Holiday Boot Camp Week Five

[AudMod]

It's hard to believe we're into our fifth week of Holiday Boot Camp. Wow, how time flies!

If you missed anything from last week or before, you can brush up here:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/holiday-boot-camp-2012-get-ready/

And be sure to check out last week's blog post with tips for shipping and photos:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/boot-camp-week-4/

This week we're packing up and hitting the road (well, not literally...) to tackle the world of holiday craft fairs. Can't you almost feel the cup of hot apple cider in your hands as you peruse the booths of your fellow craft and vintage loving peers?

Whether you are renting a booth at your local fair this holiday season, or simply attending a fair to shop, the experience can valuable to you. Pick up ideas for brand presentation, holiday merchandising, and learn how shoppers react to your products (or those of your peers) in person.

Be sure to check out this week's reading:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-to-rock-it-at-a-holiday-show/

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/what-to-bring-to-a-craft-fair/

Off to the fair!

[Former_Member]

i will definitely be reading this! I have a show the weekend after Thanksgiving!

[Former_Member]

Would you believe I've NEVER done a show or craft fair? Ever? hahaha

I read threads and blogs and all kinds of stuff about what to bring and how to behave (and how NOT to :D). But our family schedule makes it hard to set something up that far in advance.

There's always next year. :P

[MyHobbyShop]

I've done a few craft shows and found its not for me, at least not right now. With a full time job and three teenagers its just to stressful! That's why I am so grateful to be able to sell online. Maybe when I become an empty nester I will be able to take my show on the road :-)

[Former_Member]

I've done a few shows, and make very little for them

however, the few places i can go are not exactly in my target market, very few members of my target live anywhere near here

*crosses fingers for more mobility soon!*

[cooljewelrydesign]

not for me, but wishing you all much success ..... and at the very least, inspiration!

[sunshineandvodka]

since I'm doing a bridal show in January, I'll certainly benefit from the craft show links... thanks so much!

[OddLotPaperie]

man, doing a craft show ths weekend! Reading the craft fair one immeately!

[TheDorothyDays]

I am doing a big craft fair this weekend which is really exciting and shall take into account the reading and try to improve for the next craft fair I am doing, they will be really helpful for future craft fairs including a christmas one i am doing :).

[umeone]

Hi, I signed up for the On Line Lab Bootcamp for today but, for some reason I couldn't get it. It was Labs that I've seen before. Could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Etsy needs a way for us to show that we are at a show and not on vacation or not in normal mode. I do a number of Art/Craft shows and have actually sold a piece at the show and on Etsy in the same day. This caused all sorts of problems since my pieces are truly One of a Kind. There should be a way of putting the Etsy shop into a show mode where sales become pending.

Also Etsy MUST provide a way for us to indicate that a piece sold at a show rather than just deactivating it and having it disappear into the aether.

[umeone]

Why can't I get the Bootcamp Lab or where Ican I find it?

[loveofdrawing]

Ive done craft fairs as well but it wasnt really for me. I had alot of people coming overing saying how nice the items were but they didnt purchase. (Nothing was crazy priced or anything) Ive sold way more online! But good luck to those who have found success with it. :)

[loveofdrawing]

Ok the info in the Boot Camp reading is pretty helpful! Even if your not going to do a craft show to think and set yourself up like you would is pretty great! It really does start to expand your thinking!

[DottieBeeMerry]

I've been doing craft shows for years. Boot camp is great for keeping me on my toes and drive those customers to my website from a show. I include a simple paper thank you in each and every bag. It is amazing how many customers contact me after a show when they are going through their purchases and want to purchase another piece because great aunt Mary just loved it!

[Former_Member]

@ClayScraps, I love the idea of putting a simple paper thank you in each bag...although sometimes we don't make great sales at markets, we have often made contacts, gotten special orders, and even made friends with local artists.

I read the blogs posted here. I LOVE the tip about how you can suggest online shopping. This is a great way to give them your card without seeming too pushy.

[Former_Member]

This season, I've dove head first into craft shows and I LOVE them! My local team was the best for helping me get started, and I've met some great people who have acted like mentors to me. They are absolutely invaluable!

If anyone is on the fence about craft shows, my best advice is to hook up with a local team and do TWO. One may be a bust, so give it two tries before you call it quits!

And look for the Etsy team "Craft Fairs... It's a Living!" Those folks are wonderful and full of great advice and tips!

[Former_Member]

I have a FT job so it's harder for me to do arts and craft shows. I also don't have a full line of products so I'm not even sure if it will sell. I attended a local arts and craft show this past weekend and there were some bath and body but not mineral makeup so I don't know if it sells.

I would like to expand into the arts and craft shows.

[Former_Member]

@Lilly-I have not seen mineral makeup at a lot of shows. I know I would personally be interested in something like that. I know the bath and body shops do very well at certain shows.

@Milly, Totally agree with you. Local teams are completely invaluable. Many of them have already done the legwork and can tell you if a show is a no-go.

[TerraRhapsody]

I wish I could find some local craft fairs that don't cost the Earth and Jupiter to purchase a stand at! It's my dream to do craft fairs, but alas.

[Former_Member]

MissCraftIt and I are friends, we live in the same city and decided to be Holiday Boot Camp buddies AND we are putting on our own craft fair!! We have lots of artistic friends who will be combining forces to gather friends and family for what we are calling A Crafty Afternoon:) People can come and enjoy a class of wine and some holiday goodies while kicking off (or finishing their Holiday gift shopping). I did it last year with a different group of crafty friends and it was a great success! Hope that inspires some crafty Etsy sellers:)

[Former_Member]

Anyone else attending/selling at the Whismic Alley Wizard Craft Fair in LA??

[Former_Member]

Hi
I have about 5 to 6 craft fairs from October to December a year. I love going to showes to sell to customers because there is nothing in the world more exciting then having someone buy something you make and walk off happy. Now and then I have some people come to my boothe that are not as nice. I have had to develope a thick skin. Over all it is a lot of fun. I don't make alot of money, but I do well enough to make it worth it.