Craft Shows Tips and Suggestions - Page 5 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

ffinnell · 06-17-2009, 10:54 PM

Real good info. Thanks. Have been scrolling now for about 5 years, and have just decided to start showing and trying to sell some of my work. Have been to one fair so far and did like you mentioned, sold enough to cover the cost of my booth, but got a real education. I live in South Carolina in a section that is not very conducive to scroll saw work, however have a couple of pieces on display at the Farmers Market, just to show what I can do. Met some nice folks who gave me some good tips also, suggested I make some American Indian art. There are several tribes of Indians close by, so I am going to try my hand at it along with fish, deer, wolves etc. Thanks Again "Popi"

Steve_S · 06-18-2009, 12:18 AM

Attended my first show last Sunday at a weekly Artisians Farmers Market. (No produce on Sunday) You had to submit information ahead of time to prove you were actually making the product and not reselling. Had to show parts in proces and receipts for raw material. Probably 60 other crafters. Ten of us were "daily" and the rest were annual payments.

Good News, only $15 for the day!!! I had 8 ft square spot. Bad News, sold nothing

Great News is that I learned more than 10 times the fee. Even though I had scouted the show once a month earlier, you don't understand the whole process until being an actual participant. Even with planning, I didn't have info flyers, signage or even business cards. Other crafters gave me several good tips and I was so much more observant of set ups than when I scouted it out earlier.

The no sales wasn't depressing since I didn't see a lot of buying going on. Economy or that certain weekend may have played a role. But with over 40 regulars showing with significant inventory, I expect the future weekends to be better.

I did have one person who wanted me to take a credit card, but I told them that I was only capable of cash at the time. They asked about my being back next weekend and I think they will stop to buy (with cash).

Lesson #1 - Just start and do it. (Cheap if possible)

will8989 · 07-19-2009, 04:07 AM

And sometimes payment isn't all money!! Did a street show last Sunday, last minute sort of thing. 10-12, sales were $10. Nothing until 1, than 1-3, $200, and a cherry tree someone wanted cut up and removed (hubby's turning club will take care of that with me getting first choice). Also a lead on a blackwalnut tree!

Betty

TigerJoy · 09-08-2009, 11:50 PM

Thank you so much. I'm going to be going to my first craft show in December, and the panic is already setting in.

This helps me calm down and think things through a bit better. Thanks for the help!
Trisha

tmonk515 · 10-16-2009, 05:25 AM

thinks just starting out

07-19-2009, 04:07 AM	#43
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 1,204	And sometimes payment isn't all money!! Did a street show last Sunday, last minute sort of thing. 10-12, sales were $10. Nothing until 1, than 1-3, $200, and a cherry tree someone wanted cut up and removed (hubby's turning club will take care of that with me getting first choice). Also a lead on a blackwalnut tree! Betty __________________ A woodworker never has too many clamps!!

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06-17-2009, 10:54 PM	#41
ffinnell Popi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marion SC Posts: 7	Real good info. Thanks. Have been scrolling now for about 5 years, and have just decided to start showing and trying to sell some of my work. Have been to one fair so far and did like you mentioned, sold enough to cover the cost of my booth, but got a real education. I live in South Carolina in a section that is not very conducive to scroll saw work, however have a couple of pieces on display at the Farmers Market, just to show what I can do. Met some nice folks who gave me some good tips also, suggested I make some American Indian art. There are several tribes of Indians close by, so I am going to try my hand at it along with fish, deer, wolves etc. Thanks Again "Popi"

06-18-2009, 12:18 AM	#42
Steve_S Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 16	Attended my first show last Sunday at a weekly Artisians Farmers Market. (No produce on Sunday) You had to submit information ahead of time to prove you were actually making the product and not reselling. Had to show parts in proces and receipts for raw material. Probably 60 other crafters. Ten of us were "daily" and the rest were annual payments. Good News, only $15 for the day!!! I had 8 ft square spot. Bad News, sold nothing Great News is that I learned more than 10 times the fee. Even though I had scouted the show once a month earlier, you don't understand the whole process until being an actual participant. Even with planning, I didn't have info flyers, signage or even business cards. Other crafters gave me several good tips and I was so much more observant of set ups than when I scouted it out earlier. The no sales wasn't depressing since I didn't see a lot of buying going on. Economy or that certain weekend may have played a role. But with over 40 regulars showing with significant inventory, I expect the future weekends to be better. I did have one person who wanted me to take a credit card, but I told them that I was only capable of cash at the time. They asked about my being back next weekend and I think they will stop to buy (with cash). Lesson #1 - Just start and do it. (Cheap if possible)

09-08-2009, 11:50 PM	#44
TigerJoy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 9	Thank you so much. I'm going to be going to my first craft show in December, and the panic is already setting in. This helps me calm down and think things through a bit better. Thanks for the help! Trisha

10-16-2009, 05:25 AM	#45
tmonk515 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11	thinks just starting out