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Craft Site Directory Newsletter: May 2003 / Theme: Get Creative!
http://www.CraftSiteDirectory.com

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SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?

SECTION 2):*~*: Home Craft Parties: Selling Your Crafts from Home
article by CE Books and Gifts

SECTION 3):*~*: Creative Ideas
Links to some of our favorite websites offering great creative ideas and free projects.

SECTION 4):*~*: Free Home Decorating Projects, Information, and Ideas
Links to free online projects, ideas and decorating how-tos.

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 SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?

Have you visited lately? Many new listings have been added. The search engine database now contains over 3500 arts and crafts related websites. Look for the 'Quick Search' box in the top, right-hand corner of each Craft Site Directory page.

After Spring cleaning comes Spring decorating! Check out the newly updated Home Decorating category for great ideas and unique hand made items for your home!

New sub-categories have been added to a few of our main categories. For example, under Woodworking, you will find separate categories for just Woodworking Plans or Woodworking Supplies. More sub-categories are coming soon!


SECTION 2):*~*: Home Craft Parties: Selling Your Crafts from Home
article by CE Books and Gifts

Home Craft Parties

Today, home parties are more of an invitation of an office group who work together that are willing to get together to look at some new products. So the home party becomes mostly an evening out with your friends. Those who attend may wish to consider this meeting a sales meeting so they may join you in selling your crafts at their office on a commission basis. In this case, the guests won't be your co-workers, but your peers at other offices or businesses. And they won't necessarily be buyers, but future agents of yours to help you expand your business.

How it works
It is easy to find guest among co-workers, friends, neighbors, and relatives and invite them to have a home craft party in their home. Encourage them to bring friends, the more the merrier. An incentive would be that any guest who brings a friend that places an order will receive $2 off her own order. One thing that I will say about home parties is that sometimes it is hard to get bookings, so you have to offer a very good deal to the hostess. I normally give the hostess one free gift for having the show, plus earn 20% of her show sales in free merchandise. During your presentation be sure the guest see the free gift presented. This is a powerful incentive for getting new hosts. Make the host feel special and thank her for her hospitality.

Develop a lively atmosphere and attitude. The more enthusiastic you are about your product the more contagious your enthusiasm will be. Make sure you have a large selection of items on hand to display and your items are in excellent shape. Be sure and take plenty of order forms and hand out pencils to all the guests. That way you can capture as much information as you can about your customer. This is another good way of increasing your mail order base.

The average home party should last two hours. To bring enthusiasm, toward the end of the party I normally try playing a game or have a raffle for a small "special prize". When your presentation is over, thank everyone for coming and invite them to have refreshments while they browse through your items. When taking the orders ask whether the customer would like to host a home craft party of their own. Explain the commission structure you are using, and tell them that they can earn free products. One of the guests may want to get some free merchandise, too. The success at one party will spill over to more. These parties are really fun and great because you don't have any competition at a home craft party!

Have fun and good luck with your first of many home craft parties.

Article written by Crystal Eleby, CE Books and Gifts
Collectibles, Handcrafts, Gift Ideas and more.
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Visit us online at http://www.cebooksandgifts.com


 SECTION 3):*~*: Creative Ideas
Links to some of our favorite websites offering great creative ideas and free projects.

The Crafter's Attic: Craft Projects, Ideas, and Tips
Visit: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/attic.html

My Craft Book: Free Craft Ideas
Visit: http://www.mycraftbook.com/

The Paper Bag: Scrapbooking Layout Ideas
Visit: http://www.thepaperbag.net

Her Craft Ideas: Free Craft Ideas, Articles, and More
Visit: http://www.hercraftideas.com


SECTION 4):*~*: Free Home Decorating Projects, Information, and Ideas
Links to free online projects, ideas and decorating how-tos.

Country Sampler Decorating Ideas
Visit: http://www.sampler.com/decideas/archives/archives_index.html

Home Decorating Articles
Visit: http://www.decoratingstudio.com/articles_consumer_info/index.html

All Home Decor: Help to decorate and care for your home
Visit: http://www.all-homedecor.com

Paint Ideas: Home improvement and decorating ideas
Visit: http://www.paintideas.com

Decorator Secrets: Home decorating ideas and tips
Visit: http://www.decoratorsecrets.com


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We would like to thank our sponsors! CraftSiteDirectory.com is sponsored in part by:

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Essential Wholesale
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http://www.whipstitchnwhimsy.com/


Happy Crafting from CraftSiteDirectory.com!

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