Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Getting ready for another Show Season!
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As the show season gets ready to kick into high gear for me, I thought I might take a few minutes to rehash the Do’s and Don’ts and some common mistakes of Craft Shows. When I first started Art & Craft Shows (and occasionally still) I find myself committing some of these blunders – so if this helps anyone at all, then it is a successful night of show prepping.
1. Little or no inventory for sale. If you don’t have enough inventory and variety of inventory to sell, don’t plan on any sales during the event. In the past I have seen more sales from an overstuffed, but well presented booth, than from an under stocked booth. I always bring at least one whole box of back up stock (for me that is about 40 bags) in the hopes that I need to restock all of it.
2. No signage. I know some shows won’t allow outside signage, but a banner hung inside or even smaller signage around the booth with help promote and entice the customer into the booth. Another thing to keep prominent is pricing. I have found if some people look and don’t see a price they assume it might be too expensive and venture on. I have also seen people who will look, but just don’t want to ask pricing (you know the ones who don’t want you to speak to them) and then leave if they cant find the price themselves.
3. Business cards. I have finally found that I can never have enough cards. Always take more than you think you will give out. I have had several people call me after the show to see if that adorable bag they saw was still available. So, therefore, stock up on cards and giveaway promotional materials.
4. Don’t attack the customers – but don’t ignore them either. After 5 years of shows, I still haven’t figured this one out yet, but I have found a few tips that help. Occasionally a simple “Hello” or “How are you doing today?” or “Is it cold/warm enough for you out there?” gets their attention. Let them know you’re not a total slug, but allow the customers to look in peace. Sometimes I get a response, sometimes not. Either way, I have at least tried.
5. Welcoming and Attractive Displays. This is one of my favorite areas. I spend my summer months working on a new display for my fall/winter season. I try to keep is fresh and accessible, always changing the look each season, to keep up with the ‘brick & mortar” stores. They all have great window displays, and so I make my booth the same way. Repeat customers will not be bored with a new display and might even buy something they overlooked last time they stopped in since it is now featured.
Well that about sums up what I have been focusing on the week. I hope that any of these tips help anyone with their next show. Just remember, take a deep breath and smile! Let the shows begin!
Cheers!
Gypsy Blue
1. Little or no inventory for sale. If you don’t have enough inventory and variety of inventory to sell, don’t plan on any sales during the event. In the past I have seen more sales from an overstuffed, but well presented booth, than from an under stocked booth. I always bring at least one whole box of back up stock (for me that is about 40 bags) in the hopes that I need to restock all of it.
2. No signage. I know some shows won’t allow outside signage, but a banner hung inside or even smaller signage around the booth with help promote and entice the customer into the booth. Another thing to keep prominent is pricing. I have found if some people look and don’t see a price they assume it might be too expensive and venture on. I have also seen people who will look, but just don’t want to ask pricing (you know the ones who don’t want you to speak to them) and then leave if they cant find the price themselves.
3. Business cards. I have finally found that I can never have enough cards. Always take more than you think you will give out. I have had several people call me after the show to see if that adorable bag they saw was still available. So, therefore, stock up on cards and giveaway promotional materials.
4. Don’t attack the customers – but don’t ignore them either. After 5 years of shows, I still haven’t figured this one out yet, but I have found a few tips that help. Occasionally a simple “Hello” or “How are you doing today?” or “Is it cold/warm enough for you out there?” gets their attention. Let them know you’re not a total slug, but allow the customers to look in peace. Sometimes I get a response, sometimes not. Either way, I have at least tried.
5. Welcoming and Attractive Displays. This is one of my favorite areas. I spend my summer months working on a new display for my fall/winter season. I try to keep is fresh and accessible, always changing the look each season, to keep up with the ‘brick & mortar” stores. They all have great window displays, and so I make my booth the same way. Repeat customers will not be bored with a new display and might even buy something they overlooked last time they stopped in since it is now featured.
Well that about sums up what I have been focusing on the week. I hope that any of these tips help anyone with their next show. Just remember, take a deep breath and smile! Let the shows begin!
Cheers!
Gypsy Blue
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012 Rings In Our January FEST Blog Giveaway
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Ring in the New Year with a Special Treat from
TheWoodenBee for our January FEST Blog Giveaway. Bee started it all with a love for the environment and partnered with Busby Cabinets recycling pieces of wood and other materials to make her wonderful art and product lines.
We are delighted to offer, as this month's Giveaway, the beautifully fashioned Wall Hanger seen above. It's made from reclaimed cherry wood with a merlot brown stain and would be perfect for organizing keys, necklaces, belts, pet leashes, aprons and much, much more.
TheWoodenBee for our January FEST Blog Giveaway. Bee started it all with a love for the environment and partnered with Busby Cabinets recycling pieces of wood and other materials to make her wonderful art and product lines.
We are delighted to offer, as this month's Giveaway, the beautifully fashioned Wall Hanger seen above. It's made from reclaimed cherry wood with a merlot brown stain and would be perfect for organizing keys, necklaces, belts, pet leashes, aprons and much, much more.
Each item is one of a kind and requires "following the wood" to unlock the beauty within and create masterfully finished products, giving reclaimed materials new life. You will find Wall Art, Bulletin Boards, DYI Wine Cork Kits, Mirrors with Hangers and a myriad of interesting finds in Bee's Etsy Shop.
You can visit Bee at her Etsy Store to see more of her unique and original wares at TheWoodenBee. Find the perfect item for your home and save the environment too.
HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win this versatile Wall Hanger by visiting TheWoodenBee or any of the FEST member shops listed on the top of our Blog Page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address or contact info so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 02/05/12. Simple and Easy!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January's Em-Power Days
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JANUARY 1 - Mercury squaring off against Mars makes for a whole lot of aggressive energy out and about on this day. Steer clear. Literally. Stay off the road even for that one rad rager. If you must drive, do it defensively and with a clear quartz crystal as your co-pilot.
If you are not familiar with Ellen Whitehurst then you should be!
Ellen Whitehurst is a Better Living Expert and is recognized as the country’s premier expert in Feng Shui and other empowering modalities.
If you would like to know more about Ellen Whitehurst, you can subscribe to or read her website .
And as part of this month activities, we would like to share our picks from the Florida Etsy Street Team to help your Shuistrology for this month!
Ellen Whitehurst is a Better Living Expert and is recognized as the country’s premier expert in Feng Shui and other empowering modalities.
If you would like to know more about Ellen Whitehurst, you can subscribe to or read her website .
And as part of this month activities, we would like to share our picks from the Florida Etsy Street Team to help your Shuistrology for this month!
JANUARY 1 - Mercury squaring off against Mars makes for a whole lot of aggressive energy out and about on this day. Steer clear. Literally. Stay off the road even for that one rad rager. If you must drive, do it defensively and with a clear quartz crystal as your co-pilot.
JANUARY 6 - On the Feast of the Epiphany let’s encourage the Universe to gift you with one as well. In keeping with the zeitgeist of this holyday burn some frankincense incense and tune in to that still small voice within. Forget the myrhh, the inspirations and ideas that come to you now will be golden. Your silence, however, won’t be. Write them down, paint them, create them in some tangible way and then take them out into the world. Recognition and rewards are yours. Oh baby, take your talents on the road and your gifts will be applauded and appreciated!
JANUARY 7 - Mercury the Messenger whispering sexy somethings to foggy Neptune but Neptune can’t seem to get a grip. With Mercury entering practical Capricorn today too you might be finding it hard to stay grounded too. Play middle C and high C in harmonic convergence/together at the same time on any musical instrument. Known in sacred music circles as activating ‘Thy Rod and Thy Staff’ this secret sacred sound will activate meridians both back and front and give you the grounding you need.
JANUARY 8 - Busy, busy, busy Mercury trines generous and joyful Jupiter while squaring off against impulsive and unpredictable Uranus. This is an alchemical day filled with pure magic and bliss. Don’t believe me? Just start it by saying (nine times aloud) … “I look with wonder at that which is before me.” Yes, yes, a wonder-full day indeed!
JANUARY 9 - Sensitive, emotional Full Moon rises in security conscious Cancer. Tender. Vulnerable even. Feeling mushy, gushy and good. You love everyone and everyone loves you. Each time you eat or drink anything today imagine that you are swallowing LOVE. Breathe LOVE. Consciously take a moment and breathe in LOVE. Smile. Share love. Show love. XOXO
JANUARY 12 - SUPER STELLAR DAY! First of the New Year! YAY!!! SUPER AND STELLAR AND BRAND SPANKING NEW! YAY! You know what to do – click on the link in the free monthly newsletter because that’s the ONLY way you can have access to this life-altering info! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE NOT A SUBSCRIBER? Hop right on over and subscribe to Ellen Whitehurst Website!
JANUARY 13 - Venus conjunct Neptune and romance my friends is in the air. Want to bring it into your bedroom? Red sheets!
JANUARY 14 - Venus entering Pisces while SEX-tiling a jubilant Jupiter. All that romance that was burning up the charts yesterday returns with a renewed heat quotient today! Speaking of amped up hotness – burn two pink candles in the ‘ROMANCE’ sector of your bedroom. The room with the bed with the red sheets. Let the candles burn all the way down. You, my friend, will be burning UP!
JANUARY 19 - Uh oh. Sun squares Saturn. Uh oh. Stay on the straight and narrow and invoke (three times!) Archangel Jabriel to clear your path, light your way, make it easy every day. Can I get an ‘AMEN?’
JANUARY 20 - Sun enters Aquarius and Venus SEX-tiles Pluto and love just makes the world go round. Speaking of round, there might be a ring in your future if you are looking for commitment. Put the DOUBLE HAPPINESS symbol above the headboard of your bed and sleep tight. Soon enough you’ll be sleeping for two!
JANUARY 23 - New Moon in Aquarius! Lunar Chinese New Year! Mars goes retrograde! Don’t start anything new unless it’s putting an image of a water dragon next to a moving water fountain in the power corner of your living room. That’s the corner that’s diagonal or catty corner to the front door. A fountain. A dragon. A lamp or light. GUNG HEI FAT CHOY!
JANUARY 28 - Mercury sextile electric Uranus. And it all starts NOW. Expect the unexpected in every possible way but prepare for some positive programming as well. Good communications are all over the place. Tweet! Text! Email. Just reach out to someone. And don’t forget to surround your responses/replies with a pink light sent straight from your heart. You’ll infuse the nuance with so much more than just joie de vivre. Expect the unexpected with some surprising communiqué that has money attached. Ooops, hope I didn’t ruin the surprise!
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