Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Tips For Implementing Source Of Income From Craft Shows

By Dale Jordan


A beneficial beginning scheme constitutes attempting to connect to the marketplace you're marketing to at this bazaar. Seek to capture a common sense feel of what kind of bunch you are working with at your approaching craft appearance and supply your items to that group of people. Traveling to the exhibit annually represents the most effective manner to acquire this, in that respect are additional techniques you are able to exercise. Is the city where the craft exhibit running representing mostly higher class or intermediate class? You might prefer to align your pricing accordingly.

Are the buyers attending constitute young adults or senior adults? Should the craft display be near or in a schoolhouse I usually bring with a couple of "Younger Adult exhibits" where I direct the smaller plastic beadwork. I've experienced more than one tile pull her parents towards my table to check the art objects I displayed specially for them. If you will be going to a senior home you may prefer to alter your inventory. Older purchasers love eyeglass chains, bracelets with boastful, easy closures and "finer" string of beads that aren't needle like touching their skin.

Business Cards are inexpensive and a great source of business and follow up sales. Every time I sell a piece of jewelry at a craft show I package it in a neat little bag with my business card inside. I do this because even though I already sold a piece of jewelry, I often have people contacting me weeks, months and even years later to see if they can order the same or similar pieces for friends and relatives. I also list my website on the cards to people can browse and by my items in the comfort of their own home!

It is important to be flexible with your pricing. I generally do not put price tags on any of my pieces. This way people need to ask about pricing and I can adjust my price up and down a few dollars on the fly, based on the type of audience, the size of the crowd and whether or not I really want to sell the piece. And, yes, my prices sometimes change throughout the day.

Some people come to craft shows expecting to haggle, so it's sometimes wise to quote a price a few dollars more than you might normally ask so you have some bargaining room. Though you may be uncomfortable with this at first, I find it to be very helpful. I can't tell how you many pieces I've sold only after talking with the customer and chatting about the price. One of my favorite methods is to sell a pair of earrings with a beaded bracelet for only a few dollars more. The customer likes getting a "bundled" deal and I like selling two pieces and making a little extra profit.

Ways of paying are important for succeeding at your craft appearance. Cash is plainly favored, but checks are effortlessly accepted. All told my hours of working craft shows I have not been cheated on a bad check. A lot of people bring in cash to craft shows, only at times in that respect are simply so many a item being purchased that by the time the person gets to your cubicle she could not have any money left!

Credit Cards are a little trickier. If you're going to verify the credit card then you'll need an electric source and a telephone connection of some sort. A lot of people, me included, will often just use a manual credit card swiper with carbon paper. No electricity is needed; you just enter the numbers into your computer or electronic machine when you get home. To accept credit cards you'll probably need a merchants account and I've found that most local banks can help you out or point you in the right direction. It really isn't very expensive to do. I set up my first account and bought my manual swiper and carbons for less than $50.

Selling your bead jewelry at craft shows is an amazingly fulfilling experience and a great ego booster, not to mention a fun way to make some extra money. Following these basic tips will help you sell more jewelry and have fun at the same time!




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