99 Mrkt This Weekend!

This is where you can find me this Sunday, August 7th….

99’s market features local and independent fresh food distributors, artists and designers that come together to showcase their yummy treats and refreshing eats (like Leslieville Cheeses and Green Earth Organics)! And not to mention killer wares and art pieces.

There is space both indoors and outside (be sure to check out the indoor vendors that’s where I’ll be!) at 99 Sudbury Street (The Glass Factory Lounge and Patio). This event is rain or shine and addmission is free.

Creative Heart Collective Vendor Call

The Creative Hearth Collective is accepting applications for their Fall Craft Show that is being held at the Gladstone Hotel on Sunday, September 18th. Vendor opportunities are available for local artisans, crafters, bakers, designers and retailers. For more information check out the link here or visit my “Calls for Vendors” page for a full listing of upcoming shows and vendor calls.

Be sure to let me know if you know of a vendor call that is missing from my list so I can pass the information along to other local artisans! ♥

Toronto Etsy Street Team Craft Show Video

I recently was a vendor at the Toronto Etsy Street Team Craft Show. This was such a fun day and it was so great to meet so many other local Etsy Sellers and fellow team members from the Toronto Etsy Street Team. The husband of one of the vendors there created this video of the day and he did such an amazing job I wanted to share it! Enjoy! ♥

Dogs Are a Vendors Best Friend

I came across a great tip today that I wanted to share with everyone. I’ve been trying to share some ideas recently to help make craft shows as successful as possible and I thought this sounded like something that could really work. If you are going to be a vendor at an outdoor show that allows dogs consider bringing along a dog bowl with fresh water for them. On a hot summer day on the pavement the dog will appreciate it and so will the owner. Also it will give them an excuse to stop by your booth and browse while their pooch is having a nice cool drink. You might even want to consider having a few dog treats onhand and you can ask the owner if it’s okay to give their dog one and start up a conversation. Sometimes something simple like this is all someone needs to make them stop and fall in love with something on your table.

I would love to hear other creative ideas like this to encourage people to stop by your table so please take a minute and share!

How to Get the Most out of A Craft Show

You’ve been accepted to participate as a vendor at a craft show and you know what you need to do to get ready, but how do you make sure you get the most out of each show you attend? I’m going to share a few tips with you that I’ve learned along the way. What makes a show successful will vary from vendor to vendor. Some of you will have a certain goal for sales you would like to make, others will hope to have some custom orders placed and if you’re just starting out maybe you just want to make as many connections as possible. Whatever your goals are there are a few things you can do to help reach them.

Promote, Promote, Promote…

If you think all you need to sign up for the show and when you get there the crowds will all be flocking to your table you could be disappointed. Some shows that are established will have their following and many shows also are very successful with their advertising and there will be crowds just waiting to spend their money. But you can’t always count on that and some shows might be new and need everyone’s help to promote in order for everyone to have a successful show. This is the time to put to use all of your mailing lists, social media, networking groups, contacts and anything else you can to promote the show and make sure your fans know you will be there. That way even if the organizer doesn’t promote the show well there will be people coming to see what you have and hopefully you will make some extra sales through them. If all the vendors in attendance did this then that could mean a much larger number of customers in attendance. Also use the show as an opportunity to promote your business by handing out business cards or promotional material, take email addresses for newsletter subscriptions and let customers know about upcoming shows you will be at.

New Vendor Calls Added

I’ve just come across a few new Vendor Calls in Toronto for those of you looking to book more shows.

They include the First Ever Toronto Mini Makers Faire being held May 6th to 8th. This will include commercial and non-commercial makers and they are looking for vendors who will offer interactivity: projects that attendees can try on-site, play with, see how they work, and/or build themselves.

Next is the well know Danforth East Arts Fair being held at the East Lynn Park on the weekend of September 17th and 18th. This is an outdoor show and you will have to supply your own tent and tables.

Last is a Spring Bazaar and Rummage sale held at the Central Eglinton Community Centre on May 6th.

Check out the “Calls for Vendors” page for links to more information and applications and for more vendor call listings! ♥

Craft Show Check List

As some point or another many artisans will decide to try selling at a craft show. The first show can be intimidating but being prepared makes it so much easier. I’ve done several shows now and I’ve developed a check list to make sure I have everything I need to be as successful as possible. I know several people who are hoping to do their first shows this spring and summer so I wanted to share this for everyone who is worried about that first show.

Set Up: Table and Chairs if the show doesn’t supply them for you and if you’re doing an outdoor show you may need to supply a tent. If you need any tools to assemble these items be sure to bring them. You will also want a table covering of some sort. Linens are most common. Think about using a colour or style that will be neutral and show off your product the best. If the show is supplying the tables find out the size to be sure you bring a large enough table covering.

Choosing the Right Craft Show For You

How I Display My Wool Wrapped Bangles at a Show

There is no exact science to choosing the right craft show that will bring in tons of sales for you. So much of it is based on the customers that day, who the other vendors are, the weather and of course the state of the economy. That being said here are a few tips I’ve learned to help you at least narrow down the shows that will be more likely to work for you.

First is to establish who your target market is and attend shows that will attract those people. If you make gourmet dog treats then shows that market to dog lovers or in areas that have many dog owners would be your shows of choice. But if you make metal spike studded punk rock jewelry you might not do so well at that craft bazaar at a retirement home…although it’s not impossible!

New Vendor Calls Added

Just a reminder to everyone that I will continue to add dates to the Calls for Vendors page as I find them so keep checking back! I just added three dates for the St. Catharines Brocante Lux Fashion and Art Market if anyone is interested in travelling a littler further for a great show! Take a look! ♥

Pricing Your Handmade Items to Sell

Pricing is definitely one of the trickiest and one of the most important decisions you will have to make when you start selling your handmade items. Take it from me it’s something I struggle with and agonize over often! 

Pricing your items to just cover your costs or slightly higher will seem great when you’re selling a ton of things and thinking that means you’re wonderfully successful. Sounds like a fine idea if your only goal is to cover the costs of supplies for your hobby, so what’s the harm? By doing this you’re hurting not only yourself but also everyone in the handmade selling community.

Take into consideration that even if this isn’t your full time job you still deserve to be paid a fair hourly wage. What is your time worth? There is so much emphasis recently on buying imported “Fair Trade” items to make sure workers in third world countries are being paid a fair wage, so I don’t understand why so many skilled local artisans think it’s okay to pay themselves only pennies an hour. On the other end of the scale don’t pick a random dream salary. Base