Megan Auman is a designer, maker, Etsy seller, and the founder of Crafting an MBA. She is currently working on her first ebook, a comprehensive guide to wholesaling and trade shows. Tara Gentile is a blogger, WordPress designer and mom. She shares her penchant for the handmade daily on Scoutie Girl and shares the behind-the-scenes gossip at Write Well, Create Often.
Tara: When I have the opportunity to attend a big show like the Buyers Market of American Craft, I’ve got my mind on two things: meeting my Etsy crushes and discovering new favorites.
I had the privilege of attending this prestigious show with Megan Auman. It’s not open to the public, but I was invited as “press” — what an ego trip — and Megan attended to scout out the show for her new blog, Crafting an MBA. The Buyers Market is a wholesale show connecting crafters with buyers from boutiques and galleries all around the country and has recently made a strong effort to attract the “indie craft” crowd. While we can certainly see value in great craft of all types, it’s important to exhibit your work in an environment that will attract people interested in buying your work. Keep reading for some tips that we’ve learned over the years.
In a show with over 900 booths and craftspeople from all over the country, knowing what you’re interested in and who you want to meet is a necessity as a buyer. Via her experience, Megan may have a more honed and critical eye — but I think we both attend shows with the ability to completely block out what doesn’t interest us, so the key is to stand out.
Megan: A professor once told me that at a show the size of the Buyer’s Market, the typical buyer will have about 30 seconds to spend in your booth. This means that if something doesn’t catch their eye in the five seconds they spend walking by, they probably won’t stop. I’ve found this to be true both as someone walking through a show and as an exhibitor. Fortunately there are some great ways to help draw traffic into your booth. As Tara talks about what grabbed our attention, my goal is to help you apply those concepts to your own booth. Of the booths that we stopped in, we decided to pick three that help demonstrate principles for getting seen by wholesale buyers and press at a show like this.
We began the show in the jewelry area — shows are broken down by discipline to give some semblance of order to the maze of booths — and after quickly passing through the first aisle, we made our first stop.
Tara: Lo and behold — my first Etsy crush of the day — Foundling! Betsy of Foundling couldn’t have been nicer and more open to chatting it up with a couple of like-minded gals. As far as I’m concerned, that’s lesson number one: If you can’t show interest in the people who are perusing your booth, you should reconsider doing shows.
Betsy had a simple setup. She utilized several hanging displays made from framed chicken wire and a simple table to show necklaces and rings. Her table stood confidently at the aisle, showcasing the smaller pieces for busy shoppers. Betsy also had large photographs of her work around the booth to catch a potential buyer’s eye from further away. Betsy was standing at the front of her booth, ready to welcome buyers with her professionally printed postcards and business cards.
The main reason we stopped at Foundling’s booth was because of her brand. Foundling can be found all over Etsy (she was a Featured Seller in January of 2009) and the blogosphere. Betsy’s done an excellent job of growing her web presence and I was excited to be able to meet her and see her work in person after seeing so many photos. Megan takes this example and answers the question: How do you work on building your brand with a wholesale show in mind?
Tip #1. Build your brand before you get to a show. Its not only important to get your work seen, but to get your work seen by potential buyers. Luckily many shoppers are visiting Etsy in pursuit of interesting work, so it certainly helps to build your profile here. The more places you can get your work displayed before doing a craft show, the better. I did retail craft shows for a few years before diving into wholesale and this really helped build my fan base. You may also see a boost in show traffic from a well-placed blog feature in the month or so leading up to the show. Tara has a great post on her blog about how to get “found” by blog editors.
Tara: Not only does Foundling have a great presence on Etsy, but she also has a great website, blog, and gallery on Flickr. Her brand can be found in all of the places where you’ll be looking for something awesome. Twitter and Facebook are also great opportunities to build your brand, promote an event you’ll be at and find press. Although I get many email submissions daily, I find most of my features via social networking and artists’ personal blogs. Connect with me and I’ll connect with you!
Another booth I was thrilled to see was Beehive Kitchenware. I remembered this awesome husband-and-wife home decor company from an interview that Amy (littlealouette) had done with them on Scoutie Girl.
What I really liked about this booth was how it felt like a little shop. Sandra and Jim used a variety of techniques to display their products: some appearing as they would on your kitchen counter, others as they would appear in your curio cabinet (do people still use those?), and still more staged neatly in retail-friendly arrangements. As an onlooker, the booth was incredibly interesting — as a buyer, I’m sure it allowed you to imagine the goods in your own store.
Tip #2. Utilize the “two-foot rule” to attract attention. All the booths included in this article were great examples of the “two-foot rule.” That is, they put their most interesting products within two feet of the aisle. While it may be tempting to make a beautiful focal point farther back, most buyers and press never notice the back wall as they rush by. If you don’t have something up front to grab their attention, they’ll probably keep on walkin’.
Tara: Of course, Megan and I both let our Etsy friends know we were going to be at Buyers Market — in fact, we asked who wanted us to stop by! A few people let us know exactly where to find them, supplying their section area and booth number. Lori Magno, a.k.a. modadimagno, asked us to visit and we were only too happy to comply. When we got to Lori’s booth we found a beautiful display of her precious metal clay jewelry. She shared a booth with Christine Street, a.k.a. chocolateandsteel. These ladies originally met through the Etsy Metal Clay Team, decided to exhibit as a duo at the summer Buyers Market, and ended up sharing a booth for this show.
But the beauty of Etsy is that these ladies, from opposite coasts, have both a friendly and professional relationship. They covered the booth deftly and promoted each other to press and buyers alike. It’s so wonderful to see the kind of relationships that we work hard to develop online displayed in “real life.”
Tip #3. Just ask. If you really want a member of the press or a buyer to stop by, then you should invite them to do so before the show. When we went to the show, I had a list of booth numbers that I had to visit because someone asked me to. Would I have stopped in that booth if it wasn’t on my list? I can’t say, but I made sure I stopped by everyone that asked me to. It’s a good idea to send information (usually in the form of a postcard) to all your current and prospective accounts and press contacts with the show name and booth number prior to the show. But don’t stop there — if you really want a store or member of the press to stop by, contact them personally. With buyers, you can even schedule an appointment for them to review your line at a set time during the day.
While these tips may be geared for a wholesale show, you can certainly draw lessons and ideas from them to apply to your retail craft markets this season and even to your online shops. Consider what building your brand, rearranging your booth, and inviting people to visit might do for your business! You can read more about our finds at the Buyers Market over on Tara’s blog, Scoutie Girl. If you’re looking for more useful tips for building your crafts business, be sure to check out Megan’s blog, Crafting an MBA.
The Art of Pricing: Preparing for Wholesaling | The Ins and Outs of Consignment
Let’s Trade: Behind the Scenes at the National Stationery Trade Show | Etsy Seller Handbook
263 comments
MyissaG said 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing :)
craftscafe said 11 years ago
I enjoy trade shows! Great people to meet & conversations to have... So far I've only been doing those as part of my day job (we send postcards too & they do bring in new visitors!), but hope to one day take my etsy shop on trade show adventures too! Thank you for this great report Megan! Beehive's booth is my favorite!
pinkytoeclothing said 11 years ago
Awesome tips - thanks!
TickledPinkKnits said 11 years ago
This was an interesting read with helpful reflections and suggestions that I plan to save for the future. I did my very first show just a couple of months ago, and it was a big one - the One of a Kind Show & Sale in NYC. As I mull over the possibility of doing other shows in 2010 and beyond, I will refer back to this blog post. Thank you!
urbanknitfits said 11 years ago
yeah tara and megan, so fun to see you both on etsy! Love this article. merchandising your goods especially at craft fairs, etc is so important! I love the 2ft rule, its a keeper! Not sure if I could ever get my knitting to wholesale... at the moment I make 4-5$ an hour, lol, But I've been pursuing doing more local marketing things in Portland ME-especially with our cities buy local campaign I think its a good match and perhaps I can sell directly without having to take too much of a cut or have to raise my prices so I then limit my audience/clients.... Thanks again for the great ideas! Love the featured shops too!
GlassElements said 11 years ago
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. :)
CocoaBeans said 11 years ago
this is such a great article, thank you:)
bylynnkrestel said 11 years ago
oh my goodness! what a wealth of information...so timely! thanks so much!
LaBellaCandela said 11 years ago
How do I mark this as a favorite!!!!! ;-)
Handamade said 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing. ^_^
cutiepiecompany said 11 years ago
Excellent article, thanks for the tips and advice!
natalya1905 said 11 years ago
Very interesting and helpful, thank you very much!
sonyarasi said 11 years ago
Thank you for the interesting and helpful tips!
JaniceCordeiro said 11 years ago
This makes very interesting reading. Many thanks for providing a very helpful article.
EmmaGordonLondon said 11 years ago
Great tips, thanks! I do have a wholesale side to my business but haven't tried a trade show yet. Have thought about it and this has given me lots of good ideas when I do take the plunge!
aggieray said 11 years ago
Just the information I needed today!
IlluminatedPerfume said 11 years ago
Great insights, thanks so much.
Ryanplz said 11 years ago
very nice and helpful! thanks. :)
girltuesdayjewelry said 11 years ago
Great advice! I learned a lot from reading this! Thank you!
CatzillaCrafts said 11 years ago
Ah I love Foundling! Not only is her artwork beautiful but we're both from Asheville, NC. I look up to her success!
modadimagno said 11 years ago
Many thanks for the visit! It was an exciting show made all the better by a visit from my blog crush!
babinka1981 said 11 years ago
Lovely! thanks for info!
LustreBeads said 11 years ago
Interesting article, thanks!
Ebruk said 11 years ago
Great article, thank you !
modernbird said 11 years ago
Thank you for the article. I would like to add that the Buyers Market of American Craft offers a Visiting Artists program. I attended this year and learned so much about the market and wholesaling. Additionally, I found it very helpful to walk the floor and talk to other artists. When I returned home after 2 long days my head was swirling with so much information. I feel I am able now to understand what I need to accomplish before jumping in tho the wholesale market. Here is the link for anyone interested. http://www.artsbusinessinstitute.org/
heretothere said 11 years ago
great tips. i'm going to have to check out tara's post.
helenaemmans said 11 years ago
thanks for the helpful tips, very good!
candacejean said 11 years ago
This is great! I love that you call them your "Etsy crushes".
AngelEllie said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for this informative article! Doing a trade show is something I want to do in the future!
DishfulsOfDoodles said 11 years ago
Love this - thanks for sharing. I just went to my first trade show in Chicago and would definitely like to be a vendor in the near future. Chicago would be the closest for me but I would LOVE to do the NYIGF some day! I'm currently updating and streamlining my wholesale catalog and working on marketing to position myself better.....
LovMely said 11 years ago
THis is a wonderful article! I have been trying to figure out other ways to get mt shop and pieces out there. I have been doing craft shows for the past year and that has worked pretty well...LovMely ended up with 14 boutiques carrying my line as a result of this...not to mention being invited to the Teen Choice gifting suite. WIth your advice, i know i need to brand myself better... I'm not sure why i didn't do this in the beginning. I;m excited about looking into trade shows, i really never thought of that as on option. SO thank you ;) Btw...I really love Chocolateandsteels pieces i bought one last year at a show ;) Mel
beautifulbridget said 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
pocketcarnival said 11 years ago
Great article - lots of good tips for regular craft markets as well!
bysweetmom said 11 years ago
great article, thanks
monkeyandsquirrel said 11 years ago
great tips! i never know if i should be chatting people up when i do a show or just sit back a bit and let them browse. i guess this answered my question. thanks!
HoneysuckleLane said 11 years ago
Interesting! Thanks so much for sharing and all the tips!
CavemanPottery said 11 years ago
Great info! The links on the two articles at the end don't seem to still be availalbe. Too bad, those look like good topics too!
TheSteelFork said 11 years ago
thanks Tara and Megan! Great article. glad you mentioned the the visiting artist program modernbird. That is a great way to get a feel for it. We jumped right into it about 7 years ago- we probably should have visited first. It is a big investment and can be overwhelming... but if you know what to expect it's a lot easier. thanks again ladies for the great tips!
MinceCo said 11 years ago
It's great to do these shows, some can be incredibly expensive though, like 2.5K and more
TheSteelFork said 11 years ago
thanks for the great advice Tara and Megan! Glad you mentioned the visiting artist program modernbird. that is a great way to get a feel for it. We jumped into it about 7 years ago but we probably should have visited. it is a big investment and can be overwhelming- but probably not so much if you know what to expect. thanks again ladies for the great tips!
bobnstitch said 11 years ago
Thanks for the information!!
BellaLili said 11 years ago
What great tips! I love the idea of using the same photos or "eye candy" on Etsy, in person and at shows. Wonderful tips! :)
tracyhibsman said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the article! It's great advice! Love the blog too.
vakadi said 11 years ago
Thank you From VaKaDi
jFrancesDesign said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for this article! I've discovered my optimum learning style is through examples, so your descriptions of the various boots and what they did well was so much more helpful to me that generalized advice.
daisyjanie said 11 years ago
Well done, Tara and Megan! Super helpful info! The fact that you found/highlighted so many etsians at this show will be a boost to others who are considering trade shows but aren't sure they're ready - seeing their peers taking the leap is huge!!
Rabamata said 11 years ago
Interesting article, thanks
VerreDesign said 11 years ago
Really great tips! I will for sure remember the "2 feet rule" + displaying larger pictures of my work around the booth - how awesome to catch people's attention! The postcards with multiple pictures of your work is also something that gets people's attention - much more than a business cards:) Thanks for this "guided tour" - great post:) Patricia
3squares said 11 years ago
thanks so much for this valuable information!
tippystockton said 11 years ago
Thanks for all the great tips!!! I have several wholesale accounts and have done a few shows. I'll be a vendor in my biggest show yet . . . The Farm Chicks show in Spokane, WA June 5-6. I was a shopper last year and decided this would be a great opportunity to get my name and jewels out there! Can't wait to implement some of your suggestions. Thanks a bunch! Cheers!
LexLuxe said 11 years ago
Wow!! What a great article with such valuable information. I've been wholesaling for a few years now and even found this info to be really helpful. I haven't jumped into an actual wholesale show yet, but maybe I'm a bit closer now! Thank you!
KOALACaddie said 11 years ago
This article is wonderful. I will be re-reading it. Now I'm off to pop into the shops of the featured sellers. I'm a fiber craft person, so I'll start with ninishandmades and her wonderful knitted beanie. Thanks so much.
dragonhouseofyuen said 11 years ago
excellent article and I just love the individualism in Lori and Christine's booth but with the warm brown colour linking both tables and the lemons below are such a nice touch! hope it was a great (and prosperous) day for everyone :)
sheepsclothing said 11 years ago
What a fantastic article. I wish you all the best with your business. It sounds as though with your hard work and business sense, the only way is up!
ShebboDesign said 11 years ago
thanks for the tips, clues and advices!
angelawehrle said 11 years ago
Yay Beehive!!! Excellent article!
breadandroses2 said 11 years ago
Thanks so much! Timely article with a wealth of practical info. Jewelers & makers of smaller items sure do have the edge on doing shows.
baconsquarefarm said 11 years ago
Thanks for your article and business tips~ we did the cash n carry in February 2006 at King of Prussia Pa. and stayed extra days so we could attend the Buyers Market. Interesting experience. Wish you both continued success in your futures.
NaturalVibesJewelry said 11 years ago
Thank you both for the very insightful and informative article. It has my wheels turning for the coming year. Thank You!
BradSearsWoodturner said 11 years ago
Great post! An incredible amount of very rich content. Thanks!
rainpeople said 11 years ago
Love the facts & the fun...Very inspiring!!! Thank you!
ElisabethSpace said 11 years ago
Inspiring, but in a realistic, attainable way. You two, Tara and Megan, make a great team. I love the idea of hanging larger pictures of your work along the sides of your booth. Brilliant! ::insert I-Coulda-Had-A-V8 head slap here::
hoganfe said 11 years ago
Oh looks great I am saving this to read tonite! Thanks!
ArtisticIntentions said 11 years ago
Interesting - great tips!
contempojewels said 11 years ago
Thanks for the tips!
NinisHandmades said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the very interesting article and for featuring my Alien Monster Beanie. :)
modadimagno said 11 years ago
@dragonhouseofyuen Thank you for the compliment on the booth layout. Christine and I worked hard to find a way that gave our space a unified and unique appearance while being clear that we were two different artists. Most people understood at first glance, some were surprised, but I think all were pleased with the atmosphere we created. Our trip was very successful and we are looking forward to the Buyers Market in August of 2010!
awilsoncm said 11 years ago
Great tips! I am planning to sell my educational materials in Boston at the American Montessori conference at the end of March. I am wondering how much to make and pricing? Have been doing good on etsy so far...just began 6 weeks ago and love it!
IvieRidge said 11 years ago
I loved Betsy's booth showing the close-up pictures of the jewelry! Great idea!
VintagePaperParade said 11 years ago
Fantastic tips and great article. Thanks for demystifying the trade show a little bit for us.
phydeaux said 11 years ago
Really really great article with such concrete tips - thank you!!!
ModernMetalJewelry said 11 years ago
Love this article and seeing Lori's and Christine's booth! Fabulous!
polkadotmagpie said 11 years ago
oooh...Beehive is one of my favorite Etsy sellers. I have bought 2 baby spoons from them, and plan to buy more. Interesting article! Modernbird...you are on your way! :-)
modadimagno said 11 years ago
A treasury inspired by this post! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=115587
HelensCorner said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the inspiration!
maggiemaevintage said 11 years ago
very informative.
jewelsbyjaime said 11 years ago
GREAT article.. especially tips like keeping your best products right up front and the 5 second rule
Junienone said 11 years ago
Thanks for all the helpful tips!
John8eight said 11 years ago
I really like this article. Thank you for sharing!
PainkillerStudios said 11 years ago
Wonderful! Thank you! I can't wait to get back into doing shows again... :)
lifeofcolors said 11 years ago
Great tips. Thanks!
SiuTing1108 said 11 years ago
very nice~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ thanks for sharing~~~~~~~~~~~
LOOKAjewelry said 11 years ago
Great Article!! I was at the show helping out my boss and hope someday to try it myself... loved all the tips. Megan- I LOVE reading your 'Crafting on MBA' blog and tara I am off to explore yours too. Thanks for the great post. -liz LOOKA jewelry
pollyputsthekettleon said 11 years ago
great article, loved the info!
mandywillard said 11 years ago
Bravo to the lovely displays! Tara and Megan, I have thoroughly enjoyed following you on Twitter and your blogs! You never cease to supply a plethora of information! I love it that the 2 of you went together and also wrote an article together! It's amazing what can happen when 2 creative thinkers combine ideas and effort! I look forward to seeing what you have coming up next and getting to "know" you better! Mandy
gretchenmist said 11 years ago
some great info here, thanks for always sharing tips :) i can imagine how much fun you both had at this show!
polkadotscloud said 11 years ago
wow! interesting article!
schmooks said 11 years ago
Oh my gosh! Thank you. I was just about to do a search on this topic for a show I have coming up - I was in need of ideas an tips. YAY! Thanks ;)
birdie1 said 11 years ago
Appreciate your insights - and LOVE Scoutie Girl!
pinpinn said 11 years ago
Very enjoyable article. I love the practicality this offers ANYONE interested in doing a show regardless if it's wholesale or not. I love seeing more articles like this because it makes me, as a seller, feel more valued as I'm getting more relevant reading to make and grow my businesses successful. These are truly the write-ups I'm interested in reading more about :) Keep it up!
pinpinn said 11 years ago
successfully (pardon the typo ^_~)
FamaraDesigns said 11 years ago
Thank you for share all that interesting tips :)
RelicSoapCompany said 11 years ago
Thank you for the look inside. I know that trade shows is a direction I'd like to move into, yet find myself so intimidated by them since I know very little of the process. I appreciate the insight, and the view from the other side of the booth was very beneficial. I think it's important that business owners view their products as the consumer. We don't always showcase our items in their best light since we sometimes assume everyone has the same point of view as our own. I really hope we can read more articles like this one. Thank you!
lisaroy said 11 years ago
This is a great article - I'd love to see more like these - so helpful! thanks!
NoMoreTwistHandmade said 11 years ago
thank you. this was a very helpful article!
bradleybeads said 11 years ago
Thank you for all that information. It was useful for retail shows as well.
kadlubik said 11 years ago
thanks, much needed info.
parasolproject said 11 years ago
Thank you for this wonderful article, good tips are hard to find...
sharonclancydesigns said 11 years ago
Very inspiring, thanks!
SherriWeeseDesigns said 11 years ago
Wonderful, very helpful information! Thank you!!
recycledwares said 11 years ago
i love the idea of taking pictures of the jewelry and hanging it around the booth. Jewelry is so small to begin with, sometimes it can get lost in the space.
UnaOdd said 11 years ago
Great tips! Wonderful article. I agree that the photos of jewelry in the booth is a fantastic idea, especially if your work is intimate and delicate as Foundling's fabulous pieces are.
mleefipps said 11 years ago
Thanks for the great article! Is there a way to sell or promote custom made items at a trade show? Or sell them wholesale? I'm not sure how my items would fit in. :)
EASantangelo said 11 years ago
This is a great article!! I am really trying to get myself out there and build a brand but I find myself unsure of how to do the the most efficiently. I welcome you to visit my shop at easantangelo.etsy.com and feel free to offer any suggestions!
SilkMari said 11 years ago
Fantastic article....I sell with other artisans at least 3 to 4 times a week... this was exactly what I needed to know...thank so much.
CFCameron said 11 years ago
This is wonderful - I've been wanting more tips on venturing into wholesaling and expanding my market. Thank you!
ArtisanaDesigns said 11 years ago
Great tips and links!
JenNortonArtStudio said 11 years ago
Great tips, and I'm going to check out some of the links. Been doing street fairs for a while, but just starting to look at wholesale. Good info here...
SilkMari said 11 years ago
This is a great article...I sell with other artisans 3 - 4 times a week ... so I know what it means to ...to stand out....thanks so much for these tips...
MonkeysOnTheRoof said 11 years ago
I used to be a buyer for a boutique and attended many trade shows and all of these tips are right on! Thanks for reminding me of all these great points.
HypoAlley said 11 years ago
This was a fantastic read. I feel SUPER MOTIVATED!!!!! Thanks guys!
MakingHappy said 11 years ago
Great information, thanks!
RockArtiste said 11 years ago
My craft is so time-consuming to create, I really don't care to do wholesale. I do farmer's markets and retail craft shows however and these are excellent tips for them as well. Thanks for the info!
woolbrain said 11 years ago
A wealth of valuable information....thank you, I just stumbled across Crafting an MBA great info there too. So yes as HypoAlley says super motivated :)thank you
PoPkO said 11 years ago
i really loved this article. thank you! i had the privelage to have a table next to Jim (beehive kitchenware) twice at a show. He's such a nice guy, and I agree, his display is simple and gorgeous.
SaudadeStudio said 11 years ago
So manny tips and ideas! This article is awesome! Thanks!
SerendipiT said 11 years ago
broken link :( The Ins and Outs of Consignment
PagesbyNat said 11 years ago
I love motivational articles. Keep em coming!
debs1967 said 11 years ago
Great article.Thanks for sharing.
MyCatLucy said 11 years ago
Great article! I don't do wholesale but maybe some day! Anyway, most of the tips also work for craft sales! Thank you.
SandraDesigns said 11 years ago
Great article! A few questions... You didn't mention anything about costs to get a decent- sized booth in the wholesale shows. Are they really high? vis-a-vis retail shows, too. Also, is it all done through ordering or are there cash and carry options? I do one-of-kind jewelry so multiple orders wouldn't work for me. Thanks! Sandra
polkadotsandblooms said 11 years ago
Just got my first wholesale order. Really pleased but also unknown territory, so this article is so timely. Thanks!
evdesign said 11 years ago
Great Tips ! It took us quite a few shows to learn what I just read in a few minutes.
FlyingSquirrelCo said 11 years ago
These tips make so much sense. Just what I needed
josoriginals said 11 years ago
Wonderful and interesting information. thanks!
thebeadgirl said 11 years ago
awesome insights. i've done my share but i'm always eager to learn new tricks and techniques. thank you!
GypsyCatStudios said 11 years ago
Thanks! I had no idea of the "2 ft. rule" and wouldv'e done it all wrong. Great info adn I'm glad I got it in advance of my first show :)
greencouchdesign said 11 years ago
Wonderful insights, Meg and I plan on attending two if not more retail shows this year. And this post has come at a crucial time in the design and conceptualizing stage of preparations for these shows! Thanks so much for the info, maybe we'll see some of you there!
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy said 11 years ago
Great tips and information. Very inspiring. Thank you!!
ClaudiaOlivos said 11 years ago
Wonderful advice! We plan to do shows in the near future...and will keep all this in mind. I do have one question I would appreciate help with: where can I find great banners like those of plate & steel and moda di mango? Anyone here on etsy make them? thanks! Claudia
SecretAura said 11 years ago
Love the Article! Very Informative and fun! Thanks!
AgataBalbina said 11 years ago
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips! I'll do my best to try them on Sunday on my local fair! Actually I'm very excited about it now!
mudhoneyboutique said 11 years ago
Creating a both that is attractive to the buyer is harder than it seems! Thanks for the great advice!
candyperfumegirl said 11 years ago
Thank you for the great article.
pulpandpaisley said 11 years ago
Thanks for the motivation!
damonique said 11 years ago
Great tips! I am hoping so much to do my first craft show this year (the goal is to do at least 3) After reading this article I feel much more confident in what I need to do to get noticed! Thanks so much!
noogal said 11 years ago
Great article thanks for the info! Now I just have to go do a show hehe.
CDLjewelry said 11 years ago
Really great advice, especially the idea of large photos of your work along the back of your booth to draw people in, and having the eye-poppers front and center in the booth so they grab people as they walk by. My mother makes fiberoptic displays for trade shows and those are tools she utilizes in her signage for her clients. www.flisign.com
craftcottonp said 11 years ago
very usefull tips - thank you!!
BeachGlassGems said 11 years ago
I also like the 2 ft. rule. Great tips. Thanks.
KarensLoom said 11 years ago
Thanks for the info... I didnt know that crafts trade shows exited!!!!!! We dont have anything like that (as far as I know) over here in Buenos Aires.... would be cool if there was one... umm what a great idea!!!!!!! Etsy is a mind of information.. just what we artisans need... help stepping into the business side of things...
poetryjewelry said 11 years ago
Great Information..thanks!
FarmFreshArt said 11 years ago
very interesting....
oefy said 11 years ago
Thanks!
SolderingSisters said 11 years ago
I loved the article. In a prior job, we did craft and trade shows as often as possible. It is also important to get the names of the people that you talk to. That way you can call them back and you have a contact for a possible future purchase. So get their business cards, or have a drawing to get those names and numbers!
NewBagsByAnOldBag said 11 years ago
Very helpful and didn't know about the 2 ft rule. Will definitely change my booth setup around. Thanks!!
aromacandlecompany said 11 years ago
Great Tips! I learn new things every time I do a show.
TforEdgar said 11 years ago
Thank you for sharing! ;)
elemegibere said 11 years ago
I'm working a little hand. Eg what I'm selling my house. The idea for me? Not understand
BellaFresca said 11 years ago
Very interesting article, thank your for these tips! Also love Scoutie Girl & Craft MBA blogs!
odiliafu said 11 years ago
Thanks for the tips! It's a really good idea to display large pictures of the jewelry to catch people's attention.
TheScentOfHeaven said 11 years ago
Awesome info. Thanks a lot!
theavidbeader said 11 years ago
Great article and tips! I loved the chicken wire display idea. We live on a small farm and have 18 hens and a rooster named Hootie. We always have extra chicken wire stored in an outbuilding. Now our extra pieces can be reused as jewelry displays!
Iammie said 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
jenniferwhitmer said 11 years ago
Thank you, Meagan and Tara, SO MUCH for this article and for your great blogs. I am a weak sister when it comes to the business end of crafting and this article has galvanized me! I signed up for the Crafting an MBA e-newsletter and ordered the book. I'm on board!
oliviacarr said 11 years ago
Awesome tanks for the tips!
HornCatCreations said 11 years ago
I love going to trade shows too. Thanks for sharing your tips with us ladies!
cassedywooddesigns said 11 years ago
Thanks for all that good Info,Boy I can sure use it.Thank you
jewelsbyldesigns said 11 years ago
Great article and tips. I have done art shows for a number of years and they can be equally challenging. I love the use of pictures in the booths... will have to give this a shot in the future. Thank you!
naomilevit said 11 years ago
thanks for the tips!!!
royalrugrats said 11 years ago
Great info and tips. Thanks so much!
oldworldprimitives said 11 years ago
These tips were very helpful, and I definitely plan to apply as many of them as possible at my next (retail) craft show - thank you!
LBaricsCrafts said 11 years ago
Interesting information - I will be doing a craft show in the near future and found some of your information helpful.
pearlandlibby said 11 years ago
The Buyers Market of American Crafts holds fantastic workshops for artists who are thinking about wholesaleing at their venues. You can opt for a one on one critique by their staff and can visit the showroom floor. They give practical information and have great examples of paperwork and promotional materials.
bluewhitejewelrywear said 11 years ago
Informative article with helpful tips! Thanks so much for sharing!
LANCERIKA said 11 years ago
What a wonderful,FuN article! thanks for inspiring us!
bethany18 said 11 years ago
Megan I just hearted your shop! I really like your items you are selling! :)
junebugstudio said 11 years ago
Thanks for the great tips, good things to start working on!
KristyLynnJewelry said 11 years ago
Wow, what a great read!!! Learned some very useful information that I am going to put to good use. Thanks for all the links, enjoyed them all!!!
carolinabenoit11 said 11 years ago
Thank you for the amazing tips on fairs! For the people in New York, I will be promoting my jewelry line on Sunday March 7 2010, at The Market NYC, Soho, 268 Mulberry st. Mention you are a etsy person and get 10% off.
sunshynesilverwear said 11 years ago
thanks for all the good info!
RevolvingStore said 11 years ago
Thanks for the tips of tried and true!
VintiqueLa said 11 years ago
good tips, thank you!
suttonraodcandles said 11 years ago
I'm very new to ETSY! Lot's of good stuff here . . . thanks.
RouDesigns said 11 years ago
Great article.Thank you!
salvageshop said 11 years ago
wonderful article...thank you :)
1920 said 11 years ago
very helpful. love the article!
mytinyprincess said 11 years ago
Wonderful tips... I'm new to selling on Etsy and am trying to soak up everyone's advice and most importantly... USE IT! Thanks a ton! Please visit my Etsy shop (if possible) and leave me feedback. Positive, negative, advice...any and everything! Anyone else... please, please, please... let me know what you think! Thanks, Kimmy
SugarOwlDesign said 11 years ago
Great tips. thanks.
AngelaMonaco said 11 years ago
Thanks for such great article!!!
colorsbyliza said 11 years ago
Definitely something to aspire to!!! Great article..thank for sharing!
shesbattydesigns said 11 years ago
Great article! I especially love the tips on craft booth presentation :)
ballandchain said 11 years ago
great article, lots of food for thought. :)
MaryBethsArt said 11 years ago
two foot rule is true... i tested on 2nd day of show in LA and it works...
silverbombon said 11 years ago
I enjoyed the whole article, it was so interesting! I'll a similar event on August and this info is very useful. We have to be prepared and have an extreme attention to detail. Thanks!
sofisticata said 11 years ago
Thank you for sharing! :) It was a great article!
CedarPondWoolCraft said 11 years ago
These are the kinds of articles I appreciate, showing displays and tips on what makes the best kind of display. I usually can afford only the smallest vendor spaces at bazaars and i sell hand-spun wool and hooked rugs, plus a few other wool related items. My things are difficult to display to their advantage in the typical small space...so any and all helps with that are welcome. Thank-you~ Oh, also any resources for display racks that are AFFORDABLE or easy to make would be really nice.
KatrinasJewel said 11 years ago
What a great article! I will have to rethink by booth arrangement!
pasin said 11 years ago
Great info.Thanks
nowonder said 11 years ago
Awesome tips - thank you for shearing!
happycakejewels said 11 years ago
Great Tips! Thank you!
MAKUstudio said 11 years ago
Thank you for sharing your experience! Great tips!
Fortnightlingerie said 11 years ago
This is so helpful! I'm just getting ready for my first show this spring, this came at the perfect time - Thanks!
heartlayla said 11 years ago
thank you! the two foot rule is new to me!
InspireUart said 11 years ago
Every word was useful. I'm not at the stage of 'boothing' at trade shows, etc., but when the time comes, I feel a bit more prepared to make it count.
HomeOfficeDeco said 11 years ago
Thank u for sharing your great ideas here!
josoriginals said 11 years ago
Great article. Thanks.
PatsyDesigns said 11 years ago
I am learning so much and you just added a bunch! How does one get in to a trade show? Do you just buy a ticket or do you have to have an invite?
ilovefiberart said 11 years ago
Thank you for the update on BMAC. Having done this show many times, as well as ACC Baltimore, I just want to add how incredibly inspiring and humbling it always is to exhibit at a show of this caliber. I have never done it without making many new art and fine craft friends (whom I keep in touch with). The fine museum stores, galleries, even celebrities that come through this juried handmade show make it worth the price of exhibiting. Add to that, orders, trades!, and inspiration beyond compare and you become hooked on this adrenaline. It is a very costly endeavor but fellow exhibitors soon teach you many tricks, like removable foam tiles or contact paper for (mandatory) flooring, pellon-like weed block fabric, seamed in panels,from Home Depot or Lowe's for your drapes, nearby Fed-Ex for additional late night print materials and in booth inexpensive printer for orders. Visual is the key. Spend your dollars on that for the most bang for the buck! Elaine/ilovefiberart.com. sewinggirllovesfiber and ilovefiberart on etsy.
Whimsywares said 11 years ago
This was such an inspiring and helpful article. My husband and I can't wait to be involved in a craft fair. We're having trouble locating one though. It's very sad.
gypsypoetfashions said 11 years ago
This was a very informative article. My friend owns Astoria Vintage Hardware, a boutique in Astoria, Oregon. Her web is www.astoriavintagehardware.com. She features my products in her store and has made me a buyer at trade and gift shows. It is true that the booth set up is very important. I was more attracted to booths that were not busy, but simple and defined. Also, being available at your booth is helpful. Even getting a friend to help you if it gets busy. There is nothing worse then waiting as the seller is talking to other buyers forever. On another note, How do you get a booth at a trade show? Zoe Manhire Gypsy Poet Fashions
BebesDecor said 11 years ago
thanks for sharing! (:
sewinggirllovesfiber said 11 years ago
One more suggestion about BMAC: Have portfolio handy, even if it has work that you are not currently doing or selling. High-profile buyers and galleries may ask about your participation in upcoming shows, which of course, means great exposure. Also, some will ask about doing commissions when they see that you have a broad range of work that may not be on display. One of the best things about these shows is that you need only samples if you are selling wholesale, not inventory. The real work begins when you return home! Good luck! Elaine ilovefiberart,sewinggirllovesfiber on etsy.
Squier said 11 years ago
Awesome article! Well done and thank you.
MakeMeOver said 11 years ago
Wow, GREAT tips!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share them. I took notes & will keep them for future reference.
1treeyoga said 11 years ago
thanks for the tips, looked like fun!
photoglassworks said 11 years ago
I signed up for Megan's blog last week..love her style and she's a smart gal!
thepresentplace said 11 years ago
Great tips, thank you so much!!!
bluelala said 11 years ago
Very Cool! Thanks for the great tips! :)
spiralworksfelt said 11 years ago
I'm very new to etsy, and these tips help! Thanks.
MAKOandMYLO said 11 years ago
Awesome tips and will help with my shop!! Thanks gals!
MyLillyBelle said 11 years ago
This article came in the nick of time! Thank you so much for sharing the information! I just need to pick your brain a bit more, LOL.
ChicDesignOnline said 11 years ago
Love this! I have several shows I plan to attend and I chose to scout them out before paying to be a part of them to get a feel for each shows vibe. I think it really helped me to form my booth to the customers the individual shows attract. Articles like this are extremely helpful to help neebies like myself make the most of the time and money invested in our business! Thanks!
iwomdesigns said 11 years ago
Thank you for the great information, I am in the process of setting up my Etsy shop....extremely motivating and inspirational.
SimplyStrapping said 11 years ago
Thanks so much for the helpful tips! I'm still pretty new, and always looking for ways to improve my biz!
WaterHorseStudios said 11 years ago
I love the picture blown up inside the booth walls, have never thought of that before...
zoorganic said 11 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
WahtVeritas said 11 years ago
Thank you so much for the great article
darylannables said 11 years ago
I'm getting an etsy group from my hometown together to help each other out with our sales and shops and everything I just read in your awesome article will be one of the first things I bring up to discuss. I had no idea there were business workshops for artists, I am so excited about this. I Love etsy!!!!!
littlemoandfriends said 11 years ago
this is such a great article, i found it really helpful for normal craft shows too
meoneil said 11 years ago
So many great ideas, and so little time to implement them. I am having information overload, but thank you !
SKJDesigns said 11 years ago
Thank you very much for the pointers it makes absolute sense,keep up the good work.
SKJDesigns said 11 years ago
Thank you very much for the pointers it makes absolute sense,keep up the good work..
bedbuggs said 11 years ago
Great ideas and tips. Thanks for the help!
needlemelater said 11 years ago
This article was so helpful. Many new ideas to tweak my shop with. Thanks for sharing.
whiteobsession said 11 years ago
Very helpful information! Thank you!!
whiteobsession said 11 years ago
Very helpful information! Thank you!!
MyHiddenPurl said 11 years ago
The 'two foot rule' is GREAT advice. Excellent info...thanks for sharing!
NotYoMommasHandbag said 11 years ago
Such CUTE items...smiles.
CockyCowgirlInc said 11 years ago
Great article..Thanks for sharing!
GemdropsoftheFalls said 11 years ago
GREAT advice, thank you! It's important not to forget your layout. It is so true that people will walk by what they don't notice.
BetsyMarieJohnson said 11 years ago
Great information. Thank you!
birribe said 11 years ago
This is so good, full of useful information! Thanks for putting this togther.
KatieHepworth123 said 11 years ago
One of the things that I like about going to craft shows, is that I get to hear the buyers comments first hand, either positive or negative. It helps me guage what people like and don't like as much. Great tips again, thanks.
vintagemaison said 11 years ago
I have always found the two foot rule to work for me too - great article, makes me want to sign up for a few shows!
PravinaStudio said 11 years ago
Thanks Megan and Tara for the great advice. I haven't considered trade shows in the past, but definitely will in the future. And I'm off to bookmark the Crafting MBA blog right now!
VintageTwisted said 11 years ago
Thanks so much! When I finally get the nerve to try a show, I'll have the information to be successful.
slpdesigns said 11 years ago
Such good information.....Why didn't I think of that:)....Simple but great advice......Thanks Megan and Tara, sure looked like fun. Call me if you go on another road trip!!!!
modadimagno said 11 years ago
I'll be putting more information on my blog about the show (still playing catch up) including helpful hints for anyone doing any shows. http://LoriMagno.blogspot.com (or just go to www.LoriMagno.com and click the blog link.) Most important tip: Comfortable, broken-in shoes. The interlocking foam flooring and the right shoes saved me!
DolceBeada said 11 years ago
I have not done this show but have done several other wholesale tradeshows and I have a tip I did not see yet. when you give a potential customer any written material - be sure to include your booth location. They often walk the whole show and then come back to place orders. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to find you again.
PapierLapin said 11 years ago
wow. this article came in timely. I was thinking to rent a booth at a trade show in April, the tips are really helpful. Thanks!
GracefullyGirly said 11 years ago
Great info, thanks bunches. I have to gather the nerve to get a booth at one of the wholesale shows. I've done some local arts and home shows but this is the next big step. You make it sound more approachable and offer great ideas. LOVE the one about the larger photos as attention grabbers for those further away!
silvadesign said 11 years ago
Great tips. I am just getting started and appreciate the very useful information. Thx :)
twointhebush said 11 years ago
I am wondering the cost benefit of doing this - cost of the booth? Cost of display furniture? Travel expenses? I would love to see that broken down... It would be helpful
DestinysTreasures said 10 years ago
Great artical:) Thank you:)
ArtBySweetpea said 10 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm very very new to the world of selling my crafts, paintings,home decor and soon jewelry. I study all the tips and advice posted and am very grateful that in the world of business we are all more than competitors but more like family.
littlemicheles said 10 years ago
Always enjoy reading sellers insights. It's very useful
pukapuka said 10 years ago
Fantastic tips, I wish I had read something like this before my last trade show, which was a real learning experience for me! My setup was way too visually complicated and actually discouraged people coming to my booth, I would definitely approach it differently now. Thanks for a great article
SandyGiftRep said 10 years ago
Thanks for sharing. Trade Shows can be a very expensive venue for selling, but are worth every effort if done right! I wish I could have been at the show as I have several friends who were there! GiftRepSandy http://www.sellingtogiftshops.com
compassrosedesigns said 10 years ago
In April, I will be doing a show in Rapid City,SD, featuring home based businesses. Soon I will be opening my Esty shop, "Compass Rose Designs". Thank you for your timely advice.
thusandtherefore said 10 years ago
Thank you for the info! Wish these shows weren't so pricy, any reason you know of that they are? Or any tips and tricks on how to lower your costs?
knottyandnyce said 9 years ago
Thanks for the great article! Love to see craft show tips for inspiration. ;)
Tiffany Dean from oldragdollcupboard said 8 years ago
Thanks for all the tips!!!
Sundeep Gupta said 8 years ago
Thanks for writing this informative article. I'm sure it will help a lot of exhibitors out there. I could have used some of these tips myself, especially the contact media -before- the show.
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 7 years ago
Thank you for all the great tips. I am hoping to fast track the process in getting more exposure for my wares.
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