encouragement needed :(

[sandra]

I had my first show of the season, which would be my second total. first show I did a little over a hundred dollars took about seventy worth of orders. I thought well, that's not to bad, it was a small show, about 30 venders. Not a juried show. Yesterday I had my second show, it was juried, only 35.00 fee. Much larger attendance than the first however I didn't even make my booth fee back. I know it's all trial an error, learn an go on to the next. But it is kinda scary knowing I must make more product for bigger an better show, which means more investment. Then you still don't know if it will pay off. Any suggestions or comments would be geart. I need all the encouragement I can get.
sandra

[Steviegwood]

Hi Sandra, don't let one show discourage you. I had the first show that I had ever done make me quit going to shows. So I lost a lot of potential sales by giving up. I would go to shows and browse and see things being sold similar to my own for a lot more than I charged. I am just now toying with the idea of entering some shows again but I will certainly have a different approach and attitude in doing so. I know that people will buy if they see. Mostly on impulse. So if I do not have it out there being displayed I can not sell. What I do not sell at one show may sell better at the next. As I get deeper in different inventory I am feeling more confident about doing a show also. I hope that you do not give up on shows as quickly as I did. Steve

[DukeNukem]

Originally Posted by sandra

I had my first show of the season, which would be my second total. first show I did a little over a hundred dollars took about seventy worth of orders. I thought well, that's not to bad, it was a small show, about 30 venders. Not a juried show. Yesterday I had my second show, it was juried, only 35.00 fee. Much larger attendance than the first however I didn't even make my booth fee back. I know it's all trial an error, learn an go on to the next. But it is kinda scary knowing I must make more product for bigger an better show, which means more investment. Then you still don't know if it will pay off. Any suggestions or comments would be geart. I need all the encouragement I can get.
sandra

Don't give up ever.I wish I could find a show that only cost $35.00 the cheapest one I've found out here is $350.00 plus a $45.00 filing fee lol.but I wont stop scrolling or trying to find the less expensive shows.Jerry

[FRETDUST]

Hi Sandra
As others have said, don't give up. I had a show a few years ago with over 50 different mini clocks in it and never sold one and no orders. You might want to see if there are any stores that would work on a consignment basis. Good luck and keep cutting.

Steve in Mi.

[CanadianScroller]

Shows can be as fickle as the people who attend them
There are some I will go to some I avoid like the plague.
There is a local show which many have had success at but I am to afraid to go to. The sign up is $200.00 and then they want 10 percent of sales.
Since I always under charge, I would run in the negative so I wont go.

I find sometimes people will attend shows for ideas, then unfortunately run home and cut out similar projects.

There is a show in Surrey BC when a friend of mine takes tole work. Here in my town she is lucky to get $15 for a piece. At the Surrey show she will get $45 to $75 for the same type of work.
It really pays to check your market before you attend.
Also don't sell yourself short. The difference between a piece of art and a simple craft is often only the selling price.

Try and get a name for yourself, you will find people coming back to shows looking for your work. Sometimes newspapers are looking for human interest stories and will feature scrolling artists in the local news section.
All it takes is a phone call to the local paper. If you don't feel comfortable making the call, perhaps a relative or a friend can do it for you.
You would be amazed what that will do for marketing your product.
As for making more product, I do not know what you like to scroll, but sometimes the market allows us to sell one item for $100 easier than 100 items for $1.

Do not give up enjoy the scrolling, enjoy the shows but don't let it become a burden.

[Jediscroller]

As has been said, it takes time to find the right venues. I only do 1 $30 show but I do it every year. Odds are, there's a reason a show's very cheap and it usually has to do with attendance. I try to do shows with high attendance (5000 or more) as the more people that come the better my chance for sales. Of course, a show with 30 or 40 thousand attendance charges a lot more to get into. I've had shows with zero sales and shows where I never had a chance to even sit down due to a steady flow of customers. I look at it as every show's a learning experience. I've found that a nice variety really helps as well. My first show this year I sold out of mini clocks and only sold a few portraits, my second show I sold out of several different portraits and only sold a few clocks so you just never know what would sell. Talk to other crafters, find out what shows are good, etc.

[will8989]

I find that spring/summer shows just don't do as well as the fall and christmas shows, for whatever reason. Also like some of you have said, what walks off the table at one show will get carted home by me at another. I think if you find some that you really like, for whatever reason, keep doing it and sooner or later someone will say, while someone else is looking at an item at your table "I know her work and it's great! You can't go wrong!" Believe me it does happen. Also have at your table a list of show dates in the future you are doing for people to take with them. I have mine marked "15% off at one of these shows" and I usually get one or two a show. Also make up a mailing list, either have them sign up or copy info from checks if you take checks. I'm finding with everyday living expenses going up and up people are having less disposable money right now, I am trying to keep my items smaller & prices lower. And if you have a sales tax license, take a copy with you when you go to purchase something and you don't pay sales tax on some items. Better yet, open a business checking account and get a visa card on that account. When the clerk runs it for a purchase, it automatically doesn't charge sales tax on the proper items, like wood! Every penny helps! Good luck!

Betty