Since 2014 is coming to an end, we wanted to reflect over this past year. A lot of exciting things has happened in 2014, and even more is in store for us in 2015. First of all, 2014 marked the beginning of Jackalope Arts. It was just this past year that the 3 founders came together and formed an art and craft fair dream team :)

We were quick to secure an amazing park in Old Town Pasadena for our inaugural 2015 event on April 25th and 26th. Jackalope Art and Craft Fair will debut in Central Park and feature over 200 vendors from home decor and housewares, fashion, accessory design, art, photography, pottery and more. Vendor Applications are continually flowing in and if you haven't yet, don't fret applications do not close until February 15th. 

Old Town Pasadena, Central Park

Another exciting marker for us is our growing support network. We are already securing sponsors for our first fair including the Pasadena Humane Society, Los Angeles County Store, Unanimous Crafts, Leanna Lin's Wonderland, Angel City Brewery, and Christine Haynes Patterns.  Our promotions are continuing and we are just about ready to announce who the Jackalope Arts official Jurors will be for our Spring fair! Be the first to meet them by signing up for our Newsletter. 

With so much going on here in LA, it would be easy to get caught up, however we are full steam ahead and not only did we announce our Pasadena Fair, but Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona are close to follow. These three cities each mark our founders hometowns making this extremely exciting for us. 

Jackalope Arts Denver will be on July 25th and 26th at EXDO Event Center and applications have already opened! Phoenix is coming Winter 2015 and we will have more on that in the near future. With so much going on we can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us!

Happy New Years Everyone!

Wow!  2014 has been a wonderful year full of new opportunity and growth for our Jackalope team.  As the year comes to a close, we are looking forward to spending the holidays with our loved ones and look forward to next year in great anticipation.  

Now that Christmas shopping is (hopefully) complete….

May your holiday celebrations bring you scrumptious meals.

….A good partner in crime for the new year

And if you get a chance to see Santa, may you be as excited as Buddy was!

Enjoy this holiday season with your loved ones!

Our mission with the Jackalope Art & Craft fair is to create an event where the attendees can interact with you and your work and touch, try on, taste, smell etc.   However, outside of the fair setting, when you are being represented online by only a picture, quality product photographs are key to your success.  

Whether selling online through sites like Etsy, Shop Envy or your own website or applying to sell at a craft fair or boutique, the product photos are often all that is seen and can make or break that sale or acceptance.  Most of us aren't professional photographers but with a little help, you can become your own awesome product photographer!

The most important part of product photography is to TELL A STORY of not only the item being photographed but the story of your shop as a whole.  Develop a photo styling back pallet with similar background and styling in each photo so the brand feels cohesive.

KEEP PERSPECTIVE when you have products of various sizes by either emphasizing the size via a close up shot or showing multiple perspectives of each item.

Each image in a product listing should show a different facet of the product.  Your can photograph VARIATIONS of the product in color and style & in USE!

There is a wealth of information on the web about how to take great product photos, even with just a smartphone!  Check out these posts from Etsy and Handmadeology:

• Etsy: https://blog.etsy.com/en/tags/etsy-success-photography/
  
  
• Handmadeology: http://www.handmadeology.com/category/product-photography-tips/

Make sure you take a lot of photos and then edit & curate them down to tell the best story.  Always put the best one first as the thumbnail!   We are excited to see your product photos when you apply for Jackalope Art & Craft Fair!  

Now that a new year has officially begun that means so has another show season! Here at Jackalope we have both our Spring Fairs right around the corner. Fairs are a great way to expose your work to a wider demographic and increase shop traffic, but how do you better guarantee someone buying your product vs. just looking? 

First things first, they need to know about you.  In large part it is the responsibility of the fair organizer to advertise and ensure people come out to shop. However do not solely rely on the fair. It is also your responsibility to share your upcoming events with your current fan base. Not only will that help retain your current shoppers, but having 100+ people promote an event is better then a handful.   

Now that you got them through the door (or tent!) the trick is to intrigue the customer. Making sure you put your best foot forward in terms of booth display is important to first bring the shoppers in, especially when placed in a sea of booths. You can read more about our booth display tips and tricks on our blog post The Perfect Booth Display. 

Silver Spoon at Jackalope Pasadena, great use of space in creating her own brick & mortar store. 

So how do you intrigue the customer? People are more willing to branch out if they can try your product first. There are several ways to go about this. 

1. The first is by providing samples or allowing the customer to try on your product. Let them test your lotion, taste your chocolate, smell your candle etc. Having testers and products that are already open and accessible is helpful.  If you are a clothing designer, fitting rooms are a great option, even makeshift ones. For accessories include a mirror so the shopper can see themselves wearing your product! 

2. The next is by creating a price point that is comfortable with your newfound followers. That doesn’t mean lowering all of your inventory prices, but perhaps creating a product that will fall in a less risky price range. This could be a travel size lotion, a snack pack etc. Chances are they will run out and crave more! Varying price points will attract a magnitude of shoppers.

3. If you can’t create a smaller sampler, maybe offer a new customer discount or a special rate for Jackalope shoppers? Make sure to advertise this as well because your current followers may be more enticed to come and stock up.  As a thank you, you could include a code or coupon for returning customers. It doesn’t have to be huge, but make them feel special and want to hear more. 

Now that you have them hooked, make sure you stay in touch and keep them well informed of your whereabouts! Keeping a newsletter is a great way to remain active with your followers. To help obtain newsletter signups, we love an incentive! Get a piece of candy for signing up, be entered to win a free piece, this is a great way to introduce them to you. 

And most importantly, make sure to have a continuous smile on your face. You want to be approachable and available to help with each person that may come into your booth. Be attentive but not obsessive and anticipate questions. If you are having a bad day, it will show (even if you think you are hiding it) and the customer will feel that energy. At the end of the day we can get people to come out, but it is up to you to sell your product, no one knows you better then you! 

We want take a moment and go more in depth to what exactly we are looking for at Jackalope Arts and how you can increase your chances on jury acceptance.  

Your application is your resume for us to view, so it's best to really put some thought into it. Please note our jury often changes so go into this with the expectation that they have not seen your work before. 

While the specific types of art and craft work that we are accepting is quite broad, there are definite quality features that our jury will keep in mind during review.  

Some of the key factors to keep in mind:

•  We're looking for trendsetting, indie goods - not just your run of the mill craft fair feature.  We want to see new and innovative ideas brought to the table that will captivate our patrons and provide a dynamic experience at the fair.  Use the space provided in your application and really describe what makes your work unique.

• Photos that show off your booth display (if you have participated in fairs before).   If our jurors can see an idea of your booth set up - it really helps give a concept of the professionalism that you put into your display.

• If you haven't participated in a fair before, it can be a good idea to create a mock set up.  This can not only help us, but help give you an idea of how you might be able to display your work in an attractive way to fair-goers.

• Photos detailing your strongest work.  Professional photos of your work and photos that are obviously well-crafted, show the jury that you put thought and time into your branding -- and will in turn be a great vendor for our fair.  We want to see close-up images of your best signatures item(s).  Our applications allow for 6 total images included - it's best to include as many as possible to really show the jury what you're all about.

• Web presence.  In addition to your application and images submitted, we will likely be poking around on your provided weblinks.  Make sure that the links you provide work, and that your website is current.  We love to see if you have work for sale online - and how you have that set up.  If you have a blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter - make sure they are updated so we can see current information and work when reviewing your application.  We love to see artisans who are active on their social media channels. 
   

• Really emphasize your brand.  Some artisans create items that aren't necessarily unique by trade - but everyone has a certain something that makes their work unique.  Highlight that for the jury.  We want to know what little sparkle you've added to really make your jewelry line -- your bath and body products -- stand out from the rest.  Some categories are very competitive - so it's really important that you show the jury why to choose YOU.  Think about your packaging, logo, product ingredients, presentation etc. these all reflect your brand. 

• We can't stress this enough: double check your application before you send it in.  

  • Make sure your email address is correct! 

  • Double check your website links.  

  • A link to generic sites like Etsy.com won't help us find YOU.  We need your unique URLs

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What we are NOT looking for:  

• Vintage resale items… or any resale items for that matter.  We are a handmade only fair and want the maker behind the one of a kind goods there.
   

• This event is all about the community getting a chance to meet local creators, so it's important that you're not selling someone else's work in your booth. 
   

• Artisans with no images of their work to be found.  Our jury can't make a decision on your work if they can't see it.  Please take the time to curate images that you want our jury to pay special attention to.  While they will likely spend time viewing your website, they can't go hunting for your best work - you need to make it obvious.  
   

• Commercial resellers and product consultants.  

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We are really looking forward to reviewing your application and giving our local community of artisans an opportunity to sell their wares at Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair.

We look forward to seeing your application soon!

Haven't gotten to it yet?  

Have specific questions about your application?  Email us: vendors@jackalopeartfair.com 

Not quite ready to apply yet but want to stay in the loop?!  Sign up for our Newsletter!

People camped out in lines around the building, some have been there since the night before, waiting anxiously to herd through the doors, trampling anyone in their way to be the first! Ferocious shoppers waiting in lines to the back of the store just to check out and join the teaming traffic back on the streets to the next stop…..

Sound like a nightmare?!  Black Friday can be just that!  A large corporation monopoly, an insane shopping nightmare.  Instead, try staying home on Friday with your loved ones. You can watch movies and eat leftovers, decorate for Christmas, and save that shopping for Small Business Saturday!

"In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before. This year, the big day is Nov 29." - https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/

On the website you can learn how to rally your own neighborhood, promote your small business, and even find local small businesses offering great discounts by entering your zip code!  

Pictured above: Local Los Angeles fashion designer, Hanna Hayes

Etsy and Small Business Saturday have teamed up too!  You can scroll through the posts on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page to find out where local Etsy artists in your area are hosting trunk shows on Saturday!   And if you are a homebody, you can use Etsy to shop small while never leaving your couch (remember the #ShopUnique campaign we discussed last week!).  

However you do it, make sure your join the movement and support local, small businesses on November 29th!

#shopsmall #shoplocal #smallbusinesssaturday

Last week we learned the importance of shopping local for the holidays and supporting small business. Etsy has made this easily accessible while sitting in the comforts of your own home. You can find anything and everything you need, while supporting small business and finding unique gifts.

This year Handmadeology and Etsy-preneurship joined forces and began a #ShopUnique campaign to raise awareness of Etsy during this season of giving.

For those of you who don’t know-Handmadeology and Etsy-preneurship strive to teach artists how to successfully sell their handmade goods online. Especially with the growing number of Etsy users-currently over 600,000-there is strategy involved to take you business to the next step.  

The intent of #ShopUnique is for Etsy users to work together using Facebook, to remind shoppers to use Etsy for their holiday shopping needs. Seeing as how there is power in numbers, by combining networks, the hope is to generate more views and therefore sales.

Currently there are over several thousand Etsy shops who have joined the #ShopUnique movement and more continue to join each day-you can find them all here. 

We scoured this list and wanted to share our top picks for holiday gifts. We also threw in a gift for ourselves-after all holiday shopping can be hard work!

For Her:                                                                                                                                       Hand painted and Screen Printed Silk Scarf by 88editions

Slate Necklace by Boy Cherie

 For Him:                                                                                                                                    Bacon Soy Wax Candles by Anhoki

Laser Cut Hipster Santa Coasters by District 31

 For the Little Ones:                                                                                                                    Little Mermaid Magnet Paper Doll Set (great for traveling and they have so many options to choose from!)

For You-because you knocked out all of your Holiday shopping ;)                                           Ivory Flower Crown by Be Something New- (great for Holiday parties and New Years!)

We hope our gift ideas have inspired you to #ShopUnique this season, and now if you will excuse us, we are going to finish compiling our Holiday Lists!

Happy Holidays! Love the Jackalopes

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to start planning out our Christmas shopping lists.  Instead of hitting up the nearest mall and deal with the dreaded flocks of shoppers and migraine inducing parking space decisions - there are many options for local mom & pop shops, as well as local craft fairs and marketplace events,  who sell a variety of items that can be the perfect unique gift for your loved ones.  

Things to keep in mind when making your holiday shopping selections this year:  

Promoting and Supporting Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels not only local, but the economic innovation and prosperity of our country as a whole.  When we support our local businesses, we help entrepreneurs thrive and continue to grow our economy.

$$ In Our Local Economy
Local businesses are often more generous in support of our local charities, schools, and community events – which you could easily be a part of yourself. Especially when you compare to giant chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of revenue into the local economy.  Supporting local shops and artisans means a financial impact on your own community just by supporting them.

Product Knowledge and Experts in the Craft
Local business owners must be experts in their field in order to be competitive with larger chains.  This often results in an impressive product knowledge, and better customer experience, than one would receive with mass-production. 

Keepin' it Competitive  
We don't want to all wear the same sweater to our next holiday party.  A diverse marketplace filled with small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation, even in the creative community.    

Local Shops Value YOU More
Repeat customers and a good reputation mean everything to a local business.  Your satisfaction in the product actually means something to the individual who handcrafted the item, or business that is standing behind their product. 

#shoplocal

In the maze of craft fairs and vendors, having an alluring booth that makes a “wow” first impression and draws shoppers in is key to standing out!

The first rule that craft show exhibitors want to remember is that the eye likes to roam and take in the entire display first. A person gets a feel for the booth and the products available through the presentation, often swaying their decision to shop. 

 Fuel your creativity with these tips for creating the most awesome booth ever!

1.  Branding:  Today, more than ever, branding is important, as competition is intense. Well thought out craft show booth display themes can give you an edge on your competition. You always want the effect of the presentation to further your goal—selling your product and establishing a following. You can do this even with a simple table setup, there is no excuse to slack on branding and signage!

 2.  Give it a personal touch!  Think of your booth as a blank canvas and let your creativity loose!  Imagine that your space is an actual brick and mortar shop and decorate it with the same care.  Create a nice, cohesive shop using furniture, displays, accessories, props, backdrops, decorations and more. 

3.  Product Info & Interaction: Everything in your booth should be tagged, labeled and identified for the customer. Information is important to help make the customer feel comfortable, they may be too shy to ask. Also, show your work in action! Think about props and put your product on display, testers are also a great option. 

4.  Avoid Clutter: Abundance versus clutter provides the customer with a good feeling—the feeling that the exhibitor is a professional. Clutter does not develop a sense of quality or tastefulness.

5.  Think outside the 10x10 box. While your booth space is typically a square 10’x10′ spot, you don’t necessarily have to make a perfect square footprint. You can create an environment where you have your own free-standing structure, or non-traditional piece of equipment as to really wow the crowds.

6.  Maximized space:  Utilize walls to give yourself even more space to display work and the ability to hang work in a gallery style.  You can use plywood, painted cardboard, trellis, chipboard, foam core, grid panels and other materials for building walls.  Think about using both the inside AND outside of your walls and incorporate shelving to provide a variety of display options and areas.

7.  Make it Work:  It is always important to take photos of your booth and practice putting it together and taking it apart. You do not want to leave the final outcome for the day of the show. You want to understand what you need and how long it will take to pack your materials, transport the materials, set up and break down the booth. This translates into understanding if you need additional manpower and that includes managing the booth during the show.

8.  Prepare for the weather!   Most fairs go on wind, rain or shine so have a plan for any condition and always use a tent.  Tents and tent walls should be heavily weighted to avoid being knocked over in heavy wind or allowing debris to blow in.  Utilize additional tarps to seal your tent from potential rain. And even consider the heat!  On a hot day, you’ll need sunscreen, water to avoid dehydration, and maybe even a few battery powered fans to keep your tent shoppable! 

Keep track of some of our favorite booth display ideas on our Jackalope Pinterest board, "Artisan Display & Branding Inspirations!" 

Now that you have the greatest booth in the fair, follow that up with an outgoing, approachable, and fun attitude and the shoppers will be mesmerized into your shop!  ENJOY!

The holidays are right around the corner and for me that means it is now socially acceptable to watch Elf on DVD! For most other Jackalopes, the holidays also signify the start of the busy season. It is not unheard of to sell in one month, the same amount of inventory you sold over the course of that entire year.  As a DIYer and crafter there are certain things that you can do to better ensure your holiday success. Here we have generated a few tips on how to keep up with the holiday season and take full advantage of this prime-shopping time.

1.    Have Great Product Photography:

This is especially important if you tend to do most of your selling online (you Etsy users!). Now this doesn’t mean you have to hire a professional photographer, but it is important to have a clear visual of your product. Make sure the backdrop is not too cluttered, and possibly show different angles. If you are a designer, it is also a good idea to show a model wearing you accessory or garment.

2.     Have a Current and Updated Website:

You don’t want someone to reach out about a certain product, come to find out that it has been discontinued.

3.    Know your Competitors:

This gives you a better idea on how to price your items realistically-not just how much you think they are worth, but what they will sell for.

4.    Offer Varying Price Points:

You are more inclined to spend more money for your best friend then you are your son’s teacher. Make sure you address both!

5.    Practice Great Customer Service:

Be quick to respond.  Especially with the holiday rush, people need to know how to plan accordingly.

6.    Have Packaging Available:

Ask if it is for a gift or not. This will add a personal touch. Make sure to include your business card in there as well :)

7.    Have Enough Inventory:

You don’t want to make a customer mad by not having what they want.  This also goes along with keeping your website up to date.

Remember you can always keep the leftovers in your inventory for next year. Possibly at our Spring 2015 Fair?! Or, if you made way too much of one thing, run a holiday special! If you do a lot of fairs, this point is especially important. You do not want your booth to look empty!

8.    Embrace the Holidays:

Just as a certain song can trigger your memory about a past event- there can be visual reminders as well. Maybe play some holiday music or use some holiday coloring in your signage!

Denver Artist Jana Hope embraced the holiday spirit in her display! You can see more of Jana Here

The holidays can be overwhelming, but just keep your head in the game and remember soon enough it will be April 25th and we will be in Central Park Pasadena kicking off our Jackalope Arts and Craft Fair :)