Anyone else run cardmaking classes?

[CleoCrafts]

Hi all,

My sister and I have been running cardmaking classes locally since before Christmas - initially in the local church hall, and more recently in a local community centre type place - tonight was supposed to be the start of our new six week programme, and only one turned up!! SIX others who are meant to be coming, didn't appear cos they are all at a horsey show (they are all into horse-riding which is how they know each other). What I was wanting to know, if anyone else out there runs something similiar, where and how do you advertise??? We have info in the local community bulletin, and a few posters up in shop windows. Any other ideas?

thanks,
Louise

www.cleocrafts.co.uk (http://www.cleocrafts.co.uk)

[euston-74]

I run card making classes - and demonstrations and classes in other crafts (see my website for an explanation). It is hard to get people to make this a priority but not funny when you have gone to all the effort of organising it.
My business model is to get people along and do the card making and whatever and then sell them products - so I don't charge much and it's a bit hit and miss.
I wonder if in your situation you can get people to pay in advance - I'm sure that would focus their minds - even just a small deposit might be enough to secure it and make them aware of the cost of the materials you have no doubt outlaid for to get the thing going. I'm thinking of doing this to avoid falling out of pocket.
Good luck by the way - it's a great idea,
Mel

To answer your question - try parish magazines and turning up at local events - I did a Brownie group Comic Relief table top sale last Saturday - got me noticed!

[CleoCrafts]

hi euston,

thanks for the advice, fingers crossed the horsey crowd will turn up this Thursday, and I think maybe going to a few local church fete type things to get noticed is a good idea...
cheers,
louise x

[swirlyarts]

Have a look in the back of card making magazines too - theres usually a section where scrapbookers can put details of their crops and it always frustrated me as a card maker that there were no details for card making courses/groups. It's well worth contacting the magazine with your details anyway. Also have you tried craft shops? People may be wandering in to buy some card making stuff and see a notice about your card making classes - got to be worth a try. Let us know how it goes!

[EMEvans]

Just remembered, i noticed a few months ago that our local college run a one day course on card making. It might be worth contacting your local college and see if they would be interested if they haven't already got one running.

[CleoCrafts]

hi again,

re local craft shops, the one which is about two minutes walk from the community center we do our classes in, has refused to put a poster up or mention the classes to any one despite the fact that our customers would probably be coming to her for their supplies!!! Says we are direct competition (she is closed at 5pm everyday, and we are running classes at night) .... I might go and ask in a few craft shops in town if we can put up a poster or leave flyers (we live six miles outside Belfast), i guess if you don't ask, you never know!


louise x

www.cleocrafts.co.uk (http://www.cleocrafts.co.uk)

ps, we have sent a paragraph to the local paper to see if they will put it under community announcements, fingers crossed!

[swirlyarts]

Another idea - try the community announcements section on local radio - they may be able to give you a plug if they do them in your area.
Bit of a bummer about the craft shop - I personally would jump at the chance as they would probably be going there to get supplies as you say. She obviously doesn't want the extra business!

[CleoCrafts]

Well we are supposed to be getting an announcement in todays community paper - will pick it up on my way home from work and see if we are in. Maybe we will have to turn people away at the door tomorrow night!!! Wishful thinking....

[swirlyarts]

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

[CleoCrafts]

Hi there,

success!! We had five people at our cardmaking class this week with a promise of three more coming next week.... and I rang the local council who have now listed us on their 'local events' page on their website. Check it out on

http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/whatson/details.asp?id=282

Yippee!!

thanks for all the support,

Louise x

www.cleocrafts.co.uk (http://www.cleocrafts.co.uk)

[swirlyarts]

Great - hopefully it will continue to grow!