I've been a market vendor for a year now! What an amazing part of the whole Quilting Violinist journey it's become, and I can honestly say I've had a ton of fun at every single event I've done.
While it's great to have a presence on the Internet (like an
Etsy shop, or your own website) I'm believing more and more that online selling is only PART of the equation to running a (modestly) successful craft business. I'm thinking a 3 part approach is key: 1. a fabulous online store, with great pictures, concise Search Engine Optimization, and desirable product 2. custom orders from enthusiastic customers and 3. a presence in your own community at live events.
I'll probably spend a lot of 2012 talking about, and working on, all of those things!
But first things first. I had ordered some display items from
Store Supply and tried them out for the first time last Sunday, at the
Seminole Heights Market.
Improved signage was first! Those 5x7 cards, just insert into the sign holders, so they can be switched out whenever needed. I have a few signs that fit on the grid walls, and a few that sit on tables. I wish I could buy prettier handwriting (but I'm working on it!)
These "waterfall" type hangers make better use of space, and organize the products in a much more attractive manner!
There were a few structural alterations as well. I had my husband cut away the bottom rungs of the grid walls, so they now sit flush against the leg of the tent, and over the 25 lb. tent weight, rather than leaning against it.
This isn't visible to customers, but a big convenience for me: my husband also cut the grid walls in half, making them much, much easier to move around and set up! You just slide the top part onto the bottom, and screw it into place.
Of course, it's all about having satisfied market customers, like Baby Avery, who loves his new
Selvage Bib!
For you signage, you know you could use Microsoft Word and print out your signs on cardstock with whatever font you desire. And if the font you want isn't on Word then you can always search the internet for free fonts to download. When I make a label for a quilt, I always print it out using Word and then trace over it on a lightbox. So much easier than practicing my calligraphy for an hour before I write the label. I just hope that hand writing and calligraphy don't become lost arts.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty much sure that handwriting is going to be history in near future. Technology have produced so many things to write faster than ever. Why should we bother writing with our hands? :) (This is only a thought not necessarily it will become true).
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