Handmade

Finding Arts and Crafts Festivals

It’s that time of year where many of us are thinking of taking our arts and crafts on the road. But how on earth do you find shows? In our experience, in a perfect world, we like to walk a prospective show before we apply/pay the booth fee to do it. But this isn’t always […]

It’s Just a Word!

Because of US Government regulations, my creations must all be labeled to include specific information. One of these pieces of information is location of manufacture. Most of you know that I recently moved and changed states in the process. Ever since I started doing this, my labels have simply included my zip code which satisfied […]

Conversation With A Customer

Sometimes, helping your customer “make it themselves” will help you make the sale! Customer: This is really nice! How much is this headband? Me: $15.00. Would you like to try it on? Customer: No – this looks really easy. Can I take a picture so that I can knit it myself? Me: Certainly – go […]

The Secret to Show Set-Up in a Jiffy
handmade display booth

Like most artists/craftsmen, many of us do festivals and shows as a way to create a market for our creations. Regardless of what it is that we display, be it our handmade talent or something bought while on a kitesurf cruise, the steps are the same for everyone; travel to location, check-in with organizer, unload, […]

Getting Through a Long Show Day

  With warmer months just ahead and calls going out to apply for in-person shows, it’s time to start thinking about how to take care of yourself during these very long days. Most crafters who do in-person shows and festivals have moving their business down to a science. It’s packed in no time at all, […]

Facing the Reality of Selling Online

I’ve written about the reality of selling online before, but the message bears repeating. This is the 21st century, and more and more people shop online. Just a few years ago, shopping online was not the norm – you shopped online when you couldn’t find what you wanted locally, in person. But these days, people […]

Happy World School Milk Day

  Who remembers these! Day after day when you made your way through the school cafeteria line, a lady with a hair net would plop your little carton of milk on your tray. If you were one of the lucky schools, you got straws! If not, well, you got to fight the unwinnable war of […]

September Is National Sewing Month

President Ronald Reagan first declared September as National Sewing Month in 1982. For those who love to sew in one form or another this makes September one of our favorite months. There are so many different ways to express our creativity. Whether you sew by hand or with a machine, there is nothing like watching […]

Celebrate National Dog Day with Handmade Artists

National Dog Day is observed annually on August 26th.. This day encourages dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and embraces the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe and abuse free life. There are few things more exciting, or more adorable than securing a new puppy for your home. Just as […]

Can Search Engines Find Your Item Title?

You have a lot of time, planning, patience and creativity in that wonderful piece. First, you created it to perfection. Then you took a myriad of pictures of it to capture it at just the right angle in just the right light to make it look its best to prospective buyers. Now it’s time to […]

 

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