Kicking Off the Craft Show Season.

So begins the busy season for many crafters and artisans. The days that we truly get a good night's rest are gone....and left in its place are loooong days of either burning the midnight oil or getting up BEFORE the early bird. But sadly more often than not it is sometime a little of both! But with a little advanced planning the evening before (and the morning of) the big event can be a little less stressful. The following are some basic tips to follow to make things go a little easier:

1)Start a checklist during the week leading up the event. As you think of things you want to remember write it down and by the end of the week you'll be ahead of the game. Once you have done a few craft shows, you will have a pretty thorough list...now put it on a spreadsheet or on your computer and print it off every time you need to pack up for a show. Everything you need will be right at your fingertips!

2)BRING ENOUGH CHANGE! I cannot stress this enough! I usually keep my prices in $0.25 increments so I only have to have quarters in my change box....just seems to make life a lot simpler (in my opinion). I usually start my day with enough change so I can break a big bill....because, sadly, more often than not, when a customer says they will come back and make that purchase....they usually don't. So I don't want to chance losing a sale simply because I couldn't break that $50 or $100 bill.

3)Decorate your booth for the season! I know that that is already accomplished for some by simply displaying your craft...but for me.....soaps and lotions really can't be that festive. So I try to incorporate some holiday fabrics or some pine or holly sprigs. Just anything to get people in the holiday shopping spirit. This then also sorta ties in with my next tip: Cover Your Tables. I use inexpensive sheets in solid colors for my table coverings....and then it's easy to spruce it up with some festive holiday themed fabrics.

4) Other things to remember to bring: a chair (if necessary), pens, pencils, and scrap paper. Also:DON'T FORGET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS! If you can't afford to have some printed professionally....go to the store and pick up some blanks and print them up yourself OR....I believe Vistaprint offers 250 free business cards. You can search for them online.

I also recommend bringing a small cooler or lunchbox to bring a cold drink and something to snack on.

So those are some tips I have to offer.....and there are plenty I'm sure I've forgotten.....so let's hear what tips you've got to offer.

OH...one more thing! Don't forget to stop over to my FACEBOOK page, I'm having a giftbasket giveaway! You and another one of your facebook friends could each win a basket!