How2: Market Survival Tips

The farmers market season is upon us, are you ready to sell your artwork at a local market?

This week marked my fifth year selling at my local market. I’m sharing some strategies for a successful day at the market.

• Practice your display at home first

• Have different levels on your display tables. This brings more visual interest as well as gives you more room to showcase your wares.

• Make sure your displays are sturdy, they should stand up to customers & wind.

• Have a lot of change. Then get more. The alternative is to have tax included, you will need to back out the sales tax at the end of the day to pay the state, but you won’t be burdened by a bunch of coins.

• Put your information on the customer copy of your receipt book before you start, you can use a stamp or print labels, this way, if somehow your customer doesn’t get a business card, they will still have your info.

• Make a price list with tax and total, if you're like me my math skills are completely absent early Saturday morning. I still use a calculator for figuring change, that and plenty of caffeine and I'm in business.

• Dress appropriately, layer. You never know with early spring, and if you happen to be set up in the shade it's going to be even colder. If you're in the sun, you may need some sunscreen. Prepare for both! Pack some "little hotties" hand warmers and a tube of SPF & sunglasses.

• Give yourself plenty of time to set up, if you are done early you can always go grab coffee or say hello to fellow vendors

• Some markets have a selling before the bell policy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with customers, talk to them, get their purchase ready, you just can’t take the cash until that bell rings.

• Taking credit cards… if you have a smart phone look into the square or other apps, other options available include Pro-pay & Paypal. These are good temporary solutions unless you want to commit to a contract that could last for a couple of years.

• Know where the nearest ATM is, especially if you don't take credit cards.

• Have a sign-up book for e-mail mailing list, you can let your customers know about new items, special sales, or send them coupons for their next visit.

• Make sure your prices are clearly marked.

• Have things in different price ranges. Not everyone can afford the original, have some prints too. Greeting cards & postcards are great impulse buys especially with tourists. Smaller pieces that pack well are a good idea too, as many markets can attract tourists.

• Get a banner for the front of your tent. Or make one. Create brand identity and get your name out there.

• Put some things at eye level. Have something interesting to draw people to your space. Whether it's a colorful sign, work of art, or a hanging display, it will make your booth more enticing.

• Make friends with your neighbors. You never know when you might need change for a fifty or run out of credit card slips, or simply need a quick potty break!

• Please don't just sit behind your table, greet people, welcome them, walk around and interact! (if you must sit, see if you can get a stool or bar height chair, it makes you more approachable & eye contact easier with customers)

• NEVER let a customer leave empty-handed. Give them a business card or a flier, a sample of some sort, something to remember you by. I’ve done pin back buttons, temporary tattoos, and candy with my logo on it as take-aways. Other ideas include upcycled bookmarks, mini matchbook notebooks, magnets, postcards.

• Most of all have fun! The customers at farmers markets are already in tune to sustainable options, and you’ll find they love local artists.

Images & Text © Miss Courageous

How2 Tuesday: DIY Earring Display

Pasticcio Resin Earrings by Candy Calamity
.
Candy Calamity spent a long time looking for a great way to display her earrings at craft shows, but couldn't find anything she really liked. So, she made her own display instead!
.
She's put together this tutorial to show you how it's done...
.
You will need:
2 shutters
sand paper
a cleaning rag
spray paint
a tarp or other paint protection layer
small hinges
a drill
a screwdriver
a pencil
.

Find some old shutters.

You need the kind with actual slats and not just shaped plastic. I found mine on craigslist*, but you might already have some at home, or can find them at a flea market or junk shop.

.
Take off all the old hardware. If the shutters have any large or
unsightly holes fill them with putty. I left mine as they were because I think it adds character.
.
Use a little sand paper to sand down any rough spots or chipping
paint, then wipe clean with a damp rag.
.

Spray paint the shutters, be sure to spray from different angles
to get all around the slats, plan on doing a few coats. I picked a flat
black color because it will show off my bright jewelry best.
.

Attach the hinges. I did this by closing the shutters right sides
together and laying them flat on a table (make sure the slats tilt the
same way on both sides) That made it easy to just hold the hinge where I wanted it and pencil mark where I would need to drill to put the screws.
.

Stand your shutters up and open them at a 60 degree angle.
Congrats you are finished! You can place hook style earrings straight on the slats of the shutters or use earring cards.
Hang the earrings from the front of the card and stick the back through the slat.

*You can also try to Freecycle!
.
Text and Images ©Candy Calamity
www.candycalamity.etsy.com
www.candycalamity.blogspot.com
.
.
This tutorial is reprinted with permission from Candy Calamity.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this tutorial is correct. However, due to differing conditions, tools, and individual skills, the author and publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses, or other damages that may result from the use of the information posted. Any resemblance to another project or tutorial is purely coincidental.
.
.