Home Shows?

[Jediscroller]

I've read about other crafters having terrific success with home shows. My questions are:
Has anyone ever done one?
Did you take orders or was it a cash and carry?
What did you do for a set-up?
Did you do it in your own home or did you have a host/hostess for the show?

As far as what I'm thinking of doing. I'm planning on the cash and carry with a host/hostess inviting friends. I plan on bringing lots of clocks and ornaments (great gifts) and perhaps a catalogue with pics of the different portraits along with just a few of the actual portraits (easier to set up that way).

[Chase]

Kevin, before my eye went out I was going to try and sell a few schwibbogens and other C'mas type (ornaments, etc.) cuttings. I did the research and worked up a "History of Schwibbogen" paper that I include with all schwibs I either give away or sell. (Probably give more away than I sell.)

What I was going to do is contact German/American Clubs, Book Clubs, Woman's Clubs, etc. and give a 5 or 10 minute talk on schwibs and scrolling. Take my saw and do a demo of scroll sawing, let them try scrolling, and have enough stuff there to sell. Even offer a prize to the best scroller.

Just a thought. Not a home show, but close.

Chase

[wood-n-things]

I had a gal who sells Avon carrying a small catalog and a few samples and she got several orders for me that way. I had thought of doing the Tupperware style home shows but just never tried it. i think it would work. I think in a short period of time you could have several people toting around your catalog. Don't forget to take a lap top with patterns on it for those special orders. Impulse sales are great.

[Pajaro]

MMMMMMMMMMMMM I like that idea. Thanks.

[Ellenburg48]

I think this is a super idea Kevin........and it might just go over really well! I'd be interested in hearing your results.

You might add some little "party" gifts..........simple little tokens to give to everyone at the home party. Everyone loves free and you might just get more sales..........in the very least it will keep your products in their minds and they will be telling their friends, etc...

Keep us posted!
Christina

[dragyn]

The idea is a good one. In my neck of the woods (no pun intended) it probably wouldn't go over that well as we have such a range of income potentials that I could not attacrt a consistent crowd.

Still would like to hear your experiences.

[guitarman]

My wife and I had what we called an "open house" about a year ago and it was a outstanding success. We did it in our sun room on the back side of our house. I rearranged the furniture and we set it up just like we do for our shows, or as much like it that we could with the space that was there. My wife is a painter and she set up on one end and I on the other. I put a sign in my front yard 4 or 5 days before telling about it and word passed through people stopping by. We didn't advertise a lot, just word of mouth. It did so well most of the people asked if we were going to do it again. We decided to do it this year the first of December. We expect it to be more of a turnout than last year. I hope so. We both took orders along with the things that we sold. In about 5 hours we sold over 1,000 dollars worth of stuff. This year hopefully will be better. We had a lot of fun with this. We didn't have to pay for rental space and the items we sold were already here to begin with. We decided it was successful enough to give it another try. David

[JohnB]

G'day Kevin,
I've had two of those "Parties", both when I was only making toys and they were both huge successes.

The first was conducted by a friend of my wifes. I took the toys around to her house and made a stack of order forms. Orders where strictly cash up front. I offered the hostess either 10% of sales in cash or 15% in toys. She ended up with almost $200 worth of toys.
The other we had at home and Elizabeth just invited some of her friends that had small kids, that was a success too.

Another style If done about a dozen of is to take the toys to kindys and set them up in the morning, collect them in the arvo, and let the Kindys pick 20% of the sale in toys for the organisation.

[justjimmyb]

A wine party always works!
You put up some cheese and crackers a few bottles of wine and you'll sell some stuff!
Maybe even your lil pal with the pipes will tell his friends. Pipe people have money to spend too!!
Jimmy

[Terry Jay]

Older homes? Gingerbread. All special order due to angles. Just a thought.