15 Ideas for a Sizzling Summer

A Schacht Webinar withJane Patrick, Creative Director

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.

15. Plan, Plan, Plan

* Define your passion

* Know your mission

* Start with a list

* Make a time line

By doing the above you will focus your energy on what you want and how you will do it.