DIY Promotion

This morning I read a great article called 10 Ideas for Making Your Show an Event written by Martin Atkins. While the article is written for those in or looking to get their big break in the music business, a lot of what Martin suggests can be used for your craft business. The idea of having your craft show turn into a major even is what we all dream of and it's something that can be attained.

While we as crafters are sometimes limited because we don't organize the event (and have to stay within event guidelines), we can use some of the ideas Martin has suggested as use them as a starting point for creating our own events. Holiday open houses are a great way to start. Finding and setting up at events that we wouldn't normally set up at exposes us to new potential customers. Find and help a local organization or charity by creating a fundraising event or food drive or participate in one they already have. Have friends and family host themed open houses or organize a small local show with your Etsy street team or crafty friends. The possibilities are endless. Are only limits are our own creativity.

For those of you who are not familiar with Martin Atkins, he's been in active in the music business for ages. He was the drummer for many well known bands like Public Image Limited, Killing Joke, Ministry, Damage Manual and (my favorite!) Pigface, and has his own record label - Invisible Records. Over the last few years he has been teaching and giving seminars on the music business and wrote a book called Tour:Smart.

Speaking of shows and promotion -- this weekend is Boonsboro Days, in Boonsboro, MD. Both shops will be closed while we are away at this show. The show is held both Saturday and Sunday in Shaeffer Park. Zen Creations will be located near the band shell in the park. Mention my blog and get 10% off your total purchase!

Getting Ready

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This Friday, July 4th, I will be doing a local craft show in Waynesboro, PA - Summer Jubilee.  This will be the first time Zen Creations will be vending at this event, so I don't really know what to expect.  This will also be the first time we will be using our new folding shelves that we bought at Ollies a few weeks ago.  I love them for 2 reasons, 1. they fold nice and flat - great for transporting them, and 2. they can hold 3 displays on each shelf. My displays were really tight at the last show, so this will allow me to display more goods in less space and put it at the customer's eye level.

Our new shirts from VistaPrint came in today. Very pleased with how they turned out.  Maybe I can get Lance to model the shirt and hat on Friday and post it here! My labels also came in today, so I spent about an hour sticking them on various sized white jewelry boxes. I think they add a nice touch, and hopefully bring customers to my Etsy shop in the future.

Still waiting on an order from Firemountaingems.com . Hopefully it will come in tomorrow and I can use the new displays I ordered on Friday.  Tomorrow night will be filled with packing up my displays, Lance packing up the car and organizing beads and findings to take and work on during the show.

Cross your fingers that it doesn't rain on the 4th!