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Crafts & Decorations

first craft show report

17 years ago

Well, it was lousy! I sold $9, the table cost me $5, and I was so cold I bought a mocha coffee for $3.20 - guess I actually made 80 cents.

It was held at a YMCA on a Saturday morning. Turns out we all were in the halls - at least I was second from the front door - even though it made it pretty cold. But people down the side halls had no traffic. We only had about 7 feet long to use, both sides of the hall were used so each crafter just put up one table and tried to squeeze a chair in somewhere. Also, the electric went out for a couple of hours, so the lady with the wine bottles and glass blocks with lights didn't do anything then, after the elec came back she sold 1 bottle and one glass block I think.

I am not going to let it discourage me - I thought it would be well advertised, my mistake. I think the only traffic we had was people taking kids to class (hurry, hurry we are late and after class we have to go to soccer), or people going to work out (very focused - get in and get out). I will be doing a "real" craft show on the 11th. One where people are there because they want to go to a craft show, not because they just ran into it.

The jewelry lady next to me sold one pair of $6 earrings. The Book lady looked like she was doing ok, probably because so many moms were at the Y. The rose lady (with smelly sticks, it was a long day with that smell beside me) sold a few - they were 50 cents for one.

Will let you know about my next one on the 11th - if it doesn't go well, I give up, and my family and friends will be getting dang it dolls and cake in a mug and bowls made from records.

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Comment (1)

williamsburgjane
17 years ago
Danaoh, Don't give up! I think all of us have had a show like that, I know I have! Each show you do gives you more experience. I have found that even in an inside show, dress in layers, you can either peel off if it gets too warm or put on that extra sweater if its cold. You know it wasn't what you were selling, everybody else was having the same bad day! Be thankful it was a cheap show to get in, most one day shows around here run from $15.00 to $50.00 per show. Chalk it up as a learning experience and have fun at the next show. My first show this year is on the 11th too, so I'll be thinking about you and keeping my fingers crossed we both do good that day. :o)
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I went to a craft show today too and I'll agree with Kathy, way too many of jewelry crafters. I will say a lot of the jewelry items were gorgeous but I don't wear a lot of it these days. I suppose if that's what you're after, that's good, but me, I'm looking for the homemade country/prim crafts. There were some beautiful crafts of course. I sought out this one gal who makes handmade felt ornies and I spent just under $20. I was a good girl then and handed all my cash over to my girlfriend so I couldn't spend anymore. One gal was selling decorated Xmas trees and she had sold all of them except for two. She was then taking orders. They were really nice. One was a fall tree and the others were Xmas. The painted gourds were awesome and I could have grabbed the Halloween painted one for $25 but as I said, I was a good girl and to keep me from spending way too much which can easily be done with my pocketbook. I have this craft addiction you see... and I just can't get enough of it. LOL, but then again, no laughs cause it can get me in trouble. I especially liked the holiday tablerunners, those were $25 or more. Then the hand lotions, soaps and candles were all around also. The handmade wooden sconces were nice but a little pricey if you ask me. I really need to learn how to use the scroll saw I bought, it would save so much in wood things I need for my projects. One gal whose been at this particular show before does the prim stuff and with no $$ on me, all I could do was look. I think she should sell on eBay, her stuff is that nice and I think folks were snatch it right up. I talked to her to do it and she said she's thought about it before but was afraid too. I told her if I can do it, anyone can. It is disappointing when something you labored over doesn't sell, but then again, that's what eBay is all about. Ok, I'm rattling on here, need to get some housecleaning done, or should I craft instead!!! Sal
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You didn't sell the purses because everything else was $5.00 After you rid yourself of the items you longer wish to carry, the purses will move as I believe they are priced just right. We have always had a saying in this business: "Quick nickels are better than slow dimes". And we price our products accordingly. But a secret here is to establish your price and then lower yout COSTS. Thus increasing PROFIT.
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We're doing a large show in Salem, New Hampshire next Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nov 10, 11, & 12 There will be over 250 exhibitors from all over New England at this show. When I get back on Monday I'll give a review.
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I'm happy to hear it went well for you. It's always fulfilling when a project turns out well. I would recommend writing up some notes for next year's event. Make a list of how many vendors you had, number of tables, what sold, what didn't, what worked and what didn't and any ideas for next year including best weekends, etc. You need to start thinking about what product expansion you can have because you'll want to have new things to encourage people to come back every year.
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