Just As I Expected - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

DaveG · 12-28-2008, 01:10 PM

The largest craft show of the year in my home town of Joplin, MO has come and gone. It was indeed a record setter. The worst turnout in years.
I made just over $100. Pitiful. Lots of lookers everywhere, but few buyers for anyone.
Economic times, the show being less than two weeks before Christmas and the weather all influenced the show attendance. Plus I was cursed years ago by a lovely lady named Carolyn, who said I never sold anything anyway. Why does she have to be so right?
But I will endeavor to persevere. I will go back next year and one day my ship will come in. Just hope it isn't the Titanic.
To those of you with similar results, don't get discouraged, just keep on keeping on.

Dave

Kepy · 12-28-2008, 01:36 PM

Dave, have you thought about doubling your prices. Then you would have made over 200.

Janette · 12-28-2008, 05:27 PM

It was a tough sell at the Christmas show we did as well. People are holding on to their money more than ever waiting to see what the economy does. Hang in there and don't be discouraged!

Haggard3230 · 12-28-2008, 10:22 PM

Same thing here Dave, I have things on consignment and nobody's buying.
Merle

paul44224 · 12-29-2008, 07:09 AM

Just my two cents! Look for some new outlets! Make one of Sylvia's anniv. ring thingie, take it to a couple of local bridal shops. One for display, take custom orders. Do pet portraits? Look up pet funeral places. Do a nice one, take to the funeral place, another special order item. Like doing train portraits? Take one to a local non-chain store,talk to them about a consignment deal. Just a few suggestions!
Gotta get creative!
Paul

AKAkopa · 12-29-2008, 02:56 PM

I did 4 shows this year here in Michigan this year. I made less (about 1/4 of sales) at these 4 shows than I did last year out in California when I just hung a sign in the front yard (Crafts Sale) and sold out of my garage for 4 weekends before Christmas. Sales in our studio have also been just about non-existent. At least the wife is selling a few of her paintings and painted goods.

Have managed to pick up a bit of custom order work now and again. Economy being in the tank (especially here in Michigan) is what I lay the blame on as people are now watching ALL their pennies. Hopefully, in the near future things will get better for ALL of us, whether it be buying or selling!

Pat

Pintail · 12-29-2008, 03:09 PM

Dave,
When your ship comes in you don't have to worry about it being the
Titanic. That ship never made it far enough to come in.

edward · 12-29-2008, 03:32 PM

I agree with Dave, crafts shows haven't been up tp par this year, many lookers and no buyers. I've done 10 shows this year and only 2 were good, and that was near Christmas time, and looking forward to next year, hopefully it will be better.Keep on plugging Edward

rja · 12-29-2008, 03:36 PM

When MY ship comes in it will be in the form of a leaking old dingy!

Shannon · 12-29-2008, 07:48 PM

I know personally I spent about 1/2 what I normally do for Christmas. We just didn't have it.

So I'm sure it's not your work - just people watching their pennies. Hopefully next year will be better for everyone.

12-28-2008, 01:10 PM	#1
DaveG Moderator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: All Over Posts: 38	Just As I Expected The largest craft show of the year in my home town of Joplin, MO has come and gone. It was indeed a record setter. The worst turnout in years. I made just over $100. Pitiful. Lots of lookers everywhere, but few buyers for anyone. Economic times, the show being less than two weeks before Christmas and the weather all influenced the show attendance. Plus I was cursed years ago by a lovely lady named Carolyn, who said I never sold anything anyway. Why does she have to be so right? But I will endeavor to persevere. I will go back next year and one day my ship will come in. Just hope it isn't the Titanic. To those of you with similar results, don't get discouraged, just keep on keeping on. Dave

12-28-2008, 05:27 PM	#3
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,326 Blog Entries: 4	It was a tough sell at the Christmas show we did as well. People are holding on to their money more than ever waiting to see what the economy does. Hang in there and don't be discouraged! __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

12-29-2008, 07:09 AM	#5
paul44224 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stow,Oh Posts: 230	Just my two cents! Look for some new outlets! Make one of Sylvia's anniv. ring thingie, take it to a couple of local bridal shops. One for display, take custom orders. Do pet portraits? Look up pet funeral places. Do a nice one, take to the funeral place, another special order item. Like doing train portraits? Take one to a local non-chain store,talk to them about a consignment deal. Just a few suggestions! Gotta get creative! Paul Last edited by paul44224; 12-29-2008 at 08:51 AM.

12-29-2008, 03:32 PM	#8
edward Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 354	I agree with Dave, crafts shows haven't been up tp par this year, many lookers and no buyers. I've done 10 shows this year and only 2 were good, and that was near Christmas time, and looking forward to next year, hopefully it will be better.Keep on plugging Edward __________________ http://www.scrollsawer.com/gallery/s...00&ppuser=6384

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12-28-2008, 01:36 PM	#2
Kepy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Elkland, MO Posts: 171	Dave, have you thought about doubling your prices. Then you would have made over 200.

12-28-2008, 10:22 PM	#4
Haggard3230 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Riverton, KS on Route 66 Posts: 3,561	Same thing here Dave, I have things on consignment and nobody's buying. Merle

12-29-2008, 02:56 PM	#6
AKAkopa Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 251	I did 4 shows this year here in Michigan this year. I made less (about 1/4 of sales) at these 4 shows than I did last year out in California when I just hung a sign in the front yard (Crafts Sale) and sold out of my garage for 4 weekends before Christmas. Sales in our studio have also been just about non-existent. At least the wife is selling a few of her paintings and painted goods. Have managed to pick up a bit of custom order work now and again. Economy being in the tank (especially here in Michigan) is what I lay the blame on as people are now watching ALL their pennies. Hopefully, in the near future things will get better for ALL of us, whether it be buying or selling! Pat

12-29-2008, 03:09 PM	#7
Pintail Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 27	Dave, When your ship comes in you don't have to worry about it being the Titanic. That ship never made it far enough to come in.

12-29-2008, 03:36 PM	#9
rja Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Plum Borough, Pennsylvania Posts: 101	When MY ship comes in it will be in the form of a leaking old dingy!

12-29-2008, 07:48 PM	#10
Shannon Editorial Manager Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 360	I know personally I spent about 1/2 what I normally do for Christmas. We just didn't have it. So I'm sure it's not your work - just people watching their pennies. Hopefully next year will be better for everyone.