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What a terrible Craft fair !!!

16 years ago

This has probably been the worst craft fair I ever did . It was beyond awful . I sold ONE plate . It wasn't because people weren't buying --- there were no people to BUY ! The organizer said there would be 1,000 to 1,500 at the event ---- there probably was ---- all outside at the track meet. Whenever anyone came in - it was for the bake sale . I'd "generously" estimate ...... 100 people went through.I was soooo looking forward to this .... now I'm having my own little pity party . I'm so disappointed. My first & only spring craft fair was a bust . Now I have tons of stuff & no where to go with it.

Oh well .... I'll keep my chin up ...

PS ...Thanks for all the happy posts you made ! It really cheered me up knowing people were pulling for me ! !

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Comments (8)

susiesunshine
16 years ago
Same durn thing happened to me my very 1st craft show......
Bust.....
but....... I met some nice people... & later on
some people who had taken my card contacted me... and
did get a few orders.... so...........hang in there ! ! !

Now.... for crafty ideas....
HOW ABOUT >>>>>>>
*** some little specialty shops in your area...
they might take some on consignment...
they..... *** Might use some of the flowers in
there window displays.... and let you put a sign
by it to contact you via... the web.... etc.... ! ! !

* * how about telling some fancy retirement centers...
that you will show... them in the ARTS & CRAFTS ...
center... HOW TO MAKE>>> OR maybe they will just
let you sell in the GIFT SHOP>>>.

OR * * * at the HOSPITAL GIFT SHOPS>>>>
cause they are....
dish flowers... and they won't go bad... ! ! !

YOU CAN STILL HAVE SUCCESS ! ! !

remember MS TOOMUCHGLASS YOU are a WINNER....
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Love your ideas.....
I wish I had extra cash to buy some from you....
I adore them....
I think everyone should have three or five
at least ! ! ! !

Oh yes.... Kenosha has an art thing on the pier and
then... Port Washington....
so
you might mosey on over to some of those ! ! !

Love Ya Bunches !
One of your BIG FANS ! ! !
GOD BLESS !
SusieSunshine
toomuchglass
Original Author
16 years ago
SS -- you sure know how to cheer someone up !!! You have some Great Ideas ! ((((((( Hugs ))))))))) !!!!
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This is the thread that won't die. Such a good topic. I didn't see much that interested me at craft fairs still. Except someone was making fairy wings for dolls, I thought they were awful cute, but didn't buy. Then I wished I had for the little girls down the street for Christmas. Well I didn't do too well last year. So I kind of stopped making to sell and managed to put all my plate flowers in my own garden, almost. Then people started asking me for things, and I sold some on word of mouth, so maybe I'll start up again. Last fall may have just been slow. A friend of a friend asked to buy a couple of my coffee bag wallets so I sold them to her. She just emailed me to say that the local coop may be interested in carrying them. Woudn't that be fun. I've been concentrating on my house this spring/summer (repainting, overhauling garden, refurbishing porch furniture, getting ready to build new garage), but I'd like to try selling crafts again. I'm planning to start drilling glass so I can make more elaborate flowers and other things and not have to worry about them falling apart. Kathy
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Congratulations! Maybe people will buy a little more the closer it gets to the holidays. You are so right, you never know what people will buy at shows, sometimes a crafted item will sell like hot cakes and at the next show, it just lays there. Good luck on your next show. I have one next Sat. at local Fire Station! :o)
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I wish there was an answer to this problem - I went to a small church where there were only 9 vendors but the church ladies made sure they were only hand made items being sold... I only made $575 for the two days but everyone was so nice and the atmosphere was wonderful. You might look for juried craft shows, but that doesn't always work when people lie about the things they sell. We have one gal at the Farmer's Msrket that buys manufactured items and adds a dot of paint and calls it her own...
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luna_llena_feliz
16 years ago
Egads! There were so many cars around there I couldn't find a place to park. Here I thought they were all there for the craft show! And I would have probably been your best customer!

Let me know when you will be doing another show (where there isn't a track meet) and I'll do my best to be there!
toomuchglass
Original Author
16 years ago
No other shows planned Luna . Thanks for trying to get there (((((( hugs )))))) I'll have to think of a
PLAN B ..... LOL
luvstocraft
16 years ago
Toomuchglass, take a couple to a garden center and ask if they might like to buy them or even take them on consignment. I bet they would be a big seller somewhere like that. Just be brave and ask--the worst that can happen is they will say "NO". Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

They are just so beautiful, but the track meet crowd were probably not the type of customer who would be interested in them. Hang in there, they will be good sellers, I just know it.

P.S. Are you on a main street where you could put a few on display in your yard with a price sign?

Luvs
luvs2click
16 years ago
Sorry to hear your bad news - but I have learned through trial and error that when a craft show is combined with any other event, it's not worth the time. People are there for the "event" - be it apple butter festival, car show, etc. and it is not the same kind of crowd that does craft shows. Please don't give up though - there are better avenues - good suggestions above. I am trying one at a garden center this summer - I am kind of nervous about it as I don't normally do spring/summer shows.

By the way, I have also found that I do better at shows where people have to pay to get in. It must weed out the "lookers" and attract serious buyers. I know it works for me because I usually don't go (as a shopper) to shows I have to pay to get in, but then again, I usually am more of a looker.

Hang in there - it's a learning process!
Arlene
cindee11461
16 years ago
What about trying a farmers market in your town? I think they would get a lot of attention there!!!!
jeannespines
16 years ago
Toomuchglass - My DH and I are doing the Farmers' Market on Sat. mornings this summer...we've had 2 so far and terrible weather...but have done ok...you get the die-hards and lookers that may buy the next week. If you have a good one, give it a try! Some love the garden stuff (as I do)...and it is fun! Jeanne S. ...I sold one of my 3 hole round condo bdhse last week...along with several photo cards even in the bad weather and we're supposed to have great 70's this Sat.!

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