|
 |
|
SELL YOUR UNIQUE CRAFTS TO LOCAL GIFT SHOPS
|
Find small gift shops and discover a new way of selling your craft products.
Is there a small gift shop near you where you could supply your own unique creations? Even if there is one store in the next town over think about the possibilities. If the shop is in a location where there is a tourist spot or attraction then you could make items to compliment their visit. The buyers visiting these shops will be looking for that special hand crafted item reminding them of their vacation. Create the right little hand made gift for these type of customers and you have it made! In order to achieve this type of selling success here are a few important steps to take: First - have your handcrafted item(s) ready to go. Have inventory ready place in these tourists shops. How to approach the gift shop where you want to sell? Walk into the shop and leave a sample, or mail them a sample with your contact information. Look for busy shopping areas by visiting these interesting sites yourself. Shop these establishments. See what they are selling and especially - what they lack - as in terms of local items such as handcrafted souvenirs. If your product is unique enough then you have an advantage to look outside your local area and sell across the country. Search Google maps and find gift shops. Pick a tourist spot and Google the area for gift shops. Here is an example: If you pick a place where there are boats and light houses, you can create light house gifts for an example. You can produce boat ornaments or research which type of birds or animals are in the area. Make the animals as magnet type souvenirs. Write the state or city or town on the magnet you make with a Sharpie pen. Plymouth Plantations in Massachusetts is a great example. Make pilgrim gifts for gift shops. Keep in mind that once you land your “account” you will be shipping your product via post office or Fed Ex or UPS. You could also travel once in awhile and personally deliver your order to the shop and write it off if you are claiming your business on your taxes. I once had an account in the White Mountains. Once a month I would pack up my car and load up the shelves at the store and then spend the rest of the weekend at a hotel and enjoying my stay. I learned that sticking close to home was not the answer to selling my crafts. You have to go where the tourists go! Look for where there is lots of foot traffic and tourists. If you do not like to travel, you can always send your items through a shipping service such a UPS or the Postal Service. Once you find a good place for your items to sell, make that first contact in person. It’s always good to know the area and the clientele that frequent the shops in your new chosen area. Where to find unique craft patterns of your own...
Here are a few fun tips to get your creative juices flowing -
Resources to make original crafts are everywhere -if you know where to look. Children’s coloring books can be a great source for patterns & craft ideas. Even a simple design on a tissue box can be the start of new design you create. Take your phone outside and take pics of interesting scenes. Another way to find inspiration for ideas can be found on the many sites on the internet that contain public domain images. Here are just a few: https://www.pexels.com/ https://picryl.com/ https://unsplash and https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/ |
 
 
|
|
|
