Think Crafts Blog - Craft Ideas and Projects - CreateForLess

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

If you’re a crafter, and you must be, since you’re here, there’s a good chance you sell what you produce. Some of us sell to our friends, some online, some in stores, and some at shows and sales throughout the year. And some us do all of the above!

January, for me, is a time to regroup. Like a lot of other people, I’m using the first few weeks of the year to get organized, and one of the things I’ve done is look over my list of things I take to shows. It might seem like a long list, but a lot of what’s on it takes up very little space, and having these items with me helps me feel like I can handle just about anything that comes up.

This is my list. Alter it at will to suit your art and venue.

• Canopy
• Canopy weights
• Table(s)
• Table cover(s)
• Carpet squares
• Perforated round wire table
• Snacks & water
• Signage
• Wire display racks
• Coffee Pot People banner
• Stool to sit on
• Paper for wrapping
• Bags
• Coffee Pot People Album
• Email signup list & clipboard
• Credit card slider & clipboard
• Small sledge hammer for pounding stems into ground
• Coffee Pot People, and Tea Kettle Characters
• China & Mega Blossoms
• ALL China Blossom Stems
• Tub for cooling my feet
• Sweater, clean shirt
• $100 change
• Fanny pack for cash/checks/credit slips
• Camera
• Project to work on
• TV tray

SMALL PLASTIC THREE-DRAWER CHEST TO HOLD:

• Paper & pens
• Deodorant
• Make-up
• Receipt books
• E-6000 (because people always ask what I use)
• Credit card slips
• Business cards
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Gardening gloves
• Pliers, screwdrivers, glue
• Packet of moist towelettes, because you Will get your hands dirty
• Cellophane tape
• Clothes pins
• Safety pins
• Extra tags, string, labels

You, of course, would take your merchandise, and not my Coffee Pot People, Tea Kettle Characters, or China and Mega Blossoms! There are other things on the list you won’t need, and things I don’t take that you’ll want.

The three-drawer chest has become indispensable for me. It holds all the little stuff in one place. Putting it on the TV tray means, usually, that I can tuck it behind my big table, out of the way, but still accessible.

The small tub is worth its weight in gold on hot days. I put cool water in it, put it on the ground behind my big table, slip off my shoes and stand in it. It’s a real life saver.

Always have something to do, a project, preferably something to make that you’re selling.  It keeps you from being bored during slow times, and draws onlookers. Never, ever read in your booth. It sends the wrong message to your shoppers.

Always take your camera. Photograph your booth, so you can work on the layout later, or remember what you did that was great.

One thing not to worry about: Taking something you don’t need.

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

Are we in full scurry mode yet? I know I am, gatherings to attend, and Arts & Crafts shows to prepare for. Honestly, there are times when I have so much to do, I just come to a full stop, not knowing what task to do next.

Efficiency becomes more important at this time of year than at any other, and I look for shortcuts.

I’d like to share a speed wire wrap hint: Do as much as you can assembly line style.

For instance, a simple wrapped loop has a number of steps. Fully described, they are:

1. Pick up spool of wire and wire cutters.
2. Measure out the length you need, and cut.
3. Put down the wire cutters, pick up the round nose pliers, and make a wrapped loop.
4. Put down the round nose pliers, pick up the wire cutters, and cut off the excess.
5. Put down the wire cutters, pick up the flat nose pliers, and squish the end of the wrap flat.
6. String on a bead.

That’s six steps, with six tool changes, per bead. Multiply that by the number of beads you need, say seven, and that’s 42 steps, with 42 tool changes.

Now, instead of that, try this:

1. Pick up spool of wire and wire cutters.

2. Measure out the length you need, and cut as many pieces of wire as you’ll need. (Say, seven.)

3. Put down the wire cutters, pick up the round nose pliers, and make all the wrapped loops.

4. Put down the round nose pliers, pick up the wire cutters, and cut off the excess on each of the seven pieces.

5. Put down the wire cutters, pick up the flat nose pliers, and squish all the ends flat.

6. String a bead on each of the wrapped loop eye pins you’ve created.

That’s still six steps, and six tool changes, but you’ve done all the beads.  You just saved yourself 36, count ‘em, thirty-six, tool changes. That’s a time saver, even if you’re making just one thing. If you’ve got multiple items to make, it really does add up.  It also has the advantage of being something you can do ahead of time, even when you don’t have the time or inclination to attempt an entire jewelry piece.

You can continue similarly with the rest of the piece you’re creating. 

If you’re making a bracelet, or other item that ends with a clasp, you’ll need to leave both loops unfinished on the end bead, one to attach to the chain of beads you’ve created, and the other to accept the clasp.

Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

It’s fall. The kids are back in school. Inside the house is breathing in, outside the still-warm breezes are sighing over the last roses. The silence can practically ring in your ears, can’t it?

Ringing…ears? Oooh. Let’s turn it around and make earrings! And since the squiggly-squirmy folk are elsewhere, why don’t we remind ourselves of them with a style I call “Squiggly-Wiggly”?

Here’s what you’ll need:

Pick out your beads

22 or 24 gauge wire

Two teal beads 7mm-8mm

Two matte Capri blue beads 10mm-12mm

Seed beads in matching or coordinating colors

One pair earring wires

Your tools

First cut a length of wire about 3″ long. On one end, bend a very small spiral of about 1 ½ to 2 rounds. Use protected tips on your round nose pliers to prevent little gouges. I personally let the gouges happen, to add an interesting textured look.

Now is a good time to play with the color sequence a bit. You might like to put the blue seed beads next to the Capri blue bead, and the teal seed beads next to the teal bead, or the other way ’round might appeal to you more. Just string the beads onto your 3″ wire and take a look. When you’ve decided, take the beads off the wire, and you’re ready to start.

I opted to match the seed beads to the beads, so I’ll give the directions that way.

The next thing you’re going to do is string on a blue seed bead, the Capri blue bead, and another blue seed bead. Make a wire-wrapped loop at the top, ending with a sharp bend up and then a gentler bend down.

Now bend the wire straight out, away from your bead.

At about the ½” point, bend the wire back in, then back out again, and then back toward the bead another time, decreasing the length of your “squiggle” as you go.

Cut the wire off to the point at about ¼” beyond the last outer loop. You want to have enough left to make a round loop at the bottom. Play with this; yours do not have to look exactly like mine. Use your fingers to mash things this way and that to get the look you want.

Okay! Time for the next part!

With about 3 ½” of wire, begin a wire-wrapped loop, but before you complete it, thread it through the top loop on the Capri blue bead assembly.

Finish the wrap, then string on the teal seed bead, teal round bead, and teal seed bead. Make a wire-wrapped loop at the top, then “squiggle” the wire down the side of the bead. Your bends are going to be much gentler this time. I’ll let the photo speak for itself.

Now repeat what you just did, all those steps above, unless you want only one earring. (Just kidding-I know you know!)

Open the bottom loop of your earring wires, and hang your bead assemblies on them. Be sure to hang them “facing” opposite directions, to make a left and a right.

Finished set:

To show what a difference another choice of beads might make, here’s another set (I did make a whole pair, but couldn’t get the two of them to play nicely together for their portrait).

You’ll notice I finished off the top bead differently, too, by using a tad more wire and wrapping it completely around the bead, to end in a tiny loop against the glass. Use your imagination, and may the Force be with you!   

 Are the kids home yet?

More and more artists and crafters are using the web to sell their items. There are online auction sites, online craft fairs, and opportunities to create online shops. A key element of selling on such sites is to have crisp, clean photographs of your work.  You can find a list of photography tips here on ThinkCrafts.com.

Most online artists and crafters offer these tips to get the perfect shots:

• Take your photos outside to get the best light on your items.  Cloudy days are best as the filtered light helps bring pop to the photo.
• Display your item in an interesting way, but don’t let the background or display become too busy. You want your item to be the main attraction.
• Contrast your background and item. Light items on dark backgrounds and dark items on light backgrounds.
• Take photos from many different angles and select the one that gives the best view of your item.
• Use a tripod. Shaky hands led to unfocused images. Practice and get comfortable with your camera.

Welcome Guest Blogger and Crafter Anitra Cameron, for the Blog “Coffee Pot People”.

Necessity Breeds a New Wire Wrap Technique

This may be new only to me, but I love it anyway.

One of the things I like about a car trip, if I’m not driving, is that bright expanse of free time. Really free. I can’t do dishes, or laundry, or weed the flower beds. I have to sit, and if I’m going to do something, the options are limited. Reading, going over my music, crocheting, or what I did yesterday, beading.

I worked on Button Stack Bracelets, finishing three I’d already started, and almost a fourth, brand-new one. On that one, I did all the button stacks first, and then turned my focus to creating the chain to put the stacks on.

Finished Bracelet

Now, where was that 20-gauge gold wire…? Oh, no! I was sure I’d put it in, but it was nowhere to be found! I stared at what I had, a spool of 24-gauge that was much finer than I’d want to use for a bracelet chain. What to do?

Ooooh. The idea was ripe for the plucking, and solved a problem that had nothing to do with the lost wire: I don’t like it when the end of a wire can be felt, and when I’m doing a wire wrap on a bead, that happens all too often. Up until yesterday, the only solution was to struggle with the wire until it would properly tuck in, or file the end down if it proved too stubborn.

But what if I worked with a fine wire, doubled?

Here’s what I came up with:

Gather your tools and materials–

Two sizes of wire shown for comparison

• 24-guage wire
• Wire snips
• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Bead

Cut a length of wire about six inches long, then fold it in half.

Loop it over one side and pull taut

Flatten the doubled end with your flat nose pliers as tightly as you can.

Squish!

Measure your folded wire against the bead you’ll be using, leaving enough length for wire wraps on both ends. 

That looks about right

Start a “regular” wire wrap, working with the cut ends of the wire.

So far, so normal

 When you’ve done a wrap and a half or so, lay the ends flat against the rest of the wire length. If your wire ends are longer than the bead you’re using, snip them off.

Those ends will be hidden inside the bead

Slip the bead over the doubled end of the wire, and complete the wrap. I’ve shown what would be the first bead in an assembly, and not left it open to accept another.

No sharp ends anywhere

If you cut your folded wire extra long, you can have extra fun.

Curls and Loops

I finished the bracelet this morning, and am quite pleased with it.

Click here to read more from Anitra Cameron.

I love to paint! Finger paint, watercolors, spray paint, and brush it on paint! The Society of Decorative Painters is a great organization that loves to paint too! It was organized in 1972 to stimulate worldwide interest in and appreciation for decorative painting; to recognize diversity and excellence in the art form; and to serve as the resource center for all aspects of decorative painting. You’ll find all kinds of information on the group’s website including a directory of teachers. Each year the organization has a huge conference (this year was in Peoria, IL, June 16-20) where classes, demos, and a marketplace for all things painting.

My favorite painting teachers include Priscilla Hauser and Donna Dewberry. I might be a little bias since I know both ladies, but each has brought their own magic to teaching and to painting. To me, Priscilla is the first lady of decorative painting and Donna opened the doors for people like me with average talent to excel in my brush strokes.

Jane Seymour paints her signature hearts at CHA Winter Show.

Take a visit to the Society of Decorative Painter’s website and download the group’s learn how to paint instructions. You’ll end up like me, you’ll just love to paint!

Please welcome guest blogger, mixed media artist, painter and paper crafter, Laura Bray.

Check out her website.

Check out her blog.

Tips for a Successful Craft Show

By Laura Bray

You have spent many frenzied hours preparing your art and craft items for the craft fair, but does that mean you are fully prepared to make as much money as you can at the event?  Probably not.  As creatives, we tend to focus on our art and forget about everything else (my house could fall down around me while I’m in the zone and I wouldn’t notice.)  The problem is, you went to all that time and trouble to participate in a craft show, and I want to make sure you make the most money you can while you are there.  It’s not just about what you sell at the show, it’s about the contacts you make and how you use them.  Craft shows are a great place to network and market.  Here are some easy tips to make your next craft fair/show pay-off for months after everyone goes home.

• Display is important.  Dedicate some creative energy to your display.  You want to stand out in the crowd.  This is especially important if your artwork is currently a popular trend and you have lots of competition.  If you sell jewelry right now, you know what I mean.  At the majority of the shows I have attended, I see the jewelry laid out flat-sometimes on black velvet or in white bins at almost every table.  What if you bought cool, retro mannequin heads and used them to display your jewelry?  I know I would make a beeline to a table full of faux heads to check-out what’s going on. 
• Once you have attracted clients to you with a great display, you need to capture their information.  Have a guest book out and invite people to sign it and tell you what they think about your art.  Make sure you ask them to check a box saying they would like to receive mailings from you.  The book will be give you an idea of what people like about your art and you will have their contact information.   Create a mailing list and make sure that you send out cool invites every time you are going to be at a show.  Include a discount coupon on the postcard, that way you can track how effective your mailing was.  For an even nicer touch, make sure you send out a thank you note, right after the show, telling them how glad you are that they stopped by to look at your work.
• Have a free drawing.  Ask people to drop their business cards into a hat and raffle off a prize.  Instant list!
• GET MARKETING MATERIALS!  I can’t tell you how many artists don’t have any information about themselves out on their tables.  What if I don’t want to buy today, but really like your stuff?  How will I ever find you again?  You absolutely must put out business cards.    Business cards don’t have to be expensive.  You can even print them out from your home computer; just make sure you give people the opportunity to find you again.  Make flyers about trunk shows or anything else you want people to buy from you in the future.  If you have catalogs bring them.  Create a portfolio of your work and have it out for people to look at.  You might get some special orders.  I download digital pictures onto my laptop of past work and have a slide show of the work running on it during the show, or you can use a digital photo frame to display your portfolio!
• More on marketing materials…Every product should have a tag on it with all your contact information.  I just use my business card, hole-punched with a ribbon.  This gives both the buyer and, if the item is being purchased as a gift, the recipient your contact information.  The recipient may want to collect your work, but won’t be able to if there isn’t a tag.
• Have freebies.  Everyone loves to get gifts.  For the holiday boutique I am participating in this year, I created special, creative gift tags.  Each customer gets a free set with the purchase of any item.  Of course, the back of the gift card has all my contact information.
• Network with the other artists and crafters.  Make friends.  Even your competitors are potential clients.  Gather the business cards of everyone who is participating at the show and send a friendly email to each one within a week of the show.  Tell them how much you enjoyed seeing their work.  If you remember something specific about them or their work, mention it.  Tell them a bit about you and tell them to contact you if they ever need anything. 
• If you follow these few simple steps, you should have a nice list of clients, potential clients, friends and business partners in your possession. Now you must use this list to make it pay. Set-up a schedule to touch base with each person on a regular basis. Send them invitations to all your shows, send them your monthly newsletter or just drop them a line or a note telling them you are thinking about them. Have fun and be prosperous!

If you follow these few simple steps, you should have a nice list of clients, potential clients, friends and business partners in your possession.  Now you must use this list to make it pay.  Set-up a schedule to touch base with each person on a regular basis.  Send them invitations to all your shows, send them your monthly newsletter or just drop them a line or a note telling them you are thinking about them.  Have fun and be prosperous!

Further Resources

If you liked this article, and want more information about networking and marketing your arts & crafts business, sign-up for katydid designs free monthly ezine at Katydid-designs.com .  Laura also sells inexpensive ebooks and worksheets about the business of art at her Etsy shop.

About the Author

Laura Bray is a mixed media artist, painter and paper crafter.  As an artist with an MBA, she strives to help other artists achieve their dream of making a living doing what they love.  To see what Laura is up to, visit her whimsical blog at www.katydiddys.blogspot.com.