Comments on: Craft Fair Sales – Maintain a Small Budget http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/ You can sell handmade, here's how. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:42:02 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1465 Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:33:26 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1465 A friend and colleague of mine, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7075960" rel="nofollow">Stockanette</a>, mentioned that she brings her torso-on-a-stick mannequin to craft fairs! That reminded me to write that I brought my own mannequin torso last time to great effect (his name is "MAN"nequin and he's small build, I got him cheapie at a Dillards store closure and no one seems to mind once I put a coat on him that he doesn't have boobies). I put him on the table modeling a new design I was debuting at the time, (now my old-hat <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=23715170" rel="nofollow">Everything Goes with Black Fringe-O-Rama</a>) and I put duplicates in plastic freezer bags around him, all ready to go. I sold all but one of 'em AT A LOCAL FAIR with 3,000 people in the entire town, plus he helped me sell a bunch of other color combos of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5425532&section_id=5594043" rel="nofollow">Fringe-O-Rama</a> scarves. A friend and colleague of mine, Stockanette, mentioned that she brings her torso-on-a-stick mannequin to craft fairs!

That reminded me to write that I brought my own mannequin torso last time to great effect (his name is “MAN”nequin and he’s small build, I got him cheapie at a Dillards store closure and no one seems to mind once I put a coat on him that he doesn’t have boobies).

I put him on the table modeling a new design I was debuting at the time, (now my old-hat Everything Goes with Black Fringe-O-Rama) and I put duplicates in plastic freezer bags around him, all ready to go. I sold all but one of ‘em AT A LOCAL FAIR with 3,000 people in the entire town, plus he helped me sell a bunch of other color combos of Fringe-O-Rama scarves.

]]> By: Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1460 Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:38:03 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1460 Dear Jayna, Thank you for your question about why I separate the neutrals from the brights! I find that a different sort of customer usually gravitates to each color set. I want each kind of shopper to be able to "sink their eyes into" a grouping of scarves and kind of get lost in it, exploring the possibilities. When they're all mixed together, I feel they don't want to stay because their gaze is drawn in by the color set that appeals to them, then pushed back by the one that doesn't appeal to them, so they're not as likely to fully commit. For example, someone drawn to neutrals and basics usually finds bright colors to be garish, too attention grabbing and off-putting. Someone drawn to bright, vivid colors usually finds neutrals to be boring, snooty, or "not enough going on for my money." If I present them with an entire grouping of "their style" of scarves, they can see that it's something they like, without fully wrapping their mind around ALL that is in that lovely pile until they come closer, which they'll be drawn to do...and then they're mine! ;) Also, often retailers shop local fairs looking for items to stock their boutiques. Each boutique or resort has a different "style" and I want them to clearly see that I can easily stock their shop with scarves that fit their "look." For a thread with lots more of my tips about wholesale/consignment, please click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5504755" rel="nofollow">here</a> Hope that helps! Celeste (Crickets) Dear Jayna,

Thank you for your question about why I separate the neutrals from the brights!

I find that a different sort of customer usually gravitates to each color set. I want each kind of shopper to be able to “sink their eyes into” a grouping of scarves and kind of get lost in it, exploring the possibilities. When they’re all mixed together, I feel they don’t want to stay because their gaze is drawn in by the color set that appeals to them, then pushed back by the one that doesn’t appeal to them, so they’re not as likely to fully commit.

For example, someone drawn to neutrals and basics usually finds bright colors to be garish, too attention grabbing and off-putting. Someone drawn to bright, vivid colors usually finds neutrals to be boring, snooty, or “not enough going on for my money.”

If I present them with an entire grouping of “their style” of scarves, they can see that it’s something they like, without fully wrapping their mind around ALL that is in that lovely pile until they come closer, which they’ll be drawn to do…and then they’re mine! ;)

Also, often retailers shop local fairs looking for items to stock their boutiques. Each boutique or resort has a different “style” and I want them to clearly see that I can easily stock their shop with scarves that fit their “look.” For a thread with lots more of my tips about wholesale/consignment, please click here

Hope that helps!
Celeste (Crickets)

]]> By: Jayna http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1345 Jayna Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:40:31 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1345 Great article with lots of good advice! I have used the whole holding-up-a-mirror-and-offering-you-to-try-it-on trick - works wonders on hesitant customers. One thing particularly struck me as I was reading. I sell crocheted hats so I can relate to your article, but I was curious as to why you suggested separating the wild and crazy colors with neutral colored items. I try to intermix my hats when I sell them and was wondering the reasoning behind your logic. Thanks again for the tips! Great article with lots of good advice! I have used the whole holding-up-a-mirror-and-offering-you-to-try-it-on trick – works wonders on hesitant customers. One thing particularly struck me as I was reading. I sell crocheted hats so I can relate to your article, but I was curious as to why you suggested separating the wild and crazy colors with neutral colored items. I try to intermix my hats when I sell them and was wondering the reasoning behind your logic. Thanks again for the tips!

]]> By: Julie http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1246 Julie Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:01:41 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1246 I've read Celeste's craft show tips before but they are well worth reading again. They are all excellent points and it's always good to be reminded to wear "a big, confident smile on my face!" You're awesome Celeste! :) I’ve read Celeste’s craft show tips before but they are well worth reading again. They are all excellent points and it’s always good to be reminded to wear “a big, confident smile on my face!”

You’re awesome Celeste! :)

]]> By: Tiffiny http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1240 Tiffiny Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:50:25 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1240 Great info!! Thanks Celeste! Great info!! Thanks Celeste!

]]> By: Susana http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1237 Susana Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:54:16 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1237 Great article Celeste! Like always! Susana Great article Celeste! Like always!

Susana

]]> By: eleen http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1228 eleen Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:33:53 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1228 nice, celeste! thanks for sharing all that great info. :D nice, celeste! thanks for sharing all that great info. :D

]]> By: Celeste (Crickets): Fringies Prop Designer http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1227 Celeste (Crickets): Fringies Prop Designer Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:06:55 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1227 You're very welcome, Elena! Thanks for stopping by! Celeste (Crickets) You’re very welcome, Elena! Thanks for stopping by!
Celeste (Crickets)

]]> By: FashionTouch http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1198 FashionTouch Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:59:26 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1198 Very useful info. Thank you, Celeste! Very useful info. Thank you, Celeste!

]]> By: Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) http://handmademarketing.org/how-to-sell-at-craft-fair-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1177 Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves) Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:21:27 +0000 http://etsymarketing.org/?p=2118#comment-1177 Thanks for your nice comment, Renee (that's my middle name)! I'm glad to share; there's enough success to go around! :) Celeste (Crickets) Thanks for your nice comment, Renee (that’s my middle name)! I’m glad to share; there’s enough success to go around! :)
Celeste (Crickets)

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