Have you ever had a great idea that was sure to help you find vocational bliss, money and a way to avoid college? I tried to do this by starting a candle making company when I was in college.
Today I'll share what I would different if I was starting today.
{This is the second blog post in the series "What is an Artpreneur?" In last weeks' post I explored the world of fine art shows. Today I am going over my adventure in the world of craft shows.}
Both art shows and craft shows are viable ways to make a money but there are many different things an artpreneur can do to boost business. If you are a crafter I hope this post helps you identify things to do right when it comes to setting up a show, marketing your art and focusing on building a business and a profit.
When I was in college my school I used every bit of creativity I could to squeeze in artwork. Candle making was one outlet that allowed me to be creative.
If I could make money by doing art it was all the better. Candle making had always fascinated me so I grabbed a book, invested about $200 in supplies, learned the craft and signed up for craft shows. Yes, I was young and bold and had no idea what I was doing!
1. Teaching is where the money was. I should have more aggressively pursued teaching opportunities.
I'm going to start with the biggest lesson I learned: teaching is where the profits were/are in many DIY endeavors. Many people love to create but lack the time, resources and drive to craft out the projects they want to do on their own.
If you can create an experience for them- take the activity, set up the materials, clean up the mess and show them how to make something fun (so they don't have to go through the effort of learning it for themselves) you have the beginnings of a potentially-profitable endeavor.
2. Be very careful what shows you sign up for.
Also- take it week by week. My mom and I signed up for an entire season at one location. Why did we do this? I don't know. I think we signed up for the slowest art and craft show in the entire locale! We showed in a tourist area where multiple art and craft shows were located on different orchards. It took about two weeks to discover people came to our particular site for one reason: food. We watched them walk into the pie house/restaurant and walk back out.
3. Doing shows with friends is fun but it can be hard to create a cohesive look. Experiment, experiment, experiment.
"Life with you is half as hard and twice as good." I love this line from one of my favorite song writers, Sara Groves.
Participating in art shows with one of my best friends, Krislyn made life in show biz half as hard and twice as good. We planned together, drove together, set up and packed up together and had a blast talking with each other and with people coming through.
My mom and I spent a season doing craft shows together and we had a blast. She painted and crafted wood art for children. Her soft colored wood work complemented my colorful chunky candles. Again, it was a lot more fun and easier to do a show with another person. On the slow days we kept each other company. We took turns taking bathroom breaks without worrying that someone would take our art (all these things are important!) We encouraged each other and helped out on all the little things that go into setting up a show.
It was hard to create a look that I was happy with. I had an idea of what I wanted my creative candle biz to look like but I had a hard time reaching that in my own creativity. Adding in another craft added to the challenge. Overall we received many compliments on our crafts.
4. Expand faster.
I took my times getting things done. If I was starting today I would sign up for teaching in multiple spots- community centers, craft stores. The website and blog would be up quickly and I would use that to get in touch with fellow artists, candle enthusiasts, candle maker suppliers. I would explore teaching online courses (would that work with candle making? Maybe a candle making safety class?!?)
5. Collect names and start an E-newsletter.
It starts with a connection. When people give the artist their personal information they are giving them permission to contact them, to continue the relationship. In essence the person is saying, "I like you. Go ahead and contact me in the future."
6. Write a book.
Books establish you as an authority in the business. Whether it's inspirational or motivational or instructional a book can open doors of opportunity. I could write a book about candle making or do something with a different spin: include pictures of all sorts of different candles in different settings with encouraging stories about "lighting up the world." Another option would be a how to book on an aspect of the craft business: going to shows, learning to build a community, how to find places to teach, etc.
All sorts of ideas are ready to be grasped!
7. Be really, really smart with money.
As much as possible avoid credit cards and go with cash. Be very suspicious of any program that promise a get rich quick scheme. There are methods to learn but it is old-fashioned hard work, interacting with lots of people and improving your craft and business skills that creates success.
8. Bootstrap your way to success.
Start with cash and use the profits to expand. I'm thankful to report my candle business was built up from cash. I didn't make a lot of money from selling candles; I made most of the profits from teaching classes. Nonetheless, the cost of selling candles covered the investment cost.
9. Make more contacts. Network with other people- vendors, artisans, crafters, interested buyers. This is not the place for really quiet people. Get out there and get friendly.
10. Beware of spending money on non-essentials.
Are business cards necessary? Maybe.
What is better is an address: either a mailing address or an email address. First, I can thank people who came and visited and/or bought from me. Second, I can keep in contact with people who are interested in my art, build a relationship and have the opportunity to invite them to view my holiday collection or take a class.
A website doesn't cost a lot to start and it is a marketing tool that will pay for itself many times over. You can check out how I bootstrapped a website for less than $131 (and only paid $40 for the next one).
11. The goal is to make a profit as fast as possible.
Eliminate unnecessary costs. Brown bag lunches and drinks for shows. Keep a budget. Learn how to do a simple profit/loss statement. Keep track of what tends to sell more and make more of that.
12. Make dates for goals and keep them.
Set goals and times for learning new skills and expanding the business. I started in a very slow-going craft show. But up the road there was a hopping craft show. I could have been more assertive in seeking a spot at this craft show, even offering to be a last minute "substitute" if someone couldn't show.
13. Be creative with opportunities to gain exposure for art. Are there local places to sell crafts? Could I sell candles at wholesale to gift stores? Would my art be of interest to the local newspaper. Is there local news I could be a part of (i.e. holiday gift giving).
Creating artwork is incredibly fulfilling. The next best fulfilling activity: people who buy your art. There are few things as validating as people exchanging money for your art. Craft shows were fun and hard. One show I sold nearly all of my candles. Many shows I sold only a few. It takes perseverance and persistence to build a creative life. Check back next Wednesday as we look at ways the internet is helping artists of all kinds create communities and sell their art.
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