Ten Tips to Get into the Holiday Crafting / Sales Mode!

For those of you who are looking to gear up for your holiday arts and crafting, here are some tips to keep you on track:

 1. Go through your holiday crafts now and organize what you have. This way you are less likely to buy what you don’t really need for your seasonal projects.

2. Create a Pinterest board with ideas that spark your imagination. You could include not only crafting ideas but color schemes and decorating ideas.

*Check out my Pinterest color board

3. Make a list of the projects you want to pursue (gifts, sales, shows, trades with fellow artists/crafters). You may be inclined to try 10 or 15 different things but if you narrow down your list, you will find yourself less pressured (and probably save money) during an already busy time. What are your deadlines? Work backwards on a schedule with a little cushion for the unexpected.


4. Try signing up for a small holiday show if there is something nearby. There’s nothing like preparing for a show to get yourself into full on creative mode! Plus you may make some extra cash for the holidays while doing something you love!

 5. If you sell your art/craft for a living, be sure to establish a seasonal marketing plan now if you haven’t already. It’s always better to be proactive rather than reactive.

  

 6. Do you have crafty friends? Consider doing a holiday home show and make it a party! Everyone invite a few people to shop your collection.

7. Are you looking to build your customer base? Offer a free or low cost holiday make and take project at a local coffee shop, art studio, gallery, boutique, or even at your own home.

 8. Organize your postage and shipping supplies. Take inventory of what you have and what you will need to ship all your amazing products to your holiday customers! Schedule postage runs into your daily schedule, avoiding peak times if possible. Better yet, schedule shipping from your home online or take advantage of pre-pay postage options.

 9. Use what you have whenever you can! I know I’m always inclined during the holidays to buy more ribbon, papers, bulbs, findings, etc. seasonal crafty project but this year, I’m going to try my hardest to create with what’s already here as there’s a lot here! Going back to point number one, now is the time to clean up your studio, not just your holiday crafts so you can be fully immersed in this upcoming busy season. Clutter distracts and stresses you out, or at least it does me and I’m on a mission to control it so it’s not controlling me.

 10. Invite friends over for a holiday craft making day or evening. Pick a few projects, assign supplies for your participants to bring, or use some of your de-stash, add a few snacks, perhaps a bottle of wine and you will not only be creating wonderful projects, you’ll be creating memories. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are about? 


 Do you have some great tips for preparing for the holiday creative season? Whether you are a hobbyist or a full time artist, we all thrive when we share best practices! Leave a comment on this post, we’d love to hear from you!

Be sure to stop by my Etsy shop to see what's new!!  ***Lots of great items that you can certainly give as gifts (to yourself or others..haha).