A lot goes into choosing the pallette and the selection is primarily based on making the colors different enough from the past year that people feel they must update. Yes, it’s all about merchandizing. So, while the colors for 2012 shades of orange, gold, purple, aqua, green and brown, they are very specific hues of those colors. The  pinks are “sweet lilac” and “cabaret” and the while aqua has been big for a couple of years now, this is a very specific “cockatoo”.

So why does this matter for you as a crafter? Because people are going to buy those colors or compliments of them subconsciously. They get used to seeing them in shops and catalogs, recognize them and are attracted to them, possibly because of the familiarity. If you make wear-ables such as jewelry or scarves, your customers are probably looking for pieces to compliment their wardrobe so you do need to become familiar with the color trends and make sure that you do have at least a portion of your line in that pallette. If you attend bead shows or wholesale fabric shows, be sure to bring the pallette along and use it as a guide for purchasing your supplies. And by all means, if you exhibit at wholesale tradeshows, the pallette should be part of your booth display because retailers will be impressed that you have planned your line around what will sell best in their shops and that will increase your sales.

How has color trend influenced your craft business in the past year? As always, you’re invited to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations on this.

Place your work in their hands. That’s it. Easy peazy, right?
When I attend craft fairs, I notice artists only speaking to people who ask them questions and mostly just saying “hi, how are you?” or “thank you”. Or worse,
sitting in their booths texting, reading or looking bored.
People who shop in-person for crafts want to have face-time with the artists, to know the person who makes the art. To be able to tell the gift recipient or their friends who admire the piece they met the artist.  They want to touch and feel the work.

Try this next time you display your art: Greet every single person who walks by your booth. If they hesitate, they are interested in knowing more. Invite them into your space and tell them a little about your work. Talk about the process. If they are looking at a particular piece, put it in their hands and even invite them try it on if it’s wear-able.

I guarantee you will have a lot more sales and happy, return customers.
Let me know how it works for you.

There are a lot of web-savvy buyers who just don’t like to shop online. Even those of us who do purchase manufactured products, books or music  online, want to see and touch art in real-life. For many shoppers, meeting the craftsperson face-to-face is part of the attraction of buying hand made pieces.

It’s mid October and definitely time to be getting your work out there for early holiday shoppers. So, how can you get your work in front of the people who value made-by-hand? If you shy away from the large seasonal craft fairs like Harvest Festival, I don’t blame you. The booth fees are hefty and the whole experience is exhausting. Many artists who previously exhibited at the big festivals report more sales and a better bottom line when they exhibit at smaller venues such as school, church or community craft fairs. If there aren’t any small festivals in your area, you can approach schools, churches or clubs and offer to set up an exhibit of your work and give a percentage to the organization. (Think of it in place of a booth fee.)

House parties are another good way to sell your work. Ask friends, relatives or co-workers to host a party where you can display your work for their friends. Maybe partner with a caterer who is willing to make appetizers just for exposure to new clients.

Retirement homes are often happy to let you set up a display at no charge. It gives their residents an activity and chance to do their shopping independently. Look for upscale independent living communities, not nursing homes. Many of these residents have good disposable income, are educated in the arts and thrilled to have unique gift options without having to depend on anyone to take them shopping.

Corporations and hospitals are open to people setting up a lunch time or after work sale for their employees. It cuts down on personal days or “sick days” which are commonly used as shopping days around the holidays.

Ask gallery owners or boutique retailers to host a trunk show of your work for a percentage of the sales. Particularly if you make jewelry or smaller gift items, it benefits them as well. Galleries sell fewer large pieces of artwork before the holidays so this is a way for them to offer something to their clients that they may not show the rest of the year. If it ‘s a success and your pieces sell well for them, they may agree to carry your work year round.

For more ideas on how to sell your craft, download a free copy of “13 Easy Low-Cost or NO Cost Tips to Turn Your Crafts into CASH NOW” on the right side of this page.

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”

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.

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!