Need a pep talk...and advice/ideas NTTCAL

johnnys june · October 2011

Ok girls. I'm down to the wire. The craft fair is in less than a week and I'm getting all nerved up. I've never stuck my neck out there before like this. It's one thing to go live on Etsy and sit behind a computer where my successes and failures can be blurred in and out of IRL....a craft booth at a fall festival is different. Now, I did have to submit this entire application with fee and a "description of your creative process" along with pictures. They picked me. That should count for something, right!?!

For those of you who were around when I posted about my Name Frames a few months back you'll know what I'm talking about. If you don't, visit Etsy.com and look up my shop SignLanguageByM.

Here's my dilemma....will it be enough? So far I've created 15 different designs/frames. Most of them are words rather than names so that they can be sold "pre made" the day of the fall festival. A few of them though can be sold pre made...but only if the person is or knows someone with that name. They are more for show/examples because my hopes is to guide them to Etsy or to place an order right there and then. I've created detailed custom order forms and have receipts ready. I've also included all the same details and policies as my Etsy shop. I would be able to take payments then and there and they can wait to receive it in the mail, or, when they place an order, I will create a paypal listing or etsy listing if they choose and they can pay for it that way prior to shipment. Make sense?

My questions:

Is 15 frames enough? They're priced at $25 each ($30 for custom orders). I need stock to show and I want to make sales, but I'm mainly trying to gain orders.

Do you think promoting custom orders will be beneficial?

Do you think the craft fair was a good idea at all???? lol.

I'm just super nervous. This is a HUGE HUGE HUGE step for me.

Thanks for listening!!!

butterfly843 · October 2011

Good luck at your craft fair. How big is the booth you will have at the fair? I might make a few more frames, also if you do well at this fair look into business cards. I had some made from a special vista print had I got like 500 for $10. I haven't done a craft fair in years, but I love attending them.

rosenb2b · October 2011

Hey sweetness!

I think you will get more custom orders than you think! People love personalized stuff!! There's no way to possibly have every single name out there so obviously you have to stop at some point! A great selling tool is turnaround time. If you can get them done quickly and out, I'd tell the customers that so if something is coming up quickly, they feel comfortable ordering. I also agree with the business cards because I LOVE craft shows but a lot of time, I don't want to carry everything so I pick up a card and order later.

You will do GREAT! Can't wait to hear details!

Carolee · October 2011

I don't really have ideas or advice, but I just wanted to tell you good luck! I'm sure you'll do great and that people will love your frames! I know I love mine!

CashewsMommy · October 2011

Do you plan on doing more of these shows? If so, then it might be a good idea to have a few "regular" names done before hand.

But I think 15 is good! I'm sure you'll get people who will order.

lavril · October 2011

CashewsMommy:

Do you plan on doing more of these shows? If so, then it might be a good idea to have a few "regular" names done before hand.

But I think 15 is good! I'm sure you'll get people who will order.

Ditto - a few 'regulars' might be useful. Good luck!! I'm sure it'll go great!

sgrobste · October 2011

I think it depends on how big the craft fair is. But, I do agree with the PP, people do love personalized things...have you or have you thought about making any for teachers? I love getting cutre gifts for my son's teacher and as a teacher myself, it is nice to get a personalized frame

cutebride73 · October 2011

A few more might be a good idea. It is hard to say with craft fairs, some people like to get their hands on whatever it is right then and there - it really depends on the crowd. But, I do think people love personalized items and may very well order custom frames from you. Do you have pictures of other frames you have made and sold? If you do, you might want to put them in a photo album and take them for people to look through for ideas. Just a thought.

Good luck - I hope you get lots of orders!!!

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Need a pep talk...and advice/ideas NTTCAL

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