How to Set up your Stand and How to Deal with your Christmas Customers

Setting up your stand and dealing with your Christmas Customers

Having prepared and decided which events to attend, we're now heading towards the busiest time of the year - Christmas!  So, it's important to get your stand set up as attractively as possible and enable your customers to make their Christmas gift purchases.

1.  Height.  You won't want them to get bad backs looking at your handmade wares, or in my case jewellery.  So it's vital that you give your display some height.  Perhaps a display case?  Stands to raise it to their eye level or even boxes with your table cover draped over them to raise your display to a reasonable height.  However, do make sure that you're not hidden behind your display as you will still need to interact with your potential purchasers.

 
Display of Pendants

Here's an example of a stand that I had set up many years ago when I first started my business. I have since designed and have purpose made stands.   I was able to sit to the side of this table and therefore was completely free to chat to my customers.  I had boxes in the centre over which I draped my table cloth.  Have a look at the pendant display, they are on a board and are most definitely eye level

Here's an example of a flat display.

Albeit this display is on a smaller scale, which stand would you notice more?

2. Light.  Both the first and the second  images are well lit.  Especially for silver jewellery, they need light to bounce from the silver.  But you don't know if you're going to be in a dingy hall and in which case you will definitely need some form of lighting to allow your customers to see your goods.  If there is no electricity, you can have battery powered light.  The lights on the two black boards are solely battery powered.

3. Make your goods accessible.  If they can't touch / feel - unless they're overwhelmed with the beauty, you won't get many sales.   Do have a selection which is available to be touched.  As you can see on my silver pendant board (image 1), customers can lean forwards and touch them if they so wish.

4. Security.  It's unfortunate, but theft does happen.  Put more expensive items in secure cases if needs be and have your cheaper items at the front. I always put my silver and gold jewellery in a case.  If you have cases, have the ability to lock them, so when you need to nip to the rest room, you can leave the most valuable items safely.  Always ask the stall holder next to you to 'keep an eye out', but don't rely on it.  If they get a customer themselves - they won't be paying attention to what's happening next door!

5.  Enjoy it and Have fun.  Don't get stressed or look downcast - who would buy from someone who looks miserable? - interact with visitors and enjoy their company.  They will be buying you first of all, then they'll take a look at your goods and if they like them take out their purses.
 

New Year's Resolutions and New Jewellery Ideas

Where did January go?  Apart from disappearing in a flurry of snow!  I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a great start to the New Year.

What have you been doing?

I've spent the beginning of 2013 redesigning the home page of my website and starting a new Collection of Jewellery.  The Bliss Collection is currently being uploaded to the website and includes a charm bracelet with two fixed charms (a flower and a freshwater pearl).  Available in three different sizes - children's, women's and plus sizes.  Three charms are already live, with more being added over the next few days and weeks.  The charms can be clipped anywhere on the bracelet, as I've designed them with a bolt clasp which makes it easy for you to just add and swap around to suit their mood.  These charms will fit my charm bracelet or indeed any bracelet which has rings attached to enable it to accept charm additions.  Alternatively if a bracelet has links which allow the 1mm opening of the bolt clasp they could also be attached.

Two new heart designs have also been added to my Je T'Adore Collection, together with designs to the Coastal and Green Collection.  Take a look at the Latest Additions to see all NEW designs as they are added.

I've been nominated in the Craft and Design Selected Awards again this year.  Last year voters were also entered into a competition to win a crate of wine - now that would be a good start to 2013 wouldn't it?
The voting section is further down the page and I'd really appreciate your vote for my jewellery.  I can assure you that you don't get any spam emails at all from Craft and Design.
Here's the Link: Craft and Design Awards - Lesley H Phillips

How do you sell your handmade craft?

Give good advice

A good tip to help sell your handmade craft might seem slightly odd, but if you tell people who you've achieved your success then they will want to know more and sharing your expertise will boost your own business.

Your own craft probably has dozens of associations or oganisations where you can blog and share your skills.  If you offer your skills in your particular area, it's a great way to reach new customers and show your leadership in your particular field.

Articles in the form of tips, best practices in how to achieve the results you have and writing on blogs is a great way to deliver your ideas.

Question and Answer sessions with people who want to know more will find you and appreciate your knowledge. 

Take a look at Lesley H Phillips - Blog and you'll see that I have written a series of articles to help jewellers (and not only silver jewelley - as I've used a lampworker as an example) to develop their websites. 

Lesley H Phillips Join me on Google +

Do you want to sell more from your online shop? Business Tip

Have you got an online shop?  Perhaps you're running your own website or have decided to upload your products to a site which will showcase your work on their site?  Because I am a handmade worker, my knowledge will be in relation to the craft websites such as Folksy or Etsy, but this blog offers information which does carry to other small businesses - even if they don't make their own products.

Have you heard the phrase SEO?  It stands for Search Engine Optimisation and aids your website / online shop to get placed higher in the search results when anyone searches for the products you offer.

I've written a series of articles which are currently being run on the Guild of Jewellery Designers website.

 

The initial article took the form of an overview of SEO and the topics to be covered.  Over the last 2 weeks they've been releasing them in bite sized chunks for you to digest.

When I first started with SEO nothing made sense to me - however, over the years I've finally been able to get to grips with the topic and I've written the articles in what I hope is a plain and understandable form.  I've used examples of jewellery - but the examples naturally carry forward to any product.

If you enjoy the articles and find them informative, I'd love to hear your comments on my Website Blog

Today sees the release of sections  8 & 9 - so there's plenty to keep you entertained already!



Competition to win a Gift Voucher

Here's an opportunity to win a gift voucher for Lesley H Phillips Jewellery
It's running on my facebook page - Handmade Contemporary Silver Jewellery

What am I?  You will need to search the website and follow the instructions on the status on facebook.  To join in there, click on the badge and it will take you to my 'links' page.
www.lesleyhphillips.co.uk

I am full of class,
I am also round.
Near your neck
Is where I'm found.
I could be old,
But this is a tease
I am very current
If you please!

Good Luck!

Handmade Saturday Showcase - Business Tip for crafters

What is it about handmade work that people like?  Most of all it's the individuality of each item - for genuine handmade craft no two pieces can ever be the same.  Secondly the buyer knows that much love and care has gone into it - Can money put a price on it?  In all honesty it's most likely priceless to the artist, but I have trawled the UK and found some exquisite items which ARE for sale and I have compiled a showcase of these items here today.
Does anyone want to try and guess my theme ?

1.  Bird cage tidy - Pin and Pen
2.  Hand dyed cotton art - Downland Originals
3.  Owl cushion - Charming Jewellery and Accessories
4.  Butterfly keepsake box - Kippers Keepsakes
5.  Cotton print handbag - Ann Chandler Originals
6.  Pin cushion - The Home Made Boutique
7.  Silver pendant - Handmade Silver Jewellery UK
8.  Bowl clock - Wonky Fox 
9.  Oak Tamper - Works-in-Wood
10.Hand thrown deep bowl - Epple Bay Ceramics

Handmade

The designs for the items featured remain the intellectual property rights of the artists who have made them.  Any infringement of their rights could result action being taken.

Business Tip for Crafters
Donate your expertise
Your chosen skill probably has plenty of associations / organisations which distribute newsletters or have blogs. By offering your opinions and expertise  by writing an article or being a guest blogger is a great way to boost your business.  It will attract new customers and show that you are a leader in your field.
Articles offering hints and tips, best practices, questions and answers or case studes always prove interesting to the reader.

A handmade gift guide - business tip for craftspeople

This week's handmade gift guide

Each week I choose a theme and select the handmade items I love the most.  This week from around the UK, I've found some treasures...  Given that we've not had much in the way of sun this year, I do feel that my theme is quite apt.  Wasn't it lucky it stayed dry for most of the Olympics.  Let's hope it follows the same pattern for the paralympics.  Anyone want to have a guess what the theme is for this week?

Do enjoy my chosen items - all of which would make perfect gifts or even to say thank you for a gift -  or just because you'd like to treat yourself!

1.   Thank you gift cards - photography & design

2.   Wading birds - LouMay Books

3.   Water Ripples - ElisaMAmorCreations

4.   Village Print - Janice Jong Art & Illustration

5.   Compact Mirror - The Clockwork Jewel

6.   Drink Champagne - Deliart - Beautiful Art Block Prints

7.   Anemone water colour - Oakapple & Rose

8.   Aquamarine waterfall pendant - Handmade Silver Pendant UK

9.   Knitted hot water bottle - selvage
10. French beaded lily -  Corbin Handmade

Please be aware that the artists who have made and designed these items hold the copyright and design rights to them.

And Finally....... A small business tip

Look after your existing customers

Did you know that 20% of your existing customers will buy from you again because they already know you and trust you?  So create a reason why they should buy from you again.   Offer products which complement each other in a product range.  For example, if they purchase a pendant do you have matching earrings or bracelet?  If so, show them these when they're buying the pendant or let them know that these are available when you contact them in the future.
Alternatively, you could offer a small incentive for your existing customers, say 10% off their next purchase.

Go Green! - plus a business tip

The birthstone for August is Peridot - a stunning green gemstone. So, drawing inspiration from the month we're in - I'm running a green blog this week.  How many people thought I was running an eco friendly blog this week then?

I have delved into handmade items from around the UK to find my favourites in the colour green.  Enjoy!

1.   A collage - Loganberry Photography
2.   Green Man - Daves Woodcraft
3.   Flower Studs - Grass Fields
4.   Gecko Picture - Handmade by D.
5.   Humming Bird - Rustic Green
6.   Cushion - Courtyards Crafts
7.   Peridot Earrings - Silver Jewellery
8.   Felt Rosette - Hooperhart
9.   Original Fabric on Canvas - J.A. Wilson
10. Hand knitted Dress - josknits

All the items which I have chosen to feature are the property of the  designers who've made them.  As such, they will own the rights to their designs and this prohibits any copying - accidental or otherwise.

Business TipFor the craftspeople who are running their own business - I hope you find your weekly business tip useful.

Do you have a tough decision to make?  If so, go and do some exercise!  Sound odd?  Well, studies have shown that people who work out regularly are better decision makers. One study tested 80 people over an 9 month period and results showed that the exercisers ability to make complex decisions had increased 70% over those who weren't exercising.

Olympic Ideas - Business Tip

From: Handmade Silver Jewellery UK

This week (and next), I won't be running my usual feature of handmade items from fellow creative artists as I'm going to be participating in the Dorset Arts and Crafts Association annual exhibition.  It runs from 3rd August - 7th August (click the picture for further information)
I therefore thought this week I'd provide a couple of business tips for fellow artists. Plus, with the Olympics and the gorgeous sunshine - who going to spend hours at their computer?  So, quick business tips will be 'just the ticket' to read and keep in mind for when you have more time to think about doing something with them.


Bovington, Dorset. 3rd August - 7th August

 Business Tips


Re-evaluate your products
When was the last time you thought long and hard about the designs of the products you offer? Do they still meet the needs of your customers or do they need an overhaul? As technology, competition and your customer’s fashion change over time; be sure your products keep up!


Test before you roll out your handmade craft

Wondering if a new product idea will sell? Consider testing it out before making several. If you attend craft fairs – take along just a couple of variations and ask customer’s opinions – ask for their thoughts and would they like to see something different within your item?

Online cost-effective testing vehicles include email marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising like Google AdWords, and social media like Facebook and Twitter. PPC advertising is one of the fastest and easiest ways to test a new market niche or product, but you'll need to invest a bit of time writing your ads
For the creative people – this market research is a worthwhile task and you'll learn a lot about your customers thoughts and your markets in the process.  A good time to test is now, ready to have some lovely tried and tested ideas for the Christmas season.

Saturday Showcase and a Small Business Tip

This Saturday's Showcase of UK handmade goods is here!
For the people who appreciate that with handmade comes quality - you're really going to love this selection.
For the artists amongst us, who appreciate handmade because you know just what goes into it - take a look at my tip for small businesses at the bottom of the blog.
I hope you enjoy my amazing selection this week.

1. Brooch - iCandy Crafts
2. Card - Zuleikha's art
3. Hair Clip, Fimo - Pretty Little Tings
4. Beanie - Rainbows'N'More
5.Bag - Crafty Bags
6.Glossy Print  - Crystal MoonCat
7. Silver Pendant - Handmade Silver Jewellery UK
8.Pincushion - RuthDesigns
9.Cushion - MinXures Clothing and Accessories
10. Head band - Zoe's Shop

Business Tip of the Week
People buy from small businesses because they often receive a personal touch. They buy from handmade artists because they know that overall the product is better!  However, all businesses make mistakes - we wouldn't be human if we didn't.  The key is not to compound your mistakes. Delivering good customer service means quickly and accurately fixing those mistakes and you'll earn loyalty.  On the other hand, compounding one mistake with another is a sure fire way of driving away your customers.

Support Handmade in the UK

This week's blog is for all to guess my chosen theme.
Once again, I've search Folksy and found some stunning items - but at least this week they're still all for sale as I haven't beaten you to it and bought one of the featured items!
So what's the theme? - send a comment telling me what you think it is

The talent in the UK is amazing and for people who don't craft - there's some real delights for you to see this week.

Considering that the artists who make the items each week all run their own small businesses, I'm adding tip each time for which will I hope prove useful to the artisans too.

1. Sailing cushion - Jenny Harris Designs
2. Felt picture on Linen - Dollydoo
3.Silver Boat  Pendant - Silver Jewellery
4. Badges - CraftsCouncil
5. Canvas Bag - Handmaid
6. Art Photograph - Paradici
7. Vintage Fabric Picture - LouTonkin - Artist
8. Art Card - Megan Claire
9. Coaster - The Mosaic Garden
10. T-Shirt - Rusks and Rebels


Tip of the week
Respond promptly to requests for information / posting your sold items
Many large businesses lack the personal touch and this is where small businesses have the upper hand.  However, the key is to ensure that you don't leave your customers waiting.
When customers request information/ have bought one of your items, they expect a quick response.  When you fail to to do - due to poor organisation, incorrect contacts or a busy schedule - customers are left feeling abandoned and most likely won't do business with you now or in the future.

All the work and designs on this blog are copyrighted to the artist and any infringement of this could result in action being taken.