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Crafts & Hobbies Information |
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Capturing the Craft Show Market
Finding the right product to sell at a craft show is extremelyimportant in finding success on the craft show circuit. You mayalready have an excellent craft product or line of products youare creating or even selling, or you may be looking for a craftto produce in order to enter the business. In either case,market research is going to help you find a craft show productthat you can produce at a low enough cost to net a profit - andone that you will enjoy making. If you don't spend time lookinginto what everyone else has at their craft show booth, you mightrepeat what others have, or create a product no one really wants. What exactly is a craft? The dictionary definition of "craft" isto make by hand, therefore, theoretically anything handmade is acraft. Although that's true, a craft typically falls into acategory of items that are normally sold under the umbrella ofarts and crafts that are either decorative or useful or both-andthat consumers generally purchase for ornamental or practicaluse. The endless creativity of new craft show items is nothingshort of remarkable. The product you choose will likely be oneyou enjoy producing or have a natural affinity for. It might bea skill passed down from generation to generation in yourfamily, but you can also learn it on your own. You may decideto take classes or apprentice to a master to learn a new skillfor producing a craft show item. Yet in order to make your craftbusiness a success, you should consider doing a little bit ofhomework about what craft show item to make, ahead of time. Market research What sells? Wouldn't you like to have the answer to thatquestion before putting all your resources into creating aproduct? How can you get the answer? Market research. Any largecompany that manufactures products utilizes market researchbefore developing new products. You can use the Internet as wellas common sense. You can ask friends, visit craft shows,galleries, retail stores, eBay and other websites to see what isselling and what isn't. Ask other artisans and craft show boothowners. Study trends by reading consumer magazines, tradejournals, the fashion section of the newspaper or even watchingTV. Product ideas also come from everyday life-find a niche and fillit - and you will most certainly find success in craft shows. But, you need to make sure you stay on the cutting edge. Children, animals and nature can provide inspiration as well. Jot ideas for craft show items in your notebook or computerwhenever you come up with something you think would be a hotseller. Compile a list of possible items and compare it to whatyou might enjoy producing. Then ask yourself if the craft showitem is practical, decorative, unique, can be priced right (forprofit), has a personal touch, is of excellent quality andoffers exceptional value. You might also want to check out the competition in any categoryyou select. How can you put a spin on your product to make itdistinct and stand out from the others? If you're a crafter,you're probably highly creative, so use your creativity to comeup with something imaginative. Without plunging into it full on,see if you can make a few samples and solicit feedback fromfriends or store owners. Do a small craft show and gaugecustomer response. If all systems seem to be saying "go" then gofor it! Find a craft you enjoy making, that you can constructefficiently and cost effectively, and one you can sell, and youhave the craft show market cornered. But, you probably aren'tgoing to land the perfect product without some groundwork donebeforehand. If you want to find the utmost in craft showsuccess, then take the time to deliver a product that you haveresearched, and watch craft collectors flock to your booth! Natalie Goyette shows you how to make your craft show
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