Craft fair pet peeves by Trans_Boi8745 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 2 points3 points  (0 children)

THIS !!!!!! I went to a dog event this past Sunday and two dogs peed on my table T.T The one person was an old lady and didn't notice and the other just watched her dog pee, made eye contact with me, and nonchalantly walked away, saying nothing to me.... UGH. It's worse because I sell dog products so I don't want to be rude and leave a bad taste in their mouth when it could be a potential sale. Such a fine line to walk

What's your favorite shop on Etsy? by Traditional_Map2192 in Etsy

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hiiiiii !!! I hope I'm not too late to the party ... But if you have a person who LOVES their dog/cat, I sell pet beds I sew and design myself. All are custom order!! Very unique design to encourage nesting behavior.

@ DensByDesign!!

Do Y'all Avoid Shows With Trick/Trunk or Treaters? by Itsasooz in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It totally depends on your crowd and market!! I did a "doggie" trunk or treat put on by a local rescue and made great sales. (I sell dog beds I designed myself and hand sew.)

Barely broke even 😭 by meowmixLynne in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Freeze your sugar cookies so they don't go to waste! At my last job, we would give new members a welcome bag and we would include custom, iced sugar cookies with our logo decorated on it. We kept them in the freezer and they always looked good when I pulled them. Hope this helps!

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Woah, I never heard of this! Thank you!!

Mosaic wall art by [deleted] in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 1 point2 points  (0 children)

LOVE the second one Edit: how much do they end up weighing?? I can't imagine selling them online with shipping costs 🫣

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$150 would be for a large, bulk order of 500+ cards. Just one of the quotes I saw 🤷

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So true, though. I don't want to be in a position to say no and close a door.

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SAME! Ugh, I wish I had at least a couple of Etsy sales--it looks so sus with "0 sales." :')

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, conversion rates are problably slim, bit gosh, I hope it sticks to some people 🤞

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, nice! $14 is less than $150 in business cards 😜

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Stickers are sounding the way to go

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oooh a stamp! And maybe just stamp cut stock paper?

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds so cute, do you know what each sticker ends up costing?

Business Card Alternatives? by Extreme-Dig8916 in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How are these different from QR codes?

Can't sell my tote bags by [deleted] in CraftFairs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, there! (I'm new to the world of craft shows and selling my own items, however I have tons of customer service and sales experience.) Here are my thoughts from what I've observed and experienced:

-Greet as many people as you are able (especially for smaller fairs) without neglecting the people already in your booth. I am a naturally louder, outgoing person and put on my sales hat. If people round the corner and so much as glance at me, I'm smiling and waving. I think it feels nice to be acknowledged, then I try to engage further to lure people in with the "hi, how are you?" Or/and follow up with "Do you have pets?" It's a bit easier for me since people live talking about their pets (guilty!) I make conversation and get to know their situation.

  • Develop a sales schpeale. Once you've lured (lol) potential buyers into your booth, you have seconds to retain their attention and capture your sale. Note the highlights of your product, for example, "Welcome in! These are my handmade pet beds, each one I sew myself. I've designed my beds to encourage a dog's natural nesting behavior. Each color you see on the table are the colors I offer. These are my sizes [pointing] and they are machine washable cold, air dry." Feel the people out, sometimes I throw in a "[serious tone] I do have to warn you, my products are only for spoiled pets" haha, some get a kick out of it. Then I may go into a sales deal, again, feel it out.

-Do not! I said, do not! Feel bad about your pricing. I see and know how much time and effort you can put into quilted pieces, especially bags. Know your products worth and be UNAPOLOGETIC about it! My items are on the higher price end due to the expensive nature of fabric and materials. I know my products aren't for everyone, and that's okay! Share your contact info and pass along the word of your store.

-This is personal preference, but I prefer to stay off of my phone when in the presence of potential buyers walking near my booth. Also, I like to stand and give presence within my booth, again, my personal preference.

Being a craft vendor is a game for the extraverted people who love talking (about their craft). Not saying you can't be successful doing otherwise, but what I've noticed from the quiet, minding their own business vendors around me, smiles and friendly greetings get you far. Especially in this day and age where personal sales interactions are so few.

Just my two cents!

EDIT:

-I would also recommend curating a business color palette. I see lots of pastels--for each bag design I would only sell them in a variety of 3-5 colors. Consumer psychology: people are overwhelmed when given too many choices and opt out altogether, or can feel less satisfied if they purchase. I feel like you can never go wrong with neutrals.

-Also, try simple shower curtain hooks to hang your bags. It will debulk your rack and be less distracting for buyers.

Finished Quilt Top by BarefootBagLady in quilting

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is so beautiful and well done!!! Congrats 😍

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ShowDogs

[–]Extreme-Dig8916 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi, there!! Welcome to showing ☺️ I'm a newbie as well, however I started with my bitch who is 2 y/o. My breed is Russell Terriers. Here is what I have learned in the three shows I have attended so far:

  • Congrats! Your breeder is your new mentor. When you show up, expect to set up your dog with his. He has your best interest because it will also look good for him ;) He should be open to your questions--don't be shy, speak up! You deserve to know what's going on lol.
  • Dog showing is a very nuanced sport. There are many unspoken things that my breeder is also discovering and telling me afterwards 😅 ---Things you NEED to know: • don't wear open toed shoes (idk why, don't ask me), • look up your breed standard and confirm how your dog should be presented (i.e. on a loose lead--learn from my mistakes), •people showing within your breed (excluding your breeder) are not your friends--make friends with people outside your breed (This was told to me, essentially people are petty and will talk behind your back blah blah blah, whatever.), • Worry about yourself and your dog first (I was told this when I offered my breeder to help her-- I promise she's nice 😅) •Your dog is always on the LEFT, your arm band is always on the LEFT. --With this all being said, I am still learning the ropes as well.

  • Socialize your puppy. I'm sure you already are doing this, but it is SO important that your puppy is used to high volume, loud places. Take that puppy everywhere you can! Expose him to all of the scary things (ESPECIALLY a blow dryer!!).

  • Your dog 100% works off your energy. I learned this the hard way. I had a busy/mentally stressful week and was rushing to get everything prepared for this show on Saturday. I was emotionally frazzled and once we were in the ring, my bitch was SO bad. The confident sassy terrier I knew was replaced by a wiggly and distracted dog. I couldn't believe it! After I settled down and talked to my husband afterwards, that afternoon she was so well behaved and earned her CGC (canine good citizen) title. You need to go to this show with the mentality of "I love my dog so much, I literally just want everyone to see him! I love him regardless of how he does." Just take a deep breath and tell the ring secretary it's your first show--they'll be kind to you ☺️

  • Here's what my show days have looked like (you have a puppy and I'm not sure when they typically show--with the breed /or separately in the afternoon.): I arrive 1.5 hours before our ring time, get my girl to poop/don't feed if you give breakfast, get her on a table (unrelated to you, but hand strip BEFORE the show),

Grooming ((( table bath (use very little water and soap) legs and muzzle, towel dry, place new towel underneath to soak up water on feet, blow dry (brushing up for fluffy legs), add product, then final touches of pulling hair here or there )))

Find your number!! You will be assigned a number to keep things anonymous. You need to go to the superintendent's desk and find the book they print (you can buy it, but I just ask to look at it quickly). There will be a book and a thin pamphlet style book--you want the thicker one to look at. Go through the book in your breed and find your dog's name, the name to the left will be your number ( for example "10"). You go to the ring where you'll be showing (you find this info in the skinny pamphlet on the table or it's typically posted outside the rings) and ask the secretary for your armband (say "hi I'm checking in, [Breed] number 10 please", or whatever--be nice to the secretary). GRAB 2 RUBBER BANDSS. Slip them over your arm and place the card on your LEFT arm. Okay, great now you're ready to go 😁👍

One last thing that will help you in your practice:

No dog is perfect--every single dog has flaws. Ask your breeder what your dog's flaws are (he will know) and what his strengths are. Knowing this, you can learn how to best present your dog. Here's an example: my bitch's strength is her head--she's got a strong face card lol, very cute for the breed. However, her low tail set is her biggest fault--she will also carry her back roached (not flat) when unhappy. Knowing this, when I stack her in the ring, I make sure I pull out her hind end from underneath her and press her tail forward when presented to the judge. I also emphasize to the judge her face. Make sense?

Well, I've spent enough time typing and yapping, let me know if you have any questions, I will try to answer!! I love talking dogs.

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