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. In this blog I will walk you through some of the steps I took to make this sip and shop a successful event and highlight a few items that stood out at the event.
Planning for the Event
I knew from the start that planning the sip and shop ahead was going to be key to making this event successful and stress-free. About two weeks before the event, I sat down and made a comprehensive checklist to keep myself on track.
Theme & Setup:Â I decided on a fall theme to reflect the cozy vibe that often inspires my work. Think warm tones, soft textures, and a welcoming atmosphere. Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and I wanted that seasonal charm to shine through in every corner of the event.
Inventory Organization:Â Displaying ceramic pottery well takes some real thought. I reviewed all the pieces I had available and spent time grouping them in a way that made sense. I displayed my unique bowls together, round ceramic vases in another group, and ceramic sculptures in their own distinct area. This helped me visualize what I would need in terms of tables, stands, and signage.
Refreshments:Â To complement the relaxed, social vibe I was going for, I planned a simple, fall-inspired refreshment menu. I made sure to have a nice mix of wine and hot apple cider to sip on, plus a small spread of appetizers including cheeses, seasonal fruits, and crackers.
Packaging Supplies: With holiday shopping on people’s minds, I wanted every purchase to be gift-ready. So, I stocked up on boxes, tissue paper, packing material, and plenty of bubble wrap. That way, I could ensure every piece was safely packed on the spot.
Event Layout:Â I drew out a quick layout of my home and marked where each group of items would go. I wanted to create a smooth flow for people to browse naturally and comfortably.
Promotion:Â About a week and a half before the event, I started getting the word out. I sent out a text and email to my customer list and also made a point to personally invite some of my neighbors. I kept the promotion simple but warm.
Setting Up for the Day
Putting it all together was a lot of fun. I arranged my pieces in three 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. Â I played with different types of arrangements until it all felt balanced and inviting. I arranged my ceramic sculptures in one area of my home and displayed my wavy ceramic bowls, ceramic decorative vases, ceramic platters, 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 service 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.
Customer Favorites
One of my favorite parts of the Sip and Shop was seeing which pieces people were drawn to. It’s always fun to watch what catches someone’s eye in person—the way they run their hand over a textured surface or lean in to get a closer look at the glaze. A few pieces definitely stood out and sold quickly. I thought I’d share a little about those favorites here in case you missed the event but still want to take a look online.
Decorative Pottery Bowls - My wavy ceramic bowls were definitely a favorite. People were really drawn to their soft, flowing edges and the mix of ocean blues and greens in the glaze. Whether used as a centerpiece or to serve something special, these decorative pottery bowls are always conversation starters.
Textured Ceramic Vases - My organic round textured vases with floral designs were another favorite. People loved their natural, tactile surfaces and the way they could work as both statement pieces and subtle home accents.
Little Luxuries - Smaller ceramic pieces and handmade accessories were perfect for guests looking for unique stocking stuffers or thoughtful add-ons. These included unique trinket dishes and ceramic garlic grater plates, which were a big hit.
Thank You!
I’m really grateful to everyone who stopped by, and don't worry if you couldn’t make it this time. I have plenty of inventory on my website.
