SAVE, SAVE, SAVE....

Have you started your Christmas Shopping?

If you have a few bits left to do or yet to start (like me!) or maybe you need a greeting card for another occasion, don't miss out on saving 25% off everything in my Etsy shop using code BLACK25.  Saving starts today but must end 2nd December 2013

Folksy unfortunately don't give sellers the option to offer coupon codes to our lovely customers but fear not! Just enter the same code (BLACK25) in the note to seller and I will refund the saving.

Please note: This offer excludes postage and personalised orders and can't be used via my Facebook Page.

And don't forget if you order before 11am (GMT London, Momday - Friday) and add the Signed for 1st Class Postage item to your basket, your order will be posted the same day.  Plus this WILL receive a 25% discount!

Royal Mail aim to deliver the next day including Saturdays (excluding Sundays).  This requires a signature on delivery. The parcel can be tracked and generates a proof of delivery for peace of mind. 

Click on the links below to visit my shops....
Etsy
Folksy

Happy Shopping!!!!

Berkhamsted Artisans, Arts & Crafts Market ~ Part Deux....

I had another stall at the Berkhamsted Artisans, Arts & Crafts Market last Sunday, this was the 2nd out of 3 I have booked in the run up to Christmas.  This one was definitely busier than the last one! 

My Stall

Check out the bunting! I made this from thick card and I'm so pleased with how it turned out

The general feel amongst the stall holders was there were more browsers than those intending to buy and I got the feeling that people were getting ideas for Christmas.  I had a flyer advertising I will be back on 7th December so hopefully those who were interested will be back otherwise the flyer included my details and a discount code to use in my Etsy shop.

The discount I offered was the same as before ~ an exclusive 10% off promo code ~ this is so I can track how many customers have bought from me online since seeing my stall, it is another way to track the success of the craft market.

My new range of Christmas decorations had their debut outing....

 The beaded snowflakes received a lot of attention

 

Felt Christmas Heart

 

 

 



I displayed the decorations on a 3ft Christmas tree with lights....


I do enjoy craft fairs, I get to meet other crafty people and meet potential customers.  I like talking and this time I was more confident in talking about myself and my products.  I had quality conversations and saw what customers liked which I believe is invaluable market research for the price of a stall. 

Sales = 3, 1 more than last time!

Business cards/ promo leaflet taken = loads and from the conversations I had, I am reassured that they were interested in my products and with the promo code I can track how true this is.

Obviously I would love more sales (a girl has got to earn a living!) but as part of my plan the first year is to use these fairs as a way of spreading the fizzi~jayne joy, raise awareness and to use them as a form of market research to inform the direction of my brand. 

I have been told that it helps to attend the same craft fair on a regular basis, as customers do like to come back again and they will get to know you.  I may need to test different pricing and products but mainly I need to have perseverance and patience.

My next craft fair is the Christmas Market with mince pies and entertainers, it should be a fun day, I have my Santa hat ready!

I love Christmas so I am very excited to be a part of this ~ only 35 sleeps until Christmas Day!

 

 Who else has had a craft fair recently? was it a success?

 

If you attend craft fairs as a customer what attracts you to a stall and what makes you want to purchase?  any advice is gratefully received!

 

I'd love to hear from you and your experiences....

 

birthday week....

I had a week of birthday celebrations, my birthday celebrations :-) one day is never enough!! So I allowed myself some time off and spent a day at Hobbycrafts at the NEC. The Art Materials Live and Crafts for Christmas were also there, a 3 for 1 event, it was huge!!  It must be the largest craft event in the UK, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I had such a fun day, I was in my element, stall after stall of craft supply goodies and of course I bought stuff....


 

Lots of new goodies

I could have bought so much more but hubby was with me and kept track of everything I spent, EVERYTHING!  I might leave him at home next year, although I do need to be kept in check at events like this as I am a child in a sweet shop! Budget, what budget??

I got some fab presents for my birthday and felt thoroughly spoilt.  I received couple of books that look really interesting....

"Crafters Guide to Taking Great Photos" and "Blogging for Creatives", has anyone read them?  I can't wait to read them, the trouble is I don't know what to read first.....

O and just before I go I will be at the Berkhamsted Artisans Arts & Crafts Fair this Sunday with lots more new products, will I see you there?

Last Order dates for Christmas Delivery....

I just wanted to let you know my last order dates to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Please note these dates are based on the last posting dates given by Royal Mail in time for Christmas delivery.  If you need to post your order on please allow extra time and order much earlier.

Delivery to the UK

• 1st Class Post ~ 18th December 2013
• Signed For 1st Class (additional charges apply) ~ Order by 11am (GMT) to be sent out the same day. Royal Mail aim to deliver the next day including Saturdays (excluding Sundays).  This requires a signature on delivery. The parcel can be tracked and generates a proof of delivery for peace of mind.  This can be purchased as an additional item from my Folksy and Etsy shops

Please note Royal Mail can not guarantee next day, for urgent orders they recommend Special Delivery, prices start at £6.22. If you wish to pay for this service please contact me directly.
Last order date for this service is Friday 20th December 2013

• Bespoke/ personalised orders ~ Please order any special requests for Christmas no later than 2nd December 2013 for 1st Class Delivery. 

Delivery to Canada, France, Greece & Poland

• Royal Mail 1st Class Airmail ~ 6th December 2013
• Bespoke/ personalised orders ~ Please order special requests for Christmas no later than 20th November 2013

Delivery to the USA & Western Europe (Excluding France, Greece & Poland)

• Royal Mail 1st Class Airmail ~ 11th December 2013
• Bespoke/ personalised orders ~ Please order special requests for Christmas no later than 25th November 2013

Rest of the World

• Royal Mail 1st Class Airmail ~ 1st December 2013
• Bespoke/ personalised orders ~ Please order special requests for Christmas no later than 14th November 2013

Visit my Folksy or Etsy Shops to see my handmade creations....

New Christmas Decorations added to my shops this week

I have been thinking a lot about Christmas....

...and I am sooo late in getting my products ready, even though I promised myself I wouldn't be last minute and have been thinking about it and buying bits since April!  Aaahhh!

The good news is that 70% of people shop in the last ten days before Christmas and they spend more because of that, phew!  I still have time!

It's not an excuse but I have had lots of bespoke orders this year (I am not complaining, that's great) and until recently worked full-time, so I just need to catch up with myself.  Since being able to focus on my fizzi~jayne empire I have been beavering away and I have some new products...

These and others are available on my Folksy and Etsy shops and I am making lots more to add to my shops in the run up to my next craft fair on 17th November ~ this is the deadline I have given myself, I always work best to a deadline. 

The first of my new range of Christmas Decorations, so exciting!!!

 The larger heart can be a tree or door handle hanging
 

 

Next year I will have no excuses to be late, in the meantime this is what I am going to do to get those last minute sales, or what I also like to call fizzi~jayne's top tips....

• Descriptions ~ Visibility is key! All product titles, first line of descriptions and image titles should be obvious and be relevant to what customers might be searching for on the web, i.e Handmade Christmas Card.  This should mean my products end up higher on a search engine.  For anyone who sells products that aren't made specifically for Christmas but are ideal gifts, tweak your descriptions to appeal to your Christmas shoppers.
• Make last order dates for Christmas delivery obvious ~ I have clearly listed these dates in every item description and on my Facebook page in my notes.  Plus I will dispatch within 1-2 business days.
  
• Give an option for customers to pay for next day delivery~ I have added the option for customers to pay for signed for 1st class post, by adding it as an additional item on my Folksy and Etsy shops.  Royal Mail aim to deliver the next day including Saturdays. This requires a signature on delivery and the parcel can be tracked and generates a proof of delivery for peace of mind.  For more valuable items Royal Mail offer a guaranteed next day service, Special Delivery, costs start at £6.22 which is a large cost for my type of products but for anyone selling more valuable products I would recommend giving this as an option to your customers with the stress of Christmas and getting the right gift, customers will pay it!
• Use Social Media as my marketing friend ~ Shout Loud! Increase frequency of my posts but making sure I am being interesting, relevant and compelling, making every post count. I will be running promotions in the run up to Christmas and social media is a great way to promote them.
• Make my stall stand out at the craft fairs ~ I'm going to make my stall as visually appealing as possible and I am very excited about my plans but you will have to come and see me at Berkhamsted Town Hall on 17th November or wait for the pics ;-)

With these tactics I hope that this Christmas will be a successful one.

Has anyone started their Christmas Shopping?  Anyone finished it?