| This is where you can really make or break your | | | | get attached, this is business. You can always |
| craft showcareer. Being able to produce quality | | | | useslower products as bonuses, gift items or for |
| crafts as efficiently andaffordably as possible is | | | | raffle drawings ordonations. |
| the key to making a tidy profit fromcraft shows. | | | | Pricing |
| How Production Evolves | | | | The crucial question about pricing is: How do I |
| How you handle production of your craft show | | | | price my craftshow products for the best |
| items will evolveover time. Initially you may | | | | results--good sales and good profit? |
| produce all your craft items alone. | | | | Can I have both? You may fear that if your |
| This will likely be the most cost effective way to | | | | prices are too low,you could incur the wrath of |
| start yourcraft show creations. As your business | | | | your competitors or make lessprofit. If your |
| grows, you may decide itis best to find | | | | prices are too high, your sales will drop. Theright |
| employees who can recreate your artistic flair -so | | | | price is one of the most significant factors |
| you can build more products and increase your | | | | incontributing to your success or failure--and one |
| overall revenue. | | | | of the mostdifficult factors to decide upon. |
| Time and experience will help you streamline your | | | | There are several schools of thought on how to |
| productioncycle for maximum efficiency. You'll | | | | arrive at thebest price for your work. Again, time |
| learn as you go how longit takes to produce your | | | | and experience will beyour best guides. It is easy |
| craft show items, how long to allow fordrying, | | | | enough to raise or lower yourprice with each |
| setting or baking, what quantity of supplies you | | | | craft show you attend and eventually find thebest |
| needfor a certain amount of inventory and how | | | | fit. You may even find yourself changing prices |
| much inventory you'llneed for a one-day craft | | | | atdifferent craft shows as you learn the shopping |
| show. Basically, you are going to getbetter and | | | | patterns of yourcustomers. If someone seems |
| smarter about how to build your craft show | | | | interested then walks away, askthem why they |
| items - soyou can maximize the profit! | | | | didn't buy and if they say price, ask what |
| Always have some form of quality control if | | | | theywould be willing to pay. If you get the same |
| you're workingalone, such as a friend or family | | | | informationrepeated several times, it's an indication |
| member checking your craftsfor sturdiness, | | | | of what customers arewilling to pay--at least at |
| appearance, etc. If you make jewelry, | | | | that craft show! |
| havesomeone else try on a necklace to make | | | | Although you need to test your prices, don't |
| sure the clasp works, itdoesn't fall apart while | | | | make drastic priceadjustments in the same |
| putting it on and that you are pleasedwith the | | | | weekend, as customers may complain. |
| appearance. If you have put a frame around a | | | | Makesmaller adjustments in different towns based |
| smallpainting, ensure the frame's sturdiness, so | | | | on craft showresults and customer feedback. |
| your craft customerisn't disappointed when it falls | | | | Sometimes the difference inimproving your sales |
| apart. Think about how you willtransport your | | | | can be as small as $1.00, such as loweringa $12.00 |
| products during the production process, | | | | item to $10.99. And sometimes selling fewer |
| makingthem sturdy enough to travel or finding | | | | items athigher prices can be more profitable in the |
| strong packing materialsthrough your suppliers. | | | | long run. |
| Over the years, your products will evolve as you | | | | Take time to consider your price carefully. |
| makemodifications to existing designs and add | | | | Consider cost ofsupplies and labor, craft show |
| new products. Withfeedback from customers and | | | | fees, transportation and otherexpenses involved. |
| keeping abreast of current trends,as well as | | | | The efficiency of your production will alsohave an |
| developing new skills and interests, you'll | | | | impact on how much profit you can make from |
| probablyadd new products and remove | | | | your craftshow items, and ultimately both will |
| slower-moving ones. As soon as yousee a steady | | | | determine your success onthe craft show circuit! |
| decline in sales, consider dropping theproduct--don't | | | | |