The phrase “best practices” was a buzz for years in the corporate world. I recently heard someone in the cubicle next to me say it in their phone conversation, and the creative lightbulb went off in my head. I thought it might be fun to start a regular column here to share best practices with other sewists, bloggers, and makers of handmade goods.
Experts say when you make stuff to sell you should always carry your products with you as free advertising. For instance, I like to sew. However, I can’t carry all my bags and patchwork gear with me everywhere I go, so I had photos printed and I put them into a cute little album.
That little portfolio keeps getting thicker and thicker as I make new products, but I don’t want to have to carry a bigger purse. I made a couple simple little tote bags to carry my portfolio in.
One cheerful version for daytime.
Another girlie version for evenings.
(simple tutorial in the works!)
Now, if someone notices my tote bag, I can say “I made it” and show them pictures of the rest of the things I make.
I am going to start paying closer attention to the things I do and make, and share more ideas here, in hopes they might help someone else. Feel free to share your best practices from sewing to selling in the comments or link to your blog! (even just simple things like how you store your bobbins or how you store your cutting tools)
Terri's Notebook 
I once hired an artist to paint a portrait of our daughter because I met her at the beach and she had a little portfolio with her. Have you thought about having some Moo cards made up with different pictures of your things and your contact info on the back? They would be easier to carry than a book and you could give one to the interested person.
I had a couple sets of MOO cards printed recently that I just love! They are fun to have in a bowl on my desk at work, or just floating in the bottom of my purse. People are always interested in such little cards and the picture quality is good. Their small size can be a little hard to fit some of those pictures, so I like to carry this little portfolio too.
I love that you have a day bag and an evening bag! Great marketing (and fun, too)!
What a great idea. I may just try something like that. Thanks
Best practises-such a great idea! I never leave the house without a well organized set of samples of fabrics I need to match, and I keep seperate notetakers for business and private life-a lifesaver! And, yup, I carry a great big bag!! Terri, you are awesome for having this idea-Thanks!
Best Practice is a buzz word in education, too. I didn’t realize it was in the corporate world! What a cool idea to keep your portfolio on you at all times!!!
That’s a good ideas. I always like to see pictures. You’ve got an online shop too but maybe a flickr or photobucket site too could be good to as another place online to showcase your lovely work!
Great ideas. The picture thing I really like. I have always taken pictures of the items I make, but I don’t carry them around with me. However I do carry my bag as a purse with me.
Splendid idea Terri!
Great idea to make a tote to carry the portfolio of pictures in! I have a small album that I also started last fall, so I could show samples of my work as well! It is also a good way to keep track of everything that you have made, I think over time we can tend to forget some of those projects.
It is a great way to also see where you started, and what seems to be successful for you.
Thanks so much for sharing Terri!
Food for thought:)
Great idea to have your product photos on hand. Your new bags are bright and fresh looking.
This is such a great idea Terri! I love the fabric you chose for the tote too!