Yes, I know this sounds like crazy advise, but even if the art you create has nothing to do with beads, gemstones or precious metal, you are shortchanging yourself and your business if you don’t attend a bead show this season. Ideally, you should visit a major show like the Tucson Gem Shows, but if you can’t travel to Arizona, there are likely smaller bead shows within a few hours of your home.
Here’s why you must attend a bead show.
Inspiration:
Even though I no longer make jewelry, I get inspired to do other creative projects every time I walk a bead show. You can’t see all those colors, textures and shapes without a burst of new ideas.
Trends:
Whether you create sculpture, wearable fiber art or wall art, you need to be current on trends and any trade show will give you an overview of what’s happening in fashion, home and lifestyle. Even if you make vintage crafts, you MUST be up on popular colors and trends.
Original VS Knockoff:
For years I sold venetian art glass and beads handmade on the island of Murano in Italy. If I didn’t attend mainstream tradeshows, I’d have no idea that thousands of vendors now sell “Murano glass” which is factory made in China and looks to the untrained eye like the real thing. I wouldn’t have known why sales slowed down and people thought the prices of the handmade pieces were outrageous. Learning that what you sell is now knocked off for a much lower price doesn’t mean you should stop making that item, only that you must be sure your pieces are different enough from the import to warrant the much higher price. And, you should make sure that you or anyone wearing or selling your work knows your personal story and why your work is special and commands a higher price.
Bead shows are also a source of connection with other artists in different media. I’ve never attended a bead show that didn’t include vendors other than gems and jewelry. As is the case anywhere you assemble artists, you’ll find a high level of creative energy and opportunity to learn and network with like-minded people. And if those aren’t reasons enough, you’ll have good, clean FUN. Go play.
The late Anita Roddick knew “if you can create an honorable livelihood, where you take your skills and use them to earn a living, it gives you a sense of freedom and allows you to balance your life the way you want. ” As founder of The Body Shop, she created a business that was wildly profitable while remaining socially responsible.
There are many ways to make a difference and they don’t have to be limited to volunteer or non-profits. If you’re like many of us, you dream of doing something more meaningful and making an impact but you do still need to earn a living.
As social media specialist Jeff Korhan noted in his lawnandlandscape.com post yesterday, “Social entrepreneurship isn’t philanthropy. It is augmenting your business model to include social needs alongside traditional profit needs.” Contrary to the beliefs of so many aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s not only OK to make a solid income from a socially responsible business, but your business is more likely to make an long term impact if your company is profitable. If you are continually worrying about adequate charitable donations to drive change, you aren’t going to be able to focus on the greater good.
If you’re searching for a way to create more meaning in your work, check out the upcoming Inspired Livelihood workshop in beautiful Sedona, Arizona with Barbara Winter and Alice Barry, where you’ll learn how you can make a living and make a change in society.
Yes, it’s just a week into January but you only have 5 weeks left to sell your handmade crafts for Valentine’s Day. Even if you’re snowed in, just pick up the phone and set up some trunk shows at galleries, men’s salons, health clubs, office buildings or all of the above. Do you have any idea how many men would love to have your help in choosing a piece of hand crafted jewelry for their wives or girlfriends rather than have to scour shops trying to figure out what girls want? Whether you need to generate cash to pay off your holiday credit card bills or turn your crafts into cash so that you can go to the Gem Shows and buy more beads, right now, today is the time to make those calls. After a successful sale, you’ll have an open invitation to return for Mother’s Day. See the December post on how to sell handmade jewelry to men. Or, go to the right of this page to get 13 Free Tips on Turning Your Crafts into CAsh Now.
By now you are likely back to work after the holidays. I hope you enjoyed time with family and friends or just relished some quiet solitude, if that’s what you desired.
“Back to work” has a different meaning when you’re self employed, particularly if you love what you do and where you do it. If you are in an area of the country experiencing winter storms, you’re probably feeling extra grateful that you don’t have to bundle up and scrape the ice off your windshield before you brave the icy roads for your longer than usual commute. This morning as the airwaves buzzed with school closures, traffic delays and treacherous road conditions, I sure appreciated my self employed status. If you already work from home, is your business meeting your financial expectations? Are you finding your work fulfilling? How are you dealing with potential isolation?
Maybe you are still working for someone else but have promised yourself that 2010 is the year you’ll break free and start your own business.
Whether you’re looking for ways to supplement your income, increase the volume you are already doing in your business or just starting out, January is the time to map out your immediate and long term business strategies.
What are you doing right now, this week to ensure that you will have income this month?
If you’re thinking that people are not spending after the holidays, you’re missing out. Whether you sell a tangible product, information or service, January can be a strong month if you stay open to thinking differently about your potential clients or customers.
Think about all the people who receive cash gifts for Christmas! They may have been eyeing that handmade piece you showcased in December but were in the giving rather than “self-gifting” mindset before the holidays. Now, they have “me” money but unless you remind them you are still out there making fabulous stuff, that money won’t find it’s way to you.
What about the people whose new year’s resolutions involve eating healthfully or learning a new skill? Now is a better time than pre-holiday to market your personal chef, fitness training or voice coaching services. Let’s say you teach macrobiotic cooking or jewelry making or sell supplies? Both the recipient of cash gifts and the new student are your potential customers.
There are also a number of little known holidays in January. Just google “January holidays” and you’ll find that today is National Bird Day. Who knew? I have no idea who comes up with these fairly obscure days of celebration but had you known this earlier and planned ahead, you could have arranged a show and sale of your handmade bird ornaments or bluebird earrings at the Audubon club.
Think of what you could have done had you known that tomorrow is Dia de Reyes. Tonight, January 5, figurines of the Three Wise Men are added to the nativity scene. Before bed, Mexican children place their old shoes under their beds, where the Wise Men will leave them presents.
Next week is Japanese Coming of Age Day and the 24th is the Anniversary of Gold Discovery Day in California. (1848). My head is spinning with ideas for marketing your creative services and handmade crafts on those and other January holidays like Chinese New Years and Australia Day, both Jan. 26th. If you’re asking yourself what those celebrations have to do with you, have you forgotten that you are reading this on the “world wide web”? As my friend Barbara Winter says, “your clientele is no longer limited by geography.” So, go explore what’s being celebrated in your neighborhood and around the world. Rather than thinking you’re too late for Christmas, you’ll find you’re early for some creative offerings or craft selling opportunities. What are you doing now to ensure you’ll have cash flow next month?
In addition to selling your finished crafts, a great way to turn some inventory into cash between now and Christmas is to sell some of your excess supplies and tools of your craft. Yes, there are bead stores and big box craft stores all across the country, and people can buy anything they want online, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sell the components of your craft. Any of us who are crafters know that we can’t pass up a bead shop, yarn shop, fabric store, etc and especially since people can see what you make out of the materials, it is more attractive than the same supplies look loose in a craft store. We all have tools and supplies that we purchased on impulse and either haven’t gotten the inspiration to use them yet or lost interest in them. An attractive way to merchandise them is to bundle them with instructions for a simple piece that can be made out of the supplies. Your market is not only crafters but family and friends of crafters who give them as gifts.
You can put them up on your own website or blog, on any of the online auction sites or even have a last minute “Make and Take” party where you have kits already made up with supplies to be purchased and then do a quick lesson. Everyone leaves with a gift, they can purchase additional kits and you’ve turned some excess inventory into cash. (As a side note, you’ll often sell some of your finished work to attendees if you set up a display as well. )
Remember this idea and repeat it throughout the year whenever you have excess supplies or are in need of quick cash. This is also a good annual practice if you go to trade shows to purchase materials. Sell any supplies you didn’t use since the last buying trip and you’ll have more to spend on the new treasures you find. Also, since you have to buy the materials to make your own work, you may as well buy them in quantity and get a better price, right?
For more tips like this, put your name and email address in the box to the right and you’ll receieve a free copy of “13 Quick, Easy, Low-cost or NO-cost Ways to Turn your Craft into CAsh Now”
It may seem like eleven days before Christmas is too late to plan a sale of your handcrafted gifts but this is actually perfect timing. Recent surveys report that most consumers have not even begun their holiday shopping and eve those who say they’re finished are still likely to purchase more if they see something really special.
The weeks prior to the holidays, everyone is feeling rushed and wondering how they’ll find time after work to get to the stores to shop. It seems employers are not falling for the frequent “sick days” employees are taking to get their shopping done.
In order to have their employees come to work rather than play hookie at the mall, or spend on-the-clock time shopping online, companies are now very receptive to vendors coming in to sell to their staff during lunch breaks.
It surprised me that the corporations weren’t taking a percentage of the sales or asking for a space rental fee. They seem to have recognized that it is to their advantage to have the option for their employees to get some f their shopping done during business hours.
It’s always nice to hold an events with no fees or percentages going out. If you’re used to there always being a trade-off, it may seem odd that there are people who simply would love the convenience of being able to shop at their workplace. Talk to the HR person at a hospital, school or office and ask if you may set up in the break room or lobby a few weeks before the holidays to offer gift shopping to the staff. Since you have items that can’t be found in the mall, teachers, nurses, office personnel, etc will be excited about having this option.
It’s a good idea to set up two consecutive days because as employees go back their workspace, they show their co-workers the treasures they purchased and the excitement is viral. Be sure to bring plenty of cards, brochures or other material with your contact information. And of course, ask permission to capture contact info for your mailing list. Do some kind of drawing where people can drop in their business card with email address for a chance to win a piece of your work.
The next time you return to each venue-for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day- you’ll be able to notify your customers in advance. They’ll look forward to your return and likely have orders from their friends who don’t work there.
For more tips like this, put your name and email address in the box to the right and you’ll receieve a free copy of “13 Quick, Easy, Low-cost or NO-cost Ways to
Turn your Craft into Cash NOW!”
My male friends, relatives and readers may deny this, but let’s face it, most men don’t start Christmas shopping early. (they come up with excuses like “it’s more exciting right before Christmas when everyone’s in the holiday spirit” or, “I’m still trying to come up with the perfect gift”. The truth is, many guys don’t know where to begin and need guidance (and a little nudge.)
As a crafter with inventory, you can take advantage of their procrastination and need for gentle “peer pressure” by holding a “Guys’ Night Out”.
Whether you make wearable, household, or garden art, men need guidance in getting gifts for their wives, girlfriends and mothers. They also spend way more money when they are in groups because they don’t want to look cheap in front of the other guys.
(especially if these guys are hubbies or boyfriends of their wife’s friends. ) So, invite your friends’ partners, your partner’s friends, the guys from your day job-(and if you still have a day job, you really do need these hints) and “help” them choose a gift for the
women in their lives. They’ll particularly love if you know what styles, colors, etc their partner likes. If you are single and don’t have lots of male buddies, another great venue is any kind of club where men gather. An upscale barber shop or men’s spa is always a great place and remember they will be glad to have you.
Are you wondering how you will entice the men to come? Partner with a caterer, winery or brewery to do a tasting. Vintners love to do pourings at upscale events to promote their wines. In fact, they’ll often be thrilled if you hold the event at their tasting room. Didn’t your mother always tell you that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?
Well, it’s also a great way to get the wallet out of the pocket, cash into your hands, and your creations under the tree.
For 12 more great ideas like this, enter your email address at the right of the page and you’ll receive your Free Copy of “13 Quick, Easy, Low-cost or NO-cost Ways to
Turn your Craft into Cash NOW!”
There’s still plenty of time to turn your craft into cash before Christmas.
If you haven’t yet received your “13 Quick, Easy, Low-cost or NO-cost Ways to Turn your Craft into Cash” go to the right and get your free gift.
You’ll find many of these tips can be implemented NOW.
Have you noticed that many of the small boutiques and galleries that sell handmade are low in inventory two weeks before Christmas? I have, and I know why. And this is to your advantage as a craftsperson.
As a result of the media’s fear-based reports, small retailers ordered light this season anticipating slow sales. But guess what? Discerning consumers are searching for unique, handcrafted, meaningful gifts this season, catching retailers unprepared with insufficient supply and no time to re-order handmade gifts. Most people say they haven’t even started shopping yet which means shop owners are missing out on revenue if they don’t have inventory. While the big-box retailers can mark their wares down after the holidays, and still make a profit, as you know, craft retailers don’t have the margin to discount since their markup is so low. So, they are afraid to purchase this late in the season.
But this is where YOU come in. Boutiques and galleries that may not have had space to display your work previously need the inventory between now and Christmas. You likely have pieces you’d love to turn into cash and the shops NEED your work now. It’s risk free for them if you put pieces on consignment and you have nothing to lose either. (review previous tips on consignment.)
Don’t limit yourself to galleries. The next three weeks, women are dressing for holiday parties and looking for that one-of-a-kind accessory to add pizazz to their outfit. Approach apparel shops and offer to consign your handcrafted jewelry, evening bags, shawls, etc.
No one can buy them if they are sitting in your studio unseen,
Check back frequently for more “eleventh hour” tips on selling your crafts.
December 11th,2009
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Are you counting solely on the popular internet craft markets to bring in all your revenue? If so, you should consider additional options. The handmade mall-type sites are wonderful ways to be seen but your work can get lost in the crowd so don’t count on those alone.
While I always recommend getting out in the real world now and then for your crafts to be seen in person, there are other methods for selling online as well that will help you stand out from the crowd.
One of the best ways to market your craft is to partner with online vendors who are selling items to the same target audience. For example, if I made hair accessories for little girls, I would seek out sites that sell children’s clothing, dance wear, bridal wear, and maybe partner with someone who hand paints children’s shoes. Rather than pay for advertising on these sites, set up a meeting with several complimentary vendors. (This can be a virtual conference since you are likely in different geographical areas. ) Either agree to all trade ad space on one another’s sites or better yet, agree to blog about the others’ products, show images and include links. You might even try to coordinate styles or colors with what the other vendors are showing and do sort a Amazon style cross market. (“People who ordered this also like this”).
You can also each do “my favorite things” list where you feature one another’s products. Don’t discount sites that are strictly magazine/article oriented rather than actual e-commerce sties. Find a publication that appeals to your ideal client and ask them if they’d like to do a “recommend exchange”. I wouldn’t simply exchange links-most people don’t even bother checking out the “links” on other people’s sites. Rather, submit an article to the other site with photos and a link to your site. that way, if your JV partner doesn’t have time to write a post about your products, they have something to post that’s ready to go. If they do agree to write a post, they’ll not have to go research facts about your business.
Assuming you connect with three other vendors selling complimentary products and you each showcase one another’s lines on your sites, you will each have expanded your list up to four times.
On a recent family visit, my sister and I discovered a photo of the two of us at 2 and 5 under the Christmas tree surrounded by newly unwrapped toys. Each of us held a special treasure in the photo. I held a cardboard paper towel roll up to my eye like a telescope and she posed adorned in recycled ribbons and bows from the gifts. This was the fifties, long before recycling was cool. I’d like to claim that we were just natural trendsetters, but I confess that in the early eighties when my son was little, our home was filled with molded plastic houses, cars and slides. We gave little thought to how these eventually ended up in the landfills.
Somewhere between that magical Christmas morning of recycling and my desire to give my son plenty of opportunity for creative play, I’d forgotten all the rainy days my friends and I spent cutting windows and doors into cardboard refrigerator boxes and stacking television cartons to make apartments houses. Or the way we collected old thread spools, hammering nails around the top to make our own little knitting devices. I’d forgotten that imagination is most active when the raw materials are available without instructions for the finished product.
It’s exciting to see the hot trend for this holiday season is eco-friendly toys. I’ve found a few that are both environmentally and socially responsible. Sprig Toys in Colorado makes eco-friendly “Story Builders” that inspire creative play and strong values. Mary Meyer’ “Fuzz that Was” stuffed toy pets are made out of old recycled water bottles. The Green Toy Company, based in California makes toy cookware, gardening tools, sand toys and trucks (including a Recycling Truck) out of recycled milk bottles.
While it seems early to be thinking about the holidays, if you are going to give responsibly, you need time to plan ahead. The marketplace is abundant with products that have had another life in a different form. If, however, you are crafty, now’s the time to start looking around for what products you tend to throw away and how you can upcycle those into fabulous gifts.
Do you have ideas for eco-friendly gift projects you’ve made or plan to make that you’d like to share with us? If you have found an artist or product line that uses recycled materials please post your recommendation here-we’d love to spread the word and promote your projects or treasured finds.
September 21st,2009
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