CRAFT SHOW TIPS FROM A SIGN MAKER

 

 

CRAFT SHOW TIPS FROM A SIGN MAKER

(Cole Camp Craft Show Spring 2014)

 

There are many preparations when preparing for a craft show.  I thought I would share some of my experiences and tips I have found to be helpful and MAYBE you can use some of these tips to ensure you have a successful day as we have had!

 

ASK QUESTIONS  

  When applying for a show there are certain questions I always have....since our craft is large wood signs, I have to have ample amount of time to set up.  My favorite shows are when they allow you to set up the night before.  I don't know why, but I feel relaxed after my display is up, I get a good nights sleep and can finish decorating a couple hours before the show starts.  I have only done one show that did not allow us to set the night before and I swore I would never do it again.  I was rushed, my booth didn't flow well and it wasn't a good show....all of those put together made me wish I hadn't gone through all the work!  So that is always my first question,

CAN I SET UP THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HOW MUCH TIME TOTAL DO I HAVE TO SET UP MY BOOTH?

 

GAME PLAN

 GO in with a plan.  I always have an IDEA of how I think it should lay out.  I would love to be able to be typing that I have the time to set up my display before I go but that never happens, although a good idea...for many of us busy crafting moms we don't have the time to do this.  So just get organized in your head of how you want your booth to lay out.

 

ORGANIZE YOURSELF AND BOOTH

 Organizing, Organize, Organizing, Organize...did I mention organize?

Set up your totes the way you want to unload them.  I have crates and plastic tubs that I carry my signs into the show.  I bring everything in at one time.  I pack my signs by size, it makes it easy when going to display..."Oh I need a 24" x 12" sign here" and I know where to go to get it.

 

(extra tip: I like to keep product around my check out station, People have to come to you, so make them see your product...I always keep a little shelf sitter or candles etc on the counter (an item that is $2-$3.....I replaced this little welcome sign 5 times at this particular show.... it put another $10 in my pocket!)

 

 ORGANIZE YOUR CHECK OUT STATION

Here is a list that I make sure I never leave home without! (Remember I have a sign booth that is large so some of what is on my list deals with hanging)

make sure you have.... Change in a money bag, Pens, Business Cards, Scissors, extra price tags, "S" hooks for hanging, wire (you just never know if you will have to secure something) a hammer, nails (also for hanging), masking tape (you just never know), I keep all of this by my check out station at all times.  PRICE ALL OF YOUR ITEMS BEFORE YOU GET THERE!!

Other things to remember to bring:

tables, chairs, cloth to cover tables-Not necessary but creates more of a flow through your booth AND drap the cloth to the floor so you can put extra product or your tubs you brought product in with will fit under your tables perfectly!!

 

NON-COMMITMENT SPACE

Do what????? you might say.....I always make sure to display pieces on the outside of my booth.  For some reason walking into a booth can be intimidating to some people or they feel obligated to buy if they step into your "zone"  I know I always feel a little awkward if I go into a

 booth but don't buy anything. 

 

I find setting a narrow table with product displayed and signs hanging allows people to shop without being committed to you....then if they like what they see they may just come on into the booth and you may have another customer at your organized check out stand.  I always try to put a few of my best sellers in front FOR ATTENTION GRABBERS! 

 

(My "Non-Commitment Space)

Extra Tip:  Continue to fill these spaces once product sells, grab items that are high or really low IN YOUR BOOTH and put them out front as you continue to sell) 

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE FROM THIS BLOG...DO THIS....I PROMISE PUTTING PRODUCT OUT FRONT WILL PAY OFF!

 

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

 This was the 2nd show I have put signs in my display pieces....create crates or whatever you like to display your items on during your show....allow it to carry your product as well.....makes for easy set up and take down.

 

(This is a crate all the product is sitting on and around....put some cloth on top of it and you have a primitive piece that also carries product....I was able to fit 40 of my smaller signs in one!!!)

 

TELL YOUR STORY

Now I don't know about you BUT I hate a pushy sales person and one you feel like you can't get away from.....make people ask you.  I put a picture up of my girls on one of product tables....this is how RiOak got it's name....people ask and then I tell.  I never push product upon them unless they are asking questions.  A simple hi how are you today works great!  Of course you can tell people a little about your things like "Oh yes I love this piece it is one of my best sellers, as well as this sign here.  Are you looking for anything in particular?  If your interested we do custom work as well, take one of my business cards and look us up or give us a call.

Don't be the person no one can get away from!!!!!!  We all know the type.

 (An 8 x 10 framed picture that has been photo shopped with both of my girls names on it and our business name along with a post card that tells our story) Had several people ask about our name and it is so easy to point to the picture and explain.)

 

CREATE FLOW

You want to have product EVERYWHERE IN YOUR BOOTH----High, low, middle.  You want to pull people's eyes everywhere.  I always use the same color pallet on my signs so it is easy to decorate. And creates good flow. You want to make it easy for people to stand in your booth and move around, keep things around the edges so your customers can get in and get out!

 

( There are 7 people in my little 8x16 foot booth but everyone was still able to look around and not bump into each other)

 

extra tip: I carry small items (candle rings, candles, smell goods, a few baskets etc....it makes my booth look like a little store) It also is good for those that might not have much money but want to feel like they got something....I keep stalk of $1, $2, and $3 dollar items placed throughout my booth.  Has been a great seller for us. 

 

 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....NETWORK AND APPERANCE

Keep several business cards with you, talk to people, enjoy the show.  Have fun and look the part.  I made these little aprons that have my business name on it, this way when I am walking around people know who I am.  Visit with other vendors and see what other shows have been good for them.  I always try to buy from one or two vendors every show.  First I like to support local and Second it helps create other customers for you! 

Smile your there to make money.....and for me, live my dream! 

(Finishing touches....very happy that it is all done and ready for customers!! Have fun!!!!!!)

 

(My Riley--The "Ri" of RiOak)  She come to help mom take down the booth.....last tip, have a good set up and take down crew, sure does help and make for a smooth show.  We are blessed to have a supportive family.

 

I usually try not to post long BLOGS but I had so many ideas and tips, sorry this got a little windy.  I hope you enjoyed.  Until next time...Happy Creating and many smiles from RiOak to you!

 

Just Another Day in the life of RiOak

 

 

 

Bleaching LIFE

I have never known life without bleach.  My Granny Mae always had a distinct smell on her hands and I LOVED that smell.  As I got older and started cleaning myself, I realized she always smelled like bleach, lol.  Now I have a love hate relationship with bleach as my mother also has always cleaned with bleach (love you mom) but I would go to get my "cool" shirt out of the dryer....and you guessed it there would be a bleach mark on it.  Of course I would say, "Moooommmmm," Every mom knows this tone, the kids can lengthen the word mom to be like a 10 syllable word.  She would just look at me with that mom look (and every mother knows how to give one of these).  Now as I am "Mooooommmmm"  I am following in the footsteps of the amazing women who raised me, my answer for everything....bleach.  I was mopping my floors this morning, with bleach water of course, and thought this would be a great topic for my blog.  I have set out this morning to tell you how great this cheap cleaner is for many uses.  I will tell you a little about how I use bleach and then I did some reading to get more ideas for you.

1. Bleach Toys-Fill sink with warm water add two caps full of bleach to the water (caps make great measuring cups).  Did you know bleach disinfects in 30 seconds...great tip for us busy moms.  Take out and let air dry....simple enough!
2. Bleach fights mildew-Yep use warm water with 4 caps full of bleach and it will get rid of mildew...make sure not to saturate the area with the water but wet the area with the water and bleach combination and work small circles...GONE
3. Clean butcher block-No explanation needed...clean with bleach.
4. Toilet Bowl and Bleach together....not a good Idea....definetly a chemical reaction and this is a whole other story...BUT DON'T DO IT, lol.
5. Clean your laundry basket.....does anyone do this?  Honestly I hardly ever do this, but it makes since as when you put dirty clothes in there are germs in there too!!  I usually only put dirty clothes in ours because once the load is done either we get it out of the dryer to wear or a pile is started on the couch! (My mother in law loves laundry so every time she comes over to our house she probably has a heart attack) I personally would rather clean all the grout in a 5,000 sq foot tiled home with a tooth brush than do LAUNDRY...I hate it.  I guess it's because it is a job that is never done!
6. Now I am no doctor so please consult your physician, BUT a bad cut....put bleach on it, it does burn but no infection....my mom does this all the time, I know this is harsh but it will help with preventing infection, in our circumstances anyway.
7. Bug bites---Bleach bath, fill up tub put a couple of caps of bleach, WaaaLAAA it will dry them chigger bites right up---also might speak with a physician on this.
8.  My youngest daughter suffers with eczema and as I was researching anything to help this poor baby guess what I found?  Yes you guessed it, bleach baths (as described above, just a cap, which really dilutes the bleach but it is enough I guess to do the job....again ask physician before you try this) So I give my girls a bleach bath when skin issues appear, it does work!
9. Want to make your fresh cut flowers last longer.....one quarter tea spoon of bleach per one quart of water (I have never tried this, but I have heard that it works....if you try it let me know!)
10. Remove coffee or tea stains-Soak glasses in water bleach mixture, wipe with soft cloth.
11. As I was looking for alternative ways to use bleach I ran across this one and I thought is was creative and funny...It says to put sand into two bleach bottles and you have homemade dumbbells.
12. Use bleach instead of jet dry, it supposedly cleans glass and china and makes them sparkle.
13. For the kids....after jug of bleach is empty clean thourghly take cap off, cut off bottom and make into a mega phone (probably a good idea for summer time so you can send them outside to shout out at the world instead of your ear!)  This is a cute idea for any container, the kids could decorate it, serves two purposes for keeping their little minds and hands busy.
14. Cut the bottle in half after complete and make a scoop out of it, like for dog food etc.

It is also important to remember never to mix bleach and ammonia together as this creates a very toxic chemical.  Did you know bleach only has a shelf life of about 6 months...I had no idea. 

I know much of this is common since but thought I would share my life experience with BLEACHing  in my life!

Passions and compliments

I started out two years ago with an idea in mind to be "Crafty."  I have always loved to decorate but didn't do much crafting.  I have a love for signs....who doesn't? I have decorated with them for years.  In April of 2012 I decided I was going to make some signs and the rest is history.  I found a love for painting in doing this, it is relaxing.  I find myself painting until wee hours of the morning, I call it my "Painting mode,"  when I am in my mode the house could be falling down around me and I wouldn't know it (not for sure if this is a good mode when the kids are up!)  I really honestly love my PASSION of making pretty home décor. 

I have a question and I would like for you to comment.  If you start a business and have put a lot of time and effort and you are still a very small business AND someone starts to copy your business model and mimic very similar pieces to yours...do you take this as a compliment?  Tell me your thoughts.  We have ran into this and although frustrating I find it a compliment in a weird way.  What do you think?  Some questions I have pondered, will it hurt my business?  Why would you want to build a business mimicking other businesses?  What are your thoughts?


I do find it hard to not let it bother me, I am only human.  I have thought long and hard about this situation and have come to the conclusion there is nothing I can do about it.  I am very confident in the product we produce and the only thing I can change is my attitude and outlook.   Continue to build on our reputation as a business and continue to dream big. If someone wants to copy me and other businesses around there is only one thing to do....continue to follow my passion, no one can copy my passion for what I do??? Right???

Looking forward to seeing the discussion.....

RiOak

I have been wanting to blog for a while.  You see I am a talker, anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to talk.  I hope through this blog to promote RiOak (our home business) and let you get to know a little more about our crazy chaotic life.  I hope to make you smile or give you a chuckle or two and believe me with my little girls there is something to chuckle about daily. 
A little about us, Clint (husband) and I have been together 15 years and I just turned 30 this year. I will let you do the math.  We were high school sweet hearts and I can honestly say he is my whole world.  I love this man with all my heart.  He makes me smile and feel loved.  Okay so enough of this lovey stuff!  We have two beautiful girls, Riley (5) and Oaklee (17months). 
We both work full time and have started this crazy custom wood sign business.  It has been an adventure that has caused many laughs, tears and many, many late nights.  We enjoy doing this as a couple and I can't think of anyone else I would rather be in business with than my best friend, my husband.  We work very hard to create perfect pieces, we are human and trust me mistakes happen but we are very proud of the work we do.  RiOak was named after Riley and Oaklee. 
We are at the beginning stages of this business.  We have many dreams we hope to follow but are taking one step at a time and starting this business debt free.  We spend many late nights drinking coffee and creating customized signs.  Our life is family, we would do anything for them.  We started our home business in hopes our girls can have a good start in life, who knows maybe they will make RiOak a multi million dollar business and take it further than we ever imagined (duck dynasty did)!  I don't know if anyone will really want to read the blog but I thought I would give it a whirl.  I plan to try to post often as I find this therapeutic!  We will see how this goes.  So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the blog.