Monday, February 23, 2015

So...You want to do craft shows, huh? (How to get ideas for your UNIQUE business)

If you weren't aware, I do LOTS of craft shows.  Around this time of the year I have just recovered from the fall/winter show season and start thinking about the spring/summer shows.
Every year at craft shows I always get asked how I got into them, how do you go about doing them, where do you get your things....

I am NOT going to tell you all my vendors.  Gotta protect myself a bit!  But I figured I could write down some ideas on how you can get into the craft show circuit.  Also, I figured it would throw in a bit of craft show etiquette.

First things first.  You have a great idea, right?

GO TO CRAFT SHOWS AND LOOK AROUND.  

If you are planning on soap, candles, or jewelry expect LOTS of competition.  LOTS.  So much so, that lots of times even if the show isn't "juried in" the jewelry will be. Those spaces always fill fast. (FYI-some shows are first come/first served.  Others are "juried in" meaning that you have to submit photos or pieces of your work to be voted on by a panel.  Sometimes you get it back, sometimes you don't)

When you are out looking around at shows, please don't straight up ask how someone makes something. Most people aren't going to tell you their secret formula.  If it is food/lotion/etc, the ingredients BY LAW will be on the item, but don't expect a ratio given to you.  You can look at my lip balms and see what ingredients I use, but I won't tell you my ratio. Most people won't. If we did, we wouldn't have a business!

If you LOVE something , don't take pictures without asking first.  Personally, I don't care.  You can find my items on Etsy, Facebook, and blogs all over the world. I post a lot on Instagram as well.  Social media is how I get my name out. Some vendors though are VERY touchy on this subject.  ASK ASK ASK.

If you feel you can make something a vendor makes, that's cool. Make it. With lots of crafts, they are relatively inexpensive to make.  Most of the cost of an item is for the time put into making it/packaging it/promoting it. Not the actual materials themselves.

If you can get it at Wal-mart for less. Cool.  Go buy it. You don't have to tell me about it.  Buying something handmade is MUCH different from buying factory made things from China.  I am aware, and so are other vendors, that items made over seas can be cheaper.  That isn't the factory workers passion, though.  My items and my shop are my passion and my heart.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It is...if someone copies your hair style.

When it isn't is when you spend time making something and then someone stands in your booth INSPECTING how you made it.  Not a, "Oh wow,cool!  Look at the details in this ceramic bowl!!" I am talking inspecting EVERY SINGLE SEAM.  Asking how well it sells.  Asking what items you use to make it.  Asking where you get your materials...then saying I can make this!  Or my sister can make it.  This is ESPECIALLY annoying if you are another vendor (had it happen and saw stuff copied!!!) OR if you already stated that you want to open a shop.

I know what you are doing.

You are making mental notes of how I made my item so you can copy it.

You know what would be even better?  BUY something, take it home, and figure it out for yourself. Copying happens.  If it didn't, we would all be wearing the same t-shirt.  Make it your own though.  Change things up. 

If you DO decide to imitate someone, PLEASE do not go to a craft show that they are already a regular at.  I have some craft shows that I go to every year and plan on going back to.  Don't try for the same shows.  Craft vendors TALK. 

When you enter the craft world you will learn that it is a super close and trusting group.  Where else can you have a tent full of items, look at someone you met 2 hours ago and say "Can you watch my items while I run to the bathroom?" and leave thousands of dollars of merchandise and know that it will be fine and watched over?  With that being said, see up above.  You don't want to enter the craft circuit and already be on someones bad side.

The more unique, the better! Look around.  Find something that someone else in your area doesn't do OR does do and do it different!  There are lots of people who do wood working in my area, BUT there wasn't anyone who made toys like mine!  It is a unique spot that I got into and because of this, I have people looking for me at shows.  There is "competition" but not someone selling the EXACT same thing as me.

So, I kind of went off on some tangents there, but I think I stressed the number one thing I wanted you to learn here....BE UNIQUE when deciding to open a shop.  

Next time I am going to give you a list of items that you will need (some you never thought about!)