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!”

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  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 for your Free Copy of “13 Quick, Easy, Low-cost or NO-cost Ways to

Turn your Craft into Cash NOW!”

How do you go about getting your name and face out there as well as your work? (remember, part of the appeal of handmade is knowing the human behind the work. ) Demonstrating every chance you have will begin to establish you as the expert in your medium. Craft supply stores, galleries, workshops and trade shows are all opportunities to demonstrate your craft. Approach the manufacturers of the materials you use, either in person or by sending them a nice professional looking portfolio with examples of  different techniques for using their products. Offer to make appearances in stores that carry their products, showing both the staff and customers the benefits of using their  products,  and at craft trade shows demonstrating to retailers. Not only will this give you some extra cash (the going rate for demos is $45 to $60 an hour) but the main advantage is that your name becomes associated with your medium and you gain expert status. This also can lead to opportunities to do television appearances on craft and home shows as well as writing and speaking gigs. So, get out of the studio and make a name for yourself.

My old attitude came from a misguided background in fine art. Actually,  I was a misfit in a competitive Design , Art and Architecture College at a large university.   It was immediately apparent they’d made a mistake accepting me into the art education program. I’m a creative idea generator but this was pre-computer and to say I’m not a perfectionist is an understatement. Several of our design courses were combined with architecture and industrial design students and, well, let’s just say,  I didn’t fit in.  Another part of the curriculum was classic training in the fine arts of drawing, painting and sculpture. It was unacceptable if not laughable to even consider creating anything functional. The only time I felt in my element was the one semester we got an abbreviated sampling of jewelry and textiles. 

Decades later as I walked the aisles of the Buyer’s Market in Philli or the ACC show, I thought, “Why didn’t I know in the early 70s that this was a option? And as I looked around my gallery full of  delighted customers purchasing “functional” art (craft), I visualized the disapproving face of my old college painting professor and smiled, happy I that I’d followed my heart and opened my mind to the world outside of fine art. 

Yes, I’m still in awe of painters and sculptors and I do have fine art hanging in my home. I’m also proud of the funky, fun, functional craft I own. It makes me happy and I know that the crafts people I purchased it from are artists as well.