Hi Chris!

Thanks for your tips.Do you have any opinions on signage? I've been told that it's important to have your business name visible. I've also been told that seating for your customers is nice to have?

The first question I ask is "Where are your lights?" The most important thing in a successful display are lights. You cannot have too much light.

Even during the day? But you're right..I didn't even think about that. I can understand how this is important for little things, like jewelry, to make it sparkle.

When you're talking about a friend patronizing you, you're talking about a shill. that's kinda unethical in my book.

Well if you put it that way..you make it sound bad!

Dress nice. Don't go looking like you're going to clean out the closets when you get home. "Dress for success". If you're outside get rid of the sunglasses. And SMILE!! Talk to your customers. Thank them for coming out to the show.

People keep saying this! I will ditch my sunnies...I probably would have worn them but now I do understand how standoff-ish you may look to someone.

Oh...and another very important tip:
- Don't think that cheaper is better. Refer to this thread here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=163260.0

Some stall inspiration:

From fellow Crafster thefourthstar


From Flickr


Suitcases are all the rage!

I was reading this thread for advice:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=125214.0

And one of the many things I found useful, was to have small, shiny things on display to draw people in. Does anyone have particular products they use? Also, if this particular technique doesn't work, what DOES work for you?

I was thinking of getting some pins and badges printed because they definitely reel ME in!

Here are some tricks I've learned so far in my research:
- If things are quiet, have someone (a friend) walk around in front of your stall. You'll see that people are attracted to a stall that already has people in it.
- Don't sit down and look uninterested...no matter how bored you are!
- Shuffle your stock around during the day if you find that your product isn't moving. Maybe a refresh of your arrangement will do the trick.
- Keep your displays simple. You may feel tempted to over decorate, but your products can easily be lost in your "flair".

Your dogs look like natural models

Yay!

Wicked. I hope it helps you keep an eye on them at night

[Stall/Sellers advice?]

Stall/Sellers advice?
I know a lot of you must have experience selling your homemade wares. Do you have any advice for a newbie? I am hoping to have a stall at the Propel Youth Markets here in Perth (http://www.propel.org.au/projects/NYW2012) but I'm fretting about things like how much stuff do I make...and WHAT do I make..and do I have to bring a little money box to keep cash? Do you have to be concerned about people stealing your stuff?


Suggestions for products?
I am hoping to make some phone cases, and paint some small canvases. To get an idea of my style, you can check out my Cargo Collective: http://cargocollective.com/sarahstirling. Does anyone have any ideas on products I could whip up that don't take too much time? I don't have much time after work to make stuff and I only have about a month after they notify me about whether my application for a stall was successful or not.

My handphone cases:

very cool.  I've got a few old hi-vis vests that I've stashed away for the exact same project, now I just need to get onto it and sew them!

Oh cool! That's great to hear that somebody else had the same idea for their doggies. I have to say that the vests have been really handy in another way too! My dogs roll in poop every now and then (gross) and instead of sticking my dogs in the dreaded shower, all I have to do is chuck their safety vest into the washing machine

Let me know how yours turn out. I'm just a beginner so my "patterns" aren't all that complicated I made a video of my process on YouTube. I would love to compare notes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtVkf6bZwg

I've used an old miner's safety vest. So the reflective fabric is already part of the vest. It's super handy!

I've actually just started making another vest for my bigger dog. The one I made her (in the photos), doesn't cover enough of her torso

Here are my finished safety vests for my dogs. (You can get the basic idea of how I made them in the last photo)

We take them for walks at night and I can barely see them in the park when they're running around. These vests help me keep tabs on them! Also, there are walkways around the park where we may see the odd cyclist. The vests ensure that the cyclist can see my dog at night if they just happen to be in the cyclist's path.

Must have taken you ages! They look super comfy. I'd pop in a little bean bag for my doggies.