftShow.com uses an aggressive craft marketing program that really gets the word out about their handmade artists. They use a wide variety of online marketing techniques that has made them perhaps one of the most popular online craft show. Visitors love being able to shop handmade crafts in one easy location. Whether they are looking for handmade clothes, handmade soaps or home décor they can easily find it all by visiting HandmadeCraftShow.com.

If you need help advertising your handmade crafts online then you should visit HandmadeCraftshow.com, virtual craft show, and rent a booth. You will be able to easily advertise your crafts 24/7 and get targeted visitors sent to your online shop. It really is a very easy and simple way to advertise crafts online.

Advertise Crafts With Virtual Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts