Key Terms to Negotiate for a Consignment Agreement
When you decide to work with a storeowner on a consignment basis, you’ll need a consignment agreement to be sure you both agree to the terms of the deal and know what your obligations are. The store should have a consignment agreement or contract for you to sign, but before you sign it, make sure…
How to get into a Juried Craft Show
If you have a product that will sell well at craft shows, it’s time to start applying to events. Juried craft shows are preferred by handmade business owners because they tend to have more elements in place that ensure success. One of the downsides of juried craft shows (over non-juried) is that each vendor must…
5 Mistakes that get your Craft Show Application Tossed
If you have a product you know will sell well at craft shows, it’s time to start applying to the best ones. But you want to take the necessary steps on your application form to ensure it doesn’t get tossed. Craft Show organizers are friendly people and would probably never physically or electronically trash your…
Does your Craft Business Need Insurance?
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer by profession and nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice or free from errors, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a…
What To Do AFTER a Craft Fair
Craft shows require a lot of work to prepare for. So the weeks leading up to an event can be hectic. During the event you’re also kept busy chatting with shoppers, making connections, and making sales. Leading up to a craft show, I had a clear direction; make lots of stock and plan an amazing…
What To Expect at your First Craft Show
I’ve sold at dozens of craft shows and learned from my mistakes. But I thought I’d put this article together for people getting ready for their first craft show, not knowing what to expect. Your first craft show won’t be perfect, but neither will your hundredth. There’s always something new to learn or something to…
How to Grow your Newsletter at a Craft Show (free printable signup forms)
Product – check, amazing display – check, business cards – check! You’re all set to attract, obtain and keep customers at a craft sale right? Weeeeellll…there’s another important aspect many people forget that should become part of your craft show checklist. We know selling your product is your first choice. And if they don’t buy…
Craft Show Etiquette – What Organizers Expect
Our original article on Craft Show etiquette continues to be one of our most popular articles. So we thought we would expand on it and break it down a bit more to give you a really good look at what each category of craft show participator looks for from you. Here are our other etiquette articles: Craft Show…
Craft Show Etiquette – What other Vendors Expect
When you’re a vendor at a craft show, there are a few people you want to consider; the organizer, the shopper, and your fellow vendors. Chances are, you’ll bump into the same vendors if you sell at several craft shows. This article outlines a few unspoken rules vendors will expect you to follow. 1)…
Creative Swag Bag Ideas (shoppers won’t toss)
Swag bags are a good way for events to offer shoppers a perk. They also give businesses that contribute an item a marketing opportunity. Unfortunately, they’re often filled with items shoppers won’t use, don’t necessarily want, and may end up tossing. As a craft show vendor, swag bag items should give you a return on…
10 Ways to Lower your Prices (without lowering profits)
Lowering the prices of your handmade products, just to make more sales, tends to do more harm than good (here’s why). But what should you do if you’ve properly calculated your prices (here’s how to do that), and your items are overpriced and not selling? Below are 10 things you may try to help lower…
10 Reasons NOT to Complain about Handmade Prices
After writing and posting 10 Reasons to NOT to Lower the Prices of your Handmade Goods, I came across a comment on social media that made me think; an article explaining why craft show and Etsy shoppers shouldn’t make remarks about a vendor’s prices being higher than they would like. The people who don’t value handmade…
10 Reasons NOT to Lower the Prices of your Handmade Goods
How you price your products can make all the difference in whether your business is going to be successful or not. I’ll assume you’ve priced your products properly to cover your hours, costs, markup and profits (if not, follow this pricing guide: The Right Way to Price a Handmade Product (Step-by-Step Formula)). But if you’re…
4 Retail Best Practices to Apply at Craft Shows
If you walk into any retailer at the mall, you’ll find that almost all of them follow similar techniques for catching a shopper’s eye, drawing them in, and selling to them. These tried and true strategies can boost your sales at craft shows. Retail best practice #1: Window Displays Retailers use the windows of…
Why you’re Looking at your Craft Show Setup Wrong
Craft shows require a lot of work to prepare for and you may have spent weeks perfecting your setup on your dining room table. But before you settle on your display, consider if you’re looking at it from the wrong perspective. The Wrong Perspective While working on your craft show setup, you likely stand…
10 Signs you Shouldn’t Apply to a Craft Show
Before you apply to craft shows, it’s important to realize that not all events are worth applying to. Several factors go into producing a good craft show, so just because an organizer lacks an element below doesn’t mean the show won’t be great. However, if several areas are waving a red flag, it may be…
5 Craft Show Mistakes that Drive Shoppers Away
No one signs up for a craft show with the intention of alienating the shoppers but you may unknowingly be sending them away if they don’t feel comfortable. It’s important to have fun, be yourself and show pride in your work; that will always draw people to you. Here are 5 mistakes to watch for…
Laws To Follow when Packaging Handmade Products
Do you package your handmade cream in a jar? Do you have the product name, volume and your business name and address clearly printed on each label? If not, you may be in violation of packaging and labeling laws. Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer by profession and nothing in this article should be construed as…
Label Laws for Selling Handmade Clothing & Accessories
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer by profession and nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice or free from errors, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a…
Farmers’ Market Etiquette for Shoppers
Farmers’ markets have a relaxed feel with friendly vendors, but as shoppers, we need to be sure we don’t take this relaxed feel too literally and are following common practices when it comes to etiquette. The vendors at a farmers’ market are running a business and working extremely hard to make a living out of the products…