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.

People feel very generous towards their moms on Mother’s Day (as they should everyday) and as an artist or crafter you’re missing the boat if you don’t make sure that your creations are in their line of vision tomorrow. No, it isn’t too late. The shopping isn’t over yet…

Last minute IDEA! Particularly if you make wearable art, scarves, jewelry, hair or shoe ornaments: Identify an upscale restaurant or cafe in town with the busiest Mother’s Day brunch.  (Ideally, this is a place you frequent and have a favorite, friendly waitress.) Pick the most outgoing waitress, or better yet, the hostess, and either loan ( or if you can afford to, gift) her the most stunning example of your jewelry or other wearable piece with the understanding that she gets to (must) wear it tomorrow and that she has a pocket full of your cards to give out when people comment on the piece. Also, educate her on how it is made and that it is one of a kind, part of a limited edition or whatever the unique characteristics are. You’ll be amazed at how a little enthusiastic oohing and ah-ing over brunch can get the kids (or hubbies) to open their wallets to delight mom. 

When you see how well this works, plan ahead for the next gifting occasion (not just Mother’s Day) and see if you can find more venues to flaunt your wears. It’s also wonderful if you can convince the cafe owner to let you put a small display up. You may need to give the proprietor a percentage of the sales but it’s worth it. 

What if your craft isn’t wearable? Let’s say you hand paint stem wear or other table top items. donating a few of your handblown bud vases or porcelain salt shakers to grace the brunch tables (with a little tag about you and your work, of course) will pay off in follow up sales. When I hear crafters comment that they can’t afford to donate their work, my answer is “Think of it as advertising dollars.” (and if you say you can’t afford to advertise when sales are slow, we have some serious talking to do.) 

Have you discovered other eleventh hour marketing ideas? Post and let us all know how you’ve gotten last minute visibility for your crafts. As always, we love hearing what other artists do. 

Just one more thought-if you are taking YOUR mother out for brunch or dinner, make her your proud walking display. And of course, your mom has plenty of your cards to hand out, right?

The easiest solution is to design a new version of what you already make but in a spring-summer material. At a craft fair in Florida this past weekend  I met a woman who is crocheting fabulous sun hats in cotton. I will be purchasing several for myself and gifts. They are washable, crushable and summer friendly.  How can you take what you already do and make it four season friendly? Feel free to post your questions and let’s see what we all come up with.

Now, let’s assume you are absolutely married to your current textile-say you make felted wool items. Well, short of completely changing what you do, how can you find a market for your craft year round. My first thought is, “Are you forgetting that this is a global economy-you are on the World Wide Web.?”  Your customers no longer have to share your zip code let alone continent. Remember, while spring is sprouting in your corner of the world,  there is a whole southern hemisphere just heading into a long cold winter. I think a great idea would be to work an exchange with some fellow crafts Down Under. I know they are in our network because I am hearing from them.  Let’s brainstorm some ways to share talents and market one another’s crafts. Remember, when the sun is shining where you are,  our crafty friends in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are shopping for scarves, mittens and hats. And you might want to think about also doing a materials trade as well. They have amazing fibers that we don’t and we have some they covet. Get into the conversation and say G’day!