Working On Products For First Craft Show And Article For Magazine

[DoubleC]

and pulling my hair out. I'm going to do my first Craft market next Saturday and just found out about it Friday. I was going in 50 different directions and finally stopped and wrote a list of things I wanted to do and things I wanted to take. It's my first one and I know I won't remember everything I need but I hope I at least remember my products. So I stayed up all night working on products and my list and just when I thought the coast was clear George, who's editing my article for Cider mag, a musicians magazine started asking me questions about the questions I answered for him last week. So many things are happening at once I may crawl into a dark corner and wail.

How do you people, who are a one-person band handle all the different tasks a business requires. Any short cuts would help me immensely because the paperwork is so daunting along with making arrangements, and doing things like the article for advertising, and of course life constantly interferes Cheryl

[EquusCustomLeathers]

I hear ya Cheryl! I'm not a great leatherworker yet, but this is a subject I understand completely:) I run one of the largest Standardbred breeding operations in Ontario, almost completely alone (the boss comes and helps once in a blue moon, and I have temporary help sometimes) I also have a horse blanket cleaning business, custom sewing and now leatherwork business as well. You can imagine what goes on in my head sometimes!

Because this is WAY too much for one person to deal with, I have learned a very valuable lesson..breathe in and out..all the time! The stress will kill you if you don't learn how to do that. It's harder to do than what you think:) I have recently decided to let go of the blanket cleaning end of things, and focus on what brings me joy-it's made all the difference in the world. It has also made me better at what I do, because I went back to enjoying life, instead of getting as much done as possible.

Basically, what I'm saying, is find what your priorities are, and skip all the "fluff" that takes your time from you. If the phone rings, let the answering machine take it..the world won't fall apart if you don't answer someone else's request instantly. You can't please everyone else all the time.

Oh, and if you have a horse around, go hang out with them for a few minutes every day..cheaper than any therapy out there LOL

[DoubleC]

All good advice, especially the breathing and a horse. I haven't seen mine for almost 4 months and she's going to probably eat my face off when I do. I know a couple hours just brushing her and feeding the little glutton carrots would do so much to refresh me but I'm always so tired I can't get there to get refreshed. But man you just made my paperwork etc. problems look small compared to what's on your plate. Thanks so much, Cheryl

[Horrrk]

Ditto on going to see your horse, Cheryl..

If you're too tired on a night, take the dog for a walk there first thing in the morning for half an hour.

Don't forget the carrots.!! LOL

Regards

Phil

[DoubleC]

I would Phil, it would be the best thing for my head I know except she's about 20 miles from here. I have to arrange to go see her

[mlapaglia]

call George over, knock him out with my poly mallet and that will delay the questions

[DoubleC]

Michael, long time no hear from. Been thinking about you hoping you were ok. Questions answered, big meeting out of the way, now just doing products for Sat. Cheryl

[bluesman1951]

Too much stress ,if you are juggling lots of things one solution is to throw them higger in the air takes them longer to return,drawback is when they do come back they are moving faster . LOL !!! Time for some laughter no doubt about it . For that there is only one solution . You Tube : type "Fluffy Guy" and watch a few of his things . After that when the stuff hits the fan just think WWFD (what would fluffy do ) that lets stress melt away . Now if fluffy was running your booth do you think it be would be a fun day ? Point is to have fun ! Learn something ,tell the truth always ( Then there is nothing ever to rember ) its the same today as it was yesterday . If you have seen "Tyler Perry's " work as "Media" just think what it would be like if "she " ran your booth . Customers at these shows like it when you are having fun and they respond by buying . This is just "fishing" you take your goods and go to the show put the bait on the table and see what bites . Some days its good sometimes not so much . I am smileing now just thinking about this and you getting your feet wet . HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Bring a camera ,when some one gives you a card make notes right away ,you will never rember after the show why you have that card . Bring a calculator do math on paper doing it in your head on the fly under stress means you will lose money end of that story . Rember your friends are cheering for your sucess and you arent alone . Keeping it simple goes a long way towards sucess. There is a thing called "MOJO" cant be explained but like porn you will know it when you see it . LOL Look for it ,watch for it , learn from it when you see it . Gather some for yourself and build it in you till its mighty powerful . Those who have some mojo are smileing now, others are confused sorry cant be explained . I wish you all the best and great sucess . Bill

[DoubleC]

Bill you are so funny. I love throwing it up in the air, and I'm a huge Tyler Perry fan. Just walked in the door from taking everything but my products. I went to the store and got some paper tags, don't want sticky stuff on my things. I also bought some gel pens so I can mark my bison when it comes for a couple of your beautiful bags. I have display boards someone maid me and someone before me left two nails in a perfect place to hang them. I have an old vintage woven basket for my loose items and a Victorian slipper chair without a seat or back upholstery to hang my straps from. I am exhausted to feel good, and I know no matter what happens tomorrow it will be a learning experience for me. Thank you my friend. Cheryl

[mlapaglia]

Michael, long time no hear from. Been thinking about you hoping you were ok. Questions answered, big meeting out of the way, now just doing products for Sat. Cheryl

Ive been sick, Haven't touched any leather in at least a month. Im glad you are getting out and doing stuff. Congrats about the 2 guitar straps too.

[DoubleC]

Well the craft show was interesting. I didn't realize there would be food too, thought it was all crafters. All that sold was food. I made $10.00 on a bracelet, and had two people take cards to call me about guitar straps. We were in a warehouse type building with no heat and all of us froze. I sold a 10.00 bracelet and that was $5.00 more than the other 2 crafters. That was enough to allow me to go back next week though where we're moving to a heated building. I came home, dumped my stuff, ate and slept for 12 hours. Guess the stress had been worse than even I knew. The people were all nice though and it would have been fun if I hadn't been freezing. Temp. had to be at least 35o in there, was a typical VT. day out, grey, windy but no rain thankfully. I was pretty disappointed while I was freezing but I'm ok now. One of the crafters wants a guitar strap for her Dad for Christmas too so we may do some bartering along with the price.

I think my least favorite line now in the whole world is,'Your stuff is beautiful, as someone is walking away, LOL. Thank all of you for your support. I am kinda on top of cloud nine right now because I WENT. I think next Saturday on the main street right by merchants row should be better. At least we'll be warmer :-) The dog loved it and there's another service dog there so I sat in that booth for a while because they had a heater, she's the girl that wants a strap and the dogs nosed around each other and were happy for the company. he's a darling little sheltie, very 'work' like compared to my big galumph of a dog. But they provide different services, his owner is partially blind in one eye, and mine is my meeter and greeter intended to take some of the focus off of me. next week I'll take some SS with me to do at the booth in between customers so I don't get so anxious. WinterBear made me some display boards for my necklaces a long time ago and people liked those.

Oh I forgot, I have a picture too. LOL. Knew I'd better get one to prove I went......I was still pricing things after help coming up with them from the other crafter who make paracord bracelets too among a bunch of neat wood things. She didn't get my straps in the picture, they were off to my left on an antiques slipper chair :-) It was a great experience NOW that I'm warm, fed and rested. Cheryl

[joeyrsmith]

Cheryl, Hi new here but not to the world of craft and art shows.

Read the thread and I know that I can help with the show side of things.

I am the show chairman of the Florida Keys Art Guild, so I do know a thing or two.

Still trying to learn a thing or two or more about leather crafting. Its been 20 + years since I did it last.

Fine art photography is my main thing.

1st up is that its hard to do a craft show like you explained in a cold climate like you just did. (if its a well know show anything is possible)

At this time of year, look for your local Chamber of Commerce shows that are holiday related.

Now all of the professional crafters/artists are coming to Florida for outdoor shows.

Art shows are a whole different beast, but they are very lucrative if done right.

I am slowly working in my leather work around my main line of photography.

Small table nothing to crazy.

I like your work and I am sure other people will too. The trick is getting it in front of people. And having enough of it.

Nothing worse at a show and you only hve a few things.

Go to your local Sears store or whatever store you like and study how they have the merchandise displayed and setup.

This is how a small art show tent needs to look. Classy, neat, clean and full of stuff.

It will take time. If there are any shows left up in Vt. You need to go and study them. I guess they are done. Coming into winter now.

I have alot of links for show info if you want to know how to do it.

Just let me know.

JOey

[Horrrk]

Well done on getting there and making the most of your first show, Cheryl.!!

Next one should be better if you're in the main, heated building with more folks lingering perhaps..

Thing is with this weekend..you sold a bracelet and handed a couple of cards out to prospective guitar strap customers..plus a future strap order from the other crafter..

But what you did MORE than that, is to get yourself in front of people. They get to see what you sell or can make and you get known to them and then their friends, as the leather stall in the fair.

You're on the map now..more so than you were on Friday and that can't be a bad thing..

You've also learnt a lot from being there..what to expect from people, what may sell and also how to present your wares.

All good stuff..

Glad you enjoyed..

Regards

Phil

[DoubleC]

Cheryl, Hi new here but not to the world of craft and art shows.

Read the thread and I know that I can help with the show side of things.

I am the show chairman of the Florida Keys Art Guild, so I do know a thing or two.

Still trying to learn a thing or two or more about leather crafting. Its been 20 + years since I did it last.

Fine art photography is my main thing.

1st up is that its hard to do a craft show like you explained in a cold climate like you just did. (if its a well know show anything is possible)

At this time of year, look for your local Chamber of Commerce shows that are holiday related.

Now all of the professional crafters/artists are coming to Florida for outdoor shows.

Art shows are a whole different beast, but they are very lucrative if done right.

I am slowly working in my leather work around my main line of photography.

Small table nothing to crazy.

I like your work and I am sure other people will too. The trick is getting it in front of people. And having enough of it.

Nothing worse at a show and you only hve a few things.

Go to your local Sears store or whatever store you like and study how they have the merchandise displayed and setup.

This is how a small art show tent needs to look. Classy, neat, clean and full of stuff.

It will take time. If there are any shows left up in Vt. You need to go and study them. I guess they are done. Coming into winter now.

I have alot of links for show info if you want to know how to do it.

Just let me know.

JOey

Hi Joey. This same show will continue every Saturday through Feb. which is or tourist season so soon the word will get out, good or bad, LOL. It's a new one. Like Phil said we are moving this sat. to a heated building on the main drag so that will help. Since the 3rd of the month is a big deal with people getting SS we missed that opportunity this month but by December I expect things to be much better.

One thing I do need is more products and I'm taking care of that as fast as possible. I just found out a week before the show started up about it and I'm afraid I had become lazy or so it seems when I got there. had primarily focused on guitar straps and they are more involved than the 5 buck things I tried to get ready for the show. In the picture you can't see my straps. I still hope to do a less expensive one for this next show but I'll just have to see how things work out.

I appreciate all the feedback and good tips you've given me. I used to live in the keys so I know what a large artist community you are dealing with. Seems like we're becoming a larger one every day. Thanks for all your help. Cheryl

[DoubleC]

Well done on getting there and making the most of your first show, Cheryl.!!

Next one should be better if you're in the main, heated building with more folks lingering perhaps..

Thing is with this weekend..you sold a bracelet and handed a couple of cards out to prospective guitar strap customers..plus a future strap order from the other crafter..

But what you did MORE than that, is to get yourself in front of people. They get to see what you sell or can make and you get known to them and then their friends, as the leather stall in the fair.

You're on the map now..more so than you were on Friday and that can't be a bad thing..

You've also learnt a lot from being there..what to expect from people, what may sell and also how to present your wares.

All good stuff..

Glad you enjoyed..

Regards

Phil

Thanks Phil, you're right I did get to learn a lot of new things and hope to learn more so I can do well before the show is over in Feb. I imagine I'll be ready for it to be over then though, LOL. I've slept 28 hours since Saturday so I need to learn to make it a little less stressful which I'm sure it will be as time goes on. having heat itself will make it less stressful. But it was a good first show and probably I would have been more stressed if there were more people. So will hope for better days ahead where I can actually enjoy it while it's going on instead of after I get home Cheryl

[joeyrsmith]

DoubleC,

Will you have a wall behind you at the new location like I see in the thumbnail pic you posted?

If so, that would be a great place to put a banner up or something similar if they allow it.

Keep it simple with a USP. Which means Unique Selling Proposition. Plus your website info.

I stopped using biz cards a long time ago. I now keep a journal where I can write the potential customers email address down.

If they do that, they are a little more interested in your art than the "do you have a card"

To me thats a easy and nice way for them to reject you by asking for a card. I now use these little stickers with my info and hand them out.

Its the address label size, This way it "sticks around" Haha, get it. It has worked better than cards.

Banner would be cool though.

Joey

[DoubleC]

I don't know if I'll have a wall behind me or not Joey, I haven't been to the new place yet. I do plan to prop up a leather plaque type thing on my antique chair I use for my straps that has Double C Cowgirl Couture on it. A banner would be nice behind the table. I can find that stuff all out of Saturday because I imagine once we settle in there won't be all this moving around etc. that honestly distresses me. I am so weird, I like to get put and just claim squatters rights and stay put. I had no idea we were moving this week and I'm glad we are but it's just distressing for me to have to take back my antique chairs and displays, etc. I have to get someone to take me and that bothers me. Once I'm set up THIS time I will be able to walk too and from. I think getting the name and email etc. from the customer is a good idea. I have a journal I take with me. These are all great tips. Cheryl

[DoubleC]

Well I just made my first leather ornament for the craft market. I had this embossed veg tanned green leather that was just crying out to be holly leaves. So I cut out three sets of two leaves, decided they looked too skimpy and glued them all together to make the ornament. By the time I got done I probably had an hour in something I can sell for 3 bucks, LOL. I'm doing something wrong. Then I updated my Etsy site with all my new things and I'm worn out. And of course my pictures were awful. At least at the market people can see what they really look ,like.

[David8386]

When you get what you want make a pattern of the leaves out of cardboard, I like coke cases, and then next time pull the pattern out and trace it. Separate your artist mode from production mode and spend time to design a project the way you want (artist mode), spend a little time working out the assembly kinks to streamline production, and then move into production mode and build a million of them with a little artistic license to change the final look as you like for a custom look, but not reinvent the wheel all the time. I hope this helps, and good luck on your next show

David

[DoubleC]

Hi David. I did the pattern first on thin cardboard freehand looking at a simple design online. Then I cut it out, that's where I got the 2 leaf design, but I didn't like it by itself. Those are 6. If I could just focus my attention, I could have a little assembly line of these things going like you suggest. I left all my tools and leather together for today so I could start the process just like you suggested. I just got worn out yesterday trying to make the design word for something I wasn't ashamed to sell. We're on the same page with this so thanks. Cheryl.

[Zacharyc]

I want your guess sweatshirt.

[DoubleC]

At my age I'll just have to assume that's a good thing, LOL.