Tips for Preparing for Your First Market

By Artisan Joy Staff

TRENDS Mother’s Day Shopping Predictions

By Artisan Joy Staff

Many successful creative entrepreneurs earned their first sales at craft fairs and art festivals. Setting up a booth can be daunting for newbie sellers. So, we read maker forums and interviewed experienced vendors to help you prepare for your first show.

Before Exhibiting

Watch out for fake shows

Scammers have set up phony craft fairs on Facebook. Be sure to vet events and even confirm their legitimacy. “Call the place where the event is happening and verify if they are hosting the show and who the organizers are.” - Noreen Christofaro, Hidden Treasures Jewelry by Noreen

Is the show’s vibe right for your work?

Check out shows before participating and note the vendors and their goods because the quality of the vendors around you can enhance how show goers perceive your work.

Also notice how the vendors set up their displays to get ideas for planning out your booth. “My best advice to any new vendor is to make a pleasing display.

Invest in quality tables and buy tablecloths that fit your tables. A nice display draws customers in. And then it’s up to you to talk to them and sell your product.”

- Alice Petrone

Practice setting up your booth

One artisan advised that new vendors “set up their tent display inventory” - Beth Peltier, Hush Little Baby Cakes & Gifted

Determine the right pricing

“Check out prices of similar items to yours, so you’ll get a fair price for your product.” - Noreen Christofaro, Hidden Treasures Jewelry by Noreen.

One maker advised that new vendors, “sell multiple price points. If you sell a product with high price points, carry a few lower priced items—they always sell.” – Bethany Rawcliffe-Burke, The Workshop n More in their backyard or even living room a couple weeks before your show and practice setups. Take pictures of what you like. Move things around and try different setups. Take more pics to remember how you ultimately liked it, so you remember how to set up at your first show.”

– Christopher Rowe, Falcon Wood and Laser Works

Make a checklist

Experienced craft fair and art show vendors recommend using a checklist to prepare for a show because there are many things to remember—from your products to payment processing technology to a first-aid kit.

“Have a go bag of items. Things you could need like first aid, deodorant, bug spray, sunblock, hair ties, pens, notebook, ones, fives, tens, bags for items in different sizes, water, snacks, tape, scissors, permanent marker, business cards or postcards or pamphlets, extra price tags or labels, additional

Do the paperwork

Check with your state to determine what its requirements are for selling goods at craft fairs, art shows, festivals, farmers markets, etc. You may need a sales tax permit, business license or another official document.

Advice for The Show

After unloading your merch, keep packing boxes out of sight to reduce visual clutter and present professionalism.

Always keep an eye on your money box. Consider investing in a vendor apron to wear your cash.

Engage with your customers.

“You have to be engaging even if you just say hello or good morning and smile…Be present to everyone...You are there for such a brief period of time, so make the most of it.” – Nancy Howlett, Fashion

Wraps

Etsy published “Marketplace Insights: Early 2023 Trends” in its “Seller Handbook” in December 2022. The marketplace predicts shoppers will look for traditional gifts with a twist for Mother’s Day. In fact, the article noted a “56% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing ‘personalize gift mom.’” Get ready if you make personalized gifts and jewelry! The report also mentioned that consumers will select “whimsical Mother’s Day cards” this year.

Etsy reported a “53% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing initial necklace gold.

Time to Travel

Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of www. TheMoneyManual.com, provided additional thoughts about shopping trends. “Many people, including moms, are really valuing travel right now. There is still huge pent-up demand. Flight searches are up 46 percent year-over-year on Kayak. So, I think hot gifts this Mother’s Day will be centered around travel. These could be cute luggage tags, beautiful picture frames and shadow boxes to preserve travel memories, travel-size toiletry bottles, belt bags and more,” he said.

Memory Makers

If you’re an artist or maker who teaches or is considering offering classes, we have some good news. Gifts of experience were popular Mother’s Day presents in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue.

by

Nancy

We explored a facet of Todd’s prediction with Insightfactory, an SEO tool for Etsy. At the time of this writing, Insightfactory called the search term “personalized luggage tag” a “hot sale signal.” According to the tool, “59 from 60 listings on the first page of Etsy search results had at least one sale during the past week.”

“More people are turning to memory-making experiences as gifts to enjoy together or individually. Our research shows these types of gifts help to form lasting bonds and are special for both the gift giver and recipient. Pottery classes, glassblowing, soap making, custom frame making, glow in the dark splatter paint sessions and DIY custom candle pouring workshops are just a few of the many experiences we offer at Virgin Experience Gifts,” said Melanie White, vice president of Virgin Experience Gifts.