First Real Craft Show

[azbison]

I was so excited to do a real craft show. My first one. Well, the story is, I still am waiting to do my first one. The show I did, a cornfest, was all about food, I barely made booth rent.

But not all rewards are monetary. I got tuned into the right shows to do. I had one other scroller at the show, but his art is mostly around fretwork portraits, and I'm more of a 3D guy. So we swapped lies, stories, patterns and had a good time. Another old salt came by and gave me some good ideas on blade dressing and stack cutting. Things I had not heard of before.

I might have a partnership with some jewelry ladies to do custom wooden pendants. We'll see if it really happens.

I was accosted by two little ol' church ladies asking me where my factory was. When I told them my garage, they didn't believe me. Finally when they did, they invited me to their church sponsored craft fair in November. I think I'm going to go.

I found out that I'm probably losing business because I don't take credit cards. Well I remedied that problem today. I also ordered banners and am working on new displays. I'll post plans when I get 'em done. I think everyone might be able to tweak them and use 'em.

I also got a special order to build a puzzle of an eagle in 14 (exact) pieces. The coach of a girls softball team is going to give each girl and coach a piece and they are going to put it together before each game to show they can't make a whole without the efforts of everyone.

So.... my first real craft show now is this next weekend in Pine-Strawberry. It's a mountain town up the hill from Phoenix. It's a juried show and I had to pull some strings to get in at the last minute. But I'm in and I think I'll do much better when the main focus is the art and craft, not the butter-dripping corn.

Thanks for listenin'

[Doc249HMCS]

Congratulations Jim! My best wishes for your new business

[will8989]

Sounds like you're off to a great start! And you're right about credit cards. My business jumped almost 50% once I started taking them. Just make sure to check ID & get a phone number if you can't verify the account. I would certainly do the little 'ol ladies church show. Those little 'ol ladies spend spend spend!!

Betty

[Forester21]

Actually, it sounds like you had a very successful first show already! You've made a lot of new contacts and got a lot of information. I LOVE the idea of the 14 piece eagle!! cudos to that coach for a great lesson to the kids!
Theresa

[Dragon]

Congratulations on a great start.
Diane

[Toolman56]

Wtg on your show, the most thing is you had fun and got out and meet people and see what they wanted.

[CharlieDearing]

Can someone take the time in detail to tell me just how you can accept credit cards? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread.

[Jediscroller]

Jim,
Making anything at your first show is a success! Congrats.

Originally Posted by CharlieDearing

Can someone take the time in detail to tell me just how you can accept credit cards? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread.

Charlie,
You'll need a merchant account provider. Most local banks offer this service as well as tons of providers around the country who specialize in merchant accounts. The fees vary from provider to provider and it's one thing to look for when setting up a merchant account. Some have monthly minimum charges, statement fees and the rates vary from ~ 1% - > 4% per sale + a transaction fee typically around 25 cents.
There's a few ways to accept credit cards at shows, you can dial in the CC # for approval, use a wireless terminal or use a "knuckle buster" and run everything in the evening after the show. The knuckle buster does carry the risk of a declined card but in 6 years I've never had a problem with this method.
Approximately 60% of my craft show sales are credit card. People have trouble dishing out a hundred or so dollars in cash but have no problem dishing it out in plastic.

[Big_red_S]

Originally Posted by CharlieDearing

Can someone take the time in detail to tell me just how you can accept credit cards? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread.

As Kevin mentioned you'll need a merchant account and maybe even a business account with your bank (higher fees).

The other solution is to have an Internet enabled laptop & have people pay you through paypal on the spot.

[~greg]

Great job on your first show. Still don't have the courage built up yet for my first.
Been to Strawberry in a previous life. Rode my motorcycle from Phoenix up there one day when I had nothing else better to do. One of my best memories. I know you'll have a great time.