This super talented, paper extraordinaire is our main feature today! A Punkin Card Company has caught my eye so many times while browsing Flickr. Her use of clean lines and bold color choices is a real crowd pleaser! I know that many of her items are flat, so think of how hard that would be to display! Well, Amie has no problem getting attention by using clear displays and lets her work speak for itself! And sometimes it does. You can get cute notebooks, cards, invitations, and many other beautiful items from this wonderful crafter!! Here is her interview...
1.) Please tell us a bit about yourself:
Name/Company Name: Amie Needham / A Punkin Card Company
General Location if you want: Houston, Texas
Website or Contact Info: www.apunkincardcompany.com
2.) What form of art/craft do you make?
Paper goods, greeting cards, stationery, and wedding invitations.
3.) When did you start vending at Craft Fairs? Were you successful at first?
My first show what about two years ago and I sold nothing! It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. To put yourself out there, to talk to strangers, and try to sell your creations. It was frightening.
4.) What is/was your favorite Art/Craft Fair you have ever attended/vended at and why?
Probably Maker Faire in Austin, Texas. It was amazing to see so many crafters and artists under one roof. Plus, the crowds! There were thousands of people. It was a handmade artists heaven.
5.) What was your least favorite Fair to attend/vend at? Why?
I do not like strictly farmers markets. Not because they are slow or boring, just my cards do not sell as well. It's about the customer. You need to place yourself in a show that caters to your clientèle.
6.) Who tends to be your target audience? What is your best selling item(s)?
Best selling items are my humor cards. Like the "Milkshake' cards and "Hey Chica". If someone gets a laugh out of it, they normally will buy. My target audience is women, ages 18 to 50, but i so have a lot of male customers! Really anyone who loves handmade items and understands what goes into creating them.
7.) Do you ever do marketing for your upcoming shows, or do you leave it to the Show Coordinators? If you do promotions, how do you do them, and do they seem to work well? Do you ever do giveaways at shows? Give out lots of business cards, etc...
I hand out a lot of buisness cards and promote the show on my blog. I tend to pick shows that will market themselves.
8.) Have you ever helped put a show together or run a show? Which one(s)?
Yes, I have co-run a few shows here in Houston. It's a great experience to put yourself on the other side of the table and understand what it takes to put a show together.
This picture is from 2008!!! How cute :)
9.) How have Flickr, Etsy, Facebook, etc helped you expand your crafty business?
Social sites are my main bread and butter. This allows me to market without hiring a marketing group. Thus, keeping my budget low and my audience in the loop. I wouldn't be as successful if I didn't have over 20 social sites to update everyday!
10.) What do you think the difference is between an Art Show and a Craft Fair? If there is any difference...
For me, an Art Show is more of a fine arts exhibit. It's for painters, creators, and artists that are making items that would be sold in a gallery. Craft Fairs are for the handmade companies. Featuring anything from cards to metal status. You can find clothes, jewelry, purses, wool, anything! Plus, all these companies have the spirit of handmade! It's not that a greeting card designer can't go to a art show, it's that your target audience will be at the craft show.
11.) If you wish, please list your upcoming shows for 2010 and beyond.
12.) Any words of advice for people who do not think their setup is as good as it could be? What is your most successful layout for a table or booth. Be as general or specific as you want.
Keep trying. Every event, my table is different. It depends on the lighting, the event space, and the flow of the traffic. Just have fun with it and think like a customer!
