Craft Shows – A Beginner's Guide (Part 1…)

You have spent hours making Beautiful Handcrafted Goods. Now you want to Sell your Work at a Craft Show or Fayre.

This is my Beginner's Guide to Craft Shows. I hope you find it useful.

I thought I’d start by talking about Things to Consider Before Agreeing to have a Stall at an Event. As I’ve found out to my cost, just because an event is taking place, it does not follow that it’s always the right place for your to sell your work. Asking a few basic questions up front will help you to decide if it’s the right event for you, as well as making sure you come prepared with everything you need on the day.

Questions to Ask The Organiser

Before Signing Up for a Stall.

Some of these are stating the obvious, but I’m working on the basis that what’s obvious to some may not be to others – bear with me on this!

• How Big is the Event – How many visitors does the organiser anticipate there being? (The footfall.) You may also want to consider the type of people likely to attend. Do they fit with your target market?

• How Many Stalls are there? What type of stalls are they? Consider if these fit with the work you are trying to sell.

• How Many Similar Stalls will there be? One or two is OK, but I once attended an event with at least 11 other jewellery stalls! This gave the public a very limited selection of goods to browse and in my opinion was just too many. It is worth asking the organiser if they are setting a limit to the number of any given type of stall.

• How is the Event being Advertised? I have in the past attended events which have been poorly advertised resulting in very few visitors. This is a difficult thing to judge – go with your instinct (your gut feel).

• Will the Organiser be Providing a Table & Chair? If so what size will the table be? This helps you to plan what to take and the layout of your stall.

• What Size will Your Pitch Be? I always like some space to package up goods, write down orders etc. and often bring a very small table with me for this purpose (but only if there is room).

• Is Electric Provided? If so, is this provided at an additional cost? How far away will this be from your stall? (You may need to bring an extension lead with you.) This may not be important to all, but it is fundamental to those of us selling jewellery who need lighting.

• Is the Event Inside or Outside? This will obviously affect what you will need to bring with you or if you even want to take part – an outside event on a wet winter’s day is not to everybody’s taste!

• The Cost of the Stall? This may be a flat fee or a percentage of your sales. Consider whether you are likely to make enough money (profit) to cover the cost of the stall.

• The Date and Time of the Event. You also need to know how much time the organiser will allow you to set up your stall before the event opens to the public. For me I need about an hour to set everything up, but for you it will depend on what you are selling, how complicated your display is etc.

• Time of Year. Consider this in relation to the goods that you are selling. To take an extreme example there would be little point attending at event in March to sell your beautifully handcrafted Christmas Decorations!

These are my thoughts. You will no doubt have other ideas. Please leave your comments on this blog and share your experiences….

Product Design GCSE And Jewellery!

 

Well I never thought I’d be writing about GCSEs!

I’ve recently been called upon by two lovely young ladies from Castle School (www.castle.gloucs.sch.uk/) for help with their Product Design GCSE.

They are Designing Jewellery as part of their course and wanted to ask me about the Beads and Jewellery that I make. In particular Tagua and Lampwork Beads.

Tagua

One of them was particularly interested in a Tagua Necklace I had made.

Her questions were about Environmental Aspects amongst other things.

 

 

 

Tagua comes from the Tagua Palm growing in the South American Rainforests.

 

 

 

The nut is left to dry in the sun for a few weeks & the interior of the nut turns to Palm Ivory. Some of my jewellery is made from this ivory.

 

 

Using the Tagua nut leaves the rainforest untouched, gives an economic use to the forest & helps to protect it.

 

Lampwork Beads

The other girl was keen to know more about my Lampwork Beads. I happily wittered on (for probably too long) about the beads and how they are made

 

 

– showing her Glass Rods …

 

 

 

… Mandrels, Bead Release …

 

 

M

 

My Kiln and much more.

 

I also gave my first ever demonstration of how to make a bead! I was a bit concerned that I’d make a real mess of it – I haven’t been making beads for very long. As it was I didn’t need to worry – I made the beads with ease and have promised to give them to her once they have been annealed.

It was good to be able to help and great to talk to people who appeared to be genuinely interested in Jewellery Design.

The GCSE sounds really interesting – covering all sorts of areas including market research, target markets, graphic design and packaging. I’d love to know more about it and really hope they do well.

 

Ladies Pamper Evening at Thornbury Castle

 

I was delighted to be a part of the Ladies Indulgence Evening held at Thornbury Castle this week by Hammer Out Brain Tumours (www.hammerout.co.uk). 

 

 

 

 

Those who came along had the opportunity to have a glass of wine and a pampering treatment or two in the most atmospheric surroundings.

 

Thornbury Castle was such a fabulous setting - take a look at their website www.thornburycastle.co.uk to see what I mean.

 

 

 

I was there selling my jewellery alongside some other great stalls and therapists.

 

 - Sorori Design  – a freelance florist was making some beautiful creations (www.sororidesign.co.uk).

 

- Ladies were treated to Colour Analysis by Charmaine Shenton (www.mysecretdressingroom.com)

 

- Paul Golding provided Before/After photos by Gold Seal Photography (www.goldsealphotography.co.uk)

 

- Whilst Little Sprinkles (www.littlesprinkles.co.uk) tempted us all with some pretty cupcakes.

 

These are but a few. There were also many many more therapists, make-up artists etc. all working hard to ensure the evening was a success.

 

It was great to be there and to meet so many interesting people. From where I was standing it looked very much like an enjoyable time was had by all!

Technorati Tags: Jewellery,Pamper Evening,Thornbury,Hammer Out

Jewellery For Real People

 

People often ask where I get my inspiration from when making my jewellery. I have never really known how to answer this question.

 

Then it occurred to me that it’s not from nature or the sea or anything as romantic as that.

 

 

My inspiration comes from real people – people I know, my customers, people I see all around me everywhere I go.

When I am making a piece of jewellery I often ask myself who would wear it. I imagine the people I see looking at it, touching it, wearing it…

Will they like it, will it suit them, is it the right colour & style for them?  

 

Some like delicate, yet beautiful  designs and will be drowned by ….

 

 

 

 

 

…..chunky styles

 

 

 

 

 

……some prefer pendants

 

 

 

 

 

 

……charms & dangles…..

 

 

(Not everybody wants red either!)

It may not work every time, but judging by the positive feedback I have received from so many kind people I must be doing something right.