Square Up Credit Card Processing

I can check another item off my New Years Resolution list, I can now accept credit cards at shows, or anywhere with my new Square Credit Card Reader.  Above is the box you can literally find just about anywhere, it is free to get started.  I got my reader at Radio Shack but have seen them at Best Buy, Target and Wal Mart.  You sign up online and you are ready to take charges anywhere, anytime.

With this can my newest toy The New Ipad (add swooning here).  This combo has really taken my show experience to a new level, the words "why didn't I do this sooner" have passed through my head many times.  Though I do remind myself it was a building and learning process to get to this point, so while I am not disappointed I had waited, really I could have and should have done this about a year ago. 

Why I waited and what I learned.  I waited because I did not have a smartphone, and I really did not want the expense of a 50.00 monthly data plan, plain and simple this is why I do not and did not have or want a smart phone.  Oh I was all set to get one last July but the realization of cable, DH smart phone and one for me just seem like an unnecessary expense.  So I watched my husband use his smart phone for a year and realized it really was the right decision for me to not have one, but I wanted a tablet of some kind.  I also wanted to process credit cards via this method, swipe and go.

As I got ready for a large show in the summer the final decision was that I would take my husbands phone and process that way.  That was about the time Verizon (our provider) introduced the new share everything plan and I could add a tablet to the plan for 10.00 a month, the decision became easy and obvious.  My husband was worried about battery life at the show, days were 10-12 hours and he thought no way his phone would hold out.  Since I had been wanting a tablet since the begin of the year, getting and adding an Ipad to our plan was the way I went.

I opted for the 4G/wi fi model, above is the first screen you will get when you log into your square app, which you will need to download to your device.  The second pic is Ipad with card reader in the head set jack. As you see in the left picture this would be where you could key in your total, I have tax added to mine, that is something you can set up as needed.  I still hand wrote all my receipts, even when a customer used cc.  I however entered my entire inventory into the square with my "stock photos". 

Here is a "page" of my inventory,  I had about 4 pages of stock sorted alphabetically, you could sort by a category but for me this worked best.  Also I was able to add options to items, on the top you see my carabiner coin purse, I did not need to add 3 separate items, but could differentiate between size/price.  If I hit carabiner, this window with 3 options pops up, just tap the one needed.

When you have added all your items you are ready to process, on top you can see items entered and tax calculated along with a total.  Swipe your card, when the card reader is first attached you will see the black reader box, this minimizes to below the white box, you will know it is correctly connected.  After card is swiped a box will pop up for customer signature.  They can use their finger though I had a stylus which I think worked better.

After signature a completed screen will appear, you will be given the option to enter an email or phone number for email or text receipts.  This info will not be saved for you, it is kept private for the buyer.

For my show I put up signs on every wall in my booth as well as on the outside so people looking in could see I could process credit cards.  I will say about 1/3 of my sales (in dollars) were credit card.  

Plymouth Art in The Park Show

I have officially finished my first multi-day outdoor show.  I am sharing a few pics of my time at this show and of course a few thoughts. This is a huge show, in Michigan I think it is the second largest, second to The Ann Arbor Art Fair which is this week. 

My serious prep for this show can mid April when I learned I got into the show.  I had at that time between etsy and my stock I use for off line about 450 items made.  My first step was making a dream list of inventory, where I listed my entire line and how much I hoped to take.  This went through many changes and became my sewing list.  My final number of items I was aiming to make was around 1200 items, with a value just under 15K.  I kept an excel spreadsheet of inventory, supplies needed and random comments.  This spreadsheet was a tool I used pretty much all day everyday getting ready, and really kept me on track for sewing.  Yes, I finished my goal of 1200 items made, actually I think 1187 but we can call it 1200 I may have missed a few along the way.

For this show I also had to invest in some additional displays, I hope to do 2-4 outdoor shows a year, so these purchases were inevitable, for other displays I used things from around the house.  I bought weights for my tent and 4 additional grid walls, a metal shelf for on my table and more hardware for the grid walls.  As for display items for future shows I am pretty well set, though I am contemplating replacing 4 of my older grid walls for newer ones, the new ones were MUCH lighter.

For set up, it was the night before starting at 8:30 pm and went to midnight, you might think setting up at midnight would be my thing...no thank you.  Luckily we had some friends help and were finished with the tent, gridwalls, tables and other small display items in about an hour.  

The hard-work, or the long time consuming part of the task was putting up for display 1200 items.  When you have three months of neatly organizing and counting them it seems this would be an easy task to display them.  It took myself and my friend and her husband about 2.5 hours.  This was definitely an area where I learned something for future shows.

This shows the table that had the most on it, and this was also the table that saw the most action.  On the left is a metal shelf that I got just before the show, it gave me some much needed height and dimension and my kanzashi clutches looked great on it.  This shelf is better used for items that can sit on their own, rather then being in a basket as the shelf part had lots of gaps.  I also used the grid walls, that came back from the front "end cap", on this I had a shelf on the right and used hooks to display carabiner coin purses.  Also in this view is my picture frame kanzashi display which I showed in this prior blog post.  Baskets and trays display other items, I used a home made riser for an item which was simply a box wrapped in pretty gift wrap. I hope to add a few more pics as I still sort things out...and find one of the cameras. 

As for the show itself, I had a great time and it was a great experience...would I do this show again...not sure?  Though to be honest I am not sure I would ever do another 3 day show, especially when that show goes into a 4th day for set up.  I learned a lot about doing big shows and know for sure I could improve upon my prep, set up and tear down.  I have applied to a 2 day show in September, though a little reluctant fresh out of this show as the amount of work is still lingering, but I figure after 2 months I will be ready to go again.

Good news is I have lots of completed inventory to stock etsy, Yellow Door and a good jump start on holiday shows I already have planned.

Picture Frame Display

I am always on the lookout for display ideas that go up.  I have recently added Kanzashi and yo yo brooches to my line and these were my inspiration. 

I recently got a perfect picture frame at a yard sale for $4.00 and this was a perfect size to try my idea, and with little cost.  I had thought I might add a plate stand to help prop it up but that did not work for my frame, then it occurred to me to try an artist easel, and recalling I had seen table versions.

This is the tabletop easel I opted for, it has support bars on the top which I can move to properly support my picture frame.

My picture frame had a double matted print, I just flipped it over, this sturdy cardboard was enough body to hold in these little nails, they are poking out the back, I need to put something behind to help, for now I will just be careful.  I also painted the cardboard with an acrylic paint.  My original idea was to get a piece of 3/8 inch plywood or similar to put in the frame, I got lucky it worked as is.

I was able to get 30 brooches display, these are hung on business cards, I put a gold charger underneath to hold additional ones as well.

My total cost for my display was:
$4.00 yard sale frame
$9.00 Tabletop easel with coupon from Michaels
.59 cents acrylic paint.

Such a deal, and a great way to take a display UP!

Flint Handmade Wrap Up and A Tip

 May 5th was the Flint Handmade Spring Show, I had a great show and a great time.  Also got some pictures done by a local photographer, they turned out great, so I have a few for show and tell.

Also a picture of my own, this is a nifty trick I had not really seen or not really thought of doing.  I had done the week prior the Craft Circus in Ypsilanti and a few of the vendors did this.  It came at the perfect time as I have been wanting/needing to add height to my table and displays.  The idea is to use bed risers under your table, so a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond I got some for myself, I actually plan to get a second set.

   

Here is my table with the risers, this did leave my tablecloths not perfect they do cover but I had to pin to hide a gap.  This show was also the reminder that there is a huge difference in an 8 foot table vs. a 6 foot table.

Flint Handmade Spring Show

Getting ready for a show this weekend, I will be attending the Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market.  This the first time I have applied to this show and I am really looking forward to vending there this year. 

The show is Saturday May 5th, and I will also be attending the Friday night member preview night.  I will have my usual line up of handcrafted purses, totes and accessories along with a new over the shoulder, cross body bag.

You can see the line up of artists on the Handmade Flint Blog.  Show Details:

Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market

May 5th, 2012

10 am - 4 pm

The Masonic Temple, Downtown Flint

755 S. Saginaw Street, 48502

 

Friday member preview night 6-9 pm

Plymouth Art In The Park 2012

Hooray, that is my very real excitement to be accepted into this huge show. This is an annual event in downtown Plymouth Michigan held mid July over a three day weekend. I grew up in Plymouth and have attended this show many times, it is a huge show all over the downtown area.

In my New Years Resolution post I vowed to do 8-12 shows this year and got up the courage to apply to this show. I said if I got into this show less shows would probably be the case as this is a biggie. It is a juried show, which most are but it is huge in attendance, they hope this year to have 300,000 over the three day time period. This will also be the first real outdoor show I will have done, so another first for me.

I am in crazy get ready mode, I hope to bring around 1000-1200 items for the show, I have about 500 done right now, I would guess to this cut and waiting to sew another 100. I have lots to do, not to mention the few weeks leading up to the show I will have a child home on summer break.

I am very excited and looking forward to getting ready and attend this year's Art In The Park.

In Metro Detroit, save the date:

In and Around Kellogg Park downtown Plymouth

July 13, 2012 11:00am - 8:00pm
July 14, 2012 10:00am - 7:00pm
July 15, 2012 10:00am - 5:00pm

New Product Labels

I am swooning today over my new labels I got this weekend. I used Vistaprint and I think they are fabulous, or they will do just a-ok until the day comes I have a logo made that is just for me. I got these 2 inch circle labels to use on bags for craft shows, I will use these on my medium bags, and hope to get bigger labels for large shoppers.

I have recently switched over to a brown bag theme for my bags as this was somewhat predicated by what I could find locally and at a cost near a wholesale rate and NOT pay shipping.

These are a burgundy, soft pink, khaki and black, they will look smashing with the other labels I also use for small lunch sack sized labels.

Crafters Clearance Show This Weekend

Getting ready for my first show of 2012, remember I was going to be serious and proactive to do more show this year. This first one will be used to be "out with the old" and in with the new. I have spent this week prepping everything for the show including lots of sale creations.

In my "clearance " baskets I will have a mixed lot of my creations. Odds and end items and fabric choices, along with prototypes, single items, and a few items I am discontinuing from my "line".
I also will have two new items, first is my E-reader cover, this is a sleeve that you can slide a reader or tablet into for safe keeping. It has an exterior pocket and button closure, I will have about a dozen on hand and will also be dropping a few off to Yellow Door this week too.

I also have a new style coin purse that I will have with me, simple pieced design that features a small scale print in the middle.

I will also be offering a selection of $10.00 and $12.00 totes and purses, and a few "show specials".
I made up some cute freebies with Valentines chocolate as well. Valentines and St. Patrick inspired tissue cozies and pocket mirrors, free with $25.00 purchase, and a chocolate heart, just for fun!

12th Annual Crafters Clearance
Saturday February 11th
10-4pm
Henry Ford II High School
11911 Clinton River Road
Sterling Heights, MI
Website

Craft Show Transport Idea

I am getting ready for my first show of 2012, I had seen this idea in use a few years ago and thought it was brilliant. A large wheeled garbage can for transporting your craft goodies in and out of shows.

I picked one up today for a show this weekend, I find getting ready and loading the car to be somewhat stressful, cutting down on lifting and carrying is a huge help. This can will hold quite a bit and keep items inside safe from the elements as well.

You can see how much I put in the can, I load my items in the baskets they will be displayed. I always have a few items that get put into baskets at the show and those basket are packed nested in bins as well.

First layer, I have some studio scrap bundles I will be taking to the show, they made a good filler for the first layer.

Then I started stacking baskets of my creations, the squared shape of the garbage can helped a lot, fit more of my type of display items then a round one would have.
Next layer, more product and as a buffer I put my bags of merchandise bags.

Just about filled to the top with product, the most recent additions are loose and will be put in their baskets at the show.

As an added organization feature, I added to the inside of the lid an envelope, this is to put any forms or paperwork I might need upon check in. I hope to use as one of the first items to go into the show as it will carry a lot. I also put on the envelope a list of items packed in their so I can look at a glance for items.

Nifty transport, unfortunately this would not stand in the back of my vehicle, that would have been an added bonus. I will lock the lid and secure it so I can just slide it out of the back of my vehicle.

Shrine Show November 18 and 19th

Had a GREAT time at the Shrine show Friday night and will be heading back this morning. My spot was next to my friend Molly, from MollyCoddle Tiles. I had a great time meeting new people and hanging out among such creativity.

This is just a few quick pics to share of my space, looking forward to this morning, and going to grab a few bake sale goodies as well.

Craft Show Craziness...Readiness

I do a limited amount of shows each year so for me they are always a panic, so much to do above and beyond making the items. This year I am hoping to be more organized and less panicked. I have the first of three this coming weekend and now that it is Monday and set up is Friday I am actually starting to pack up now (really RIGHT after I post this to my blog).

I also thought I would give a checklist of things I need and want to take along, I know when I started I was somewhat guessing. Here are a few of my essentials.

• Change, I bring $80.00 in paper money, usually 4 10's, 4 5's, 20 1's, plus coin since I collect sales tax, I just bring a lot, at least 30.00 in coins.
• Sales tax license
• Secure location for money
  
• Receipt pad(s)
• Pens, scissors, tape, small notepad
• Calculator
• Clip board, for checks and receipt signing
• Merchandise bags, I have 3 sizes
• Business cards, postcards, fliers, etc.
• Table coverings
• Gridwall hardware, I keep this stuff in a small plastic box, also I need for some assembly screwdrivers, plier and wrench, good to have all.
• Apron, I also stock this fully before the show with some cash, business cards, pens and a small calculator, also a lip balm :)
• Bowl of candy - obviously optional
  
• Small decorations, I sometimes bring a few nutcrackers along to add a festive touch to my table, since the shows are actually Christmas I am not worry about offending, just be mindful of the crowd if you choose to decorate.
  
• Signs or pricing, I often just price in bulk and use mini frames to help sign, I once did a blog post on this idea here
• Cosmetic bag with a few personal items, make up, brush, toothbrush, etc.
• Small cooler or lunch bag, I always bring water, soda, and dry snacks such as pretzels, granola bars.
• Grocery bags for garbage collection at my booth
  
• Printed list of above
• Admin basket or bag, I use this to keep things I will always need to know right where they are, like my apron, cash, lists, etc.
  

Some pics of my spare room, top, stacks of stuff needing to be priced and placed, middle my growing collection of baskets, its good to have options, and the guest bed, which is really just another table.

I am lucky to have a good size extra bedroom and am able to set up a 6 foot table, which seems to be the standard size for inside shows. Here I can play with my displays and items and have a good idea of set up before I get to the show. I also draw a little diagram and refer to it when I get to the show. For me my mind is always racing so having this for references does help. If you cannot use an actual table, mark out your space on the floor or bed a visual before the show helps a lot.

Here is a sort of picture of what I will do at the show, I have a fair amount of flexibility to move around as needed. Making this and stapling it to my checklist and make sure it goes to my admin basket for the show.

Rummage Sale Finds

Fall is definitely here and so are the rummage sales, great place to get items for craft show displays. I owe a thank you to my sister in law who volunteered recently and had kind of a first pick of the items donated. She managed to snag me 6 metal baskets, my fave for displaying my creations.

Best part, she got all 6 of them for $8.00, recently I have needed to get more of these due to my participation at State of MInd and the local shows I am doing this fall. Here are the baskets she got for me and a quickie makeover for one of them is below.

Lovely round basket with handle

Rectangle with handle, wicker bottom

This was the largest, with ivy accents

This one I did a quickie makeover, there was a 6 x 6 inch tile on the bottom, not really my style so a piece of scrapbook paper cut to size covers it nicely.

Tote Bag Re-usable Purse Stuffing Pillow

This is a super easy and inexpensive way to fluff up your totes for displays, weather for craft shows or in a retail setting, I started using these last fall at Yellow Door. I now have about a dozen I use at shows as well, when my purses are on my grid walls I just put them in the leading two bags.

Simple to do with items you probably have already.

• Scrap fabric, to make the pillow, use a size that is common to your totes, for me I cut 2 pieces of fabric 8" x 9"
• Muslin
• Sharpie, or permanent marker to tag pillows - optional
• Pinking shears or rotary cutter - optional, but it will help in reducing fraying
• Plastic shopping bags, mine held 4 bags to each pillow
  

Make tags, I only did this as I use these at Yellow Door, the idea is they are returned to my booth, for my shows I don't bother with this step. Tags were cut 2 x 4 inches, write your message, I spritz with water then iron to set the ink.

Pink the edges to keep from raveling...to much. I also pink the pillow edges, I use a rotary cutter and actually pink to cut out the fabric. This is a great way to use up scraps or not so loved fabrics.

Assemble "pillows" I just do wrong side to wrong side with a 1/4 inch seam, leave one side open. Plastic grocery bags make a freebie stuffing, and can be squshed and fluffed over and over.

When done pin opening closed and finish the seam.
I keep one at home for picture taking to give the bags a little shape, it fits inside nicely and I can snap the clasp shut. If you are not sure of a size, experiment with a dish towel or two to get the right dimensions for your totes.