Tips for Shows and Sales 102 Getting In

Tips For Getting into Those Shows

So, you have been to a really cool craft/flea market.  Or, perhaps you went to a widely advertised Antique Market. And you say, "Hey, I could do this". Well, here are a few tips/suggestions for getting there.

1. Have things to sell. I know this sounds really stupid, but if you don't have inventory, then your space will look lost in the whole scheme of things. If you are wanting to sell at a show that specialized in crafts, then you need to have craft inventory. And, a variety works best. It is good to specialize, but the more things you have, the more things your customers will have to look at. Keep in mind that you are there to make money. Sounds so heartless, doesn't it? But, that really is the bottom line. We would be crazy to do all the work on our projects, pack for days, get up in the middle of the night to get there, spend hours unpacking and setting up your space and then give it away.

Be aware of what people are buying. Look in magazines (I'm terrible about doing this) . Look around you. Not everything that people bring to shows sell. We sell about 1/4 - 1/3 of what we bring... but sometimes a person who has seen you before remembers and comes back to get that item. Put your own twist on what you bring. You may get a buyer for something unique - in fact, if they wanted the same thing everyone else has, they would go down to Walmart to get it. Unique sells and if you are dealing in old things -- CLEAN SELLS! I will go over how to price in another blog at a later date.

2. Now that you have things to sell, you need to contact someone who is doing a "show". Look in trade magazines for upcoming shows. Some shows want your information 6 months in advance. (That is hard when your niece is getting married sometime next year and you don't want to hit her weekend.) If you attend shows, ask around for who is in charge, be ready to give information as to who you are, what you sell, and contact numbers. Another way is to look online for shows in your area. If you have to travel all day to get there, get a room for the night and spend another day coming home, you better make big bucks to cover your expenses.

3. Take pictures of your product. Lots of times I am asked for pictures of what we sell. A picture tells it all. Arrange your items attractively, take some pictures, close-ups are good, and be ready with these. You can offer to email them to your prospective venue.

4. Network. It has been amazing to me to watch one of my daughters work her small business. She knows people, their names, where they sell, and it has paid off for her. A bright smile closes many a deal. She is now selling in one of the biggest, widely publicized markets in the mid-California area and everyone know "my daughter". Check out this site http://remnantsofthepast.com/  Look at the video and sigh... But then, keep in mind that these are experts, they have had a lot of years in the training and most of them are just crazy talented. This is way out of my league, but I can admire.

Back next time to talk about things that I take...practically speaking.

Tips for Shows/Sales 101 The Business End

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

101

So, you think you would like to do a sale at a flea market, established venue or whatever. Here are some tips that I have divided into sections for easier reading. Or, perhaps you are killing time until the dentist calls you in for your root canal... whatever

THE BUSINESS END
We have been doing shows and sales for about 3-4 years now. Wow! Time is flying by...

Selling at a show, or flea market or well-established venue is not just showing up on the day of the show. That is, unless it is your sister that is putting on the show, or you know someone "in high places". There are a few things that need to be done ahead.

1. In our state, we need a resale permit. (unless you sell maybe once a year) They are free, you just have to go to a website or go in person to fill out a form and go on record that you plan to sell to the public. Here, in California, you are then responsible to file and pay tax on what you sell. Therefore, you need to keep a record of what you sell, how much, etc. It sounds more intimidating then it really is. And, if you sell to another dealer, then you don't have to pay tax on the sale, just report it.

2. I have designed and printed my own tags and business cards since we first started selling in the Trove and since at shows. They are not perfect, just plain old cards with information for someone to contact you if they want. I carry some in my purse and give them out at yard sales if the person looks like they may have some items we can get later. I also have "sold" tags to put on items that sell and we hold until the buyer can come back and pick them up. I am talking about a few hours. If you can hold their items, it leaves their hands free to go on shopping and then they have to return to your space. Sometimes I put their name on the tag and sometimes I just group their items with a SOLD tag.

I have a plastic shoe box (the kind with a lid that snaps on) and in it I have

• Business Cards
• Tags for marking prices on items
• Clear tape - (we used to call it Scotch tape - but I know that is just a brand name)
• Sold Tags
• Metal tape Measure
• Small clip board with a tablet - used to record my sales for tax purposes
• Receipt book - for those that want a written receipt (dealers usually do)
• Extra pens
• Small plastic bags for jewelry sales - I get these at WalMart in the scrapbook area
• Change pouch - I usually have $35 in change in it - when I count my money at the end, I put back the $35 and I am ready for the next sale.
• One of those leatherman tool thingys - it has screw driver, knife, pliers, etc all in one
• I also carry chap stick, super glue and a few other small, small items - you can personalize it for you.

This box goes with me to all sales. I replenish whatever is needed before the next time. It is easy to grab and I know exactly what is where.

Do you have questions that I didn't cover? Let me know...

Well, tune in next time for more Tips - I am going to cover "GETTING IN TO A SHOW"

More of California Coast

To continue our  getaway...
We have been going to Fort Bragg for just about forever - well, maybe 20-30 years - oh wait, we went there when Terry (Miss Bricoleur) was 6 months old. So, if I do the math - over 38 years!

I feel a part ownership of the place. I look for what has changed since I was there last. The locals are earthy folk who one of my children would term "crunchy". The whole town survives on tourists and what they bring. We toured town, looking for yard sales and found one yard with a few items in it for sale. We struck a deal with the owner on a few items, one of which had to be taken apart before we could fit it in the back of the canopy on our truck. We found a "new" area we had never been to before (and probably won't go back again...)

 One place we seem to always hit is the Skunk Train Museum and mall of little shops that have sprung up around it for the tourists. There is a bevy of small shops that have glass blowing, T-shirts, cookbooks, shells, and local artist creations, along with a local cafe sort of restaurant with a restored steam locomotive in it.

How about these old passenger cars, rotting away? They used to carry travelers to Willits (around 35 miles away, over the river and through the woods).

Tracks that lead out of town.

No trip to Fort Bragg is complete until we visit the Coast True Value Store. You can buy everything from dishes, paint, hardware, electronics, candles, camping equipment and everything in between.

All this housed in a smallish store.

Across Main street is an old Lumber Baron's home turned into a museum

Beautiful stained glass bay window from an upstairs landing.

We hit all the thrift/second hand stores in town and the next. We scored on an old suitcase and green pyrex bowl, although I saw some awesome photos I would have like to have, but they were way, way, too expensive. $35 is too much for my thrifty self.

Mendocino, another small tourist town down the coast a short distance was having a craft/bake sale.

We usually don't go to these, but we had the time and we got several ideas from

other stores in the area. I got a bar of handmade, organic soap, a hair stick, homemade cookies

 and Mr got some apricot jam that will have his name and his only, on it. All, because we wanted the "help" the local economy. We have been on the selling side and know how it is to sit in your booth for long

periods and have people oooh and ah over your things and then they walk away. We couldn't buy everything, but every little bit helps. Besides, a trip to Fort Bragg always includes a Mendocino trip.

We also took in a trip to the Point Cabrillo Light Station.

It is fairly new, only being in use since 1905...

We had a leisurely walk down to the point, with eyes watching us

We crossed a area that is eroding as we speak...

It made a lovely "whomp!" sound every once in a while. Mr had to call me back to the path again!

Of the light keepers houses, two are rentable, and one is a museum. You can rent one of them out for the week for a near $3,000 if you want...

This is the second time we have visited the light station and it is always an enjoyable time.

Well, we stayed until Monday and then it was time to head on home. We talked about how this grandchild would enjoy this or that, how next time we need to..., or how we could bring a "load" up here of smalls and try our luck. All together, we enjoyed our time away, but we are always glad to come home.

California Coast Field Trip

Our long weekend started on Thursday. We had a wonderful dinner with the folks. Featured was the obligatory turkey and ham. Everything was so delicious. We all played a game after dinner gathered around the large table. Trivia knowledge was key.

On Friday morning, bright and early we started a drive over to the coast. We have been looking forward to this for quite some time. It seems that every once in a while I need an "ocean" fix. We wanted to go through Petaluma to see a little shop that we have heard about called Summer Cottage Antiques. I had the "go ahead" from Mr to look all I wanted and I took my time going through the little shop and the upstairs. There were so many quaint items to see. The owner, who we wanted to meet face to face, was not in that day (bummer), but we enjoyed meeting the staff. Another shop around the corner caught our eye and we went inside - Sienna - This was more of a purist store - 3 stories of genuine, actual antiques. WOW. We deal with antiques, but these were the REAL deal, and if anything had been changed, painted over, repaired, etc, then it was not considered - not even. It was a real eye opener, because of the prices. I guess we tend to think more practical - can it be used? rather than admired for its beauty.

On the road again, our destination was Fort Bragg, CA. It is a quaint little town on the coast and we heard a native say that the prices for things are about par for those in Alaska. I can see how that is so, there is just no easy way to get there without going through a lot of winding roads. Even so, I love the town, about 10 blocks by 10 blocks, with the majority of the economy relying on tourism to keep it afloat. My roots go back here as my mother was born in a town 15 miles north, my grandfather was a logger and my grandmother ran the "camp" kitchen for a logging crew. Maybe that's why I need a little salt air now and then...

We stayed in a motel that was right on the bluff with walking trails out to the point. Right behind  our room we started walking and saw this

Right in the side yard of a house was a herd of around 8 deer, grazing and keeping one eye on us the same time.

Around the point, we saw this

This is part of the harbor area and it looks like the tide was up.

At the end of the trail, where we turned around to come back, we/I, went out the the edge and looked around the corner - Mr asked me nicely to come back to the trail...

Looks like I just might move in, right there, waiting for me (right!)

Stay tuned for more "adventures" in the wild west coast of California.

Pumpkin Farm - For Young and Old Alike

Last month the pumpkin farm in the area was still open

So, on a Sunday afternoon, we loaded up and took a visit.

To Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

We had our 80 year old friend (and his wife)

and we had our youngest friend (a little over a year)

We also had visitors from as far away as Newfoundland

And other older friends, too

******

They had a "petting" area and the youngsters enjoyed going in and brushing the goats and sheep

Some did not know what to make of it all

An exhausted mother takes a break from all the attention

While some others visited

A big sister gives treats to her younger brothers

And two special friends hang out together

We had a beautiful day and ended it all with a few treats like these