Friday, June 03, 2011

Prepping for the Show

It's only 8 days until ICEatlanta! Jenny and I have been spending the last week prepping our display, making products, running through lists, and getting super excited about our first official handmade show. We've revived some current MaieDae products for the show and spent time making some brand new pieces. I'm anxious to see how the ICE audience reacts to our merchandise.

I wanted to share a couple shots from the studio and give you a peek at some of the things we've been working on!

There will be feathers!
Our bags with our new custom stamp via Kozue & pretty fabric tape!
Vintage fabrics for some new menswear products!
Sweet little kitty feet.
Handy dandy basket o' fabric.
Sewing pretty with Hello Kitty!
One of our new products! Vintage coin rings. :)
Fabrics for our display.
Kaito helps adjust the products.
Things I've Learned Prepping for a Craft Show:
1. Pace yourself: focus on one thing at a time when making products and set small goals throughout the day. Also, it never hurts to reward yourself every now and then for finishing a set of products! We've become regulars at Starbucks. ;)
2. Keep a running list of things you need to bring to the fair. (tape, cash box, hammer, phone charger etc.) Especially if you're traveling a distance, you don't want to be without an important necessity!
3. Make sure you know your space dimensions so that you can set up a "mock" booth to get an idea about how you will display your products and what you still might need to purchase. Take photos of your mock booth so on the day of the show you already know where everything goes.
4. Budget! You definitely want to turn in a profit rather than cross your fingers in hopes of coming even with your supply and entry costs. Pre-plan what products you'll sell, your display ideas, and set a supply budget ahead of time.

Have any tips for prepping for a craft show? Feel free to share below!

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous3.6.11

    Amen girl! Just tell it. Craft shows are a LOT of work. I don't think people understand that sometimes. :) Good luck at your show.

    My tips: Work on presentation and have way more product to sell than you'd ever think you would need.

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  2. I hope you have a blast! I can't wait to see what your booth will look like (I hope you'll post pictures). :)

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  3. i love the coin rings!! fabulous idea. good luck at the show. :)

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  4. Anonymous3.6.11

    1. i'm very excited for you and immensely jealous!

    2. i never liked those decorated tapes before i saw the ones that you have...absolutely adorable - where did you get them??

    3. you will definitely sell the coin rings. i work in a gallery and we have a couple and people are all over them, we've had to start ordering in custom rings.

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  5. That looks like a bunch of awesomeness.

    ♥ sécia
    www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

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  6. obsessed with the feathers!

    ~Andrea @ http://hecallsmewifey.blogspot.com/

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  7. so i have a booth in my first craft market THIS sunday and i'm a tad stressed. eep!

    i need to set up everything tomorrow & see that it works out.

    tips i've heard: if you're outside, bring a water dish & treats for furry friends. have clear pricing everywhere, have extra business cards.

    good luck to you!

    p.s. i want to snuggle your kitteh.

    :) erika @ rougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com

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  8. Oh wow, those feathers are lovely!
    Have fun and good luck at the show!
    xx Mandy

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  9. wow, great tips! and what great pictures! I love the color of your sewing machine and if it's hello kitty it makes it even more splendid! thanks for sharing! :) - Lo

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  10. ... is that the Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine?! ahhh will you be my new bff?

    my roommates told me they would disown me if i added any new Hello Kitty appliances to our apartment (apparently a Hello Kitty toaster, cutlery and a ton of kids sweaters are too much HK for their liking).

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