Getting ready for another Show Season!

Tweet 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

How to Set Up a Craft Fair Display

Tweet So many of you are debating, planning or taking the "Big Leap" into selling at......
Craft Fairs !
Lots to do!
Which ones to enter? Big expensive ones or small ones? Compile enough stock?
Accept charge cards? Invest in a canopy? How big?
Or the most important question.............
How can I leave to go "pee-pee" when I'm all alone at my booth?

Well here's some help answering one question.
How to Create a Product Display?
I found a great tutorial by Stacey of ElleBelle on etsy
Read and get some great advice ....
check out the comments too, and
I got a nice inexpensive banner at Office Max.
Oh , and the "pee-pee" question....
make immediate friends with your booth neighbor,
she'll need potty breaks too!
ElleBelle Tutorial

FESTettes are EVERYWHERE with Handmade Art!!!

Tweet WOW our team mates are showing off their handmade goods
ALL OVER THE STATE
this weekend.
Meet and Greet them!

Sea Side Herb Society Fair
http://www.seasideherbsociety.com/faire.shtml
March 27 Saturday 10A-3P
Ormond Beach
corner of Granada and Beach Street
AquarianBath

Odd Duck
http://www.oddduckbazaar.com/
March 27th Saturday 12pm - 6pm
Historic Old Davie Schoolhouse
Davie, Florida
Jorgensen Studio

Art on Park Festival
March 27 and 28 10am - 5pm
800 Park Avenue
Lake Park, FL
Kat's Custom Kreations

Crystal Beach Spring 2010 Craft Show
March 27 & 28 Sat. 9-4, Sun 12-4
Crystal Beach Community Hall
Pinky's Pet Gear

Mt. Dora Spring Collectible/Craft Show
March 27 & 28 9am to 5pm
Downtown
Mt. Dora, Florida
Seaphemera

Handmade Crafts For Sale....Don't Miss It!

Tweet

In Orlando

At the Audobon Park Community Market

Wednesday Febuary 10th

7:00p-10:00p (aprox.)

At the Stardust and Bold Hype Parking lot,

corner of Corrine and Virgina in Colonial Town.

Look for our own bluebirdknits

with all her gorgeous scarves!

Support Denise and Shriner's Childrens Hospital

Tweet

Denise of RiverCityArtWorks is in a show TONIGHT - Jan 22 Friday!

A Red Carpet Affair 7pm
Morocco Shrine Auditorium
3800 Saint Johns Bluff Rd S
Jacksonville, FL 32224

A semi-formal event at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium. Tickets at the door will be $20 per person. All tickets include one free drink. Cash bar and appetizers will be provided. All proceeds will benefit the Shriner's Childrens Hospital. Come enjoy dancing, food and fun ... all for a good cause!

There will be vendors who will be selling and donating a percentage of their profits to Shriner's Childrens Hospital

Craft Shows this Weekend!

Tweet Our FEST Team Mate RapierGlass (as BK Crafts) will be here:
Artpool ART/CRAFT/VINTAGE HOLIDAY OUTDOOR SALE!
ST. Petersburg Florida.
12/19/09 10 AM to 4 PM
ArtPool
919 1st Ave N
St Petersburg, FL 33705



AND Seaphemera will be here:

Cedar Key Christmas Craft Show
12/19 10-5
City Park,FL


AND ONE MORE: RiverCityArtworks will be at

Riverside Arts Market
Saturday Dec 19 10-4
Riverside Ave
Jacksonville, FL

Support your team mates and lets pray the rain stops!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar

Tweet Saturday 5p to 11:30 p
Sunday 12p to 6pm

This Weekend is the Amazing
Atomic Holiday Bazaar
in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

FEST Shops participating:
CraftyHag
Sassycrafter
OpulentOddities
&
PerpetualPickles

Shows This Weekend

Tweet Two shows this weekend with FEST members attending to share their arts with the world!



Our "Sassycrafter" will be at:

GLAM Gainesville Local Art Mart

November 22
Sunday 2p-6p
Thelma Bolton Center

The second show is:

Mrs. Claus' Craft Corner

Saturday 9a-8p

Sunday 11a- 5p

4450 N. University Dr.

Lauderhill, Fl.

Our Festette Michelle of MikicatDesigns will be there selling her beautiful Jewelry. If your in the area come and meet these two talented, lovely artists.

A Fantastic Florida Festival This Weekend

Tweet This weekend November 7th & 8th check out the


The "33rd Country Jamboree" in Barberville, Florida.


Saturday 9a to 5p and Sunday 9a-4p
Barberville is a bit west of Daytona Beach.
Who's going to be there?
Our very own FEST member Barbara of Angeloco will be there!



Come meet her, wish her a wonderful show and see her beautiful jewelry designs!