From Handmade to Paid -Craft Business Coaching for Women

09/01/2026

✨ Thinking About Doing a Small Craft Show? Start Here!

If you’re new to selling at craft shows, starting with a smaller event is a great way to get some experience without spending a ton of money or feeling like you have to bring your entire inventory.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

🛍️ Choose your show carefully. Look at local schools, churches, community centers, markets, and Facebook groups for smaller events in your area.

📦 Don’t overdo your inventory. For a small one-day show, you don’t necessarily need dozens of every item. Bring a good variety and use the event to learn what people are most interested in.

✨ Make your display inviting. Use different heights, keep your products easy to see, and make sure your booth doesn’t feel overcrowded.

📧 Collect customer information. Give people a way to join your email list or follow your business so you can stay connected after the show.

📝 Be ready for special orders. If something sells out, you may still be able to take an order instead of losing the sale.

And most importantly — talk to people! Smile, answer questions, and tell them a little about what you make. People love getting to know the person behind the products.

Small craft shows aren’t just about how much you sell that day. They’re also a great way to learn what your customers like, practice selling in person, and get more comfortable putting your handmade business out there.

09/01/2026

I learned this craft show lesson the hard way…

Don't sit in your booth reading a book. 😂

I used to bring a book with me because I figured I could read during the slow times.

Made perfect sense to me.

Except people would walk by, see me reading, glance at my products…and keep walking.

I realized they didn't want to interrupt me.

So I stopped bringing the book.

Instead, I started paying attention to the people walking by. I’d look up, smile and simply say, “Good morning” or “How are you?”

Nothing pushy.

I wasn't trying to sell them something the second they walked by.

I was simply making it easier for them to stop.

And sometimes that little hello was all it took.

If you're selling at a craft show, remember: YOU are part of your booth too.

Your display may catch their eye, but how you make people feel can help them stick around. ❤️

08/31/2026

New to Craft Shows? Start Small

If you’re thinking about doing your first craft show, you do NOT have to start with the big expensive ones.
I know it can be tempting to see those big shows with tons of vendors and shoppers and think, “That’s where I need to be.”
But when you’re just getting started, I actually recommend starting smaller.

Look for local schools, churches, community centers, and one-day events where you might only pay $30–$50 for your space.
Why?
Because your first few shows are about more than making sales.

You’re learning:
✨ What products people stop and look at
✨ What actually sells
✨ How to set up your booth
✨ What customers ask you
✨ What you need to bring next time
✨ And whether craft shows are even something you enjoy doing

You can learn ALL of that without spending $600 on a booth.
Start small. Learn. Adjust. Then decide when you’re ready for the bigger shows.

🎧 I talked more about getting started with craft shows on this episode

Starting a craft business is exciting, but figuring out where to sell your products can feel overwhelming. Should you invest in high-end craft fairs, stick to local community events, or try your luck online? In this episode, we’re diving into the different types of craft shows, their costs, and...

08/26/2026

Behind the scenes of a crafter

I get so many ideas for things I want to make. I’ll get excited, start working on it…and then another idea pops into my head. 😂

Next thing I know, I’ve got a whole pile of half-finished projects waiting on me.

Please tell me I’m not the only one! 😂

Here’s my current pile…don’t laugh!

06/14/2026

One thing I strongly believe in is keeping your craft business branding consistent everywhere your customers see you.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I first started my craft business over 30 years ago. Back then, I made the mistake of having things that didn't match, and even my business name didn't clearly reflect what I sold.

Years ago, my business was called The Primitive Hutch. The problem? Everyone thought I made furniture! 😄 In reality, that's not what I was selling at all. My business name was creating confusion before customers even had a chance to see my products.

The same thing can happen when your page, craft show banner, business cards, purchase orders, website, and packaging all have different designs or branding. Customers may not immediately recognize your business, and that can make it harder for them to remember you.

As a craft business coach, one of the first things I encourage handmade sellers to look at is their branding. Sometimes we're so focused on creating products that we forget how important it is for our business to look consistent everywhere customers find us.

That's why I wanted to share my own business cards and purchase orders. They reflect my craft business and create a consistent look that customers can easily recognize.

When your branding is consistent across everything, people begin to recognize your business wherever they see it. It helps build trust, creates a more professional look, and makes it easier for customers to remember who you are and what you sell.

Take a look at your own business materials. Do your business cards, forms, packaging, website, and social media all reflect the same brand and message?

I'd love to know—what is one thing in your business that could use a branding refresh? 😊

06/07/2026

✨ Business Tip: Stop Second-Guessing Every Decision

Do you ever find yourself going back and forth on a decision in your business?

You're not alone. Most business owners, including me, have moments where we question whether we're making the right choice.

Here are a few things that help when self-doubt starts creeping in:

✅ Ask yourself: Will this help move my business forward?

✅ Ask yourself: Am I avoiding this because I'm uncomfortable or because it's truly a bad decision?

✅ Look at the cost of doing nothing. Sometimes waiting too long can cost you more than taking action.

✅ Remember that not every decision will feel comfortable. Growth often comes with a little uncertainty.

✅ Trust yourself. You've gotten this far because you've been making decisions and learning along the way.

The next time you catch yourself overthinking, pause and ask: Is this helping my business grow, or is fear making the decision for me?

Sometimes the best thing you can do is make the choice, take the next step, and adjust as you go. 💜

05/31/2026

Craft Business Mindset Tip 💜

Just because your sales are slow right now doesn't mean your products aren't good.

A lot of handmade sellers start questioning everything when orders slow down. They wonder if they should change their products, lower their prices, or give up completely. But sometimes the problem isn't the product—it's simply that not enough people have seen it yet.

Keep showing up. Keep sharing your work. Keep talking about what you create.

Success in a handmade business often comes from consistency, not constant reinvention.

Your next customer can't buy from you if they don't know you exist. ✨

05/31/2026

Handmade Memories #1: The Bunny Lady Era

Looking at this picture makes me laugh a little because there was a time when people at craft shows knew me as "The Bunny Lady." 🐰

And honestly... they weren't wrong.

I had bunny dolls, bunny jars, bunny decorations, bunny everything. If I came up with a new idea, somehow it turned into a bunny.

At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. My bunnies were selling, so I just kept making more. And more. And more.

What I didn't realize was that I was putting all my eggs in one basket.

Not everyone walking through a craft show is looking for a bunny. Some people want gifts. Some want home décor. Some want seasonal items. Some are looking for something they haven't seen before.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my craft business journey was that it's okay to have a product you're known for, but you also need variety.

Being known for something can help people remember you. But giving shoppers options can help you make more sales.

These days, when I work with crafters, I always remind them not to build their entire booth around one product just because it's selling well right now.

Trust me... I learned that lesson as the Bunny Lady. 😂

Have you ever had one product that became "your thing" at shows? I'd love to hear what it was! ❤️

05/10/2026

Your best-selling products should be posted more than once. Most people don’t see your content the first time you share it, and even if they do, they may not be ready to buy yet.

Don’t be afraid to repost your popular items in different ways — show the details, share the story behind it, post customer photos, or talk about how someone could use it.

Repetition helps people remember you.

04/21/2026

Can we just take a moment to say—you make amazing things. Whether it's handmade earrings, adorable mugs, or stitched-with-love home decor, what you create deserves to be seen.
Here’s the thing: a lot of crafters shy away from “showing off” because they don’t want to seem pushy or braggy. But marketing isn’t bragging—it’s storytelling. And your story? People want to see it.

Here are 3 simple ways to start making your work more visible (without spending a dime):
💡 Behind-the-Scenes Snaps
Share what your workspace looks like, even if it’s the dining room table. People love to see the process and the personality behind your products.

💡 Progress Photos
Don’t wait until a project is finished—snap pics mid-way through! It builds curiosity and connection.

💡 Customer Love
Got a sweet review or a cute message from someone who bought your item? Share it! That’s social proof, and it’s powerful.
Your creativity is your marketing superpower. You don’t need polished videos or fancy tools—just your phone and your story.

Let’s do this:
Hit reply and tell me which product you’re most proud of right now. I’d love to cheer you on! 🎉

You've got this—