Here is my Prim Talk Radio Segment for Friday August 10th. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
How to Beat Those Crafting Slumps, by Heather Burton-Monahan
Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims. Thanks for joining us here at Prim Talk Radio this week. My segment this week is how to beat those crafting slumps. I hope you enjoy some of these tips that have worked for me when I’ve hit those nasty crafting doldrums.
We’ve all been in that dreaded place at one point in time or another. You have all of a sudden hit the biggest road block known to man. The crafting slump, doldrum, rut, or burn out. We lack inspiration. Have no spark left in us. The get up and go has got up and left! If you are in the crafting business, this slump usually means lack of sales. And lack of sales means no money coming in , which in turn makes us feel a little more depressed, and thus forces us into a further slump. But have no fear, for I’m here to brighten your day and get you out of that rut and back into crafting up a storm.
One way to get out of your little slump is to simply ride it out. Often we just need a little break from the creativity and crafting and taking a little breather and letting our slump take over for a bit will help. Sometimes that will work for me but most of the time, the lack of sales and money coming in, spurs me onto other sources of inspiration.
I like to look to other sources for inspiration when I’ve reached my wits end. A good source for me is visiting a craft show. There’s no better place to feel so alive again than visiting a craft show and seeing all the wonderful handmade items on display for sale. Usually, I feel so alive and creative after visiting a show, I will come home and jot down notes, take some sketches and get to crafting.
If craft shows aren’t your cup of tea, sometimes I find walking the aisles of the local arts and crafts store will help inspire me. Seeing the stores change their stock with the season, you can pick up a crafting kit or two and work on them at your own pace. Most times the stores offer a simple craft class on a Saturday. Don’t be afraid, sign up and see what new creation you can make. For example, you might never have known that you had a love for scrap booking if you didn’t take a class. Also taking the class helps you socialize with other crafty ladies and while crafting you can mingle and bounce ideas off of one another. Also check your local municipal rec center. They usually offer some simple craft classes for a few dollars. This class will get you up and out of the house, away from the kids and hubby and interacting with other ladies while crafting at the same time.
While at the local arts and craft store, search out a bargain bin sale and pick up a few crafting items that you’ve never used before. Seeing they are at a discounted price, you won’t be spending a lot of money and it will give you some boost of creativity wondering what you can make with these new found crafting items. Or wander down an aisle that you’ve never been down before and maybe find a kit or pattern to try.
When worse comes to worse, surf the internet. Look for some new patterns or kits to try out. Many designers offer a free pattern or two. Give them a whirl. You just never know if you like that project unless you try it. You might find that you really enjoyed that free pattern and will go back and purchase a pattern or two from the designer and give them a whirl too. The internet is a wonderful place to find inspiration. You can search any craft and find something within seconds to boost your creativity.
Most times we tend to forget why we love crafting in the first place. Go for a walk in the park and think of what has drawn you to crafting. Maybe it was the first rag doll or ornie that made you so inspired. While walking think of all the different holidays, special occasions and what not. Make yourself a little challenge. What new ornie can you make for Easter or Valentine’s Day. I find when I’m exercising is when I get the most creative thoughts. I don’t know what it is, but I tend to think more while exercising and my thoughts seem to run amuck with crafting ideas. Not only does it give you creative thoughts but you get a good healthy work out at the same time. When I used to have the daycare in our home, I’d take a notebook and pencil with me when I’d take the children to the park. Watching children play and listening to their little imaginations would also inspire me for some of my rag doll patterns. Jotting down a few notes in the notebook and saving them for later helped me through a few crafting slumps.
Create a journal of wonderful memories and inspirational poems. When you find you don’t have the effort to create, pull out your journal and read a few pages. Maybe it was a funny family story you remember or a lovely poem that you love. Finding a few moments of quiet time to reflect will help lift those doldrums.
Often I find looking through pages of crafting magazines will help inspire me back to crafting. My husband cringes every time a new crafting magazine enters the house. He knows that it will never be thrown out but put in the closet with all the other hundreds of crafting magazines in there. Flipping through the pages of current and past issues gives me a rush of creativity. I can’t explain it really. It gives me such a rush of energy and usually it’s the boost that helps me back on my toes and back to the sewing machine in no time flat. Most of the magazines offer free patterns too. A bonus, for right there at your finger tips is a new craft that you can do. Most of us have supplies readily available or we might even be able to incorporate some of those bargain craft supplies into our new free project.
If all else fails, look at the calendar and count down the days to your next craft show, or the next holiday. Working on a deadline might snap you out of that rut. Just the other day I was looking at my calendar and noticed, my first show of the season starts in just 7 weeks. That night I sat and sketched out some new patterns, put three dolls to muslin and started sewing the following morning. In just a few short days, two dolls completed and more on the go.
Remember which ever of these methods you try, don’t get discouraged. If you need a week or two in a crafting slump, that’s okay. Eventually, you will find your crafting mojo as I call it and will be back on your game in no time.
I hope that some of these suggestions will be helpful to you the next time you fall into that crafting slump. Feel free to stop by my website, Cotton Picken Prims (www.cottonpickenprims.com) for I offer free patterns for you to try. This month I added my simple, easy to make Pink Ribbon Ornie E-Pattern. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and what better way to get a head start on spreading awareness for this disease but to make a few ornies to share with your friends. The pattern is free, so drop on by and request one today. Join me next week on Prim Talk Radio when I’ll be giving some helpful tips on sewing rag dolls and ornies. Till next week, have a great week everyone.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
The "I Can Make That!" Shopper
Hi everyone, here is my segment from the Prim Talk Radio podcast from Friday Aug 3/07. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to post to me. :D
HEATHER
HEATHER
The “I Can Make That!” Shopper, by Heather Burton-Monahan of Cotton Picken Prims
Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims.com. On this week’s segment, I will be talking about how to turn that “I can make that!” shopper into a buyer. It will be a shorter segment this week and I’ve been out of town this week but I do hope you find some helpful suggestions and tips.
You work long hours, putting in long weary days creating wonderful wares to sell and all that time and effort is robbed of you with 4 words. That particular shopper is out there at every show, waiting to make her move. Us crafters cringe at the thought of it being our booth she preys on that day. Yep you guessed it, that craft show patron who walks up to one of your crafted creations and blatantly yells out to her friend standing right next to her…”I can make that!” You feel your heart skip a beat and then the anger and hurt sets in. Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes. The first few craft shows I participated in I would hear that once or twice and it would just make me so upset that I almost gave up crafting and selling my wares all together. I used to be so glad when that person would walk out of my booth and move on, but then I thought wait a minute, maybe I can turn that negativity into a winning solution with a slight turn of the table.
So what would a skilled crafter say to a person who says those wonderful 4 words? Well, my standard reply is “yes, but will you have the time to make the item?” Usually, that is answered with an embarrassed look on the person’s face, that yes, I the crafter do have excellent hearing and heard you make the remark to your friend. Then the shopper usually replies, well, I guess I could find the time as it can’t be that difficult to make that? This is where I will briefly run through how much time and materials cost the item will take to make. Then the shopper is usually faced with sticker shock, for here in
She likes the idea, oh I can have one made in a colour I like and it saves me from having to make one? Sure, no problem I beam, and then out comes my notebook and I jot down the request and take a deposit. Now that finicky shopper is happy for she doesn’t have to make the item and has it in the colour she would prefer and I’m happy for I’ve sold an item.
There are many ways you can deter these types of shoppers. One way is to have a little demo going in your booth so that they can see just how much time and effort goes into making the item that they like. Another way is to have some of your supplies with you and be working on an item when traffic is slow. A small stitchery is perfect as you can put it down when you have customers enter your booth and easily pick it back up once your traffic slows down again. Keeps you busy during the slow periods of the show and in return you have another item to put in your booth to sell and it didn’t take any extra time away from family time.
Another way to turn that “I can do that” shopper into a buyer is to offer kits. This is perfect for those shoppers that are serious about making your item. You can easily put kits together and offer them for sale. A win win situation for you booth. That shopper gets her crafting project she wants to do and you receive a sale by selling her the kit to accomplish her goal.
As I mentioned, in
The “I can make that” shopper is not only a potential customer but also a fellow craft enthusiast. She probably didn’t realize her comment was interpreted as rude more so than some one who admires your hard work. Make use of this, by pointing out your high quality work, your time and hard labour that went into making your item. Sometimes we tend to assume that this type of customer recognizes all our efforts in making our wares or even that we made each item ourselves. Yes, it’s surprisingly how many times during a show I’m asked “did you make all these lovely items yourself?” I always reply with a broad smile, “why yes I did!”
It may not be easy, especially when you are tired and exhausted near the end of the craft show day to tolerate a customer like this. If you put on a brave front and offer a few of these tips I’ve given today, I can promise you that your heart will not sink and you will be prepared to offer the customer something to fit her needs. She’s happy with her purchase and your happy with the sale.
I hope I’ve given you some helpful hints on how to deal with these types of shoppers. I hope you will visit Prim Talk Radio next week, where I will be offering helpful tips and tricks on how to get yourself out of that Crafting Slump! Be sure to visit my website Cotton Picken Prims at www.cottonpickenprims.com . I’ve extended my pattern sale, buy 2 get one FREE. Till next week everyone, stay safe and have fun!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
How to get your booth ready part 2
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the delay in posting my segment from last week's Prim Talk Radio show. My grandfather took ill and was hospitalized and died on July 26th, so it's been a sad couple of weeks.
This blog is Part 2 of the first segment on how to get your Craft Show booth ready for the craft shows. I hope you find it resourceful!
Thanks,
HEATHER
http://www.cottonpickenprims.com
Getting your booth ready for Fall Craft Shows Part 2
By Heather Burton-Monahan of Cotton Picken Prims
Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims. This week I’ll be adding part 2 to my segment, Getting your booth ready for the Fall Craft shows. This week’s segment will be a little shorter as I have a grandfather whose health is failing and I must leave for a few days to go and visit him in the hospital. I have helpful tips and suggestions so get your paper and pens ready!
Last week I touched upon booth presentation, lighting, product displays, traffic flow and good manner skills for setting up your booth. This week, I’d like to expand on some of these areas and give some other helpful suggestions.
Product displays. Last week I mentioned some helpful points to product displays. This week I’d like to go into a little more detail. For your product displays, most of us will have some tables or shelving set up to display our wares on. Cover your tables with some sort of fabric, whether it be some homespun fabric, table cloths or bedsheets. Yes, you heard me right, bed sheets. I prefer simple bed sheets as they are the perfect size to cover the table lengthwise, widthwise and they are inexpensive and can easily be washed, dried, ironed and folded for the next show in no time flat. I’ll also add a little colour to my table by adding a smaller square sized piece of cloth on a diagonal in the middle of the table. Make sure you have finished sewn edges on your table draping as you want it to look professional. Also when I cover my table I like to have the front covered right down to the floor. This way no one can see my electrical cords or empty packing boxes stored in underneath the table. I like to stick with a basic white or off white coloured sheet and use contrasting colour fabrics for accent colours. I’ve noticed over the years that white makes the products stand out easier. Darker colours tend to make my products blend in and not stand out as much. Change your accent fabrics with the season, like white and red for Christmas type shows, pastels for spring and bold burgundy and purples or oranges for fall. I also like to use crates in my display as well. I was lucky in that my hubby was kind enough to make me some. I painted my crates in a burgundy colour to help with my accenting colours. I also have old crates that are time worned and those are mixed in amongst the rest. Like I mentioned last week, tinker with your displays in the yard or in a room of your house and see what works best for you. Each summer I tend to work under our pergola in our backyard as the deck is a perfect 8x8 foot size. Perfect for setting up my booth and seeing if the traffic pattern works, if the displays are inviting, and I move and switch things around until I find the booth setup that works the best. Then I’ll take down notes, sketches or will take a few pictures to help when it comes show time. Neighbours snicker but they know that I’m a professional crafter who takes her craft show business seriously. Your customers will see the same results if you take the time and effort to do the same with your booth.
Lighting. Last week I mentioned lighting. Don’t be afraid of lighting. I find it attracts more and more to my booth. After Christmas sales are a perfect time to pick up a set of clear mini lights. Drape them in amongst some garland and attach that to your display area for holiday shows. Or purchase some pip berry garland and mingle your mini lights in with the pip berries. It’s all about attracting the customer’s attention to you and your products. I found that once I added some lighting to my booth display, more and more were interested in coming in and seeing what my booth was all about. As I mentioned last week, if you have products that light up, then put them on display lit, so the customers can see what they are and how they work. Make sure that if you are going to use lighting that your extension cords are either hidden or are securely fastened to the floor as you don’t want customer’s to trip over them and fall or injure themselves. Adding a few power bars to help with adding extension cords throughout the booth will help too. Make sure to purchase approved extension cords and power bars. Stay away from the cheaper dollar store type electrical items as sometimes they are not government approved.
One thing I didn’t get to touch on last week was giving your customers a pleasant shopping experience. I tend to go the extra mile for my customers. I found over the years if you add a freebie in your booth, you attract customers like flies to honey. One trick I’ve found to work over the years is putting a little bowl of wrapped candy at the entrance of my booth. It attracts the kids and then mom can’t help but to come on in and browse through the booth. At the same time, the kids are munching on their candy and leaving your display alone so mom can actually take some time to look over your wares. Once I started to do that, I noticed my “Mom with kids” sales increased. Before mom would have a child that was acting up for he or she didn’t want to be at the craft show let alone be dragged into every booth going. So mom would quickly glance and move on and you could just tell with the expression on her face that she was interested but didn’t want to have a child pulling a temper tantrum the moment she stepped in the booth to search out her treasures. So a trip to the bulk food place for some wrapped candy is well worth the trip for mom’s with kids shopping the craft show.
I also don’t like to use recycled plastic grocery bags for customer’s purchases. Sure those are cheaper and help the bottom line, but I’ve gotten more compliments and repeat shoppers with using paper shopping bags with handles. I simply go to my computer and print out labels with my business name and contact info and I stick those onto the side of the paper bag. I also grabbed some tissue paper from the dollar store and when a customer makes a purchase, it’s a little tissue in the bag, then the item and a little tissue on top. Customers really love the personal touch added to the shopping experience.
One other little thing I like to do, is I go out and purchase a few boxes of microwave popcorn. I bring them home and with my computer and some card stock I print out a nice little popcorn wrapper that says Thank you for shopping at Cotton Picken Prims, we hope you will visit us again. Then I put my contact info on there. Cut the wrapper to size and wrap it around the microwave popcorn packet and simply tape the ends. When a customer makes a purchase, I slip one of these into the bag with their purchase and a free little surprise when they get home and open their shopping bag. I’ve had numerous customers contact me and say what a wonderful surprise it was when they opened their shopping bag and found a little thank you pack of microwave popcorn in there.
I also wanted to mention having a little cash register or steal lockable money box with you too at your show. Many times I see crafters with plastic containers and money just tossed in there or sometimes I’ve even seen crafters standing there with bills in their hands and change in their pockets. When they make a sale, they have to go through everything and make change. I have a steel money box and inside is plenty of change for a float, a pen, notepad, a receipt book and a calculator for calculating taxes or change. I also toss in there my vendor’s permit, for sometimes they will ask to see that, and a name tag in a name tag holder. Then at the end of the show, I just toss my name tag back in the box and it’s ready for the next show.
One more item I want to mention is professional looking business cards. I do mine up on my computer. I find it less expensive and they look just as great as if I went to the printers and had them done professionally. I purchased a few card holders at Staples for a couple of dollars and I place my business cards through out my display as well as put one at my check out area. This way customers can pick up your business card at their leisure.
Remember to look professional and happy to be at the craft show. Greet your customers with an uplifting tempo and they will enjoy their shopping experience with you. I try not to sit in my booth and tend to wander around greeting customers, fixing displays, answering questions and what not. When the crowd thins out, then I’ll sit for a second and rest my legs. I also try not to have my lunch while customers are in my booth. I’m lucky in that I usually have my hubby with me, so he watches the booth while I slip out and grab my lunch at a bench or something. I know this is difficult to do if you are by yourself. Still try to be considerate if you have to eat with customers. Always carry a breath mint or two as well.
Well, that’s my segment for this week. I hope you have enjoyed it. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at Cotton Picken Prims. You can find us on the web at www.cottonpickenprims.com . Next week, I’ll be giving helpful hints on how to deal with that shopper that looks at an item and says to her friend, “ I can make that!”. Till next week, have a great week everyone!
Sorry for the delay in posting my segment from last week's Prim Talk Radio show. My grandfather took ill and was hospitalized and died on July 26th, so it's been a sad couple of weeks.
This blog is Part 2 of the first segment on how to get your Craft Show booth ready for the craft shows. I hope you find it resourceful!
Thanks,
HEATHER
http://www.cottonpickenprims.com
Getting your booth ready for Fall Craft Shows Part 2
By Heather Burton-Monahan of Cotton Picken Prims
Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims. This week I’ll be adding part 2 to my segment, Getting your booth ready for the Fall Craft shows. This week’s segment will be a little shorter as I have a grandfather whose health is failing and I must leave for a few days to go and visit him in the hospital. I have helpful tips and suggestions so get your paper and pens ready!
Last week I touched upon booth presentation, lighting, product displays, traffic flow and good manner skills for setting up your booth. This week, I’d like to expand on some of these areas and give some other helpful suggestions.
Product displays. Last week I mentioned some helpful points to product displays. This week I’d like to go into a little more detail. For your product displays, most of us will have some tables or shelving set up to display our wares on. Cover your tables with some sort of fabric, whether it be some homespun fabric, table cloths or bedsheets. Yes, you heard me right, bed sheets. I prefer simple bed sheets as they are the perfect size to cover the table lengthwise, widthwise and they are inexpensive and can easily be washed, dried, ironed and folded for the next show in no time flat. I’ll also add a little colour to my table by adding a smaller square sized piece of cloth on a diagonal in the middle of the table. Make sure you have finished sewn edges on your table draping as you want it to look professional. Also when I cover my table I like to have the front covered right down to the floor. This way no one can see my electrical cords or empty packing boxes stored in underneath the table. I like to stick with a basic white or off white coloured sheet and use contrasting colour fabrics for accent colours. I’ve noticed over the years that white makes the products stand out easier. Darker colours tend to make my products blend in and not stand out as much. Change your accent fabrics with the season, like white and red for Christmas type shows, pastels for spring and bold burgundy and purples or oranges for fall. I also like to use crates in my display as well. I was lucky in that my hubby was kind enough to make me some. I painted my crates in a burgundy colour to help with my accenting colours. I also have old crates that are time worned and those are mixed in amongst the rest. Like I mentioned last week, tinker with your displays in the yard or in a room of your house and see what works best for you. Each summer I tend to work under our pergola in our backyard as the deck is a perfect 8x8 foot size. Perfect for setting up my booth and seeing if the traffic pattern works, if the displays are inviting, and I move and switch things around until I find the booth setup that works the best. Then I’ll take down notes, sketches or will take a few pictures to help when it comes show time. Neighbours snicker but they know that I’m a professional crafter who takes her craft show business seriously. Your customers will see the same results if you take the time and effort to do the same with your booth.
Lighting. Last week I mentioned lighting. Don’t be afraid of lighting. I find it attracts more and more to my booth. After Christmas sales are a perfect time to pick up a set of clear mini lights. Drape them in amongst some garland and attach that to your display area for holiday shows. Or purchase some pip berry garland and mingle your mini lights in with the pip berries. It’s all about attracting the customer’s attention to you and your products. I found that once I added some lighting to my booth display, more and more were interested in coming in and seeing what my booth was all about. As I mentioned last week, if you have products that light up, then put them on display lit, so the customers can see what they are and how they work. Make sure that if you are going to use lighting that your extension cords are either hidden or are securely fastened to the floor as you don’t want customer’s to trip over them and fall or injure themselves. Adding a few power bars to help with adding extension cords throughout the booth will help too. Make sure to purchase approved extension cords and power bars. Stay away from the cheaper dollar store type electrical items as sometimes they are not government approved.
One thing I didn’t get to touch on last week was giving your customers a pleasant shopping experience. I tend to go the extra mile for my customers. I found over the years if you add a freebie in your booth, you attract customers like flies to honey. One trick I’ve found to work over the years is putting a little bowl of wrapped candy at the entrance of my booth. It attracts the kids and then mom can’t help but to come on in and browse through the booth. At the same time, the kids are munching on their candy and leaving your display alone so mom can actually take some time to look over your wares. Once I started to do that, I noticed my “Mom with kids” sales increased. Before mom would have a child that was acting up for he or she didn’t want to be at the craft show let alone be dragged into every booth going. So mom would quickly glance and move on and you could just tell with the expression on her face that she was interested but didn’t want to have a child pulling a temper tantrum the moment she stepped in the booth to search out her treasures. So a trip to the bulk food place for some wrapped candy is well worth the trip for mom’s with kids shopping the craft show.
I also don’t like to use recycled plastic grocery bags for customer’s purchases. Sure those are cheaper and help the bottom line, but I’ve gotten more compliments and repeat shoppers with using paper shopping bags with handles. I simply go to my computer and print out labels with my business name and contact info and I stick those onto the side of the paper bag. I also grabbed some tissue paper from the dollar store and when a customer makes a purchase, it’s a little tissue in the bag, then the item and a little tissue on top. Customers really love the personal touch added to the shopping experience.
One other little thing I like to do, is I go out and purchase a few boxes of microwave popcorn. I bring them home and with my computer and some card stock I print out a nice little popcorn wrapper that says Thank you for shopping at Cotton Picken Prims, we hope you will visit us again. Then I put my contact info on there. Cut the wrapper to size and wrap it around the microwave popcorn packet and simply tape the ends. When a customer makes a purchase, I slip one of these into the bag with their purchase and a free little surprise when they get home and open their shopping bag. I’ve had numerous customers contact me and say what a wonderful surprise it was when they opened their shopping bag and found a little thank you pack of microwave popcorn in there.
I also wanted to mention having a little cash register or steal lockable money box with you too at your show. Many times I see crafters with plastic containers and money just tossed in there or sometimes I’ve even seen crafters standing there with bills in their hands and change in their pockets. When they make a sale, they have to go through everything and make change. I have a steel money box and inside is plenty of change for a float, a pen, notepad, a receipt book and a calculator for calculating taxes or change. I also toss in there my vendor’s permit, for sometimes they will ask to see that, and a name tag in a name tag holder. Then at the end of the show, I just toss my name tag back in the box and it’s ready for the next show.
One more item I want to mention is professional looking business cards. I do mine up on my computer. I find it less expensive and they look just as great as if I went to the printers and had them done professionally. I purchased a few card holders at Staples for a couple of dollars and I place my business cards through out my display as well as put one at my check out area. This way customers can pick up your business card at their leisure.
Remember to look professional and happy to be at the craft show. Greet your customers with an uplifting tempo and they will enjoy their shopping experience with you. I try not to sit in my booth and tend to wander around greeting customers, fixing displays, answering questions and what not. When the crowd thins out, then I’ll sit for a second and rest my legs. I also try not to have my lunch while customers are in my booth. I’m lucky in that I usually have my hubby with me, so he watches the booth while I slip out and grab my lunch at a bench or something. I know this is difficult to do if you are by yourself. Still try to be considerate if you have to eat with customers. Always carry a breath mint or two as well.
Well, that’s my segment for this week. I hope you have enjoyed it. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at Cotton Picken Prims. You can find us on the web at www.cottonpickenprims.com . Next week, I’ll be giving helpful hints on how to deal with that shopper that looks at an item and says to her friend, “ I can make that!”. Till next week, have a great week everyone!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Getting your booth ready for the Craft Show Season
Hi everyone,
GETTING YOUR BOOTH READY FOR THE UPCOMING CRAFT SHOW SEASON
by Heather of Cotton Picken Prims
Hi everyone! I’m Heather, owner of Cotton Picken Prims.com (www.cottonpickenprims.com) I’m so happy to be a new addition to the Prim Talk Radio staff.
With all the heat and humidity we’ve been experiencing lately, its hard to think about the busy fall craft show season fast approaching. I know I have been filling out my applications and reserving my spots already.
This week I’d like to give some helpful tips on your craft show booth setups.
Your craft show booth is one of the your most important marketing tools in selling your wares. It’s what gives people their first impression of you and your crafts. You must find a way in just a few short seconds, to get the attention of a potential customer and draw them into your booth instead of passing you by.
When thinking of your craft show booth set up you must decide what will draw your customer’s attention to you.
First item I suggest is a sign with your company name displayed at the entrance of your booth. I have a 1x6 board painted and stenciled with my company name on it and on the back of it, I had my hubby attach a few closed hooks for hanging. I have a popup style tent display I use and I attach the sign to that with good old pipe cleaners. It is up high enough so everyone sees it but no one bumps their heads on it.
Signs for prices are also important too. I tend not to purchase in a booth if I have to continuously ask, how much is this or how much is that. Most of us have a computer and some sort of Print Shop type software. Take some card stock and design a nice looking price tag for your items. Usually, I’ll add a cute little graphic on the front with a spot for a price to be added in on the bottom. On the back I put my contact information. I make sure that my contact information does not print on the back side of the price part just in case my item is a gift and the customer wants to cut off the price section before giving it.
Be careful with your signage. Make them concise, easy to read and understand. Always check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Avoid hand written signs if you can. Be creative with computer software, rubber stamps, stencils, etc.
When planning out your booth plan for easy traffic flow. You want your customers to enter and walk through your booth in a simple and easy flow pattern. It’s always wise to have an enter and exit type design to your booth. If people cannot easily flow through your booth, they will move on. Remember to plan for baby strollers, walkers and wheelchairs. You’d hate for someone to get caught up in your display and it comes crashing down like a house of cards. Always try to place your checkout at the exit of your display as it saves confusion and disruption with traffic flow. I like a simple U shape plan.
Show how your craft is used. We know what our products are used for because we make them. Sometimes it’s not so easily understood by others. For example, let’s say you make glass jar lights. Light a couple up so your visitors see what they are and how they work. If you make soaps or lotions have samples on display so your customers can feel and smell the great product you make. I don’t recommend if you make candles lighting one as that has a potential safety issue, but if you make wax dipped critters, have one open on display for customers to feel and smell.
Displays with themes help your customers visualize where they can place your product in their home or garden. Seasonal displays allow you to change with the seasons. You can also center your display around home décor settings. For example if you sew primitive dolls, you can display a few dolls in a small child’s chair or a small wagon. Remember to display your products at various heights too. Don’t be afraid to experiment, even if you have to tinker with your display in your backyard, taking notes, sketches and pictures as you go along. This will come in handy for reference when show time rolls around and you are setting up your booth. Make a little scrapbook and bring that with you on your booth set up. Be careful your products don’t get lost in your displays. Always make sure that what’s for sale is clearly marked.
Lighting, an important selling feature for your booth and product displays. I’ve found over the years people are attracted to three things, lights, smells and free items! I’m not suggesting you be lit up like the strip in Las Vegas but adding some lighting to your display will help you and your products stand out above the rest. Booths selling jewelry are usually set up with bright lighting so that everything glimmers and sparkles. Bath and Body displays usually are set up with a softer light to create a feeling of soothing and relaxation. There are all sorts of lights available nowadays. Clip on lights, can be used to direct attention to a particular product or display. Rope or Flourescent lighting are perfect for shelving or display cases. Rope lighting or Neon lighting can even be used as props in your display. Try to avoid shadows with your lighting. Again don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting and your booth set up.
A well organized and clean booth and product displays suggest to your customers that you care about your products. A good booth set up shows that you have taken the time to prepare for the show as well as your customers. Make sure your display is well stocked but not too cluttered. Sometimes cluttered can look messy. If you have too many bare spots, customers may think you don’t have much stock left and will move on. Although, having bare spots left in your displays at the end of a craft show means you’ve had a successful day selling your wares. Make sure to label your packing boxes so you can easily find your stock if you need to replenish displays or if a customer is looking for a specific size or colour.
And last but not least, make sure you are well groomed and dressed for you booth. Wear a name tag, greet your customers with a warm smile and a welcoming hello upon their entering your booth and a have a great day upon their exiting. Remember to say Thank you when handing over a customer’s purchase to them. You want them to have a nice experience visiting your booth. If you take the time to plan and organize your booth set up, I can guarantee you will have plenty of sales and many repeat customers from year to year.
I hope you have enjoyed these helpful tips and tricks on your craft show booth setup and displays. If you have any questions or suggestions, please stop by my website, Cotton Picken Prims.com (www.cottonpickenprims.com) and click on the contact us button. Be sure to check out my Christmas in July special. Buy 2 patterns receive one free. Plus there are free doodles and patterns listed as well.
Be sure to visit Prim Talk Radio next week, when I’ll be giving more tips and tricks to a successful craft show season. Till next week, have a great week everyone!
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I'm a new member of the Prim Talk Radio show. I thought it would be great to post my segment here for you to read over and jot down notes from. Here's my segment from today's show. If you have any questions or comments please, feel free to contact me.
Enjoy!
HEATHER
GETTING YOUR BOOTH READY FOR THE UPCOMING CRAFT SHOW SEASON
by Heather of Cotton Picken Prims
Hi everyone! I’m Heather, owner of Cotton Picken Prims.com (www.cottonpickenprims.com) I’m so happy to be a new addition to the Prim Talk Radio staff.
With all the heat and humidity we’ve been experiencing lately, its hard to think about the busy fall craft show season fast approaching. I know I have been filling out my applications and reserving my spots already.
This week I’d like to give some helpful tips on your craft show booth setups.
Your craft show booth is one of the your most important marketing tools in selling your wares. It’s what gives people their first impression of you and your crafts. You must find a way in just a few short seconds, to get the attention of a potential customer and draw them into your booth instead of passing you by.
When thinking of your craft show booth set up you must decide what will draw your customer’s attention to you.
First item I suggest is a sign with your company name displayed at the entrance of your booth. I have a 1x6 board painted and stenciled with my company name on it and on the back of it, I had my hubby attach a few closed hooks for hanging. I have a popup style tent display I use and I attach the sign to that with good old pipe cleaners. It is up high enough so everyone sees it but no one bumps their heads on it.
Signs for prices are also important too. I tend not to purchase in a booth if I have to continuously ask, how much is this or how much is that. Most of us have a computer and some sort of Print Shop type software. Take some card stock and design a nice looking price tag for your items. Usually, I’ll add a cute little graphic on the front with a spot for a price to be added in on the bottom. On the back I put my contact information. I make sure that my contact information does not print on the back side of the price part just in case my item is a gift and the customer wants to cut off the price section before giving it.
Be careful with your signage. Make them concise, easy to read and understand. Always check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Avoid hand written signs if you can. Be creative with computer software, rubber stamps, stencils, etc.
When planning out your booth plan for easy traffic flow. You want your customers to enter and walk through your booth in a simple and easy flow pattern. It’s always wise to have an enter and exit type design to your booth. If people cannot easily flow through your booth, they will move on. Remember to plan for baby strollers, walkers and wheelchairs. You’d hate for someone to get caught up in your display and it comes crashing down like a house of cards. Always try to place your checkout at the exit of your display as it saves confusion and disruption with traffic flow. I like a simple U shape plan.
Show how your craft is used. We know what our products are used for because we make them. Sometimes it’s not so easily understood by others. For example, let’s say you make glass jar lights. Light a couple up so your visitors see what they are and how they work. If you make soaps or lotions have samples on display so your customers can feel and smell the great product you make. I don’t recommend if you make candles lighting one as that has a potential safety issue, but if you make wax dipped critters, have one open on display for customers to feel and smell.
Displays with themes help your customers visualize where they can place your product in their home or garden. Seasonal displays allow you to change with the seasons. You can also center your display around home décor settings. For example if you sew primitive dolls, you can display a few dolls in a small child’s chair or a small wagon. Remember to display your products at various heights too. Don’t be afraid to experiment, even if you have to tinker with your display in your backyard, taking notes, sketches and pictures as you go along. This will come in handy for reference when show time rolls around and you are setting up your booth. Make a little scrapbook and bring that with you on your booth set up. Be careful your products don’t get lost in your displays. Always make sure that what’s for sale is clearly marked.
Lighting, an important selling feature for your booth and product displays. I’ve found over the years people are attracted to three things, lights, smells and free items! I’m not suggesting you be lit up like the strip in Las Vegas but adding some lighting to your display will help you and your products stand out above the rest. Booths selling jewelry are usually set up with bright lighting so that everything glimmers and sparkles. Bath and Body displays usually are set up with a softer light to create a feeling of soothing and relaxation. There are all sorts of lights available nowadays. Clip on lights, can be used to direct attention to a particular product or display. Rope or Flourescent lighting are perfect for shelving or display cases. Rope lighting or Neon lighting can even be used as props in your display. Try to avoid shadows with your lighting. Again don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting and your booth set up.
A well organized and clean booth and product displays suggest to your customers that you care about your products. A good booth set up shows that you have taken the time to prepare for the show as well as your customers. Make sure your display is well stocked but not too cluttered. Sometimes cluttered can look messy. If you have too many bare spots, customers may think you don’t have much stock left and will move on. Although, having bare spots left in your displays at the end of a craft show means you’ve had a successful day selling your wares. Make sure to label your packing boxes so you can easily find your stock if you need to replenish displays or if a customer is looking for a specific size or colour.
And last but not least, make sure you are well groomed and dressed for you booth. Wear a name tag, greet your customers with a warm smile and a welcoming hello upon their entering your booth and a have a great day upon their exiting. Remember to say Thank you when handing over a customer’s purchase to them. You want them to have a nice experience visiting your booth. If you take the time to plan and organize your booth set up, I can guarantee you will have plenty of sales and many repeat customers from year to year.
I hope you have enjoyed these helpful tips and tricks on your craft show booth setup and displays. If you have any questions or suggestions, please stop by my website, Cotton Picken Prims.com (www.cottonpickenprims.com) and click on the contact us button. Be sure to check out my Christmas in July special. Buy 2 patterns receive one free. Plus there are free doodles and patterns listed as well.
Be sure to visit Prim Talk Radio next week, when I’ll be giving more tips and tricks to a successful craft show season. Till next week, have a great week everyone!
Monday, July 16, 2007
New Prim Talk Radio Staff Member
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share that I'm going to be a new staff member of the Prim Talk Radio starting with the Friday July 20th show. Check out this week when I give helpful suggestions on how to get your booth ready for the upcoming Fall craft show season.
Can't make the show, no worries, I'll be posting my segment here for ya to catch.
Be sure to stop on by Prim Talk Radio this week at http://www.primtalkradio.com
Have a great day! :D
HEATHER
I just wanted to share that I'm going to be a new staff member of the Prim Talk Radio starting with the Friday July 20th show. Check out this week when I give helpful suggestions on how to get your booth ready for the upcoming Fall craft show season.
Can't make the show, no worries, I'll be posting my segment here for ya to catch.
Be sure to stop on by Prim Talk Radio this week at http://www.primtalkradio.com
Have a great day! :D
HEATHER
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How do I sew a Doll's neck so I don't rip seam when stuffing?
Ah this is a question that I receive over and over. How do I sew a doll's neck without the seam ripping when I go to stuff it?
Well, there are a number of ways to rectify this problem.
One is use a small stitch on your sewing machine so the stitches are much closer together. This keeps the seam stitches closer together making them a little stronger.
Two is to use pinking shears when cutting out your doll body to avoid seams unravelling while you stuff. You can also use some water in a spray bottle and dampen the muslin as you stuff as well.
And Third, my most tried and true technique that I use on every dollie I make is the good old back and forth stitch on the neck area with the sewing machine. I use the smaller stitch and when I get to the neck area, I sew over it and then use the backstitch button and sew back over the seam again and then going forward again, run over it a third time. I've never had a ripped seam doing this option.
Remember to use a good strong thread while sewing too. The dollar store thread is more hassle than it's savings I tell ya. Also don't forget those hemostats while stuffing as well. They help to stuff that dollie big and full and saves on the hands too!
I hope these tips have helped you with your next dollie project! Till next time, keep reaching for the muslin and keep the wheel on that sewing machine turning! :D
This blog belongs to Heather Burton-Monahan, owner of Cotton Picken Prims. All sources, text, tips and tricks are not to be copied or resold.
Well, there are a number of ways to rectify this problem.
One is use a small stitch on your sewing machine so the stitches are much closer together. This keeps the seam stitches closer together making them a little stronger.
Two is to use pinking shears when cutting out your doll body to avoid seams unravelling while you stuff. You can also use some water in a spray bottle and dampen the muslin as you stuff as well.
And Third, my most tried and true technique that I use on every dollie I make is the good old back and forth stitch on the neck area with the sewing machine. I use the smaller stitch and when I get to the neck area, I sew over it and then use the backstitch button and sew back over the seam again and then going forward again, run over it a third time. I've never had a ripped seam doing this option.
Remember to use a good strong thread while sewing too. The dollar store thread is more hassle than it's savings I tell ya. Also don't forget those hemostats while stuffing as well. They help to stuff that dollie big and full and saves on the hands too!
I hope these tips have helped you with your next dollie project! Till next time, keep reaching for the muslin and keep the wheel on that sewing machine turning! :D
This blog belongs to Heather Burton-Monahan, owner of Cotton Picken Prims. All sources, text, tips and tricks are not to be copied or resold.
Welcome to my crafting blog
Hi, I'm Heather, owner of Cotton Picken Prims and welcome to my new blog! I hope you will enjoy the weekly tips and tricks of primitive crafting that I plan on blogging in this spot. Primitive crafting is the rage right now and most of these techniques I've learned either by trial or error or had a nice friend that shared them with me.
Please feel free to invite a friend or two to my blog as I'm sure they will enjoy it just as much too! All I ask is that you don't copy and paste my tips and techniques without my written consent. This is FREE and easy to visit each week, so please respect my copyrights please.
Feel free to visit my websites, Cotton Picken Prims http://www.cottonpickenprims.com which is an all Pattern website. I design my patterns and offer them for sale at this site. Each month I offer a new Doodle that is FREE to you, just for visiting.
Thank you for visiting today and hope you will join us for the weekly tip and trick that I will be sharing!
Have a Prim perfect day! :D
Heather
Please feel free to invite a friend or two to my blog as I'm sure they will enjoy it just as much too! All I ask is that you don't copy and paste my tips and techniques without my written consent. This is FREE and easy to visit each week, so please respect my copyrights please.
Feel free to visit my websites, Cotton Picken Prims http://www.cottonpickenprims.com which is an all Pattern website. I design my patterns and offer them for sale at this site. Each month I offer a new Doodle that is FREE to you, just for visiting.
Thank you for visiting today and hope you will join us for the weekly tip and trick that I will be sharing!
Have a Prim perfect day! :D
Heather
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