So, I have my first Art Market coming up, and I am as nervous as can be. The last time I did something like this was five years ago in some horrible Rotary fundraiser type event that my items were completely ill suited for.
Any tips from the pros out there?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
I think I read somewhere that you sell yourself as much as your work.
meaning - talk, laugh, interact with people as much as you can.
Don't just sit behind a table and complain about the heat like I've done :)
"I've read"
Smile relax, Your jewelry is beautiful and most of all try to have fun.
Bring more of your work than you think you can display. Also, bring an emergency repair kit for your stuff. I put all my utilitarian stuff in a backpack so I can easily haul it over to my booth. Imagine you're a girl scout when thinking about what to bring.
masking tape
pens
markers
price tags
gift bags
paper for last minute signs
business cards - REALLY important
rain gear
aspirin
water
I always say hey to EVERY person who glances my direction. Then I usually follow that up with "Everything for sale here was handmade by me". That usually gets a response and some folks will stop look and occasionally I'll get a sale.
Best of luck to you and tell us all about it!
Felicia
http://www.fluffyflowers.typepad.com/
you will be brillinat, I am sure of it.
(this is coming from the girl who did not sleep at all the night before her 1 and only craft show)
I hear you. My first and, so far, only craft fair wasn't really a craft fair and also wasn't very successful. But, I'm trying to put that past me and venture out again. Just be confident and, above all, have fun!!
I might just add a few obvious things to the list by felicia...
money to make change
Clear plastic table cloths to cover your displays in case it rains.
Clamps or weights to hold down your table covering and displays in case it is windy.
Perhaps a project you can work on--people love to see the artist at work!
Good Luck
Remember above all to have fun! Your jewelry is beautiful and I am sure you will do well.
Oh, these are all good things!
I did my first market yesterday, and it was so much fun! The weather wasn't the best, so traffic was slower than usual. I agree with missficklemedia - interaction with people really made the day more fun, and I hope it helped with sales.
One thing I learned yesterday - have a mirror on hand. How could I have forgotton this? :-)
Good luck! You'll be fantastic!
xoxo
Hi! I've done hundreds of shows in the past 10 years and I think some of the most important things you can do are:1. be friendly and helpful (folks will walk off if you seem bored, or if you complain how terrible the show is-always say youre doing well-every show you learn more, so in that regard you are gaining experiance)2.channel your inner visual merchandiser, make your display as interesting,well-lit and unique as possible. You don't have to spend a lot on this, I find stuff around the house (I used glass bottles to drape necklaces around, old picture frames w/ fabric and foam core to pin earrings on, wire to make trees...). Your display draws them in, just make sure its not too distracting or takes away from your product.3. have enough invoice books and till money! Hope that helps, its the things I find that make for a good show.
Um, that would be Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl Studios commenting on my blog!
Whoo hoo!
(I've been a big admirer of hers for years.)
Post a Comment