9 Steps to Prepare for a Market

Exhibitions have been my favorite means of marketing my work since day one. These days they are known with ‘fancier’ names such as Flea Markets, Popup shops etc.

Here are a few experiences and tips to keep in mind if you are planning your first craft market.

Pic Courtesy: Sunday Soul Sante

1. Up your stocks: You need to make sure you have enough stock and varieties in your stall to keep it looking freshly stocked. Start preparing well in advance and book your stall only if you are sure you have enough.
   

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2. Do your homework: Know the organizer or other participants of the event. Make sure you check the success rate of their previous events. Understand what is being provided in the stall – i.e. tables, chairs, plug points etc.
   

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3. Be early: This is where I fail always so I know how important it is. Avoid exhausting traffic and the sun while you set up your stall. Be sure to have your stall set up before At some events, being early gives you a better stall location.
   

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4. Checklist: Create an exhaustive list of things to carry along with you. This varies depending on your product but here is a list that has helped me:
   1. Packaging Materials
   2. Visiting cards and handouts
   3. Banners
   4. Table cloth
   5. Display stands / chains / ropes etc.
   6. Rain / Sun covers
   7. Extra lighting
   8. Food, snacks and water
   9. Lots of change (cash)
      

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5. Pricing: You know how much your work is worth so make sure to reward yourself adequately without overpricing you product. Its also important to price your product right for every event without your prices fluctuating depending on the venues.
   

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6. Packing: This includes how you pack your goods for transportation and how you package what sells. Having them packed neatly will help you carry your stuff from home to car and car to stall and to unpack quickly. Packaging breakable items takes a lot of care and attention. Materials used to pack for transportation can be reused when the products sell.
   

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7. Perfect Display:  What you are setting up is a temporary store front, so make sure it is attractive enough to grab the attention of the customers. There is no need to spend much to create a nice stall, just use items lying around your house to decorate. Place the items categorized neatly to ensure that each item gets the attention it deserves.
   

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8. Record your sales: No matter how much you enjoy your work, at the end of the day, it is a business. Keep track of the sales, inquiries and customer feedback.
   

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9. Enjoy! You are at a beautiful setting so don’t forget to relax, enjoy and network!
   

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   World o’ Ceramica

    

Miniature Crafts – Catalog

Though I have all my work posted on my websites and the Facebook page, I still find that customers and students would like to see an overview of all the designs in one glance.

So here you go…

Platters of South Indian Breakfast Favorites

These images give you an idea of various combinations you can create with the individual pieces that you choose

Kerala Paratha, Appam, Puttu

Idli Vada, Idlis, Vadas

Dosa, Idli, Vada

Dosas – Serving styles

Dosas are served in a variety of styles all over South India. Which one is your favorite?

Masala Dosa, Cone Dosa, Plain Dosa, Butter Masala Dosa

Masala Dosa, Cone Dosa

Masala Dosa, Butter Masala Dosa

Fresh cream cakes

Everybody loves a rich, cream loaded delicious pastry

Whiteforest cake

Blackforest cake

Red velvet cake

Various fruit cakes and tarts

Add a little of colour to your world with these fruity, healthy looking choices

Kiwi fondant cake

Banana Cherry tart

Mango cherry cake

Strawberry banana cake

Banana kiwi cake

Breads and more…

Food just isn’t complete without some italian breads or pizza, some French macaroons, an English breakfast

Pizza

Bread basket

Macaroons

Sunny-Side up and toast

Wearable food miniatures

Capsicum earrings

Cherry tart earrings

Vanilla softee earrings

Red velvet cupcake set

Dosa / Idli vada pendant

Pizza earring pendant set

Sponge cake set

Donut earrings

Cupcake pendant / keychain

Burger pendant / keychain

Macaroons earring pendent set

Minions!!

Last but not the least by far, my happy little minion helpers!

 

To Buy View the Online store

For weekend workshops Register here

 

At Stores… Finally

A new phase began when I let go of my inhibitions to display and sell my work at outlets managed by others.

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Over the past 16 years, I have taken the sole responsibility of marketing my creations, be it at my store, or exhibitions or online.

However, once I was open to the idea of handing over my precious creations to others, I was contacted by 2 lovely people who have the most fantastic places where I’m sure my work will be appreciated and taken care of.

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My entire collection of miniature food magnets can be seen at Bangalore’s favorite tea room in Indiranagar : Tea Brew

The bottle art and my upcycled bottle-cap cake magnets can be found in Indiranagar as well at the most elegant and unique store: Boho Me

 

The year – 2015

A year that began on a low note, quickly picked up pace to reach the highest ever since inception of World o’ Cerámica.

A long term lazy dream of teaching my craft was realized when I set up a studio and conducted workshops for over 25 interested crafters. This included a bunch of individuals who found me primarily through Social media and word of mouth.

And for the first time, I experienced standing in front of a classroom and teaching a group of highly energetic kids!

Since the day I began crafting, 13 years ago, I have hoped and prayed that I would get noticed by the press! I was overjoyed when I finally got my wish. Information about my craft and workshops got published in the Femina magazine and the newspapers.

The year also gave me a 100% success rate in exhibitions, where not one event disappointed me. Either I’ve learnt to pick the right platform or I’m finally good enough to meet my own expectations.

Not to say that everything was well and rosy through the year though, because I was forced to take a 4 month break with no thought of crafts or anything else for that matter. I didn’t even know if I’ll ever get back to doing what I love. But the powers that govern the universe decided to be kind and life is returning to normal already.

The eventful year ended with a grand finale at the Sunday Soul Sante’s Christmas edition followed by a lovely article in the Deccan Herald.

The new year has plans for more workshops, more exhibitions and new dreams!

                   

Workshops in July

Everyone has their own level of skill. Some are wonderful from the moment they touch their craft tools. Some need years of practice like me.

For this reason, I will be conducting 2 different levels or workshops.

Beginners can try their hand at a mixed bag of designs which will help you understand what type of work you enjoy the most. The below images shows the various designs you will learn.

This basic workshop is happening on the 12th of July 2015.

Miniature food inspired designs

Those who have already tried their hand at miniatures and want to experiment with a more complex, patience including design can join the advanced class where we will work on 9 different designs. You will also get an upcycled showcase  to display your pieces as part of the kit.

The advanced class is scheduled for the 18 th of July 2015

Advanced bakery miniatures

The above images are links to the registration forms, which have more information about the classes and the venue.

How it all began…

The World o’ Cerámica was created 12 years ago, when I first discovered my love for the crafts.

I am a self-taught creator, who has been experimenting with various mediums since the first time I dabbled with crafts in 2002.
Internet, friends and other artists have contributed in creating my own style.

It first began as a bunch of amateurs from college setting up a stall for friends and family to earn some pocket-money.

We found our separate paths after we graduated, and mine led to this world of incredible peace and tranquility. That is what I experience when I am consumed by a project that need my absolute and minute attention.

 

I moved from pottery to murals and now my fascination is with these realistic looking food miniatures.

The possibilities that these cuties opened up are endless and ideas don’t stop flowing. The actual production is trying hard to keep up with ideas.

 

Even so, I’m in the constant search of new ideas and techniques that can be creatively used to blend with my style of work.

This search has led me to the amazing craft of decoupage, which a tech-obsessed friend described as real life in PNG format 😉

Since day one, I have been my only competition. Everyday I wanted to better my work and continue to gather compliments from my buyers.

Saying my work is a hobby is an understatement because it consumes me.

When I am at my work table, that is the only world that exists.

When I am at an exhibition, the only people who exist are those who look at my work. All I desire is to watch their faces transform with appreciation.

Selling online

The time is here when selling online is no longer an option or luxury. It’s mandatory for every small business to have a strong online presence.

Having an online shop tells the customer that we value your time and are here to make your shopping experience easier.

It also says that we understand your social need. Social events keep cropping up where you may need to buy or send a special gift but do not have the time to go out and hunt for a good store that will provide what you need.

With the internet the world has grown larger and smaller at the same time. You have access to an almost unlimited range of options but each one is extremely easy to reach.

In keeping with the times, I have increased my borders from just Bangalore customers, to the entire nation and now global customers are welcome to appreciate and own my work.

Follow the links in the below images to reach my stores.

Indian customers are welcome to visit my own online store for convenient payment options through Net-banking, Credit or Debit cards..

International customers can look for my store on “Etsy” for easy payment through PayPal, Credit or Debit cards and shipping options.

  

~ Aruna

World o’ Cerámica

Miniature Food Sculpting Workshop_Intermediate

This is a workshop where you can create unique gifts for your loved ones while learning the skills to continue your work beyond the class.I call it an intermediate level workshop as it involves a lot of patience to create the tiny little toppings for most of the projects.

Projects to take home: 

~ 3 Keychains

1. Urli with floating flowers
2. Idli Vada with chutney and sambar
3. Toast and fried egg

~ 4 Fridge-Magnets

1. Butter Masala Dosa with chutney and sambar
2. Pizza with choice of toppings
3. Cake with Mango and Kiwi toppings
4. Cream Pie with Banana and Cherry toppings

*Procedure to mix the homemade clay and shaping of Designs indicated in the images will be taught
*All Materials will be provided for use. Additional kits will be available for sale
*Additional toppings may be made if time permits.

Click here: Register by paying an advance of Rs. 500 (non-refundable). The remaining amount will be collected before the class commences.
(You may choose to pay the full amount while registering.)

Fee: Rs. 2700
Duration: 4 hours
Date: Jun 27th 2015
Start Time: 11 AM

Venue: 22, Basappa Road, Shanthinagar, Bangalore – 560027

Snacks, coffee/tea will be provided on request. Feel free to bring your own munchies too
The studio is located on the first floor and easily accessible. 
Please be punctual.

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Mini-Food sculpting Workshop at Sri Kumarans

So my first workshop for a young crowd went a million times better than I expected. I only hope they thought so too!

Key highlights of the class

The group of 15 students kept me on my toes for the entire 4 hour session which flew past too quickly.

The enthusiastic bunch managed to teach me a thing or two as well 🙂

The session was primarily for mini-Indian food sculpting. We created 5 south Indian breakfast dishesThe kids had a tough time choosing the designs they wished to create. Each one had their own variation of the designs at the end of the class adding a variety to the normal designs I usually teach.

A few impromptu videos I prepared last week were kept looping in the background and enabled the students to create their designs with very little intervention from me.

All in all, I think I managed to create a classroom full of happy crafters and admiring teachers!

And for the first time I was called “Aruna ma’am” 🙂 A huge feeling of accomplishment!

 

Contact: worldoceramica@gmail.com

Web: worldoceramica.wikidot.com