Two weeks ago, I wrote about 7 things to not talk about during a craft show. Not sure what to say? Here’s the simple list of things to help get through a weekend:

1. Hello, good morning or good afternoon – Make eye contact (always eye contact) and say a simple hello to break the ice. It really is that easy. Show go-ers are expecting to talk to artists, so you just broke  the silence. Craft shows are not for hermits. It’s time to smile and play nice.
2. A question or two - Questions like ’Do you know what that is?‘ are a great way to start a conversation. Plus it gives them permission to ask about another piece. Every artist has a do-dad that’s not exactly clear from first glance. When in doubt, ask if they’ve been to the show before.
3. Thanks! - Try to thank anyone who exits your booth, even if they didn’t buy from you. There’s a chance that they’re thinking about what they’ll buy at the show and may return. Plus we all like to be noticed.

These are the three basics. Now what else do you do to greet customers?

What did you discover today?

Ok, I’ll go first. Hmmmm, I’m thinking… thinking…. thinking…thinking.

Yikes. I’m suddenly realizing that I didn’t really discover anything “on my own.” Those moments of sheer delight in my day were made possible by you. Yes you – out there.

A la mode got me keyed into notcot.org. Erica who set up the Electro Dub Tango station on my Pandora. Grace from Design*Sponge who reminded me (and many others) about Outstanding In the Field. My dear friends at Etsy (I don’t really have any – but I think we’d get along) for leading me to Baby Jives!

Thanks to our interconnectedness – it’s a time of great discovery. Let’s savor it! Let’s get fascinated – like the adorable baby who gazes at these beautiful mobiles.

Here’s to Baby Jives! Aren’t they fabulous?

A little bird told me – fabric sculpture on yarn wrapped branch

Three little birds told me – fabric mobile with yarn wrapped branches

Just back from the lakeside wilderness of Maine with some moss and driftwood…thinking about making a terrarium and a mobile??  Thanks to all that tapped into their wild side and submitted some spectacular work!

Plush Tribal LEFTZ by Art Tales

Copper Leaves and Jasper Flowers by mwm designs

Bethany – Ear Flap Hat by Like Cloche Work

Colors of the Wilderness by whimsical words

Branch Earrings by jCrane jewelry

Spring Creek by Scorched Eyebrow Studio

Thru the Opening by Warwick Hills

For the next challenge, look to the heavens (or Hollywood) and STAR GAZE.

• A new challenge will be posted every other Monday
• Create a piece related to the theme OR submit one already created by you and theme related
• Link the piece from your etsy site, blog or FB to the Simply Linked form below
• Everyone that submits an entry will be included in the next post.
• The next deadline for submitting is Thursday, September 9th by 5 pm

Megan Greenholt has a BFA in illustration/printmaking and a MA in art therapy. Warwick Hills sits by a creek at the bend in the road. An art studio, gardens, animal friends and children are nurtured here.

(photo by Carla Zambelli)

Are you looking for a great venue to sell your art or artisan crafts?

The Clover Market is the only upscale vintage outdoor market in the Philadelphia area and, since its launch last spring, has been warmly received by patrons and sellers alike. Grab an application. After just its first season, Clover won the award for the Best Outdoor Shopping Mecca from Main Line Today Magazine and was covered in Philadelphia Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC’s “10! Show”, ABC’s “FYI Philly” & Daily Candy Philadelphia among others.

Opening day for our fall season is just a month away, and we are actively looking for sellers with:
* Original art (oil/acrylic paintings; watercolor or other works on paper; drawings & illustrations; art photography; sculpture).
* High quality artisan crafts (furniture, textiles, glass, jewelry)

Our fall dates (all Sundays, market is open from 11 am – 4 pm) are:
September 12 and 26
October 10 and 24
November 7 and 14

Participating as a seller in the Market has never been easier (application here)! Starting this fall, tents are not required and there is NO minimum weekly commitment. Seller spaces are generously sized to accommodate a 10’ x 10’ tent plus parking directly behind the tent for easy loading (spaces are $95 for each Sunday). Approved sellers can share a space which is a great way to give the Market a try.

Discounts are available
· Sign up for 4 weeks in the fall season- get 10% off your total booth rental fees
· Sign up for 5 weeks in the fall season – get 15% off your total booth rental fees
· Sign up for 6 weeks in the fall season – get 1 week for FREE

Much more information (rates, application to participate, photos) are all posted on the blog -CLOVERMARKET.BLOGSPOT.COM. Please check this before emailing for more information – thanks

Tips for creating memorable packaging:

1. Wrap it up. Everyone loves to unwrap a product, it reminds them of a birthday or the holiday season.
2. If you have a logo, put it on there. Use a sticker, or print it directly on to the wrapping. Get creative. Have a custom rubber stamp handmade and stamp each package.
3. Make sure it follows your brand. If you are a modern company, perhaps minimal packaging is best. If you sell vintage items, why not use vintage stamps as postage?
4. Include a handwritten thank you note. This may not apply to your brand’s appearance, but it does apply to the customer experience. Make it memorable. In fact, why not include a note from a local handmade stationer? Spread the love.

These are just three small ways to make your packaging stand out and be memorable to your customers. This is all a part of your brand, and every experience plays into your company.

I’ve put together a nice little list of vendors that I discovered on Etsy that can help you with your packaging efforts.

Ribbons & String

From left to right; Griffith Gardens, Whisker Graphics, Eat Pray Create

Fabric & Paper – Use the Japanese technique of Furoshiki, get instructions here.

Daisy Janie Organic Fabrics

Finishing Touches

From left to right; Knot & Bow, Parcel + Paper, Packagery

Jodi is another crafter who started early and has been making things since childhood. Jodi is very creative and likes to sew, crochet and paint as well as other creative pursuits! Jodi got into selling her designs, “kind of on a whim – I was curious to see if anyone had any interest in my creations and once I had my first sale, I was hooked.”

“It always thrills and amazes me that someone out there actually likes something I have created and will be wearing it,” explains Jodi, and I am sure that many designer-makers will understand. The excitement of knowing that people love your items enough to pay for them is addictive! Conversely, Jodi feels disheartened when she is particularly excited about a product but it does not get much attention – a common downside of selling handmade crafts.

Jodi supplements her crafting income with freelance graphic design work, and is lucky to have a separate office spac at home from where she runs both businesses. “[Crafting] is taking over very rapidly,” explains Jodi. “I still need to continue my freelance graphic design work to supplement my income, as online sales are sporadic and unpredictable.”

Like many designer-makers, Jodi takes inspiration from the world around her. “I can’t say I am inspired by a particular artist or art form.  My jewelry reflects my moods most times and life inspires my comedy.  If there is one  person that influences or inspires me I would have to say my hubby, he keeps me laughing and feeling safe.”  She strives to ensure that her products are unique, in what is becoming an ever more saturated market. “Let’s face it there are a lot of shops out there selling domino pendants and scrabble tiles, I make mine unique by offering unique graphics, colors and include little extras where I can. I think I have a tendency to catch the buyer with my personality on Twitter and my blog, it makes them curious enough to then check out my shop.”

In addition to promoting via [Twitter]. Jodi uses her personal Facebook to draw attention to her creations and relies on word of mouth, handing out business cards whenever she can. ” I have tried consignment, craft shows, flea markets… none of those venues have been that successful for me. I keep trying the different shows in the hopes one will click, but not so far. I really sell best online for some reason.”

A Pennsylvania native, Jodi values the mutual support that local crafters provide. “I really see the handmade movement in PA growing, more and more I am finding when I mention my handmade business to friends they have a genuine interest in what I’m doing.

“Since I started selling my crafts and talking about it to others, I’m realizing how many talented people there are out there. Most everyone has created something in their lifetime, either as a child or adult. People are starting to tap into that talent as a way of providing additional income or as a creative outlet. The more involved I become with the handmade movement the more I realize the support that is available out there. Pennsylvania has a wonderful supportive community, as I am discovering since joining Team HiP.”

For more information on Jodi’s designs, please check out her Etsy shop.

Wanna shop a craft show like an expert? Here are some tips on how to shop at a craft show mindfully:

1 - Get there early – beat the rush and (in the case of a summer show) beat the heat and afternoon showers.

2 - Pay with cash – it takes some planning, but this is the easiest way to get on an artist’s good graces (plus it’s faster). Credit card processing fees can chew up 3% of the price of the piece plus the money is immediately available to them. Some artistsmay offer a reduced price for paying with cash.

3 - Bring your own bag – just like the farmer’s market, save a tree (or a plastic tree) and bring your own bags. Didn’t remember to bring one? Buy one! Many shows sell tote bags.

4 -Plan on lunch - no reason to rush through the show. Plan on staying for lunch, it’ll help you lessen your pace and see everything. If you make lunch plans, you’ll just end up frantically trying to get through the show and you’ll miss it.

5 - Watch your fingers - if you ate those yummy sweet potato fries, make sure you wash your hands before handling leather or fabric. You don’t want to inadvertently ruin a lovely piece.

6 – Try to chat with friends off to the side – the front of a crafter’s booth is like the door to their business. If you run into friends at the show, try to step off to the side to catch up.

7 – Ask questions – not sure what that wooden contraption is? Ask. You may be pleasantly surprised. At a craft shop there was a plate with scratches in the top. I couldn’t figure out what it was. Turned out to be a garlic grater that changed my kitchen.

8 – Grab a business card – there’s a handmade journal that’s perfect for your neice, but you wanna check with her mom first? Grab a business card and ask if they have an online shop. If they don’t make sure to ask how you can meet up with them to buy something after the show.

9 – No haggling – every single piece is handmade one-by-one. That means the second pendant took the same amount of time as the first. Haggling on quantity discounts is not normally welcome. (advice from Candied Fabrics)

10 – Bring your friends – the more the merrier. You’re not only filling your home with awesome crafts, but you’re also supporting a community and a way of life. Independent artists appreciate your time and look forward to conversing with groups.

11 – Leave with full bags – because it’s more fun than empty bags.

Summer is coming to an end and the school year beckons our kids into the fall.

Among other deplorable education cuts (foreign languages, creative writing, and physical education) art programs have been hacked all across the board when we need creativity more than ever. The value of creativity is becoming increasingly recognized in all areas of life.

Imagination is the cornerstone of all positive human endeavors. Google has been ranked as the most successful company EVER, and creativity is one of their main criteria’s for hiring.

I’m not just talking about art, but so what if you know how to use Photoshop? Can you  draw a picture to scan into it?

Graffiti Alphabet Letters Taken From Graffiti Street Art
The ABC’s of Creativity

Attitude
Be Yourself
Challenge
Develop
Experiment
Full Speed Ahead
Go For It
Hooray for Art
Inspire and Be Inspired
Just Do It
Kindle the Flame
Laugh Often
Make a Mess
No is not the Answer
Open Wide
Paint
Question
Risk
Surprise
Try, Try Again
Use it
Value what you do
Wonder
Excite
Yes is the Answer
Za Za Zoom!

Happy Birds in Trees Weezy Band

Green and Cream Damask Headband

Spring Daisies Patchwork Skirt

Blue Fern Batik Print Headband

Next weekend in downtown York is the Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Fest (just a few blocks from the YorkFest). So what is a cigar box guitar? Here’s an oversimplified explanation from their website:

Get yourself a cigar box, jam a stick into it and nail a wire for a string… This is the legendary instrument of blues and folk legends, and now it’s in a resurgence.

I’m gonna wager a bet that it takes more than slamming a stick on a box, but if you’re looking get down with a group of musicians who clearly love what they do then head to the York area next weekend.

(all images courtesy of Shane Speal)