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.

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

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?