I have been super busy getting ready for the craft show. The stretchy bracelets are really coming along and I have about 40 necklaces completed. I am waiting for a delivery of materials to start on earrings. The delivery is scheduled for Thursday and I am pumped for it.
I called today and got a tax ID for collecting sales tax in my state as this is required. I've also been studying and making some plans for my booth. So far, it looks like I will keep the display simple for this show due to the shortened time frame. I also placed an order for 200 business cards.
I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of things that need to be taken care of for the craft show, but I am covering the high points for sure.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
So I signed up for craft show...
Yup, you read the title correctly. I signed up for a craft show or an art show, whichever you want to call it. It's on the 4th of July in the small town I live in. It's only $35 for a booth, so I figured to give it a shot. This is really pushing me to make some big leaps on my business. So far, I've only tried to sell things online and it's mostly been what my mother would call "half-assed", meaning I haven't done nearly as much as I could.
While the show scares me, it's also very exciting. I ordered a lot more mats, which means I'm out a good bit of money. As the old saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. Even if the show is a bust, the money I spent on materials is not a complete loss since I'll still have tons of materials and finished products.
My distribution plan for the show is something along these lines :
75 necklaces
25 bracelets
25 pairs of earrings
125 stretchy bracelets (These are going to be made from very long strands of different colored glass chips that I've had for a couple of years, but never used). I plan to sell them for $1 each. This help clears out some stock I have no other use for.
I am going to keep taking pictures of items to add to my portfolio if they do sell or to add to my Etsy shop if they don't.
On another note, promoting on Facebook is going well. The Craft Show has sent tons of new likes my way. While none of this has led to a sale, it has caused increased traffic at my store. Yay!
That's all for now. I'm exhausted. And waiting, impatiently, for new materials to arrive to keep myself busy.
While the show scares me, it's also very exciting. I ordered a lot more mats, which means I'm out a good bit of money. As the old saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. Even if the show is a bust, the money I spent on materials is not a complete loss since I'll still have tons of materials and finished products.
My distribution plan for the show is something along these lines :
75 necklaces
25 bracelets
25 pairs of earrings
125 stretchy bracelets (These are going to be made from very long strands of different colored glass chips that I've had for a couple of years, but never used). I plan to sell them for $1 each. This help clears out some stock I have no other use for.
I am going to keep taking pictures of items to add to my portfolio if they do sell or to add to my Etsy shop if they don't.
On another note, promoting on Facebook is going well. The Craft Show has sent tons of new likes my way. While none of this has led to a sale, it has caused increased traffic at my store. Yay!
That's all for now. I'm exhausted. And waiting, impatiently, for new materials to arrive to keep myself busy.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Inspiration
I see lots of people who talk about being inspired by nature or architecture or music or whatever. And I always wonder if that's really the truth. My inspiration never comes from something so cool. I find beads and such that I like, then I make something that I think is pretty. Does this mean that I'm not really an artist? Does it make me less of a designer or artisan?
I don't think so. I think as long as the final product is something that is attractive to at least one person, that the purpose has been served. I think this is true of all forms of art. The old saying goes "Beauty is in the eye of beholder". I may not like everything everyone makes, but I appreciate the skill that goes into making any object.
I guess I got sidetracked away from talking about inspiration. What inspires you? Do you make items based on inspiration? Or do you just make what you think looks good?
I don't think so. I think as long as the final product is something that is attractive to at least one person, that the purpose has been served. I think this is true of all forms of art. The old saying goes "Beauty is in the eye of beholder". I may not like everything everyone makes, but I appreciate the skill that goes into making any object.
I guess I got sidetracked away from talking about inspiration. What inspires you? Do you make items based on inspiration? Or do you just make what you think looks good?
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