Monday, August 31, 2009

Fall is in the Air

And the fall and Christmas craft shows are in the planning stages. The agricultural exhibitions are in full swing and each features a competition for arts and crafts. Some of the work is beautiful and inspiring. As the air develops a nip in the evening and overnight with warnings of frost, the shorter hours of daylight contribute to inhome endeavours...like making crafts.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Nature's Beauty


The rough beauty of the angry ocean beaconed on Sunday afternoon. This picture was taken mid afternoon after Hurricane Bill passed the coast of Nova Scotia and blew its way to Newfoundland. The waves were high and in spots washed over roads and washed out a couple of causeways, but all in all the storm was a gentler version of what we were told to expect...and that is a very good thing.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Let the Quilting Begin

I have been on a buying binge...for fabrics for two quilting projects. I am so enjoying the matching of colours and textures, the design of the shapes and sizes and visualizing the finished project. That's right I am designing my projects. Let's not make this easy, like following a pattern that you know works and fits together. Let's go for the challenge of starting with a blank piece of paper.

I had the chance to visit a wonderful shop that sells quilting fabrics as well as finished quilts. They have their own original designs and the standard tried and true patterns that have been around for generations. What a wonderful place to spend a week, expensive for me to be there that long though. The shop of course is Shuttles and Seawinds in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. They have a website and sell quilts and quilted products online and ship throughout the world. Great place, highly recommended for anyone in the area, or wanting to see some truly original designs. One full sized quilt is actually a map of Canada, bright, colourful and beautiful.

I am looking forward to a quiet hour or two to start my projects. Hard to get motivated with temperatures in the mid 30's (mid to high 90's for our US neighbours.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Getting Crafty

When I owned a flower and gift shop for a few years, I quickly learned how to make arrangements that sold. I also learned to sell what I had on hand. With fresh flowers the challenge is always to have the inventory that you need when you need it. Fortunately I was within an hour of my suppliers so I could stock up quickly if needed. Not everyone has that luxury.

With any business dealing with an inventory, it is always a balance of having items on hand that people want and having the financial resources available to maintain those inventory levels. This is very true of a craft business.

There are trends, in colours and designs, that become hot and everyone seems to want them. If you are not at the leading edge of such a trend then you could quickly get left behind. No matter how great your items, if they are not in the required colours or shapes they maybe passed over.

A few years ago, long skinny scarves made their appearance, they were everywhere. Now, not so much. There may still be a market, but it is not as large as it was two or three or five years ago. Does that mean you should stop knitting those items? Maybe not, but it does mean that you could look at changing the style slightly to make it fresh and new, maybe by chosing different colours or by inserting a speciality section of knitting in blocks in the scarf.

Sales is providing what your customers wants, even when they may not know exactly what that is.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Fall Craft Sales

Notices are starting to arrive about upcoming fall craft sales. Now is the time for artists and craft producers to review their inventory, plan production for the weeks ahead and book those spaces in the fall shows. In our part of Nova Scotia there are several "must attend" shows for the people in the area. Shows that are known to have very high quality and original work. Starting in late September there are shows every weekend up until mid December. This is also the time when the agricultural exhibitions are in full swing. There is at least one every week and they always have a showcase of local arts and crafts.

With the trend this summer for people to vacation close to home this provides an excellent opportunity for artists and crafters to showcase their works to the home town crowd, who travelled out of province in past years for vacations. A whole new customer base.

Many craft artists have a few reliable shows that they participate in every year and often ask for the same location. People look for them and plan on purchasing from them. However, it might also be a good idea to add one new show this fall, a location that you don't regularly attend. And of course, at all shows, monitor your sales. How many units did you sell, not only at the show but as followups after the event. After event sales may be by phone, email or they may find you at the next show.

The show organizers should be able to tell you the draw area and the number of attendees from the previous year. Also you can have a draw at your booth to get the names and numbers of all visitors. These will give you info for future emailings to customers. Maybe a newsletter or press releases.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Upcoming Events

August 1 & 2nd - Summer Fest Craft Show & Sale, Windsor
August 4 - 7 Giant Quilt Expo - Saulnierville
Aug 6 Blueberry Festival, West Pubnico http://www.acadianvillage.museum.gov.ns.ca/
August 6 -8 Chester Art Festival, Chester http://www.chesterartcentre.com/
August 21 - 22 New Ross Community Fair, New Ross
August 23 Halifax Anitque Car Club 46th Show and Shine, Halifax http://www.hacc.chebucto.org/

This is just a small sampling of upcoming events in Nova Scotia over the next few days. For a full listing visit http://www.novascotia.com/