This Week: Quick Review

What's Happening in My Corner of the World

Happy Saturday. Oh how I love Saturday. Wish I could say I took advantage of one of the good things about Saturdays and slept in, but I woke at about 6:10 and was not going to go back to sleep so I got up around 6:20 am. I reserve the right to take a nap later if I want.

This week was packed with good stuff. You gotta love that. 

My husband bought me Calla Lilies for being his best friend. Yes, he can be quite sweet. He's been buying me flowers since we first met. Usually roses, but he wasn't happy with the roses at the store so he opted for Calla Lilies this time. I have to say, "Good call Gar." Simply gorgeous. Plus, they still look fabulous. Of course, Calla Lilies always make me think of Katherine Hepburn in Stagedoor. Have you ever seen it? Classic and full of famous actresses just starting out in the careers, which mirrors the story. When Katherine Hepburn says, 'The Calla Lilies are in bloom again', is at the end of the movie and it's quite emotional. I won't tell you why in case you've never seen it. Put it on your list.

Of course, Calla Lilies always make me think of Katharine Hepburn in Stagedoor. Have you ever seen it? Classic and full of famous actresses just starting out in the careers, which mirrors the story. When Katharine Hepburn says, 'The Calla Lilies are in bloom again', is at the end of the movie and it's quite emotional. I won't tell you why in case you've never seen it. Put it on your list.

OK, back to my week.....I made time for crafting and jazzed up a clipboard. Yes, I just said jazzed again. I know, I'm out of control.

Shipped packages to customers, both vintage and prints.

Enjoyed a night with my Champagne/Bookclub ladies.  We had a little champagne, a lot of water and a plethora of delicious food. Plethora doesn't get used nearly enough, so I just thought I'd throw that in there one more time. Neither does copious. Depending on how you look at it, there was either a plethora of food or a copious amount. Ha!

It started to look like Fall. 

I hosted a party where we all got know each other better. In fact, I'm still hosting a party.If you have a shop or blog, link up and you might find yourself featured as one of my picks on Monday.

I shared the second part in a series on Making the Most of Craft Fairs.

[via emma lamb]

Last night we had a campfire and it looks like the weather will cooperate tonight as well.  

I'm working on things at my desk right now, including this new design. I may have some tweaking to do. I usually have to walk away for a little while before I decide if something is finished. Isn't the Scandinavian proverb wonderful?

I've also been pulling together the next giveaway....great sponsors so far. You guys are going to love it.  There are a couple of spots left if you're a shop owner and would like to participate as a sponsor. Just drop me a line and we'll see if you're a good fit for this one. There's an email button right below my profile in the righthand sidebar.

I'm going to make an Italian Chicken & White Bean Soup later. No recipe. Just winging it. The beans are soaking now and I'll throw the leftover rotisserie chicken in the pot to boil. It's gonna be good around the campfire. No doubt about that.

What's happening in your world?

Enjoy the weekend,

Making The Most Out Of Fairs/Part 2 & Freeform Friday

[via emma lamb]

Your Best Display

Building on Friday's post, Making the Most Out of Fairs, suffice it to say that I am still researching and planning our booth for the craft fair we're doing in town on the 20th.  I'll state again, I have no idea how many people it will draw as it's only in its second year. We are still working on putting together the best display we can. It's good practice and because we work hard on our stuff - my illustrations and designs, and his concrete home and garden decor. I want our products to be shown in the best light possible.

So let's start right there.

1. Research & Planning

By all means, do some research. Talk to people you know who have done fairs. Ask them what displays worked well. Clip pictures out of magazines you like, scope out pinterest, mark blogs and shops you like that give you ideas for displays.  Sketch out a really basic overview or how you can best use your space whether it's just a table or entire booth. You don't have to be an artist, it's just a map for your to follow when you set up.

Then, do a test run (in your house, yard, basement, dining room table...wherever you can).

[via paper skirt]

Yes a test run. That way, you will be able to really see how it all works together. Sure, it might be a lot of work, but it will be so much easier when you get to the fair.

2. Use The Space You Have To The Fullest

This is pretty straight forward.  If you have a wall behind you, display some items on the wall.

[via paperskirt]

If you have a table, don't forget that the front of your table can serve as a backdrop for display, much like a wall, especially if you have light items.

[via emma lamb]

If you have a corner booth, don't forget you get extra visibility and be sure to create a display that can draw people from both sides.

3. Style Your Display

You know all those shows on HGTV that you've watched? You know, the ones with all the designers. Think about how they style rooms.  Think about texture, color, accessories, and odd numbers in groupings and how they work together to make your product display really sing.

[via emma lamb]

[via decor 8]

[via something creative every day]

[via indiemade]

4. Don't Let Your Display Overpower Your Product

You want your product to be the star of the show. Keep in mind things like the color of table cloths, bookcases, backdrops, folding screens.  You want your products to be shown in the best light and if colorful, pop.

[via tea rose home]

That goes for displays within your display, and for your booth in general. You don't want things to look overwhelming, or it may end up detracting from your product instead of showing it off.

Again, if you have done craft shows in the past and have tips to share, please do so in the comments.

Swing By The Party

The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is rocking! You should see the people coming through the door.  Old friends, new friends...there is lots to discover and if you have a shop or blog, you'll want to link up and show us your stuff.  We're even discovering a little bit about each other this time around, so be sure to check out the comments. 

Freeform Friday

Been listening to Graceland in the car.  This song makes me happy for a few reasons, it's upbeat nature, the Ladysmith Mambazo Chorus, the horns, and the thought of Chevy Chase and his goofball expressions in this video. You'll have to click here whether you're reading via email or the blog. Embedding was disabled on this one. Bummer.

Have a great Friday. So far here, the sun is shining! Yay. This week was very dreary so it is quite welcome. Plans for the weekend include getting products and displays sussed out for the craft fair, a campfire and a foliage ride.  It's not like we have to go far, the trees are starting to really pop here. Hopefully I can get some good pictures to share.

Ciao for now,



Making the Most Out of Fairs

via so into vintage

Fair Displays That Work

Hi all. Hope this Friday finds you well. Raining here but that makes for a good day to get some work done without sun as distraction. Also a good day for thinking about the set up we're going to put together for the fair we're doing on October 20th. Now, it's only the second year of the fair, and I have no idea how many people will attend, but that's no reason not to put together the best booth we can. I have lots of ideas swirling around my head. Since it is a craft fair, I don't think we can display our vintage stuff unless it's something we've done something to - like refinished/painted furniture, but I need to check on that.  Of course, that doesn't mean I can't take inspiration from both vintageers (I know, I know....I just made up another word, but I really like that one), artists and crafters alike.

I'd like to give it as much of a 'mercantile' feel as possible to play on and brand our business- Bates Mercantile Co. It also needs to pull together our eclectic variety of products which include my illustrations (which can often have a sometimes have a modern slant), Gar's concrete home and garden decor, jewelry that I've made, stars made with my original paper designs, my stationery designs, and some refinished furniture pieces (working on finding some to refinish!).

Keeping all of this in mind, here are some displays that I like from....let me put my Speakeasy hat on.......a marketing perspective. 

Here's some points to consider:

1. product storage/display 

via needlebook (via workroom via indiefixx)

I've seen suitcases used a variety of ways by different sellers. What I like about the ones above and below, are that they don't just plunk stuff into the suitcase, but rather used the suitcase as a backdrop for displays within a display.  Needlebook added a small bookshelf for extra display space (love that), a box to lift her pieces up for better viewing (talk about a simple idea), and still had room for an 'in suitcase' display section for her items that were bigger. It all adds so much interest. 

The miniature clothesline strung in this one utilizes the top of the suitcase another way that packs a punch. Again, another really easy as pie idea. Also make note of the easy to read pricing of these fabrics.

via melindajoise (via the workroom, via indiefixx)

Consider what would work best for your products.  Julie from Julie Ann Art repurposed a pallet simply by adding some small shelves to the front for her cards.

via Julie Ann Art

2. Depth For Visual Interest

When planning a fair booth, you don't want it to look flat and one dimensional. Even if your product is something like my illustrations which are by nature, flat, you don't want your display to feel that way to your potential customers. One way create more visual interest is to display things at varying heights and depths.

via chateau de fleurs

Note the use of the suitcase for display again. More importantly, all of the differing heights and depths makes you feel like there is so much to discover.  If you're thinking, 'what if all I have is a table at the craft fair?. Don't let that stop you. You can employ this visual merchandising tactic on a table top. (side note: use this tip when arranging a buffet table too for your next party. use upside down boxes and cover with cloth napkin or fabric).

via oh hello friend

via chateau de fleurs

If you're selling things that have drawers use them to display smaller items if possible.

via chateau de fleurs

3. Brand Your Booth

Now, obviously you should identify your booth with signage, but what I'm really talking about here is that your booth should reflect your brand. Remember how I said I wanted to give our booth a 'mercantile' feel to represent our brand? If you sell jewelry with a vintage feel, then your display should speak to that. 

via oh hello friend

If your items have a 'homey feel', make sure your booth does too, displaying things as they might be displayed in the home. 

via rebecca broome

If you sell cute stuff, make it cute.  You get the drift.

4. Think Out of the Box, Or In It

Be creative and use things you have at your disposal in new ways.  

Pallets.......

via swirl marketing

via swirl marketing

  

Ladders...........

via craft fair displays

via the knot.com via oh hello friend

Boxes!......

via recycled box

4. Make It Welcoming

You want people to feel comfortable as they approach your booth.  Think about this from your customer's perspective. Even if you just have a table, you can still dress it up so it says 'look at me'.  Make sure that your items are easy for your customers to handle and feel, after all this is on of the advantages of selling in person as opposed to online.

via chateau de fleurs



via swirl marketing

People don't like to ask about pricing, it makes them feel uncomfortable. Make it easy to find and read.

via so into vintage

Think of your booth not simply as a booth, but as your own little pop up store. What would you want your brick and mortar store to look like if you had one and go from there.

Last but not least, dress and act the part and the most important part of that is a smile and hello.

If you have any booth ideas that have worked for you, please share in the comments. I'd love to hear them and I'm sure there are others reading this that would too.

Freeform Friday

Rainy day here. Time for some Dylan.  If you're reading by email click here.

Happy Friday.  I'll be doing a little work at my desk this weekend, as well as making paper stars.  Was hoping for a campfire but I think it's supposed to be rainy which is a bummer.  Maybe we'll have a first inside fire of the season instead.  Got any plans? 

ttfn,