Little Craft Show Extras for Your Customers

For many years I have enjoyed working as a crafter. I sell out of a store and also set up at numerous craft shows. Money has become a little tighter over the last few years for both the customer and the crafters and I have noticed ideas that have worked with me in making a sale and with other vendors.

Give the customer something extra. Everybody enjoys something special that they didn't ask for. Many times it can be the pull that gets a customer into your booth. Once they are in your booth, you have the potential to make a sale. As much as I wish it was my beautiful creations that got them there, it might just be more of a reputation of what I give my customers.

Bags-Such a simple suggestion, but one that is considered an after thought for a lot of crafters. Grabbing a bag stuffed with grocery sacks as you pack for your sale is what happens with a large number of crafters, including myself. I have found that when I take the time to prepare bags ahead of time, I seem to improve on the steady stream of clients throughout my day. Do you have more fabric than you will ever use in three lifetimes? Decide on the dimensions of three sizes. Take into account the items you have for sale. Don't make any bags that are two small for your use. I start with a small bag of 5" x 7". Cut two pieces of fabric this size and with wrong sides facing each other, sew a 1/4" seam along the two long sides and one short side. That is it. One bag will probably take you two minutes and your customer's will love the personal touch. Use scraps and bits you like but can't decide on a project for. The same technique can be done with wallpaper. Either use leftover wall paper, borders, or wallpaper from sample books. Cut and sew as you did for the fabric. The longer the stitch the better so as not to create a perforated edge. Lastly, use all those rubber stamps with wonderful designs you have been stashing away for years. Apply paint and stamp individual brown or white paper lunch bags for a unique packaging idea.

Package Stuffer-Copy a poem onto card stock that reflects you, the crafts that you produce, or the season. With a glue gun, take individually wrapped candies and glue them to the corner of the card. This will cost you pennies. Buy candy in bulk and fit several poems onto one sheet of card stock. Every sale you make, add the poem. You might see that you will get many repeat customers through out your day. I wouldn't recommend putting them in a basket and letting customers help themselves. Kids have a tendency to abuse the offer and in placing the poem in the bag, you have the satisfaction of truly thanking a paying customer.

Drawings-This is a terrific way to get the customers in your booth. Set up an item for your prize, near the entrance to your booth and advertise with a sign telling customers of the give away. Assure them you will not be using their information for any other purpose than the drawing. Let them know either verbally or on your sign the particulars of when you will be drawing and how you will contact the winner.

Lastly, if you make, for example, trays, stationary baskets or picnic baskets, visit your local yard sales or thrift store for items to purchase inexpensively to put in these products. This doesn't cost much at all and you will make it all back and more as your customers see how thoughtful you were.