How to Grow Your Business...Part 2

This is the second in the series ..."How to Grow Your Business"...
              
           Craft Fair 101: My Check List

You have been accepted.....here is a great list of things to bring....

One of the most common questions I get asked at craft fairs is how do you know what to bring? For me, I typically just bring the same thing every time but it seems like it’s Murphy’s Law of Craft Fairs that I always forget something. The important thing is to plan as well as you can and roll with the punches – chances are someone can help you out if you forget something.


Basic Booth Items:

• Table(s)
• Chair(s)
• Tablecloths that go to the floor, at least in front
• Tent if you’ll be selling outside
• Any other furniture you might need (backdrop, shelving, walls, etc.)
• Sign with your business name
• Business cards/Handouts for your customers
• Signs with prices of your items/individual price tags for your items
• Smaller containers and display pieces for your products
• All your products of course!

Money/purchase related:

• Cash box or apron
• Change (I usually take $20 in $1s, $30 in $5, and $20 in $10s)
• Credit card reader (Such as Square) Love this new invention...has increased my sales by 40%
• 
  
  
• Phone/tablet for using credit card reader
• Charging cords  for electronics
• Receipt slips
• Bags for your products
• Labels for your products

Incidentals:

• assorted binder clips
• safety pins of all sizes
• Sharpie(s)
• colored cardstock that coordinates with your displays (for emergency signs/price cards)
• pencils
• pens
• markers
• scissors
• straight pins
• calculator
• extra plastic bags
• I combine all these items into a bag I call the “show case” that I just always know to put in the car, that way I don’t have to check that I have each of these items individually before each show.

Personal:

• Water bottle/water
• Food for meals throughout the day
• Snacks
• Aspirin/headache medicine/ibuprofen
•  Bandaids
• Comfortable shoes
• A sweater or jacket for changing temperatures

Thanks for stopping by....watch for part 3......of Growing your Business.....

Be sure to stop in my Etsy shop...new items added daily...the holidays are right around the corner!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

How To Grow Your Business

So you are thinking of starting a business, or maybe you already have and you are wondering how to drive more customers to your site....
Having your own business can be rewarding...but it takes hard work and you need to be consistent and patient...

 I have put together some helpful ways that I have found to boost my business....

Here goes...

1.  Social Media...one of the best ways to network, share and drive customers to your site, but you need to network with other members not just spam your items

     Facebook has many groups that you can join here are some that I just love...
         https://www.facebook.com/groups/NetworkingTogether/   
      
         https://www.facebook.com/groups/Retweetpromoting/

     Twitter, StumbleUpon, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+ are also great options to get your brand out there.

2.  Etsy Teams
     If you sell on Etsy, which I love by the way! there are many teams available wether you are looking for advice or a free way to promote....
     A few I love...and they have an open membership

           https://www.etsy.com/teams/16456/go-viral-promotions

           https://www.etsy.com/teams/16551/shameless-advertising

3. Art fairs and Bazaars...
    Yes, I know they can be costly and overwhelming....but give it a try, start small maybe a church bazaar...you will be surprised what you will learn from your customers.....You will also get feedback on your products and customer interests....
Be sure to have plenty of business cards....yes these will help your customers find you for future orders!
   I have had many orders from customers that found me through a business card
   I love the suggestions customers give ...this year I have had many requests for golf themed items....so I developed this bag....

Checkbook covers....another popular request.....

Numerous requests for a larger wristlet to accommodate the new larger smart phones

These will be coming soon to my Etsy Shop...stay tuned!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

4.  Blog....Great way to share new items, ideas, giveaways and tutorials

I hope you found my suggestions helpful...and will give them a try...Wishing you success with your venue....

Here is where you can find and follow me on various sites.....
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Antiquebasketlady
Twitter:     twitter.com/Antiquebasket
StunbleUpon: www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/antiquebasket
Pinteest:      pinterest.com/sue_zupnyk/
Tumblr:     http://antiquebasketlady.tumblr.com/
Google+https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116477004440259345304/116477004440259345304/posts

 

      
       

Simple Checkbook Cover Tutorial

I recently had a request from a repeat customer for a checkbook cover...she loves cats and is tired of using the plastic one from her bank. - so of course  I was happy to design one!   They are quick and easy to put together and great little gifts.  I thought you might enjoy the free tutorial.  So here you go…



Materials needed:
    2 pieces of fabric 14 1/4" x 7 1/4" for lining and outer fabric
    1 Piece of fusible fleece or you can use fusible interfacing 13 3/4" x 6 3/4"
       (I like the soft feel but structure of the fleece)
    1 Piece of clear vinyl  3 3/4" x 2 1/2" optional see through ID pocket

1. Cut 2 rectangles 14 1/4" x 7 1/4"". I used regular cotton fabric, so I added fusible fleece on the back.

2.  Place 2 rectangles right sides together and pin well. Leave a 4" opening for turning.

3.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance and sew around the perimeter (except the 4" gap for turning). back stitch at the beginning and the end of the seams

4.  Trim corners

5. Press well

6.  Sew around the entire perimeter using a scant seam allowance. (this will also close up the opening used for turning.)

7.  It was at this point that I centered the clear vinyl and stitched it in place.

8.  Fold down one end 2.75" and pin
9.  Sew, again, using a scant seam allowance, starting at the top (of the cat fabric) and going down to the bottom (of the cat fabric) of the folded piece. (basically, you want to make 2 little pockets. it's hard to explain, easy to do.) repeat this 3 times.

10. And you are done. Enjoy your new checkbook cover!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162788956/wallet-billfold-checkbook-cover-colorful?

Check out my Etsy shop....for more fun handbags and accessories...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

Embellishments and Accessories

                                   Welcome!

Now you can accessorize and embellish your handbags, wristlets and clutch bags with monograms and fabric pins..... 

I will soon be adding a section in my Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

We can add a monogram...
Three font styles available...

 This was for a special bride who chose the colors of yellow and ocean blue!

 A Bride who loved turquoise and gray

How about a sassy rolled fabric flower to coordinate with your new Antiquebasketlady handbag!

Two sixes available..1 1/2" and 2 1/2"

Contact me.... and we can design a one of a kind bag for you!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady 

On The Road Again...Can't Wait to Get on the Road Again...

Display of Wristlets and other accessories

The 2013 craft show season is underway!
The first show of the season was held in Kenosha, Wis.  "Good Old Summertime"

It's so helpful to get direct customer feedback!

May of my bag ideas are a result of customer suggestion.

Here is a list of My upcoming shows:

June.....
The 23nd Annual Summer Arts & Crafts Festival

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Music Department

 July....

 Art in the Park...Plymouth, Michigan July 12-14, 2013

August...

Milford Memories Art Festival  Milford, Michigan  August 9-11, 2013

Sept....

Art in the Park   Wausea, Wisconsin Sept. 7& 8, 2013 

Hope to see you all there!

Be sure to stop in my Etsy shop for new handbags and fun accessories...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady 

 

Pretty and Pleated

I have been working on a new handbag design... and came up with a pleated version....so feminine.

 This floral is a rare... out of print fabric from one of my favorite designers, Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom

 Songbirds

 Tres Chic

 Chevron

Flea Market Fancy

Heirloom Rose Bouquet

Mother's day is coming soon! These would make wonderful gifts!

Come check out my Etsy shop...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

Follow Me on Flickr for the latest and greatest
https://www.flickr.com/photos/30160984@N02/

And Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Antiquebasketlady?fref=ts

For Those Ladies Who Love to Shop

Ok so who doesn't love to shop!   Love to shop but hate the hassle of carrying a large purse or bag?
I have the perfect solution....how about a hipster bag!  Perfect for hands free shopping....

French Stamps Hipster

 Bird in Cage in Melon Hipster

French Stamps Clutch on the Go

Bird in Cage in Melon Shoulder bag

 

Tropical Robin Shoulder Tote

Elephants on Parade Clutch on the Go

Be sure to check my shop for new styles and fabrics....it's not too soon to think of Mother's Day!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady