I’m having a hard time finding the motivation to write here.  Usually it’s because of personal problems but it doesn’t help that I just don’t know what you would like to hear about.

Are you having trouble with your craft show booth display?

Craft show promoters are you having trouble finding craft show vendors?

Need to know how to make more sales in your show booth?

Email me the specific questions that are plaguing your craft show booth.  I’ll do some research and do my best to answer your questions here on the blog.

I’m sure that if you’re facing those problems someone else is also.  So let’s help each other out send me your questions and I’ll do my best to get back to them.

Thanks,

Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions

License Plate designs are due by Jan. 28, 2010.

Proceeds from the sales of the license plates will be used to improve childrens’ area in Bozeman.

Visit http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/upcoming%20events/Dec%2015%20Licence/License.aspx to see the Call To Artists, Download an Application, and see the requirements.

It’s easy to tell Art & Craft Show Extravaganza what you think about our site and articles.

Leave a comment it’s a simple as that.

OR

Posts that are written by Shasta McLaughlin include 5 stars at the bottom of the post.  Just put your cursor over those 5 stars and drag to indicate how you rate that post.

By rating our posts and leaving comments you help us know what was most useful to you.  We can then write more about that topic and make this blog more useful to you.  You also help other artists and crafters know which information you found most useful.

Thanks for your help,

Shasta

Today I was wondering what artists and crafters favorite (or least favorite) thing was about art and craft shows. So how about it, will you share with me what you like (or don’t like) about craft shows?

My favorite thing about craft shows besides all the handmade crafts, are all the talented and interesting people I get to meet.

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Get more information on finding great craft shows at www.extravaganzacrafts.com.

Articles need to fit on 1 – 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper when divided into 2 columns approximately 600 to 750 words long.  All articles will remain the intellectual property of the author (artist expert) and may include a blurb about the artist and links to the artists website/blog.  Pictures may be included as space allows.  Articles may be edited to correct spelling and grammatical errors, or for space.  All changes will be approved with the original author.

This is a great way to get the word out about your art and craft business and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Please click here to email all articles. Please include you name, mailing address, email address, and phone number with each article. I will contact you with questions and let you know if your article is being published in the newsletter.

Thank you,

Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions

First of all Happy Independence Day! I’m grateful for this nation and all the freedoms that we enjoy.

Today I was writing a note to my artists and crafters to wish them a Happy 4th when I realized I should just write a quick note for every holiday and include them in my auto-responders (I can set the day they will go out so they will deliver automatically). I used the same formatted note I just copied and pasted it to each one, then edited each one for the holiday it should go out on.

I will set up pages with a free article(s) for each holiday so when my customers get the note they will also get a free goody. The free
information will let them know that I care.

Reasons you can send a note to your customers telling them you care:
New Years
Valentines
St. Pattys Day
Easter
Mothers Day
Fathers Day
Grandparents Day
Secretaries Day
4th of July
Halloween
Thanksgiving -Send Thank You Note for being your customer
Christmas
Customers Birthday

You can also send information about your products or services as well as updates and exciting news about your business. Staying in touch with your craft show customers reminds them of your business when they are thinking about buying. Sending them a personal note builds relationships and trust.

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One day I was riding in my sisters car. The roads were slick and the car slid off the road into a deep snowbank. The car was very stuck and trying to drive it out did no good. Along came a car with 5 guys in it. They couldn’t pull the car out using their car. They all got out and stood at different points around my sisters car then lifted up her car and put it back on the road.

One guy couldn’t have lifted the car alone, but together the 5 of them easily moved it.

Business is like lifting heavy objects. Doing it alone it’s too heavy but with many people working toward the same goal it becomes light.

Craft businesses often go out of business before they even get a good start when business owners try to do it all alone. There is just too much work to do and too many things to learn for one person.

Have you noticed that KFC and A&W teamed up? Have you thought about why they would do that? I have.

KFC and A&W are in direct competition with each other.

They chose to work together because they share costs and reach a wider customer base.

• They rent/own one building instead of two as well as sharing equipment.
• KFC and A&W share advertising costs. They put out one ad with both chains specials mentioned.
• They both use one set of employees rather than each company having to hire their own.
• KFC and A&W foods compliment each other. You might want rootbeer and ice cream with your fried chicken and mashed potatoes. You might want fried chicken and mashed potatoes while your friend wants a coney dog and tator tots, and everyone wants a rootbeer float. Both companies get more sales by working together.

In the business world working together is called a Joint Venture (JV for short). Jeff Dedrick says doing a joint venture isn’t like if I would make $1000 selling jewelry and my friend would make $1000 selling hair bows that we would make $2000 together. He says that if I would make a $1000 working alone and she would make $1000 working alone it’s possible that we would make $5000 working together.

So how do you make joint ventures work for your art or craft show business?

1. Choose someone with similar products but not exactly the same.

• Jewelry-Handbags-Accessories-Clothes-Other Types or styles of Jewelry-Makeup
• Woodworking-Furniture-Home Decor-Pillows-Curtains-Florals-Pictures-Light Plate Covers-Wood Carvings
• Pottery-Table cloths and place mats-Furniture-Florals
• Body Care-Embroidered Towels-Bath Fixtures
• Rugs-Furniture-Lamps-Curtains

2. Choose someone with a different style than yours if you choose a product that is very similar to yours. For instance two Asian jewelry artists can work together if one does very elaborate work and the other does only very fancy work. They would be able to offer products that closely match their target audience but would be able to offer a wider variety of price ranges, making more sales. Both jewelry artists would be experts in the same field and able to share information on the use and care of Asian jewelry.
3. Ask show promoters if it’s okay to share a booth or rent two booths next to each other and mix products.
4. Make an agreement to know each others products and to offer them equally if someone is looking for that item. Offer each others product as an upsell or downsell.
5. No one likes to work for nothing. Be honest with your partner and keep good records making sure they get paid for their items that sold.
6. Evaluate partnerships and adjust or discontinue as necessary

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http://twitter.com/AuntieAmysBows

Have a great day,

Shasta

Welcome Everyone,

I would like to welcome you all to my Blog Let’s Talk About Arts and Crafts. First off I would like to thank you all for staying on subject, being considerate of each other, and being considerate of my business.

Now to get the discussion started, I was wondering what effects you think the falling economy will have on the Art and Craft Show Industry if any.

Thank you,

Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions
www.extravaganzacrafts.com
Making your art, craft, antique, trade show, fair, festival or farmers’ market booth more profitable.

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