How to Sell Americana Decor
Americana decor embodies and captures the look and spirit of the United States of America. The decor focuses on the American flag, patriotism, Liberty Bell and red and white and blue colors. Americana decor is well sought after by country and patriotic lovers who choose to decorate their home with this theme. Some implement Americana decor into their home daily while others use it exclusively for patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Americana decor, either homemade craft projects or wholesale items
- 5 yards of patriotic small-print fabric
- Staple gun and staples
- Tack board and tacks
- 8x4 table
- Digital camera
- Quicken personal finance software
Instructions
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Shop for Americana decor in large quantities or in bulk. Choose companies such as SMC, LTD Commodities or Oriental Trading Company. Popular selling items are patriotic wall and porch flags, Uncle Sam lamps, metal stars and flag stakes.
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Create one-of-a-kind Americana decor by producing them by hand. Grubby candles with stars, dolls with patriotic outfits, wreaths with red, white and blue colored berries and flag-painted fireplace screens are popular hand-crafted items. Americana framed stitchery with verses such as "sweet land," "my country" and "freedom ring" are reminiscent of stitcheries from the late 1800s.
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Photograph all items that are to be sold with a digital camera. Upload to the computer and prepare to place on personal websites and auction sites such as eBay.
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Participate in area craft shows, flea markets and art shows. Create a display for the Americana items by covering a tack board and a table with patriotic or Americana inspired fabric. Use a staple gun to pull fabric taught and cover up the board. Place small clear tacks into the tack board to create makeshift support holders. Hang lightweight items on the tacks such as wreaths and signs. Place heavier objects such as candles and metal stars on the table.
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Sell Americana decor at garage sales, community rummage sales and consignment shops. Price accordingly. For wholesale items---decor can be marked up from 10%. For homemade craft items, make sure to recoup the cost of the item, time put in for crafting and what the item is worth in the selling market.
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Create a website through Yahoo store and sell items to a worldwide market. Promote the products and the website by selling ads through Google adsense. Produce an SEO friendly website by adding keywords to item descriptions. Increase site traffic by promoting the site through affiliate marketing. Set up an eBay account and list items up for auction or sale. Create an eBay store linking items to the main website as an additional way to sell more products.
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Promote the business by generating business cards and creating fliers to drive customers to craft shows and to the website, eBay and Yahoo Store. Track all buying and selling of products and supplies by using Quicken personal finance or business software. Report earnings to the IRS and state.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask a friend or other crafter to share a booth at a craft show or flea market---this will save money. Building this type of business takes time, sometimes up to six months before the investment is recouped and a profit is cleared. Promote these items a month before and during a patriotic holiday.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.sxc.hu
