How to Rock the Local Shop

Hello, crafter.

I’m the person on the other side of the counter of your favorite yarn shop or boutique.
The shop-owner.
The cool-stuff-buyer.

The person between you + the shelf.

Want to impress me?
Want to get your stuff on MY shelf (or shelves like mine?)

I recently opened a bricks & mortar yarn shop that sells exclusively handmade yarn. In building A Novel Yarn, I investigated over hundreds of fiber artists  websites and portfolios and I’ve made extensive notes about what attracts (and repels) me as I decide what to carry.

I’ve learned, through working with crafters (some full-time, some not) that everyone has a lot of questions.
About pricing.
And labeling.
And figuring out how much to send.
And especially  about how to make that very first, all-important will-you-carry-my-goodness contact.

I want to help!

I held a live teleclass in which I covered all of the details on reaching out to bricks & mortar stores and forming wholesale or consignment relationships with them.

Warning: This class is for crafters who have some experience selling their goods either online or in person. It won’t cover the basics of setting up a business or finding suppliers.

This 2 hour class covers:

• Defining wholesale and consignment accounts.
• Deciding if wholesale/consignment is for you.
• Picking the right shops.
• Making first contact that will make a great impression.
• Preparing your package.
• What to expect from contracts.
• Labeling your goods for maximum effect.

2 hours of rock-the-shelves teaching
+Checklists to help you put it into action
=$29

Ready to Rock Local Shops? Click here!

Want to share your handmade-goodness by doing craft shows?
Check out this class: How to Rock a Craft Show.

Separately the classes are $29 each.
Sign up for both for just $54.

Want both classes? Click here!

Questions?

How does this work?

When you click “Register”, you’ll be taken to a Paypal page to pay (you don’t have to have a Paypal account).

Once you’ve paid, you’ll get an email with the recording and materials.

What am I getting?

• 1 2-hr class (an mp3 recording)
• Written summary of the class – including questions and answers
• Checklist – What to Bring
• Checklist – What I Look For

What kind of shops?

The kind of shops we’ll be talking about is the new generation of DIY, filled-with handmade goodness-type shops. A lot of the information is applicable to traditional gift shops but we’ll be focused on talking to owners that are already familiar with the DIY ethic.

Who is the teacher?

Hi, I’m Tara Swiger and I’m the teacher.

I’m the owner of both Blonde Chicken Boutique, an online yarn shop filled with my handmade yarn, and A Novel Yarn, a bricks & mortar shop in Jonesborough, TN,  filled with handmade yarn from a variety of independent fiber artists.

I quit my day job (as a secretary) to be a full-time fiber artist after running Blonde Chicken Boutique on weekends and evenings for 3 years.

I opened A Novel Yarn in December of 2009 and now carry products from over 20 fiber artists.

I want to try craft shows, how do I begin?

Check out this class, which covers all the basics of doing craft shows.

Still have a more questions? Email me: blondechickenboutiqueATyahoo