Your first craft show or even first couple can be pretty overwhelming (especially if you're an introvert!). The day is usually long, you're on your feet, you're answer a lot of different questions and you're always in that awkward balance of wanting to sell your stuff but not be pushy or hover. Community member Maria Aranes shares the lessons she's learned as newbie seller.
Want to know who is really good at telling you what booths work and which ones don't? Craft show producers! A couple of our favorite show producers are the ladies behind Indie Craft Parade (they are accepting apps until 6/20 so get on that!) and they are sharing standout craft show booths from the stellar artists who sell at their shows. If your booth needs sprucing up or you are about to create your first one, then read on for some inspiration and tips!
One thing that always astounds me is how much makers are able to juggle. Some of you might be considering juggling more and going back to school to help you get better at your business. That's what #ahasmember Cristiana of Pebble & Fire decided to do and she is sharing her story!
It's not holiday season for shows yet, but there are still A LOT of shows happening right now and through the fall! Our members will be at the shows below-- if you are vending or attending, feel free to say hello to them and connect. I would also love to know which shows you will be at this spring-- let us know in the comments.
Sometimes an artist is not appreciated in his or her own backyard. Which might be one reason why you didn't do so well at that last craft show-- it's not you, it might not even be craft shows. It's the people. They might not be your people. And sometimes you will discover that if you travel for shows, a whole new audience opens up. It's amazing! Which is why today we wanted to share with you nine regional craft shows you might not know about.
Keeping track of craft shows can take on a life of its own-- finding them, figuring out when applications open, plotting out which ones you got into, etc. Making all of this easier is #ahasmember Unanimous Craft. Founder Rosalie Gale shares how you can use it to restore some sanity to your craft show endeavors, as well as find other great places to sell your handmade items. On top of all of that? She's doing a giveaway for Premium Membership on the site!
There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected from something with little idea as to why. But just like when you sent out a bunch of applications for college and didn't get custom feedback on improvement, craft shows with their hundreds and thousands of applications also don't have time. Today on the blog we get the next best thing! #ahasmembers Makers Collective, which puts on the market Indie Craft Parade, who is giving you insight into how their brains work when processing applications. And truthfully, how a lot of craft show juries work. So soak up this knowledge and start making your upcoming applications amazing.
It's official-- the weather is getting warmer and that means more craft shows happening each weekend. Our members will be at the shows below-- if you are vending or attending, feel free to say hello to them and connect. I would also love to know which shows you will be at this spring-- let us know in the comments.
I have been to many a craft show and I remain intrigued about the highly attended Canadian show One Of A Kind. It's set up like no show that I know of and one of (if not the?) the biggest one in Canada on many levels. So I was excited when I found out that someone I knew, Emma Gerard, was doing the show this past year and had been doing it for many years. If you've been thinking of doing the show for a bit OR you are interested, read on!
We are always on the lookout for interesting and different shows to let you guys know about. When #ahasmembers Lustered Walnut were at the American Crafts Council Show in San Francisco recently they agreed to share with you all their experience.
Today's post comes as we are full steam ahead into summer craft show season. If you've got a lot of shows coming up or are in the middle of a bunch, you might be questioning your very existence. They can take a lot of prep work and can make for a grueling day or days (customers! sun! customers!). They can also be a place where you take your business to the next level.
