Trade Show Series (cont.) Guest - The Indomitable Sara Aho Lukkonen

Our last installment of Trade Show Series with Guests: Pat Riesenburger, Kate McKinnon, Andrew Thornton, Wendy Baker, Yvonne Irvin, Michael Burns, Marianne Kasparian, Nikia Angel and Marsha Hedrick.

First, I would like to thank Tamara Allison of The Vanishing Pearl for her help (well, she wrote them all? so help is not a very good description?) and Stephanie Haussler of Pixybug Designs for her suggestions. . . without them, we would not and could not have done this series.

Secondly, thank you to all of our guests – even with the wonderful questions and suggestions by Wendy and Tamara, without the answers of the guests – there wouldn’t have been anything to read? They took time out of their extremely busy schedules to try and shed some much needed light on the bead trade industry – we got answers – we got hope – we got humor and we’re done!

So here is our last guest – Sara Aho Lukkonen of C-Koop Beads!

The Sara I know. . . 

8. Can you share tips for increasing sales:

Always greet your customers.  Not only does this start a sale but it also helps make them aware that you are watching them. I always try to have new products at each of the major shows.  It brings the regulars back to see what is new.  I don’t want them walking by because they have seen everything before. 

9. Outside of shows, how do you market yourself or your brand:

I wholesale to stores.  It gets my product out there to the everyday beaders.  I started my business by going to stores and getting my products out there.  I think that it really made a big difference for me because then people recognized my products when they come to shows.  Also I have been really blessed by the designers submitting their designs to the magazines.

10. Do you use a standard setup for every show you attend or do you adjust your setup for each show:

I pretty much set up the same way every time.  The returned buyers recognize the display and they always think something is new. It is also an easy set up and take down.  It is all about getting out of the show in a timely manner!   I try to be efficient because my time is worth something too!

11. OPTIONAL: What reason would you give your clients for attending shows as a buyer, even if you were not a vendor:

There might be something new out there you just have to have.  Going to shows can bee inspiring!

12. OPTIONAL: What makes you continue to attend shows as a vendor – i.e. money, marketing, social networking:

Some sows are going to better than others.  If I continue to make money at a show then I am going to come back.  But mostly I attend shows to get the new accounts.  Stores are going to buy at the show and continue to buy through the year. Getting new accounts at a show makes it a success.

13. OPTIONAL: If you hire outside help, how do you find them - any info would be appreciated.

I do most of the shows by myself.  But when I am at some of the bigger shows I bring my Mom.  In fact she is the reason I go to the shows out west.  Other vendors look for her at the shows….she is the best Mom in the world and I feel blessed that she wants to spend time with me too. Also the show promoters or someone in the staff that knows you may have a list of people that want to work.

14. Additional comments:

Keep true to yourself.  Don’t let other people tell you how to run your business.  Believe me they will try. Try to stay one step ahead of the designers. Make things that they don’t know they want yet. Smile and have fun!

And with those words of wisdom - we end our series on Trade Shows. Thank you again - to all our guests and Tamara Allison and Stephanie Haussler. 

Find Sara and all her wonderful gadgets at C-Koop Beads.

Stay tuned. We're working on another series and we've got some FUN in store - like prizes and trivia and more! 

Leave a comment, share it, check a box, join us. Thanks for reading.

Trade Show Series - Guest - Indomitable Sara Aho Lukkonen

Recently, I’ve been seeing articles, interviews and features on Sara’s work in almost every issue of every bead magazine published. It’d be easy to assume that her secret is out – but as a designer – I’ve loved Sara’s work for ages, I’m sure you have too. If you’ve ever thought you could read a person from what they create – it certainly holds true with Sara.

Her creations are quirky (Sara’s quirky) – colorful (Sara is more so) – ever changing (Sara’s a variable cornucopia of fun, swift wit and drive) – her creations scream “talent” and once you use any of her tiny, enameled treasures – you’re hooked! Just like when you meet Sara – hooked, line and sinker! She’s last in our Trade Show Series but she’s certainly not least! Meet the Indomitable force -Sara Aho Lukkonen . . . 

1. What brand do you fall under (if any): Independent Jewelry Artist, Business Owner; Artisan and/or other:

I fall under Artisan, business owner & manufacturer.  I don’t think of myself as an artist -  I think of my self as a chemist, but that would not be a category for jewelry business.

2. What type of Trade Shows do you attend as a vendor (not buyer) and how many shows do you attend:

I like the bead society shows the best.  But I do ~8 national shows a year and a handful of the society shows.  I also teach in stores and have trunks shows at the same time and then there are the absentee trunk shows.  So, with all of those types of shows probably ~40 shows a year.

3. How far in advance do you plan for each show (i.e. inventory, advertising, hotels):

Inventory is ongoing.  It can be quite the challenge having enough inventories for the Absentee trunk shows and enough for the trade show.  I don’t advertise for shows I will list them on my website, but I don’t always keep up with that. I pretty much stay in the same hotel chain for shows.  I just tell my husband the dates and he makes the reservations.  One less thing for me to do!

Squish Beads

4. What type of advertising do you use, if any:

In 2010 I decided to blast the magazines with advertising.  I advertised in most of the trade magazines out there.  I don’t think that it made a huge difference in sales.  But I did not track it either.  The best advertising for me is to be published by the editors and other designers and get in the product listing.  Also being at the shows is probably the best advertising because they can touch & see the product.

5. Do you have any tips to prevent loss/theft at shows:

I know that at every show something will get stolen.  I have quite a bit of small components. I am usually the only one at the booth so I do the best I can.  If people need to play that game it will catch up to them someday.

6. Do you have a timeline for when and how to apply for tax permits or certifications for other states? And a good way to keep up with multiple permits and tax payment deadlines:

It is part of doing business.  I just have to make sure that I file accordingly with each state.  I like the states that have the license at the show and you either pay for it there or send it in within 30 days of the show.  Most of the taxes are due on the 20^th of the month so set the calendar alarm!

7. What suggestions do you have for display ideas that meet both convention center guidelines and fire marshal specifications:

Everyone has a different idea on presentation of products.  I found what works best for me and continue to set up pretty much the same way.  Paying attention to the fire marshal rules is important because you could have to tear down your whole booth and start over!

Like what you see of Sara's answers to our Trade Show Questions - tune in September 20th for the remainder of her answers and the LAST part of our series on Trade Shows and the artists - vendors who attend them. . .

You can find Sara and her work at C-Koop Beads

Leave a comment, check a box, share it, join the blog - thanks for reading.

Hump Day. . .

twas Wednesday, almost Thursday now. again. . . I am tired and achy. Trying to keep my head up as I type. So I must say, I'll keep it short again. After the novels I have composed, you must be relieved. haha The above picture suggests how I feel...death on my lips. 

News:
We shipped off Phalange Plot to Step By Step Beads last week. We got an e-mail stating they received it.

We shipped off another project to Bead & Button a couple of weeks ago, no word as to what has become of it.

We shipped off another project to BeadWork three weeks ago, haven't heard from them either.

Bead Unique has requested Material Girl. However, another magazine requested the same project. Now we don't know what to do. I just know I better feel better soon or we won't get anything sent anywhere. We have many other projects in the works but nothing I have yet to report.

Would you like your projects posted here on our blog? Send us a picture with your name and if you have a website, we'll try and post it. 

Thanks for reading. Thanks for being here. Post. Comment.

x0x0x0

Kelli

I've been thinking a lot about

Entering Contests:
judged by other people. We entered the BeadWork Beaded Book Competition in 2008-2009. I guess our book is traveling with BeadFest. We've seen a picture of it on BeadWork's website and it was in BeadWork magazine but we have not seen the actual book since November 2008. Many of our designs go away for a least a year when they are published. We really have no idea when they will come back to us! Many times the publisher says the design will be featured in said issue of said magazine and it's postponed. Publishers usually don't give your designs back till the issue of the magazine comes out. So, right now we have four designs that have been gone for over a year and a half! 

So, I've been thinking about entering these contests. A design created for a contest would cost a fortune in components and time. And then to have it gone for years is kinda weird. But I really want to enter some of these contests.

One I have wanted to enter since I started beading is Bead & Button's Beaded Dreams Contest. I got to see some of the finalists this year in Wisconsin at the Bead & Button show. Actually seeing some of the finalist gave me a little more confidence to enter. Not that my work is superior to anyone who placed or won by any means BUT I saw their work and I feel my ideas were at least worth submitting? Not to say they would win or place but at least worth submitting. 


Now I am in research mode. Has my idea been done. About two years ago, I sketched out a bridal bouquet and had my mind set on making one. It looked like a country bridal bouquet. Lots of wild flowers, etc. When I saw the Bridal Bouquet that actually won the Bead Dreams contest, I thought...oh well. I was a little below par on that idea? HAHA 

http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/bnbshow/default.aspx?c=a&id=28

But I am only ONE person. That bouquet was beaded by what, five people? And therein lies my dilemma? Do I devote months of time to bead something and spend hundreds of dollars to create it (wholesale cost to boot!) only to have a group of beaders nudge me out? 

It took us 7 months to create and bead the Flowers for Algernon book. And that was with help! The covers alone took four months of constant beading. The inside flowers took a month. Putting it all together took at least 4 weeks. Then the final touches took almost two weeks and that was with me staying at home!! 

I've got some SUPER ideas. I just don't have time to implement them all. And I put everything down in an idea book also my doodle sketch book. Believe me, I can't draw a straight line. But I know what I am drawing and I can look back and go.. Oh ya?! I remember that idea.

So far, I have not found my idea out on the world wide web. I've searched and searched all the beaders sites, blogs, etc. So as far as I know, I am safe! 

Now come the doubts again? Am I good enough? Do I have the time to devote to this project? Because once you start it, you can't just quit. If you're not a zillionaire and have that kind of money to throw to the wind! I've got enough UFO's (unfinished objects) laying round the place to start another bead store. But they are small projects save for my Bead Warrior design! Now there is a biggie. haha 


What are your opinions on contests? Have you entered? Have you thought about it? If you have entered, did you win? Place? Get feedback?
Write me your thoughts - theholebeadshop [!at] aol.com - or post a comment here.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for being here. Post. Comment.

x0x0x0
Kelli

PS Another great link:
http://www.serafinibeadedjewelry.com/

Tonight it's all business. . .

A long workday:
I got to work at 9am. A late start for most "worker bees" but it's now 11pm and I'll be working well past midnight. Twelve to fifteen hour workdays are nothing these past 5 years... I've had what you could call a FEW weekend getaways and trips to bead shows but no vacations. My passion turned to business has been a long haul indeed.

Today we moved walls at the store. We have been bringing more TOHO seed beads into inventory and had to move Miyuki Delicas to a smaller wall to use the bigger wall for TOHO. I am talking over 600 colors of TOHO moved in two days. Now we have to move the Delicas which are on the couch, to the smaller wall. We have really worked our proverbial booties off. PLUS, all the NEW stuff this week. It's been a killer.

We also submitted our first design to Bead & Button. It's not accepted yet...keep your fingers crossed. But we shipped it off Tuesday. We also sent a project to BeadWork. No acceptance yet either. Next week we'll mail a project to Step By Step Beads for spring 2010. We've also asked submission approval to Bead Unique for a project. Tarlee and I have been working on a new bezel technique, which I think we have DOWN! It's going to be exciting for two reasons. First, the bezel (that I know of) has never been done. Secondly, it might possibly be our first really ornate necklace design that doesn't incorporate some kind of Lucite.

I've also come up with what might possibly be a great design to enter in the 2010 Beaded Dreams contest OR the TOHO contest. I've never had enough faith in my beading abilities to enter that big of a contest. So I've shied away from it. But I've begun sketching the design and gathering materials. Now I just have to put "bead to mat" and grow some big ones! 

Our entire reason for designing these days is to become published in magazines. We just keep trying to add to our beading resume so more people will see and have faith in our ability to design. We have so many other things to do now that we own the shop, we have to force ourselves to sit down and bead! Ohhhhhhh Tarlee has come up with the cutest CUFF idea and another SUPER clasp! 

We're all about hidden functional clasps which make jewelry that you'll want to wear over and over again because even if the piece rolls on your wrist, the clasp has become part of the design! 


We preach functionality at our shop. I guess it comes from that tube of lipstick I just had to purchase because my girlfriend looked great in it? When I put it on I look like the stand in for Mommie Dearest? We want our clients to WEAR what they create. If they don't wear it because it's not functional, why shop at our business again? AND if they do wear it and someone comments on the piece, they could say "ohhhhhh I love the color but it never lays right"...next thing out of the mouth "Where did you get it?" ...

So we preach functionality first. Colors you like before colors in fashion second. You'll wear colors you like for years but colors in fashion come and go. Third, design your wardrobe around your jewelry. A great piece of jewelry costs money! You can always buy a top on sale to match! :o)
Ohhhh and a close third, lightweight even though it looks heavy! Who wants a boulder hanging around their neck or wrist ALL day or night? 

Not me! 

So when you create a piece of jewelry...think:

Functional
Colors you like
Do I have a top that matches?
Lightweight

If you answer YES to these questions,you've mentally created a piece of jewelry you'll wear for years to come. 

Now, lastly....have fun. Gather some girls. Some great fruit. Some great wine. And if you like cheese...it's a great addition but not necessary. Get out the bead mats, bead boards and get to beading! 

It's the year of HOME-MADE gifts for Christmas. Start shopping now. Whether you give someone jewelry, bookmarks, hand sewn pillows or art. Everyone is going handmade in 2009! 

Happy Beading!

K~