Saturday, June 4, 2011

oh dear weekend!

we all were waiting for you...
...we want to enjoy sunny days, have great homemade meals and still look beautiful!

1 Yesterday Vintage Lace Earrings by ThatOldBlueHouse2

2 Vintage romantic cherry red and gold english tin can by BarkingBirds

3 Cherry Pie by summerowens

4 Vintage Blue & White Tiered Cotton Skirt by DeLaBelle

5 Sessa Carlo Gadget and Stuff Pouch/Organize by Mclovebuddy

6 Bracelet and necklace in one piece by Idniama

wishing a happy weekend for all of you!

Friday, June 3, 2011

TGIFT - A little bit of quirkiness

If you love quirky little things as much as I do, here are a few Etsy items that may make you say "Thank God I Found This!"

- Flowered Beard Brooch by pollaz - $30

- Hello There Stud Earrings by Coocachoo - $7

- Hot Air Balloon Trio by madeleinesargent - $220

- Le Classy Kangaroo OOAK Miniature Animal Sculpture by leanimale - $20

- Lightning Bolt Stud Earrings by TheAngryWeather -$40

- Rainbow Cupcake Purple Girl Handmade Plini Figurine by magicbeanbuyer - $14

- Balloon Bear 1/30 A4 Limited Edition Wall Art by AshleyPercival - $35

Thursday, June 2, 2011

(Above: Oh Hello Friend)

When you are preparing for a craft fair, it is easy to get caught up in just making enough stock to sell! However, a thoughtful display will help you sell your work by drawing customers in, and showcasing your beautiful designs.

(Photo of Urban Heirloom by Oh Hello Friend)

It’s important to consider how you will get to the fair, and what the conditions will be like when you arrive. Consider how much you can fit in your car or suitcases, and keep those space restrictions in mind while you design your displays. There’s nothing worse than spending days creating a beautiful display element, then realizing the day of the event that it won’t fit in the car. Try to visualize the size of your booth by marking off space in your living room, so you can better predict how you can organize your space once you get there. Will you event be outdoors or indoors? Will you be under a canopy, or will you be in full sun? Lots to think about, location wise.

(Photo of Something's Hiding in Here, by parallelbotany)

(Photo of Tugboat Printshop and Spin Spin)

Once you’ve accounted for the location conditions, the best thing to think about while designing your booth space is the mood you want to create when customers visit your booth. For example, if your company is focused on eco-friendly handmade items, perhaps you’ll want to use a natural linen tablecloth, or display plants to reinforce the eco themes. Think about how you can brand your space, the same way you’ve branded your packaging or your business card. As always, think creatively about how you can use materials and items you may already own, or even recycled materials, in creating your displays.

(photo by Amy Stocklein)

One great way to maximize your booth space is to think vertically, not just horizontally. How can you build up your booth to have multiple eye-lines, or to create more visual interest? Many sellers use risers or small shelves on their tables, to help draw customers’ eyes, and to be able to display more items. Try to visualize how your booth will look when it is filled with customers. Will passers-by be able to see your signage or items when people are standing in front of it?

(Photo of Lulu Dee's booth by Margaret of Paper Pastries)

Clear signage can be a big help to shoppers, especially shy customers. Not everyone will want to engage with you about prices or materials, so it is important to have all vital information clearly displayed. Try to share vital information through signs: is everything in your booth made locally? Do you donate any proceeds to charity? Do you take credit cards? Having this info available without having to ask can allow customers to shop without worrying about having to feel awkward.

After you’ve designed the displays, you may want to consider where you will keep extra merchandise that won’t fit on the table. As items sell throughout the day, you’ll want to replenish your stocks. You want your displays to look full, but not overflowing. Don’t pack your tables so full that customers risk toppling items onto the ground. You’ll want to find a way to keep extra merchandise safe and clean, and your personal belongings (purse, lunch, etc) out of sight.

(Photos from the National Stationary Show 2011 by Fugu Fugu Press)

The most important thing to consider is the overall experience customers will have when shopping in your booth. Think of the craft fair as your opportunity to have a tiny retail store; how would you treat your customers if they were entering a brick and mortar store for the first time? Try to make shopping at your booth as fun and comfortable as possible, and you’ll find that during the show you can concentrate on meeting your customers, and enjoying the process of sharing your work in person.

Up next: Part 3 of Craft Fair 101, things to consider for the day of the craft fair!

Aspiring Artisan: MyOliviaJewelry

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Sarah Borgert and I live in the Twin Cities, about 10 minutes out of Minneapolis. I live with my boyfriend, my 8 year old daughter, and our dog and cat. I started my business about a year and a half ago and have been on Etsy for around a year. My shop is named after my daughter, Gabrielle Olivia. Everybody calls her Gabby, except for Mom, who calls her Olivia.

Dragonfly Necklace

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I also work as a nanny for 2 very rambunctious boys, ages 7 and 11. They keep me pretty busy. I am so lucky, most people have a hard time finding a job they love to do. I have two.
Whenever I have a chance I love to travel. I go to bead shows all over the country and this summer will even be going to one in Germany. My favorite place to be is on the beach in Cozumel, Mexico with a margarita in hand and a blanket full of beads in front of me.

Chelsea Bracelet

What first made you want to become an artist?

I have always been fascinated with color. I remember wanting to be an artist when I was little. I even made a bunch of paintings and went door to door trying to sell them to the neighbors. I actually have absolutely no talent for drawing or painting though. My aunt introduced me to jewelry making early in my adult life and I have been in love with it ever since.

Lady Indigo and the Formal Affair

Please describe your creative process.

I will often have an idea in my head for days that just won't go away until I make it into something tangible. I even have trouble sleeping because this idea is just pulling at my brain. I like to be in this state for a few days, until the need to create this item becomes almost unbearable, and then I let it all out in one big creative rush. I will then spend hours or even days completely devoted to this one project.

Copper Butterfly

Please tell us something about your subject matter, a little background into why you make art about what you do.

Most of my work is inspired by the material. I will find an amazing stone or strand of pearls and create a piece or even an entire line of pieces based on this perfect item.

What specific steps you are taking to grow your Etsy shop.

I am always working to improve my shop. I really have a wide variety of styles in my shop right now and am working to focus on some lines while cutting back on others. I also try to consistently evaluate my shop to see what things are working for me and what things need working on.

Drop Earrings

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

I have 2 pieces of advice.
1. Give your customer something to remember you by. This can be done both with the physical look of your shop and with how you handle a sale. Your shop banner and avatar are very important. If you are not good at computer graphics (I'm not!) invest a little money in having these made for you.
I have recently become obsessed with how my orders are packaged. Regular jewelry boxes are so boring. I have been taking plain white boxes and using mod podge and craft paper to pretty them up. I also usually tie a ribbon around the box and always include a handwritten thank you. People love to receive little 'presents' in the mail and it is another thing they will remember about me and my shop.
2. Join up with a team or find a local group of artists to meet with. You can learn so much from a group of people who are in the same creative boat you are!

Cherry Bomb

How do you promote your work?

I have active accounts for my shop on both Facebook and Twitter. I also have recently been doing some online advertising. I try to be active in the Etsy community and just work to get my name out there.

In ten years, where would you like to be?

I would love to be doing this full-time within the next 2-3 years. I would also love to open a bead shop within the next ten years so that I can share my passion for jewelry making with others in my community.

Visit Sarah's Etsy shop!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Craft Fairs 101 - Part 1

(above: thousands of visitors at Renegade Craft Fair)

As the summer craft fair season gets into full swing, the time seems right to talk about selling your goods in person, and bringing your Etsy magic into the real world. This is part one in a series of three posts about how and why to participate in craft fairs, art and gift shows.

First off, some great reasons to participate in a craft fair:

1. Extra income! Many artisans like to do craft fairs throughout the year to supplement their income, or just as a regular paycheck. Some people even tour the country during the year, participating in large craft fairs many months out of the year.

2. Local exposure! Craft fairs can be a great way to attract local buyers. Even if shoppers don't purchase from you on the day of the fair, many people will grab your business card, and perhaps make a purchase from you at a later date. The added online traffic after the fair can be just as profitable as the sales you make the day of the fair.

3. Additional promotional opportunities! Many bloggers and magazine editors visit craft fairs to discover up-and-coming designers. A feature on a well-read blog or popular magazine can be an invaluable boost to your business.

4. New wholesale accounts! Buyers for many local businesses often come to craft fairs to scout for new merchandise for their stores. This can mean new sources of income, as well as more exposure for your business.

5. Networking with others in your field! Craft fairs are a great place to meet other artists and craftspeople. At a busy fair you can make connections with tons of new people, both customers and potential collaborators and mentors. Perhaps you'll meet a gallery owner who'd like to show your work, or another artisan who you can collaborate with on a new project.

(just a few of the many craft fairs you could participate in!)

While participating in craft fairs can be a bit daunting at first, a little planning can make things much easier. First, do some research about what fairs might attract your target market. It's important to find a fair that will attract both a good number of attendees, and advertise to your target market. You may want to start with craft fairs in your town, but it may pay off to look for larger fairs that you can travel to easily that are a little further away.

Think about how much you'd have to sell to break even, after considering booth fees and setup costs (renting tables, buying display elements, paying for travel, etc.) It can be a bit of an investment to begin doing craft shows, but these added costs can pay off big time if you find a show that is suited to your wares. Be practical about what you can afford for your first fair, and once you've considered all the costs involved, apply to a show! Many craft fairs are juried months in advance, so keep that in mind as you plan for upcoming craft fair seasons.

Next up in this Craft Fairs 101 series: You've been accepted, now to plan your craft fair booth! Lots of tips about how to display your awesome goods, coming soon.