Last weekend, I hosted an afternoon Sip and Shop at my home, and it turned out great! I’m so thankful to everyone who stopped by to support my small business.

Planning for the Event

I knew planning the sip and shop was going to be key to making this event a success, so two weeks prior to the event, I put together a list of everything I needed to get ready.

• Theme & Setup: I decided on a fall theme for a warm, cozy vibe.

• Inventory Organization: I took some thought to where and how I would display my pieces.

• Refreshments: I made a list of refreshments that I planned to serve, which included wine, apple cider, and some appetizers

• Packaging Supplies: I stocked up on boxes, packing material, and bubble wrap to make sure purchases were ready to go.

• Event Layout: I designed a layout of how I wanted to set up my pottery

• Promotion: I communicated to my customers via text and email, and also invited people in my neighborhood to stop by

  
  

Setting Up for the Day

Putting it all together was a lot of fun. I arranged my pieces in 3 key areas in my house where it was easy for customers to browse through all my latest pieces. Displaying my items was really important, so I bought some great stands from places like HomeGoods to add more height and enhance the visual display of my pottery. This method ensures that everything can be easily displayed and viewed.  I played with different types of arrangements until it all felt balanced and inviting. I arranged my sculptures in one area of my home and displayed my bowls, vases, and accessories in other sections.

Food and Refreshments

Since my Sip and Shop took place in the afternoon, I kept my refreshments light while maintaining a fall theme. I serviced wine, hot apple cider, and a small spread of cheeses, fruits, and crackers.

The Best Part: Connection

The best part of running this event was engaging with my customers! It was so nice to see familiar faces and meet new ones. I loved sharing the stories behind some of my pieces and hearing which ones caught people’s eyes. It really felt more like a gathering of friends than a shopping event, and that made it so special.

Thank You!

I’m really grateful to everyone who stopped by, and don't worrying if you couldn’t make it this time. I plan to do a 2nd Sip and Shop this spring.