As a craft show organizer, I've watched countless vendors 'in their element' and... not in their element. Whether you're a seasoned pro or ready to apply to your first craft show, there is a very important "Code of Craft Show Vendors" that is mostly unspoken, but should be followed in order to make great sales and to make your show run smoothly (for you AND for the organizer).

CODE 1: BE PRESENT AND FRIENDLY

I can't tell you how many times I've watched vendors buried in their phones while customers wait for them to look up, but when the vendor doesn't look up, the customer walks away. Make sure to greet your customers and make them feel welcome to ask you questions or find out more about your product and give them your full attention (or tell them you'll be with them in just a minute because understandably, you could be merchandising or doing a social post). Craft show customers are coming because they want to support and meet YOU, and you can gain some loyal followers by being...

'Tis the season to be... going 100% into Holiday Craft Fair Mode!

It's that time! The most wonderful time of the year when we come together at in-home showings, wine & shops, craft shows, and school holiday fairs.  It Holiday Craft Show time. We have compiled a few tips on how to give your booth a lil seasonal cheer while you're selling your handmades:

ARTIFICIAL TREES

Fake trees can add some holiday cheer to your booth AND serve as a display. We love these 'trees' and the possibilities are endless with how you can decorate them. If you're a jeweler, you can hang your jewelry on them. If you make note cards, you can clip them to the tree. Ornaments? Hang them just like would a real tree!

We love how Arched used a holiday tree in their booth to hang her merch: ornaments!

Photo by Arched

TWINKLING  LIGHTS

Let your light shine! A simple thing like some extra lighting can give your booth a holiday feel.  You can find strands of LED lights...

The Holiday Craft Show Season is upon us! You can increase your sales and brand awareness at holiday shows many different ways. Here are a few tips on how to increase your holiday sales by using social media:

#1: Have an "Events" page on your website and social media

Make sure you have an  Events tab or page on your website.  You can find an example HERE on co-founder Carly Rae Studio's website. This guarantees anyone who comes to your website will know where they can find you, in person! Many clients shop handmade and local specifically because they want to support YOU so knowing where to find you, physically, can boost sales. Also, some clients may want to avoid shipping charges on larger, heavier items or if they are buying multiples, and may plan their purchase around your pop-up craft shows. Here is a great example of how to list your events on your Instagram and Facebook stories from Carly's site. Once you have shared to your stories, you can 'Highlight' it so...

Craft show organizers and juries spend a lot of time going through every vendor application for upcoming shows, but they do have time constraints. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to see how fabulous your handmades are. Here are three tips for submitting a great craft show application.

#1:  Follow the directions in the application

Make sure you read the fine-print on the application. If the organizer is asking for your email address, make sure you have entered it correctly as it may be the only way they contact you to let you know the status of your application. If the app asks for you to type the exact links to your social media and website, make sure you follow the directions and do so. For instance, if the application asks for your Etsy shop, type the entire URL out! Don’t just put your shop name. Many times, organizers of juried shows have a time limit they are working under and if you don’t put the exact link for them to click in their software,...