Spring and Summer bring craft fairs to town and that means setting up, networking, and getting out there and selling your wares. I know for a lot of people the actual fair going time is a few months away, but it’s time to start getting ready now. Work on your flyers, taking pictures, printing brochures, and of course crafting your crafts! Be ready. Preparation will save the day.

First you need your products obviously. You’ve probably got that handled. One thing I always noticed when I was doing craft fairs was how many tables and booths did not hand out business cards or flyers, or any kind of contact information at all. Don’t make this mistake. You can easily load up on great business cards to hand out from Vista Print, which I have recommended several times in the past for their super cheap address labels and other print goodies. You can actually get a whole box of business cards from them for free, just pay shipping.

And remember, the address labels don’t have to have your mailing address on them just because they are called address labels! Get labels printed with your Company Name, website url, and a little slogan, maybe a phone number. Toss a roll of those in your box on fair day and stick them on bags, tags, anything you can stick a label on. Put your information in front of people so they remember you. Hand out business cards. Give them flyers that show what else you have, especially if you offer custom work of any kind. You want them to think of you even if they don’t pick up a cash and carry sale that particular day.

Are you ready for craft fair season?

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Many of us dream of the possibility of creating a successful business right from our homes, one that is sustainable and we can run without ever leaving the confines of our humble abode. Alas, there are numerous businesses which begin and end with these great ideas each year. But some people have the know-how to create a business, which can effectively be operated from home and they have learned the secrets to doing it profitably. (more…)

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A whole package of information for anyone interested or who has ever thought of starting a craft business using a blog. If you love doing crafts you can turn that into a moneymaking business with a blog.

Here’s what you get:

• 35-page eBook
• 2 Audios:
• 1 - Interview with a successful blogger who makes money using various topics focused blogs.
• 2 - Craft Blog Tips
• Resources for Finding Graphics for Your Blog
• Resources for Finding Content for Your Blog
• Where to buy a domain
• Course that will help you get traffic (visitors) to your blog
• Blogging Calendar
• Bonus Time Management Book
• Lifetime Updates at no extra cost

I think it’s safe to say that most of the readers on this blog love to do crafts. I’ve had a lot of questions from people curious as to how they can create an income doing something crafty they love without actually having to create and sell their own crafts. Even when it’s something you’re passionate about sometimes making and selling your crafts can make your hobby feel burdensome, and nobody wants to do that. Just Add Sweat’s Craft Blog Business Ebook is helpful in explaining how to get into the niche blogging arena while tapping into a market that you are already familiar with and talking about things that you love.

The 1st audio was great! The interview talks with Nicole Dean about blogs in general. She tells you why blogging is a great way to make money online, why choosing a specific topic is good, which platform is best to blog with, how to get others to visit your blog and so much more.

I really liked the fact that they tell you right up front there won’t immediately be hundreds of dollars a month in profits. It truly does take some sweat and hard work just like any other business. There’s no such thing as a free ride with an online business, no matter how many people try to convince people otherwise. Just take one thing at a time and work hard at it, and good things will come from it.

The second audio offers great tips for a craft blog specifically. The eBook, is 35 pages of information on how to actually start a craft blog. From what is needed to get started, to what blogging software to use, tips for narrowing down a specific craft niche and why it’s important to do so, and even help for determining a target visitor.

The step-by-step instructions for setting up a blog on Blogger were so helpful. I’ve already set up many blogs, so I knew how to do that step already, but they would be perfect for someone that has never set up a blog before at all. It walks you through step by step and makes it easy. If you need any help with setting up your new craft blog just let me know, I’d be able to help you get started in the blogging world.

The guide even gives you ways you can monetize your blog, including specific affiliate programs that fit perfectly with a craft blog. If you are wondering how to actually get people to come to your blog and the eBook explains lots of ways that you can get your blog noticed by people on the Internet from where to submit your blog, how to comment on others blogs, a whole course on how to get traffic to your new craft blog, etc.

You also get all the technical information on setting up your business and why to treat your blog just like any other business. Unlike lots of other business tools, you will not be left to figure out the necessities of starting a business on your own.

I could go on and on about what’s included, but I’ve got a business to work on, but then I’d be spilling the beans. You’ll just have to read the rest for yourself. They have other great ebooks as well.

Technorati Tags: craft blog, craft blog ebook, ebook, niche blogging, craft business

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I am always being asked for craft business and craft show tips. So I’m going to start throwing a few out there now and then.

• Invest in or put together a professional display for your table. Don’t just lay things out on a fold out craft table when you go to a show. A nice presentation makes a huge difference.
• Have brochures and business cards at the ready. Contact information is often more valuable than a sale at a show. Someone might want a larger quantity, or call you later to do some holiday shopping.
• Offer something personal, whether it’s a customization by adding a name, or making things in a different color, let them know they can order it with you and you’ll get it to them asap
• Get a business checking account. It doesn’t have to be a big fancy thing, just a separate checking account to put order money in and buy supplies out of. It makes things a lot easier to keep track of.
• Diversify. If you are offering mostly large handmade quilts that have a pretty price tag on them, offer some smaller items as well. Maybe some table runners, or pillows that you’ve sewn. Or something to accent with, like candles or decorations.

These are just a few things … there are many more to come.

Technorati Tags: craft business, crafts, selling crafts,

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A question I often hear is what companies do I recommend for a crafter that wants to work at home. The truth is I don’t recommend any. There are many a scam that directly targets the crafter wanting a home based business that is creative. Far too many a mail order scam begin by looking for “crafters from home.”

If you want to work from home I suggest one of two approaches. One, make your favorite type of crafts and sell them online. You can set up your own website. Contact me if you need help getting started or need a website design, I will be happy to help you get started. Or you can sell on ebay, or even better etsy! Etsy is awesome for crafters that want to sell their wares.

The second being to find a direct sales company that sells something creative like scrapbook kits, or jewelry making supplies and sign up a representative. You’ll gain contacts, get to talk to people about creative stuff, and make a few extra dollars on the side.

Of course there are other options too I’m sure, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to working from home.

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Just a little something I’m curious about. I was considering placing an advertisement in this area to invite stitchers and crafters to our message board community here. I’ve thought about it several times in the past, but I’ve never actually gone ahead and done the placing of the ad. I know a lot of times there are a lot of junk ads in the back of the mag, business scams, and MLM ads are finding their way into them. So, I am just curious if you take a peek at those ads to see if there are any good freebies or something new and exciting that you want to check out. Also, do you go to any of the websites that you see there? Vote in the poll and leave me a comment with your thoughts about these little ad sections.

Thank you so much for taking the time to vote and let me know what you think. I truly do appreciate it.

Technorati Tags: craft magazine, craft classifieds, stitching magazines

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A bit of a different site review today. Not a blog or a stitchy shop, but a candle shop. I know that when I working on my projects or even just relaxing with the family I need the room to be “cozy” feeling and usually that means there is at least one candle lit somewhere. And I like things to smell good and that leads to me buying all sorts of candles!

Caterpillars Creations soy candles are made with the finest quality ingredients to give you a great scent throw and no sooty residue. Not all soy candles are equal, if the ingredients aren’t good then your candle will not be good, the scent will fade away, and the soy will turn funny colors in the jar if not mixed and poured properly.

You’ll find all shapes and sizes at Caterpillars Candles from melts and tea lights to apothecary jars and pillars, all made from the best natural ingredients. You can opt for dye free candles as well for a natural look and still enjoy your favorite scents. You can even mix and match colors and scent choices for the perfect candle for every room in your house.

For those of you in the craft business looking to expand Caterpillar Creations also offers a nice wholesale soy candles program and private labeling options for those that are interested in selling candles to add to your income.

Technorati Tags: candles, soy candles, candle soy, soot free candles, caterpillars creations, caterpillars candles

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It’s summer and it’s time for fairs, expos, shows and that means getting your displays up to par! Make the choice to get a nice display setup. Think of it as a crafting investment property, it’s going to cost a little extra now, but it will result in more sales at future craft shows and expos. I’ve learned from experience that a good display makes all the difference in the outcome. A rickety folding table with a plastic tablecloth isn’t going to cut if you want to land some big sales.

Technorati Tags: craft shows, craft expos, craft sales, craft business

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We’ve talked about entering your cross stitch in competitions before. Summer is frequently a time when there are a lot of fairs and exhibits going up, an opportunity to display your work and enter it in contests. Sometimes county fairs can draw huge crowds, coming in from not only local but out of town and out of state visitors just to check out the exhibits. It’s like the world series for crafters and local small businesses! If you’ve ever been to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania you know exactly what I mean. By the way, if you have been there and you’re going this year give me a shout and I’ll meet you there!

Technorati Tags: fair competitions, fair, exhibits, bloomsburg fair

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When I was in direct sales one of the best tools I had were my personalized labels that I put on everything I sold. I had laminated labels printed since I sold bath an body products, that way the information didn’t get rubbed off if the bottle or jar got wet. Even now, with my crafting business and flyers and handouts I use not only my business cards to hand out to people, but I put personalized labels on a lot of things as well, sometimes even if it’s not business related it gets a STNA sticker stuck to it! There are a lot of options for having labels printed and you can get them in different shapes and sizes from tiny little round labels (which are great for sticking on top of a polycon full of sample product for all you bath and body reps out there) all the way to personalized bumper and shaped car stickers. They can be a great promotional tool and cost only pennies a piece to use. Add artwork or a logo for extra branding recognition, and it can be a very powerful thing. Not sure where to stick your shiny new stickers? Everywhere! On catalogs, flyers, bags, boxes, products, even on the back of your business card! You’d be surprised how many people flip over business cards, especially from a crafter, looking for a coupon code or other special tidbit. With stickers no space is ever wasted.

Technorati Tags: sticker, personalized labels, color labels, promo stickers, marketing stickers, direct sales, labels, id labels
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