1. Maker Faire
When you think of summer, think of fun. You want to create a laid back feel that includes an element of fun.
Take your class outside for a
water activity. Basketry can be
a bit messy—but soaking the
weavers and conducting class
out-of-doors brings fun—also
attracts curious on-lookers.
2. Water Day
Plan a community dye-pot for a 1 day
indigo or cochineal workshop. Indigo
dyeing is especially magical. Dyeing
outside creates a festive mood—and
again attracts passers-by. Encourage the
dye workshop participants to attend knit
night, spin night or, "create” night and
show off their dyed fiber/yarn/cloth.
This gets the class together and also
creates interest in the groups they share
their work with.
3. Dye Day Outdoors
Use social media to announce anything
new. Post with a photo new products you
receive in the store on your blog, Facebook
page, and Instagram account. If you’re not
using any of these, then summer would be
a great time to start. See Benjamin’s
webinars under business development on
our dealer-only site.
http://www.schachtspindle.com/pdfs/socia
l-media-basics-webinar-guidebook.pdf
4. Use Social Media
5. Flash Sale
Have a flash sale—which is a very short
sale for a product or service for a limited
time. Generally, the item is in limited
supply.
6. Yarn Crawl
Participate in a yarn crawl. Here’s a
link to a helpful guide to running a
yarn crawl
www.prancerwhoknits.files.wordpr
ess.com/2014/06/how-to-
organize-a-yarn-crawl.pdf
7. Kids Fiber Camps
Parents are looking for activities for their kids during the
summer. Camps that are at least a half day in duration are
helpful to working parents. I like to share the success of Hill
Country Weavers who have been running kids weaving and
knitting camps for many years, beginning from age 9. Morning
weaving camp runs from 9-1 and knitting camp runs from 1-4.
Kids can sign up for both the morning and afternoon program.
This year they will be holding four 1-week classes for
beginners, intermediate and independent weavers. You can
check out their program at
www.hillcountryweavers.com/products/hcw-summer-camp
Kid’s Weaving Camp PowerPoint
Last year we made a presentation of how to teach weaving to kids with ideas for classes and projects. You’ll find this all on the dealer only site: http://schachtspindle.com/pdfs/specialpromo/teaching-weaving-to-kids.pdf
8. Special EventsTry summer special events:
Thursday night sidewalk sale. 4th of
July fiber fest. Team up with a
popular food cart and let your
customers know. Make summer
social.
9. Movie NightPlan a movie night—include pop corn and if you feel
comfortable BYOB. Bring knitting, Cricket Loom and Wheel.
The Devil Wears Prada (109 min)
The September Issue (90 min)
Coco Before Chanel (105 min)
Bill Cunningham’s New York (84 min)
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (86 min)
Funny Face (103 min)
Dior and I (90 min)
Unzipped (73 min)
Zoolander (90 min)
Iris (79 min)
Advanced Style
10. Student/Customer Show
Have a student/customer show in
the summer with prizes and an
opening. Rules should include that
the piece was a result of a class or
made from yarn or fiber purchased
at your shop. Make up categories,
such as novice, experienced—with a
prize awarded in each category. Do
plan to have an opening event late
in the day and serve lemonade or
root beer floats.
11. Special ClassesOffer classes that feel like
summer: lace weave, cotton
spinning, lace knitting, baby
sweater workshop, or what’s all
the rage now: textured wall
hangings using found objects,
including branches, weeds, dried
flowers.
12. Merchandize Your ShopFocus on shop kits and products that are great for travel.
Examples of Schacht products: Drop Spindle with fiber,
Sidekick with a Sidekick Bag, Zoom Loom with a yarn and
pattern kit (lots of ideas on the dealer only page), Mini
Loom Weaving Kit, Cricket Loom, Inkle Loom and belt
shuttle with cards.
People even take their Wolf Pups in their campers!
Feature projects with cotton, linen, and soy silk.
We have a lot of project cards on our website for you to
use. Print them out and pair them with the yarn and
product. Making a sample is always good.
13. Have a RetreatPlan summer camp/retreat for
adults. Weave Away or Spin
Away: A week end of intensive
learning with one of your staff
experts or a local guru.
This photo is from Weavin’
Place’s Flip In.
14. Work on Your BusinessAttend TNNA in Washington, DC June 11-13. Take Jane’s class: Teach to sell; sell to teach and attend our Schacht in-booth class, Engage Your Customer.
If you have been planning on installing a POS system, summer maybe the ideal time for this project. It’ll be ready when your busy fall season is upon you.
Take a field trip to visit other shops. Not just yarn shops but all kinds of shops to glean ideas for your own shop.
If your shop is due for a make-over, summer is a great time for this project.