Beginning of craft season in Minnesota
By 2004cqui
@2004cqui (2812)
United States
April 10, 2013 8:53am CST
Another summer is coming up which means the beginning of my craft season shows! I won't have much time to come in here again for about 6 months. I spent the winter making as many candles as possible and researching for more shows and components for my candles. Mission accomplished. Luckily we have a place up north in tourist country where I can sell my candles. I'm very nervous about having an introduction show and two craft shows within 3 months! This is my first season and all I can do right now is be as organized as possible so I'm packing boxes now and then making a list of all the candles I'm bringing to the first show!
Do you have any suggestions on preparing for selling your crafts if you do sell crafts?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
12 Apr 13
I have not done any craft fairs yet because I am just starting to do crafts. I am attending a big craft fair this weekend in Las Vegas and am looking forward to it. I make jewelry and am learning how to sew and quilt. I am also looking to creating an online store later on this month and hope that this will help generate some income. I love to see the creativity others have and also love it when people have business cards.
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
12 Apr 13
This is wonderful! Just remember it takes 3 to 5 years for a business to start earning a profit! Remember to price your products to replace your inventory as it's sold, pays you for your labor and what ever you use to produce your craft! You want your business to pay for itself at the very least.
There is a lot of resources online to help guide you to success. I highly recommend becoming an LLC in the next two months. That will not only protect your personal finances but helps you to stay away from identity theft and makes your company more credible!
Remember, we crafters are not in competition with each other a we all have our own ceativity ideas, resources and eventually a repeat customer base!
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
11 Apr 13
At the doctors office I looked at Oprah's magazine. Everything she no longer wanted in her house had a picture taken of it and put on the box it was stored in. That's the way I'm storing my stuff. After customer service became corporate controlled and often sent to India I left and started my own business. I love people and can help them better than any company or India can! I'm so excited I could burst!
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
11 Apr 13
I haven't sold crafts, so I fear that I haven't much advice on the matter.
I do love to go to arts festivals and crafts fairs, though. What draws me to a booth is a nice display and if the person/people at the booth seem to be friendly and accessible. I also tend to pick up a business card even if I don't buy something; then, I can keep the crafts person in mind for the future.
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
11 Apr 13
Thank you for responding! This is what I'm counting on. I'm buying two directors chairs and Oak display case in May, become an LLC in June and Attend my first craft show in July!
I've been in customer service for 35 years in the financial field. Customer service over the last few years has changed drastically. Companies think they can do it better than someone who's experience in the field. They've made service cold and impersonal. I love helping people so this is what I do for a living! I love it.
