As many of you may know, I have a Craft Show Tips PDF Zine available in my store for $5It's 30 pages long and packed with lots of good information about Craft Shows - how to find them, how to set up, etc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. My History
II. Before the Show (Product, Pricing, Finding Shows, Your Stand, Examples from my Stand, Trying Out Your Stand, Your Products and the Show)
III. Preparation for the Show (Packing lists, Snacks/meals, marketing, Preparing your Etsy Shop, Dress)
IV. Set up (Step-by-step Getting Ready and Setting Your Stand Up)
V. During the Show (What do I say? What do I do? Other Vendors, Checkout, Credit Cards)
VI. At the End of the Show
VII. Other Tips
VIII. Weekly Markets
This is a great overview if you are just starting out packed with tons of information so you can be prepared. It is a good review if you haven't done a show in a while or maybe you could find some new tips if you currently do craft shows!
I feel like having a giveaway, so for a very limited time, I am going to give this PDF away for FREE!
Just leave a comment here about a craft shows about:
- Some funny or horrible story you have experienced;
- What show you are planning to attend;
- What you are nervous or excited about doing craft shows; OR
- Any questions you have about doing craft shows.
Or, if you don't have any questions or comments to share, just leave a comment of some sort.
Make sure that I have your email address so I can email you the PDF! (You can email me privately if you don't want to leave your email in a comment.)
This giveaway begins today and continues for 1 week. Ends at midnight Tuesday May 26, 2009.
14 comments:
Mine isn't necessarily a craft show - it's a market. I plan to set up at a market for my first time this year with homemade baked goods. I'm out-of-my-mind nervous about how it will go!
I would love to do craft shows, but I'm too nervous. I always chicken out at the last minute. I try to get friends to do it with me, but I'm afraid they'll back out and leave me hanging!
I just had my second 1 day festival and sold more in 7 hours than I did at the first show that was a 2 day event! I absolutely love doing the festivals! Hard work, but love the people that I meet!
I was the same way!! I was so nervous I backed out of a show at the very last minute. But then I started doing them and it got easier and easier!
Shanelle - send me your email address and I will send you my Craft Show Tips PDF! :)
yeah, I agree! Hard work for sure, but it is priceless for the people you meet. (Also the money you can make!!)
I am so excited to read your zine! I saw your tweet :)
I did my first outdoor show last year. I thought, oh I would be ok without a canopy over Memorial Day weekend. Brought tarps and sunscreen...didn't think of where I would go in the rain or the way the rain would run off & soak the bottom of my table covers.
Learning experience for sure!
I have my next show this Saturday and my canopy :) I have been heavy starching my table covers-crisp white.
I have a canopy like yours. What do you use for sides in the rain?
I can't wait to get to reading your tips & just in time!
fabrics_n_quilts@yahoo.com
I need to get moving and do some craft shows this year. The outdoor festival season has already started.
I haven't had a ton of rain when I have been outside with the canopy, but when I have, I haven't used anything on the sides...just made sure everything was moved in more toward the center. I have had shower curtains to go all the way around ready to go if necessary, but never had to use them!
Any major heavy rain on days of shows have cancelled the show for me. I have been at shows with passing storms, but we just moved everything more toward the center of the canopy and continued on - and usually had more customers because they had no where else to go!
great idea on the shower curtains! prettier than a tarp!
yes, prettier and much less expensive, too! :)
littlegemsbyari@yahoo.com
I've vowed to do more then the couple of local shows where i know everyone this year - but all the good ones seem to be the weekend of my sisters wedding :( alas not the best story but a sad and true tale :) stepping out of my comfort zone is really scary!
I'd love to read your advice! I have only ever done one and it was a nightmare. I definitely did not choose my "market" correctly and now I am gun shy. Consignment/wholesale has been working for me but know I could be making more....
I used to do shows all summer until my helpers grew up and my body aged before I did... I am trying to re-do my set-up to make it easier to set up. I do love interacting with the customers.
If outdoors, definitely prepare for rain... my canopy came with sidewalls, but I used the shower curtains with my first one. One year I felt like it rained for every show...not so fun... but in good weather, it's great!
sue@andrusgardensquilts.com
I too am nervous about doing craft shows and usually procrastinate for so long that by the time I decide to go for it it is too late to book.
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