Since the past few weeks I have been busy creating items for an artisanal market event - Up Market Markets due to take place on March 19 and 20 at Divonne. Have a look at the bottom of this post for photos of my creations if you are in a hurry!
This is the first time I will be participating in a 'proper' crafter's market and I am not quite sure what to expect! In preparation I have been reading blogs and viewing videos of other seasoned crafters to get some tips! Here is what I am doing differently to what I normally do:
1. Making smaller home decor pieces.
Usually my wall art pieces are quite large and so they take more time and effort. This drives up the price for a potential buyer. Also from a customer's point of view, smaller pieces are easier to transport and display if one has limited wall space.
2. Making pieces with uniform sizes and background.
Most of my newer pieces are 23 cm square and have a black or white back ground. Of course the artwork on each is different. In case your are wondering why 23cm? Its the smallest size Jumbo would cut for me :). The black or white background is just my personal choice at the moment!
3. Planning to create a simple stand to display wall art during the event.
All exhibitors will be provided tables 200 cm x 70 cm and a chair which is not a lot for an exhibitor like me. My pieces have to be displayed side by side and can't be stacked over each other like for an exhibitor selling clothes. They are relatively large in comparison to others too. Also they show well when displayed vertically. So I have decided to build a simple stand and board with a white background to display my artwork. The challenge will be to make it no bigger than the car boot and it would have to be foldable. I have something like an easel with horizontal bars running across in mind.
4. Transporting my pieces to the venue and back.
This one is challenging me no end! I have still to come up with a solution! How do I transport my pieces without them touching each other as the artwork can be quite delicate! I have to think up a solution of somehow transporting them without stacking them one over the other. Making more than one trip is not an option either as the venue is an hour's drive away from where I live.
5. The challenge of selling.
Since the event is in Divonne, France I would need to carry Euros and Swiss Francs for cash paying customers. However I will loose sales if the customer would like to pay using credit cards as I dont't have that option. So keeping my fingers crossed!
I am sure I am still missing a lot here and will think of other things I need to prepare such as packing material etc. Hopefully I would have thought through the important things BEFORE the event!
Here are some of the items I have created specifically for the market. What do you think?
Hazel
This is the first time I will be participating in a 'proper' crafter's market and I am not quite sure what to expect! In preparation I have been reading blogs and viewing videos of other seasoned crafters to get some tips! Here is what I am doing differently to what I normally do:
1. Making smaller home decor pieces.
Usually my wall art pieces are quite large and so they take more time and effort. This drives up the price for a potential buyer. Also from a customer's point of view, smaller pieces are easier to transport and display if one has limited wall space.
2. Making pieces with uniform sizes and background.
Most of my newer pieces are 23 cm square and have a black or white back ground. Of course the artwork on each is different. In case your are wondering why 23cm? Its the smallest size Jumbo would cut for me :). The black or white background is just my personal choice at the moment!
3. Planning to create a simple stand to display wall art during the event.
All exhibitors will be provided tables 200 cm x 70 cm and a chair which is not a lot for an exhibitor like me. My pieces have to be displayed side by side and can't be stacked over each other like for an exhibitor selling clothes. They are relatively large in comparison to others too. Also they show well when displayed vertically. So I have decided to build a simple stand and board with a white background to display my artwork. The challenge will be to make it no bigger than the car boot and it would have to be foldable. I have something like an easel with horizontal bars running across in mind.
4. Transporting my pieces to the venue and back.
This one is challenging me no end! I have still to come up with a solution! How do I transport my pieces without them touching each other as the artwork can be quite delicate! I have to think up a solution of somehow transporting them without stacking them one over the other. Making more than one trip is not an option either as the venue is an hour's drive away from where I live.
5. The challenge of selling.
Since the event is in Divonne, France I would need to carry Euros and Swiss Francs for cash paying customers. However I will loose sales if the customer would like to pay using credit cards as I dont't have that option. So keeping my fingers crossed!
I am sure I am still missing a lot here and will think of other things I need to prepare such as packing material etc. Hopefully I would have thought through the important things BEFORE the event!
Here are some of the items I have created specifically for the market. What do you think?
Hazel
Interesting post, hope it goes well! I love your art. I have a knitwear business and have exhibited at craft fairs a few times. It has been a bit hit and miss so far but I think so much of it is down to weather/ how good a location the venue is in etc. You have probably already though of this but having a stack of business cards in case of follow up sales is good- I think people often want time to think about buying pieces of art or more expensive items. We also did a giveaway once which went well. People entered by writing their email on a piece of paper then we did the draw at home, posted the prize. On the sign-up form was a clause that by entering they would be added to our mailing list etc. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback and sharing tips Fiona! I love the creative process but lack in the areas of marketing / selling my work. Am trying to change this slowly and hopefully it will reap dividends in the future! Best wishes for the success of your knitwear business this year. Hopefully you will have more hits and less misses :)
DeleteThanks Hazel! Looking forward to reading about how it goes :)
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