Bring Work:
Bringing some crafty work with you is a good way to keep busy during the day. People enjoy watching things being made, also, it makes more of an authentic, personal touch. Another good reason to do this is it gives you something to work on while your customers are shopping so you’re not staring them down like an eagle while they shop! It creates a much more relaxed environment. Obviously do not become so involved in what you’re doing that you are unaccessible, or that the customer doesn’t want to disturb you - greet them when they enter, make eye contact, say something like “take a look around, if you have any questions feel free to ask me anything!” or something to that effect. It’s relaxed and comfortable environments that your shoppers will linger in longer and look around, the longer they look, the more likely there is to be a sale.
Price Fairly - for yourself!
Nothing irks me more than fellow artists undercutting themselves. Newsflash: Your time is worth something! Factor in the time it takes you to make an item, the cost it takes you to make the item, the availability of the supplies you buy - (are you using something you can buy in a store, like beads, or something vintage that you only have a few of?) For things that are one of a kind, or there are limited quantities of the supplies to make them, they’re worth a bit more than something you can make another 100 of.
I’ve sellers people make comments like “Oh, it’s payment enough for someone to buy it and enjoy it, if my costs for supplies are covered, I’m happy!” Well, guess what, if this is the case you are a hobbyist, which is fine, but you really shouldn’t be selling at shows. When you price your items super low, you undercut your fellow artist. Handmade does not mean cheap. You do not have to compete with Wal Mart. When people buy Handmade items, they are buying more than a knitted scarf, or a painted mirror, or a bar of soap or pair of earrings - they’re buying a piece of creative ingenuity, something crafted by hand is a treasure - not being able to find a similar item in Wal Mart or Target gives your item exclusivity. Your precious time is invested in every piece you make, your hands work to make a piece come together, your brain works to be creative, different, and have everything work in harmony. If you are not figuring these things into the cost of your items, you’re selling yourself short, no doubt about it. Also, if you don’t value your item, why should any body else? And why would somebody spend their money on something without any perceived value?
Keep reading, there's more coming soon!