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£5,000 Stock Opportunity, Email Marketing Tips, and Eco-Friendly Packaging

plus even more Makers insights inside

Author

Rob & Ali Mobberley
August 05, 2024

Good morning Makers.

Welcome back to Makers Digest! In this packed second edition, we're bringing you a wealth of valuable insights and opportunities for the Makers community.

First up, don't miss out on Faire's exciting £5,000 shop stocking opportunity - the deadline is fast approaching on August 14, 2024! We're also diving into the world of email marketing platforms, with a special focus on MailerLite as a top choice for Makers.

Continuing our eco-friendly series, we explore a range of paper carrier bag options to elevate your brand image. We've also got a special feature on The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Co., showcasing the inspiring journey of artisanal candle-making.

For our event-goers, we've got details on the upcoming Creative Craft Show in Farnborough 2024. And don't miss our 'Makers Essentials' section, where we weigh in on choosing the perfect postal scales for your business. Plus, stay tuned for our new 'AI for Makers' feature starting next week!

Marketplace News

Faire: £5,000 Shop Stocking Opportunity Closing Soon!

Just a quick reminder about an exciting opportunity from Faire, that's about to wrap up and we'd hate for you to miss out! This could be a great chance for both new shop owners and talented Makers like yourself. If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time – the deadline is just around the corner!

Prize: £5,000 for new shops to stock up on products (potentially yours!)

Deadline: August 14, 2024 - Coming up soon!

Eligibility: Open to those who've opened a shop since January 2023 or plan to open in 2024, which includes; physical shops, online stores, pop-ups, or expansions

This contest offers a triple benefit in new potential stockists for your creations, increased visibility for your products, and a chance to strengthen our maker ecosystem.

The Bigger Picture: Faire's "Open with Faire" Programme

Faire's broader "Open with Faire" initiative, which has already supported 500 UK retailers since 2022, underpins this contest. The program offers new shop owners up to £20,000 in interest-free inventory credit with 60-day payment terms, making it easier for emerging retailers to stock unique, handcrafted products like yours.

What You Can Do Now

Spread the word about the contest to anyone you know who's considering opening a shop and if you're not on Faire yet, consider joining to connect with these potential new stockists.

Ensure your product listings are up-to-date and appealing for any new store owners looking to stock up. Time is of the essence with this opportunity. Let's work together to support new retailers and create more outlets for handmade goods.

Keep creating and stay inspired!

P.S. Have you had success with similar opportunities? We'd love to hear your story for a future feature. Drop us a line!

Tip Of The Week

Nurture Market Connections: Choosing Your Email Platform

Last week, we talked about capturing leads at craft markets. This week, we're excited to dive into the next step: choosing the perfect email marketing platform to nurture those valuable connections. So, grab your favorite handmade mug, and let's explore!

What To Look For In An Email Marketing System

There are a number of key elements that as Makers we need to look for when choosing a suitable email marketing system. These are:

  1. User-Friendly Interface

    • Choose a platform with an intuitive drag-and-drop email editor that allows you to create visually appealing newsletters easily, even without design experience.

  2. Customisable Templates

    • Look for a variety of customisable templates that can be tailored to fit your brand aesthetic, ensuring your emails look professional and engaging.

  3. Segmentation Capabilities

    • Ensure the system includes robust segmentation features, allowing you to target specific groups based on interests, location, behaviour, and other criteria.

  4. Automation Tools

    • Seek out automation tools that enable you to set up automated email flows, triggers for specific actions, and campaigns based on your subscriber behavior.

  5. E-commerce Integration

    • If you sell products online, consider a platform that integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms, allowing you to embed product information and create targeted campaigns based on customer buying behaviors.

  6. Analytics and Reporting

    • Look for comprehensive analytics features that provide insights into email performance, including open rates, click-through rates, and sales tracking, helping you optimise your campaigns.

  7. Mobile Responsiveness

    • Ensure that the email marketing system offers mobile-responsive templates and a mobile preview feature, so your emails look great on all devices.

MailerLite: The Artisan's Email Marketing Ally

Over the years I’ve used many different email systems including Mailchimp, Aweber, Mailerlite, Klaviyo, GetResponse and others. Some of these ranging from free versions to hundreds of pounds a month.

Whilst they have all developed over the years, adding ever more useful features, my current goto system for markers is MailerLite! And here’s why…

1. Budget-Friendly for Beginners: MailerLite offers a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers, allowing you to send up to 12,000 emails per month. It's ideal for those of you just starting out or with a modest customer base from your market stalls.

2. Craft Beautiful Emails with Ease: It has an intuitive drag-and-drop email editor which is a dream come true for visually-oriented Makers. You can create stunning newsletters that showcase your handmade products without any design experience.

3. Grow Your Business with Smart Tools: Beyond basic emails, MailerLite provides powerful features like automation, segmentation, and landing pages. These tools help you nurture those market day connections and showcase your latest collections effectively.

4. Sell Directly Through Email: With e-commerce integration, particularly WooCommerce and Shopify you can turn your newsletters into a virtual craft fair, selling your handmade items directly to your subscribers. More on this in future editions.

5. Support When You Need It: Their award-winning customer support is always ready to assist, ensuring you're never left in a tangle.

It’s definately worth checking out and if you would like further details simply click the image below for more info and where you can also start using it for free, with no credit card required.

That's all for now! Remember, those email addresses you collected at markets are golden opportunities to keep sharing your craft with the world.

Coming soon to your inbox: I'll be sharing some great tips on creating compelling email campaigns, along with essential automations that every maker should know about.

Keep an eye out for these emails in the next few weeks – they'll be packed with practical advice to help you level up your marketing game.

P.S. Have you had success with email marketing for your business? We'd love to feature your story in our next issue! Drop us a line with your experiences.

Purposeful Packaging

Exploring Eco-Friendly Paper Carrier Bag Options

Last week we brought you details of some great Eco-Friendly packaging solutions from Cascayde together with discount offer. This week we explore options for a range of paper carrier bags.

With the customer experience being a vital part of building your brand, it doesn’t stop at the presnetation of your stall or the quality of your products, it continues with handing over their purchase and them carrying it away. And this is where the humble carrier bag comes into play.

There’s nothing worse than purchasing a beautiful, well crafted product from the maker, only to be handed it in a re-used supermarket plastic carrier bag. Yes the recyling element is commendable, but does very little for your brand image.

Here we'll explore a range of options, from budget-friendly choices to custom-printed offerings. Whether you're looking for a simple solution or want to make a statement with your packaging, we've got you covered.

Plain Bags with a Personal Touch

If you’re looking to keep costs down while adding a personal flair, why not grab some plain recycled paper bags? You can easily stamp them with your logo for that unique touch. It’s a great way to stay flexible and creative!

Check out Big Brown Carrier Bag, where you can find medium sized unprinted recycled paper bags with twist handles starting at just £0.25 each (pack of 25) or £0.20 each for the small. Perfect for markets or pop-up events!

And for your rubber stamp take a look at Make Your Mark of York, where you can order a custom made rubber stamp with your brand logo and name.

Fully Branded Bags for a Professional Look

Ready to take your branding to the next level? Fully printed bags might be the way to go! Suppliers like The Paper Bag Company offer fantastic options for custom printing, letting you showcase your brand right on the bag.

While this might mean a bit more upfront investment, it can be more economical for larger orders, and your customers will love the polished look!

As an example for 100 medium twist handle brown kraft paper bags you’ll be looking in the region of £1.20 per bag for single colour print on one side. However 500 of the same will set you back around £0.40 per bag!

Finding the Best Deals

Now, let’s talk about finding those budget-friendly suppliers. Pack Supplies has a great selection of sustainable bags, including recycled options with twisted handles. And if you’re after something really affordable, Tiny Box Company has small kraft paper gift bags starting at just £0.10 each for 100!

Making Your Choice

When deciding between plain bags and fully printed options, think about what suits your style, how many you need, and what fits your budget. By checking out different suppliers and comparing prices, you’ll find the perfect eco-friendly paper carrier bag solution for your business.

Remember, investing in sustainable packaging not only helps the planet but can also win you loyal customers who appreciate your eco-conscious efforts. Happy bag hunting!

The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Co

On a recent trip to the Home & Gift Show in Harrogate, we did a little detour to the historic town of Knaresborough where we happened across The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle shop.

We were warmly greeted by the owner and founder, Michael and the truly devine aroma of freshly made lemongrass candles. We then spent a pleasant and inspiring time waxing lyrical on all things candle making, bees and selling handmade items both to UK and overseas customers.

Michael recounted how he had started the business as a dream in March 2019, handmaking his first Beeswax candle with the vision to create a truly natural, organic candle that could deliver exceptional healthy compounds from nature.

All the Beeswax used in Michaels’ products are filtered directly from his own Beehives (about 43 of them and home to around 430,000 bees!) and his scented candles are created with plant based essential oils, making them truly natural products.

Since that first candle Michaels’ business has gone on to develop a wide range of candle styles and fragrances as well as melts and Beeswax balms and cosmetics. Not forgetting the delcious honey he has available.

We came away with a lovely selection of products to fill our home with wonderful calming and uplifting aromas.

Please take time to visit Michael's online store and better still, if you're in the area, pop in to see and experience the magic for yourself. The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle shop is more than just a store – it's a sensory journey and a testament to the beauty of handcrafted, natural products.

Whether you're a candle enthusiast or simply appreciate artisanal craftsmanship, you're sure to find something special that brings a touch of nature's wonder into your home.

Makers Trade Events & Shows

Join the Creative Craft Show in Farnborough 2024!

Get ready for a double dose of creativity as you join the Creative Craft Show and its brand new sister event, The Stitch Show, at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from August 30th to September 1st, 2024.

This combined event is a paradise for enthusiasts of knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery making, dressmaking, and all forms of crafts and stitching.

You'll have the chance to explore a vast array of the latest supplies, ideas, and innovations in the craft and hobby world. The show features everything from kits, charts, and patterns to fabrics, yarns, threads, and buttons.

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to gain advice from industry experts and try something new in the workshop dens and "Make & Take" sessions.

Highlights of the event include demonstrations by the British Polymer Clay Guild and the British Association of Decorative Folk Art, as well as special guest appearances by artists like Lauryn Bates and Alex Hellawell.

Families are welcome, with free entry for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult. Disabled concessions and group booking rates are also available.

At the time of writing early bird tickets are currently on offer at a 25% discount, (£9 instead of £12 for adults), making it a perfect time for you to secure your spot at this vibrant and inspiring event.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Creative Craft Show website. Don’t miss out on this celebration of all things craft!

Event Details:

  • Date: August 30th - September 1st, 2024

  • Location: Farnborough International, Farnborough, GU14 6TQ

  • Highlights: New The Stitch Show, over 1,000 brands, "Make & Take" sessions, workshops, and demonstrations

  • Special Guests: Lauryn Bates, Alex Hellawell

  • Offers: Free entry for under 16s, early bird discounts, disabled concessions, group rates

Hopefully we will see you there.

Makers Essentials

Weighing In on Postal Scales: A Maker's Essential

Today, let's dive into a topic that's crucial for your handmade business success: choosing the right postal scale. As fellow sellers, we know how important it is to get your shipping costs just right, especially when trying to balance the price and margins, against service delivery.

Now it all depends of course on what you are selling but do remember even if you make and sell small items, you can and will get larger orders over time. So when shopping for your ideal postal scales, keep these key features in mind:

  • Capacity: Think big! A 2kg scale won't cut it for those gorgeous ceramic planters. Go for at least 30kg.

  • Precision: Aim for minimum of 5 gram increments for and ideally 1g for spot-on accuracy.

  • Platform size: Ensure it fits your largest packages comfortably.

  • Look for one with a removable display, especially good when weighing larger boxes that overhang the edges of the platform.

  • Power source: Choose between battery-operated for portability or plug-in to save on battery costs.

A clear digital display is a must-have, ideally with a hold function that locks the weight reading for easy noting before it disappears. This is especially handy when you're packaging multiple items at once.

Look for a tare function too, especially if you sell items by weight, which allows you to subtract the weight of packaging materials or holding vessel and ensure you're only seeing the actual weight of your products.

We’ve had our current set of scales for over 10 years and only now are they showing signs of problems and in need of replacement. After thorough research, we've shortlisted to the following:

Abcon 50Kg Scales

Do you have a favoutite scale that you’d recommend we look at? Please drop us a line and let us know and we’ll take a look before buying the above.

Remember, investing in the right postal scale isn't just about avoiding shipping errors – it's about boosting your efficiency and enhancing your customer experience.

Thank you for reading this our second issue of Makers Digest! We hope you found it of value. If you do please share details with your fellow Makers. It is truly appreciated.

Starting in next weeks issue we are introducing a new feature of AI for Makers, where we will explore and explain the various AI tools available and how you can use them in your business not only to save time but also for added inspiration.

Stay creative and please share your work with us. Happy making!

Sincerely

Rob & Ali

Joint Founders - Makers Digest

PS - If you would like to be considered in our Featured Maker section, have a Makers Market or Event coming up or can offer a great deal on supplies to other Makers please email us

Makers Digest is a publication of Gifts made Easy and is partly reader supported. When you buy through links in our content we may earn an affiliate commission to help support the production of the newsletter. Learn more

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