Craft Show Success - Accept Credit Cards!

One of the reasons my recent craft shows were such a huge success is that I have started accepting credit cards.  I had 16 sales through credit cards the other weekend alone. 

That's 16 customers who may have otherwise walked away from my booth. And in most cases my credit card customers purchased multiple items! They may have only had enough cash for a $5 item, but since they were using their card they scanned my table for more goodies to add.  My lowest credit card transaction was for $12.  My highest was for $65.

I'm starting by using ProPay. I researched a bit with my local credit unions/banks and found Propay's annual fee and per/transaction fees to be reasonable. You can find out a lot of information about the service on the Etsy forums. One of the best hints is that they offer a discount to Etsy sellers!  You get a Premium Plus account for the price of a basic account.  To acccess the Etsy discount, use this link:

http://www.propay.com/?refid=ETSYOLCM

Like most Etsy sellers using Propay, I got my "knucklebuster" from an Ebay salesman named Mr. Imprinter. I got a bundle that looks a lot like this picture. The imprinter is small and lightweight. It came with 100 slips. And they custom made a plate with my name, email address, website, and more info.  All items arrived in less than a week's shipping time.  I printed out my own "I accept Credit Cards" display for my table which included the CC logos in bright colors to catch customer's eyes.

Like with all things, please do your own research to find out what is best for you and for your store.  Talk to your local banks and credit unions. Some may provide a knuckbuster and slips to you. Some may charge monthly fees or rental fees for the equipment. Some may have higher/lower transaction fees. 

I also reserve the right to change my service and sing the praises of another credit card processer at a later date.  But I know one thing for certain...Accepting credit cards ROCKS! It's easy and not scary at all. I'll never go back to cash/checks only.

Last weekend's update - craft shows!

It has been a very long time since my last update.  There is A LOT of things I have been intending to post but have been busy with the Christmas rush getting some custom orders done and making new inventory to replace all the items I sold at the my recent craft show events. 

I was really blessed with fantastic sales at both of my shows last weekend. 

Saturday the 5th I was at JFK Catholic High School in Burien, WA. HUGE event!  They fill the entire gym and the entire cafeteria with vendors.  I was downstairs in the cafeteria and was concered that the traffic was going to be low since the main entrance to the event was in the upstairs gym.  Boy was I surprised! From the moment the doors opened to the moment the doors closed there was a constant flow of customers! I was working alone, without an assistant, so I was only able to steal away from my booth long enough to use the lady's room and get a bottle of water.

Because it was so busy I didn't have the opportunity to see any of the other vendors or do any shopping for myself. That's OK though because I made a lot of sales!  My best-selling items at the school were the cellphone charms.  I had less than 10 left when I went home for the day and spent the evening at home making more so I could have them for my Sunday show.  The purse fobs were also a big hit!

I have already told my best friend to mark her calendar a year in advance to come andhelp me next year at the JFK school show.  I would have loved an extra pair of hands to help customers because there were many times I was helping someone and had 2-3 other people needing help too.  I barely sat down the entire time. 

On Sunday I was selling at my church's, St. James Cathedral,  Avent Bazaar.  This is my second year selling there and the difference was night and day!  The church event was only 5 hours long but I made MORE at this show than I did at the school.  I was amazed!

The cellphone charms continued to be very popular.  Young persons, parents, and grandparents were all buying them up as stocking stuffers.  The bookmarks almost sold out completely - I only have 4 left when I packed up.  The rosary bracelets were also flying off the table.  As they sold I set out more until my bag was empty.  I think I had 6 left at the end of the day. 

I was completely blown away.  I am still on a high from the wonderful feeling of being so well received at these events.  Such nice customers, even those who didnt buy were fun to talk to.  I got a couple custom order requests and follow-up emails after the events were over. I am so very blessed!

The BIG craft show wrap-up.

First off, BIG THANK YOU to the EtsyRain team, specifically the organizers, for making this event possible.  It was my very first two-day show and it was exciting and challenging all at the same time. The show was a huge success for our street team and customers alike. You may be able to see in my first picture the line of people waiting outside of the venue for the doors to open Saturday morning.  It was cold. They were brave. And they wanted those awesome EtsyRain swag bags!

Secondly, thank you to everyone who has followed me here on my blog and on my Twitter as I frantically prepared for this show. Thank you for the tips and tricks I learned by reading all of your blogs and Twitters and Etsy forum posts. Thank you for your words of support and encouragement.

The show was a lot of fun. Stressful, but fun.  I got to meet some really wonderful people, both crafters and customers.  I got to buy some really cool things.  And I sold a little bit too.

This was a big risk for me - sticking my neck out into the "indie" community and trying to sell my Catholic goodies among all the fine and funky jewelry, knitted comfy things, hand-sewn clothing, soaps, and other goods made by our crafty community.  My products really speak to a small market of people - I know this and I embrace this.  So this was a real test to see if I could hold my own among them. 

How did I do? I know you only want to hear about the money.  lol  Well, I made back my booth fee.  That's about it.  But I did not walk away totally discouraged.  I was paid in compliments, smiles, and kind words. I got some great ideas on how I can branch out my offerings for future shows.  I made some friends and I got my name and my business out there.  Lots of business cards were taken. Some custom orders may be on the horizon. 

I have two more shows coming up this season.  Both will be a little more focused on my target audience (at a Catholic school and at my church).  And I hope to announce some exciting additions to my Etsy shop in the new year.

Buy Handmade! Buy Seattle-Made!

Buy handmade this holiday season - buy Seattle-made from the EtsyRAIN team! 70 talented local artisans will be selling unique, handmade delights ready for gift-giving.

The EtsyRAIN Holiday Art &Craft Show will be held in the lobby of Intiman Theatre (201 Mercer Street) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. Two full days!

The first 50 people in line each day will receive a swag bag filled with awesome stuff from our EtsyRAIN members.

The featured charity for this year’s holiday event is Treehouse, an organization for kids in foster care, providing services that no other agency addresses.

Admission to the event will be a suggested donation of $1 that will go directly to Treehouse or an article of warm clothing for a foster child in need. There will also be a raffle for a gift basket filled with amazing products from the EtsyRain team.

http://etsyrain.com/

Facebook event link - http://bit.ly/3u5WGm

Craft show banner

Since I've booked these upcoming craft shows I have been looking for a banner for my table.  I am not crafty in the sewing arts so I didn't feel abitious enough to make something from fabric.  But I am crafty at hunting down a good deal - I found that deal at Vistaprint!

Vistaprint has recently started making large vinyl banners and the price can't be beat!  And the fact that YOU customize your banner to look exactly the way you want it to is fantastic.  I got myself a "small" 3'x1.6' banner with my own photography and hanger-tabs for less than $15 - including shipping!!  I think it turned out fantastic (if I can brag...)

Looks even better in person (if I may continue to brag...)  It was printed and delivered to my door in about 10 days.  I absolutely love it.  I can't wait to see it proudly displayed on my craft show booth.  But for now it is proudly photographed on my living room floor.  LOL

There are different schools of thought about Vistaprint.  Some people (like me) love them and some people don't.  I've been ordering business cards from them for many, many years and have never been disapointed.  They do have a tendancy to go overboard on the emails - spamming me at least once a day about a sale.  Every day is a sale at Vistaprint so I just ignore the emails and order when I need to order.  I love that I have a fantastic craft show banner, glossy postcards, and business cards all with the same brand recognizability.  My rosary. My photograph. And now my banner, postcards, and more. 

Promo bags and postcards

2 more weeks until my BIG craft show!  You know I have been prepping like crazy!  Last night I completely finished the shopping bags I have for my customers.  (I apologize for the dark picture - darn cameraphone.)

I started with a couple boxes of business cards and stuck labels on the back of each card with a promo code for shopping at my Etsy shop.  Using the promo code in the "Message to Seller" part of checkout process the customer will get 10% off the order and free shipping.  Not a bad deal, I'd say! 

These business cards are attatched to the 100 swag buttons that will be given away for the first 50 people who come to the show each day.  The business cards sitting out on my table will also have the promo stickers.  And each shopping bag for a customer who purchases from me will get a card with promo sticker already stuffed inside the bag.  So potentially, early customers who get a swag bag, grab a card off my table, and buy something from me will walk away with 3 of my business cards.  Maybe that's overkill, but I don't think it hurts.  LOL

The little paper bags I got for the shoppers was easily printed on using my inkjet printer at home.  I ran each one through and printed my shop information on them including website.  Brand recognition is everything, right?  I was originally thinking of getting a custom-stamp made but pricing it out I realized it would cost just as much to replace my ink cartridge as it would to get a big stamp made for me.  I think they turned out really well.   

Last, but not least, I added a little slip of paper into each of the bags letting customers know that I have two more local craft shows coming up and where to find me.  I included the dates, addresses, and times of the events.  On the paper I noted that if they come visit me at these other shows I'll give them a free gift!

Having the pre-stuffed shopping bags is going to be very helpful.  Hopefully all the promo inside and on the bags themselves will lead to a few online sales and maybe a visit or two at my next shows for some last-minute purchases. 

In addition to the promo shopping bags I will also have a small stack of promo postcards I had specially made.  These full-color postcards contain images of my own items and all my contact information.  Email, website, Twitter, and Blog.  I am not going to hand these out to the public willy nilly, but there have been times in the past when someone shows particular interest saying things like "These would be perfect at our church bookstore!" I'll whip out one of these impressive cards just for them (and maybe give them a "sample" rosary) in the hopes that they will contact me after the show for future business.  The post cards are so large and colorful they will be less likely to lose than a little business card in the bottom of a purse or stuffed in a wallet. 

With the exception of buying a second table cloth (or bedsheet!), I am just about done with all my craft show prep.  Most items are made and price tagged.  I've done a test display.  I may do a second test display this weekend.  I really feel well prepared.  Hopefully that sense of preparadness doesn't go flying out the window on the big day.  Trying not to jinx myself by being too optimistic!  LOL

Craft Show Dress Rehersal - Display practice.

I've been neglecting the blog (sorry!) but that doesn't mean I've been sitting around on my duff. Ok, maybe a little of duff-sitting...but I've actually been pretty darn busy with the craftyness!  Been making lots and lots of inventory and finally got a table for my booth. 

Browsing through the Flickr Groups Show Me Your Booths and Arts & Craft Fairs I realized I need to figure out how I am going to display all this inventory!  So yesterday I moved some stuff around in my living room, put out my tables, and did a craft show dress rehersal!

Over the last month I have been picking up some display pieces here and there but hadn't decided how to arrange everything on my tables.  This was a great opportunity to see what worked for my needs and what didn't work. 

I don't have any pictures of yeserday's display practice for you but I can give you some hints on where I got some GREAT display pieces and fantastic prices.

My first stop was a great Etsy seller NotableNotions!  Top quality display supplies and excellent customer service.  She had just what I needed for prices that are an absolute steal!  These upright stands are my best investment! I'll be using them to showcase my rosaries by draping them over the top using the scalloped edge and letting them dangle down.  They also have earring holes if you are an earring seller.  I also coudn't do without these wire bars. They are the perfect size for my bracelets, cellphone charms, and anything else that dangles.  I can't say enough good stuff about NotableNotions and highly recommend them for your professional display needs!

I'm luck enough to have a Diaso Japan store in a local mall near my home.  It's kind of like a Japanese Dollar Store, except most items are $1.50.  I got some of these wire blocks which link together and some small hooks to hang items from - the oens I have are actually tall rectangles.  This allows items to up off the table and easy to see.  Especially helpful for my car mirror rosaries.  Daiso also had some great little clear acrylic boxes to use as small risers.  If I had a local Dollar Store I certainly would have gone there too because there is bound to be some fantastic (and cheap!) stuff a crafty person could use for their display tables. 

After my little practice session I now know what works and what doesn't work.  I know I'm going to feel a lot more relaxed having taken the time to do this dress rehersal in advance instead of wait until the morning of the event in a state of panic.  I also now have a couple weeks to pick up the last little touches and keep making inventory.  

I may actually do another dress rehersal at home again just to get everything finalized.  I'll most certainly post pictures of the final set-up. 

2010 Crafting Calendar - Marketing Locally

I'm about a month away from my first big show - I have been busy, busy, busy getting everything together and I'm about 3/4 of the way finished.  I have 3 shows this season and that is a huge increase from the one show I did in 2008.  But I'm already looking to 2010 and filling my Crafting Calendar full...

Now that I've made the purchases of tables, display pieces, and the hundred and hundreds of business cards that I need to be a REAL craft show seller, I fully plan on doing a lot more local craft shows next year. When I'm not preparing for this season's already-planned events, I am searching for more places to sell.

Since I am in a niche market - only selling religous (heavily Catholic) products - it can be a little intimidating applying to a local street fairs and Indie marketplaces where my products may not be fully appreciated.  I'm not letting that deter me by any means - and will still be happy to sell anywhere and everywhere that will accept me - I realized that I can also use my niche market by focusing on events sponsored by local churches and schools in my Archdiocese.

First, I was thinking of doing direct self-marketing campaign.  I wouldn't send them to the whole Archdoicese of course, but I would send them to the churches/Catholic schools that I can get to easily in my neighboring cities.  I want to let them know who I am, what I make, and that I am available as a vendor at their parish/school craft shows or fundraising events.  For those parishes with gift shops, my items would also be available for wholesale or consignment. 

I'm thinking of starting with post cards with pictures of my rosaries/crafts and links to my Etsy shop, Blog, and Contact information.  Instead of postcards, I may consider sending a small package with one of my inexpensive rosaries included as a gift to showcase the quality. Focusing on the fact that everything I make is handmade and that I am a local parishioner of the Cathedral in Seattle will be my selling points.  Knowing that a rosary or Holy Medal trinket was made with love from a fellow Catholic - and not mass produced in another country - could make all the difference.

I'm going to give this a lot of condiseration with plans on executing my first batch of marketing early in 2010  in hope of some Spring/Easter Sales and then again later in the year as a reminder for Fall/Winter/Advent sales.

If I get positive response from this campaign idea, and I'm not too overwhelmed with orders (I wish! LOL!), I may consider in 2011 branching out to other parishes in the Archdioces specifically for gift-shop wholesale or consignment.

So tell me, bloggers...how do you market yourself in your community? Do you sell in local shops as well as online and at craft shows? Besides social media (blogs, Twiiter, etc.) how do you get the word out there about what you do?

I'm in the Big Show!

I GOT ACCEPTED TO THE BIG CRAFT SHOW!!! *happy dance*happydance*

To be more precise, I got accepted to the EtsyRain show which I really, really, really wanted to be in (I was calling it "Big Show #1" in previous posts).  I got the email last night and I busted out a "WHOO HOO!" so loud it scared my cat off my lap and she hid under the bed for a while.  LOL!
It will be the weekend before Thanksgiving - Two entire days! - November 21st & 22nd. We have the entire upstairs and downstairs of the lobby at the Intiman Theater which is located on the Seattle Center campus near the Space Needle. Prime holiday shopping time in a prime location - I could not be more thrilled! I feel like an understudy hitting the Big Time! 

For the record, I was NOT accepted to Big Show #2.  And this is just fine by me.  The booth fees for that one are a tad intimidating (over $300!) so I'm a little relieved I won't be doing this one.  I will, however, consider applying for it next year for either the Summer or Winter shows.

I will also, of course, be selling during my church's Advent Bazaar in early December.  I am also thinking about contacting another local parish that has an upcoming event too. 

So that's two (possibly 3) events to look forward to.  Needless to say, I have the  jitters and will most certainly be blogging a lot about my excitement and nerves as I prepare more inventory, creat swag, work on display set-up, etc.  I apologize in advance for any upcoming blog posts where I am spazzing out with joy and worry all at the same time.  LOL!  I appreciate you guys putting up with me and supporting me. 

Wishing and Hoping!

Back from vacation!  Reopened Etsy shop and ready for business - sorta.  It's always hard getting back into the swing of things after a relaxing vacation.  I need to renew a couple items today and resume editing/croping pictures of product waiting to be listed.

I'm hoping in the next 4 days I will have the decisions on the two big craft shows I applied to.  One said they will contact the vendors on October 1st and the other said the announcements will be made "late September". 

I'm feeling very hopeful about one of them (Big Show #1) because they extended the application deadline, which leads me to think they didn't get as many applicants as expected so perhaps there was room for more. 

I'm half-way hoping I don't get accepted to the other Big Show (#2) because the booth fee is a little intimidating. More than double the cost of the fee at Big Show #1. Given the fact that I've never sold at such large events before I have no idea if I will make enough to cover costs.  However, gotta stay hopeful.  Even if I don't make a profit I would still come out ahead in the marketing department since this is a heavily sponsored and advertised event.  Getting the word out there about my little shop and my little trinkets would be a wonderful thing and worth the price of admission.

Sales and inventory

According to Etsy, I am 10 sales away from 100 sales.  I know I have sold many more than 100 items, most of my custom orders are multiple items inside of one listing, but this is a little milestone to look forward to. 

Thinking of inventory, I'm trying to figure out if I should put my shop on Vacation mode if I get accepted to these big craft shows.  I'll find out if I make it to one or both of them in the next 3 weeks.  So for three weeks it will be Etsy business as usual.  But if I get accepted to the shows, I may have to close shop for a while to  conserve inventory. 

My concern is if I get accepted to both big shows that will be 4 days I will need to stay stocked.  Since I have never done shows of this scale before I can't predict in advance what will sell and what won't.  I want to have a good-sized inventory.  I have 61 things listed online right now.  I have another 40+/- things not yet listed.  I'll be making a few more items out of supplies I already have. But I don't want to spend a lot of money on materials to bulk up inventory because that essentially eats up any profits I haven't even made yet!  Heck, I don't even know if any of my products will sell!  I could come out at a loss just paying the booth fees! 

However...I don't want to have my shop closed for over a month and shut out my dear online customers.  Especially it being so close to the gift-giving season and all. There's got to be a happy medium.

How do you crafty folk do it?  How do you balance your shop and your craft show inventory?

Crossing fingers...again

So, I pretty much went crazy and applied for a SECOND big craft show.  Am I insane??  LOL!

I've been wanting to be a part of an Urban Craft Uprising show ever since I started my Etsy shop.  They do two HUGE shows a year - Summer and Winter - and I always enjoy going to the shows but have been too sacred to apply.  They have huge exposure in the Seattle community with sponsors and advertising all over the place, including Craft: magazine.  People line up over an hour before the doors open to get a Swag bag (I know I did!).  Last Winter alone they had over 8000 buyers in the door over the course of the 2 day event.  This is a HUGE deal.

Since I already got the nerve to apply for the other Big Show, I figured I might as well throw my hat in the ring for Big Show #2.  This one would come 2 weeks after the first.

Either I get in to one, or I get into the other, or I get in to both, or I get in to neither of them.  There's a 25% chance for anything.  Might as well, go for it, right?  Right!

I'm trying very hard to be confident but I am honestly very, very nervous!

The wait begins...

I went ahead and applied to that big craft show I was warbling about a couple days ago. I won't know until Ocotber 1st if I am accepted or not. The wait begins...

Even though I don't know how the coin will turn on that decision yet, I am still going forward and ramping up production on a few items and buying supplies to have me prepared for the coming months. I have already received advanced notice from a couple repeat-customers of things they are intending to request from me for the Christmas season. And I will also, of course, be selling at my church's Advent Bazaar.

I need to start thinking about craft show display ideas. I wasn't that pleased with the way my table looked the last time I was a vendor. I went to several craft shows this Summer as a buyer and saw how beautiful some of the displays. I need to work on making my display more inviting.

I also want to look into the Propay thing for accepting credit cards if I am going to be vending more. A local credit union that I belong to also offers a small merchant package so I need to check out rates on that too.

I really hope I will be accepted to that big show. It's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.

Applying to my first big show...

My local Etsy Group - EtsyRain - has put together a BIG, two-day show for November and are now accepting applications. I have never applied to a show this size before and I've never been able to show at any of the smaller events the group have previously puton due to "day job" obligations getting in the way. So this is a huge step for me if I get accepted.

I AM SO NERVOUS and I haven't even sent the application in yet!

I'm nervous because this is so much bigger than selling at my church and it's been several years since a friend and I used to sell at the Fremont Market. This is BIG TIME!

I am also nervous because I have never had to APPLY to a craft show before and submit pictures to a jury. We are only allowed to send 3 pictures with the application. THREE! How can three little pictures accurately showcase my product line?

I've been pouring over pictures all morning - items currently in my shop, items that have sold from my shop, items that I haven't listed yet. I think I've narrowed down that I want to submit one picture of a rosary, one picture of a bookmark, and one picture of a purse fob/zipper pull. Those are my best selling items and now I just have to find the perfect example of each one.

My eyes are going to be crossed permanently from scrutinizing my pictures. LOL!

I know I'm not the first to freak out about these little worries, and I won't be the last, but I'm especially nervous because this will be first time putting myself on the line to be judged by my peers. I just need to remember to breathe and throw in a prayer or two that my products are worthy to be a part of this show.

I'd love to read your blog posts about your first juried craft show application so please link me to them so I can get empathy and inspiration. I'd also love to hear any tips of tricks you have when it comes to applying for a show - especially the difficult task of choosing the right photographs.

Breathe...

Theresa