Bohemian Mermaid Palace

Make the Switch to a Business Mindset You know, it was so long ago that I made this switch, I forget how difficult it can be. I decided in high school that it was pos sible to make a living by making things and selling them. I'm not sure how I came to that conclusion exactly, I didn't know anyone who was doing that. But at 18 I was starting to believe (as I do still) that anything is possible . Why couldn't I? As a n art major in college, a bout mid way through I dec ided to quit waitressing and try to work at only art-related jobs. And I did that. So by the time I graduated and started working on my current business, I had already made the switch. I was already used to getting paid for my art skills. I had already started a pre-business during college, selling my crochet hats and beaded jewelry to friends, online, and even a few craft shows. But really, it started when I made that decision in high school. That I could do what I love, what I'm good at, ...

Mermaid Tour 2015: Last Leg Here's another interactive m ap of my route west. The east bound map is on my first T our post ( see the tag at the end of this post). It's fun to map it all out like this, I can picture most  of the towns and areas I passed through still in my mind . It helps that I did the same t rip just last year , I feel like I know this route pretty well now.   After a great visit in North Dakota, and a nice breakfast with my mom, I started back west toward my next show in Whitefish, Montana.  It was raining when I left, and continu ed throughout the day in varying degrees. Until around Bozeman, when I hit a big th under storm. L ike I've said before, I think it's just part of the routine when you drive across MT to hit storms. I got a great pic of lightning in the not so far distance last year. And just like last year, there was a point where the storm was so crazy, the wind so strong, the rain so heavy , and the visibility so bad, t...

First Day!! Things I Learned Having My Own Studio Storefront   What fun! I think every creative maker has a dream of opening their own storefront. A little place where you can work on your craft, while welcoming customers to shop. 3 1/2 years ago I did just that and it was so exciting! This month, I am closing it. I've been sharing a lot with people recently about my time there, what I loved about it and what I learned. Retail vs Festival I think the biggest thing I learned was that the Retail Life is completely different from the Festival Life. Not only for me, but for my customers. Most obviou sly, the high energy festival booth vibe is comp letely opposite the sit in a store and wait vibe. I love the rhythm of doing festivals. I work really hard, engage thousands of people, make a lot of sales, all in a few days. Then I retreat the rest of the week either into the woods if I'm traveling, or into my studio to make more clothes. I don't really enjoy havin...

Craft Fair Tips - Post List Lately I've been trying to organize my craft show how-to posts, adding proper tags so people can find what they need. I seem to have a lot! So I thought it would help to have a page of links. I'll do my best to keep it updated.  5 Steps to Start Selling at Craft Fairs: Step 1:  Find Your Shows Step 2:  Booth Display Step 3:  Marketing Materials Step 4:  Money Talk Step 5:  Show Time  Craft Selling Tips: 5 Essential Tips for Craft Fair Selling Are Craft Shows for You?   Take Your Show on the Road Camping Out Mermaid Style Why I Love Facebook Ads Things I Learned Having My Own Studio Storefront Ma ke the Switch to a Business Mindset   How to Plan a Private Pop-Up "Home" Party  What to Do When the Craft Shows are NOT Going Well Best Practices for Your Craft Booth Display    

At last we come to the fifth of my 5 steps to Start Selling at Craft Fairs. Click the " Start Selling at Craft Fairs " tag at the end of this post to see the rest of the posts #1 - #4.  Show Time! Okay! After all of your making and planning, now it's time to do the actual work of selling things in your festival booth. My first big piece of advice overall, and my motto when getting ready for a show is...   Always be prepared to do well.    Even for the dinkiest of shows or the iffiest of circumstances, I will try to put my best foo t forward. M eaning, I've done everything I can do to s upport having a good show. I have the proper stock, m y packing is organized, my paperwork is in order, I 've packed a healthy lunch , and ha d a good night's sleep. Every show is an opportunity to put my self o ut there, and any thing can happen. I want to be ready! It's also much less stressful and more fun for me when I know all my ducks ...