by Katie Noonan
It’s time for this year’s Craft Party! Mark your calendars, get your creative juices flowing and let everyone know that Etsy Craft Party will take place on Friday, June 6, 2014. This year's suggested theme is Recapture: Bring New Meaning to Old Photographs. We'll ask partygoers to find a special photograph, perhaps one that carries personal memories and nostalgia. Then, with needle and thread or paint and pen, transform that old photograph into a new handmade heirloom.
What is Craft Party? Every year, people from around the world come together on the same day in locally organized Etsy Craft Parties to create art and inspire each other. In 2013, more than 11,000 people took part in Craft Parties in locations across the globe.
We invite you to organize or join a Craft Party in your city or town. To give you time to prepare, we're announcing the date and theme today. More information will follow in the next few weeks. As you head into full Craft Party planning, we’ll give you plenty of fun ideas to inspire you along the way.
Why host a Craft Party? First and foremost, because it’s fun! Craft Parties are a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Working in a new medium can spur new ideas for your own work. Hosting a party is also a great opportunity to meet fellow Etsy sellers and team members face to face. (As we all know, being a seller can sometimes feel like a lonely endeavor.)
For the Team Captains out there: Craft Parties are a great way to boost your team's visibility and showcase the talent of your sellers. Try these tips for promoting your Team members’ shops through a Craft Party:
1. Hand out Swag Bags
Decorate pretty totes or kraft bags and fill them with small items from team members’ shops. Include a team catalogue, team look book or business cards for your team's shops. Read Quit Your Day Job: hoakonhelg to find out how one Etsy seller generated buzz for her shop with a look book.
2. Hold a Giveaway
Create a gift box of items from participating team members’ shops and hold a raffle giveaway for attendees during the party. Don’t forget to include a list of contributors’ shop addresses so the winner can find everyone on Etsy afterwards.
3. Do Post-Party Promotion
Hand out discount coupons during Craft Party to encourage attendees to visit Team shops after the event. Remind participating shops to activate the coupon right before the party. Read Encourage Repeat Business with Improved Coupon Codes to learn more about promotions. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!
Have you participated in Craft Party in the past? What was your favorite part?
