Craft Show- follow up on results....
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
United States
April 23, 2009 9:04am CST
About a month ago, I started a thread on doing an early spring craft show. I wondered if any of the myLotters from the craft forum had participated in any shows and if they were successful. A few of us were about to do a show, and I'm hoping to hear how well the show did (or hopefully not- how well the show didn't do) I'll start off...
The show I did was a small, off the beaten track type of show. The table fees went to a non-profit organization, so in honesty, it was like making a small donation.
The show wasn't very well attended. While the day was sunny, it was also quite cold until mid-afternoon and the show only ran for 4 hours, so by the time the weather became nice, it was time to breakdown, pack up and head home.
While there weren't many people there, those that did come out, seemed to be willing to open their wallets and pocketbooks and i did do fairly well considering the turnout. In all, I have had better shows, but I didn't really do a lot of preparation (like I do for bigger shows) and for a 4 hour show I made more money than I thought I would, so for me it was worth the time.
How about everyone else? Has anyone participated in a craft show in 2009? Was the traffic flow what you expected and more importantly, were the people interested in buying items?
PS- For what it's worth, I have noticed a large increase in traffic to my online shops over the last couple of weeks... maybe the combo of the tax deadline passing and the warmer weather has some people in the mood to spend some money on themselves.
2 people like this
8 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Apr 09
It was great to read this discussion early in the morning. Craft discussions always grab my attention. Sounds like you had a good day considering the flow of traffic was rather slow. Hopefully Etsy sales will pick up.
I haven't done any craft shows in almost 2 years. Couldn't handle the bending and lifting last summer. Back problems kept me home. Because my crafts are not expensive, it's not always profitable to get a booth alone. In the past I have worked with 2 others so the price was right. Had days where I made more money than the ladies with me and they were selling nice jewelry. I have been working on stock and am way ahead so am waiting for the right time and fair/show to come along. Have also been working on Sesame Street projects for our grandbaby. They are so time consuming but fun to make.
Much success with your craft shows and Etsy,
carolbee
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
Hi Carolbee! Out-selling jewelers, that must've been a great selling day! I know what you mean about the lifting and bending, tho. Luckily, my hubby does all the set-up work for me and brings my tables and chairs from the car (but when it comes to setting up my table displays, I send him for coffee...lol)
The total number of sales on Etsy have been down for 2009, but the dollar figures are higher for each month, so far...so no complaints here. My two other online shops are both very slow, under-stocked and not promoted very well. I've been concentrating on building up my inventory for a consignment in a museum at a very popular beach location on the NJ shore, so I appreciate the small break.
I do have a few summer show on my calendar and a couple of them have great selling potential (weather permitting). I hope you find a great opportunity for your creations...I'm sure you'll do well!
Thanks for your response!!
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
Thank you for compliments on the bracelet. Cobalt blue sea glass is one of my favorite "finds" when we go hunting for sea glass. Red is much rarer, but I just love the blues (which are pretty rare themselves) as they look so pretty when I find them in the surf...all wet and glistening in the sun.
The cornflower blue pieces seem to sell better than the cobalt, but I prefer the cobalt (even though it's supposed to be a "guy color"...lol)
Thanks again!
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
Good for you! I know what you mean about to much on the go... between my son's baseball,my JOB, trying to keep up with an online jewelry shop, consignments, and helping out at the local museum, it is very hard to find time to fit in shows.
I'd love to do more shows, but there is no time to prepare and my weekends are filled with family events and baseball games.
I'm glad you did well. Thanks for responding!
@sunshinegirl1 (436)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I would like to do a small craftshow. The last one I attended her it was hot and the price to rent a booth was expensive so I passed on that one. I will probadly open an online store.
@alexsis (2149)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Beautiful bracelet. It sounds like you did good with the low turnout. I never did a craft show. But I hope to do one someday. I just don't have enough time to make all the items. A lady just recently asked me can she carry some of my items in her store. So thats a start for me.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
Thank you! Yes, it wasn't bad considering the low turnout. Makes me wonder how great it could've been if more people came out.
I'm also consigning a bunch of sea glass jewelry to a museum in a beach resort area that has as many as 20,000 people visiting each week during the summer... and it seems like consigning is much easier than doing a show 
Best of luck with your consignment opportunity! I hope it opens up a few new doors and keeps you as busy with it as you want to be. I hope you keep us informed with how it turns out.
Thanks for your response!
Best of luck with your consignment opportunity! I hope it opens up a few new doors and keeps you as busy with it as you want to be. I hope you keep us informed with how it turns out.
Thanks for your response!
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
24 Apr 09
I go to pow wows as a vendor and although they are not crafts shows per say they do have many crafters in them. I will be going to several pow wows this year as a vendor and I can say that most of them I have at least broke even and a few of them I have done better than expected. One of the good things is the friendships that can be made and information abut other pow wows that are coming up (ones that are not on any list that I have).I will be needing a small trailer to pack my belongings in (when I can afford one that is) so that the car will not be overcrowded.I had a person that wishes to o with me to the pow wows but they will have to drive their car (until I get that trailer).Some of the pow wows allow other than Native crafts to be sold so that may be something for you to think about.
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@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
Last time I was in Arizona, I had hoped to attend a pow wow, but the weather canceled the event. My in-laws didn't know where any others were and I'm hoping next time we visit, I can go to one.
I love Native American crafts, I think they are incredibly beautiful! When we were in the desert in Tuscon, my hubby came across an arrowhead and pointed it out to us. Our oldest son wanted to pick it up to bring home with him, but my husband explained that he was told long ago that arrowheads should remain where they are found and the same goes for pieces of broken pottery (which we happened to come across in Northern AZ)
Best of luck at your pow wows and perhaps someday, I'll visit one that you are vending at!
Thanks for your response.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Apr 09
I have only done the one and it was awesome...I have another scheduled for June like the one you did....small in a very small town with little to nothing for booth fee....but I did it last year...why am I doing it again? The town it's in has a gas statiion, bank and pizza place.....well there is a major highway that passes the park we were in and even truckers pulled over!!! So I am looking forward to it once again...its only a 6 hours show but last year was well worth my time!When is your next show?
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@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
24 Apr 09
I don't know...call me crazy, but I love going back to smaller shows when I've done well at them in the past. I did a clam festival in a town not to far away last summer and even though it was in mid-August and brutally hot, I did very well and I'm hoping to do the show again this year (I don't think any of the crafters that I knew at the show are even considering it for this year) So I do understand that mentality about returning to a small show where you had prior success.
There's a local church show (about 5 minutes away from my house) in May, but I'm hedging on even finding out more about it. If I do that show, I'll probably be a last minute addition.
I have a show scheduled for early June and the museum where I have consigned some jewelry to their gift shop has inquired about a show in June and August (and there's a great chance that those shows attract traffic numbering into the thousands because it's at a popular NJ beach resort) I also have two EtsyNJ team shows during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July and one of those shows, is at another popular NJ beach area.
I had hoped to do only 3 or 4 shows in the summer, so I can enjoy the summer months with my family. now it looks like I'll probably end up doing at least 5 shows and I have a huge list of shows for the fall and early winter to start applying for. Hopefully we all have lots of great shows this year 
Thanks for your response!
Thanks for your response!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Apr 09
Congrats on both the show and the increase in online sales. I haven't done anything, right now, I'm working three part-time jobs, so I haven't had time to do anything. But someday. . ..
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
27 Apr 09
Thank you for the compliment! I'm so lucky that my hubby and two sons are very supportive...holding down a full-time job, trying to keep online shops and consignment shops stocked properly, and do shows, while still getting to all my sons baseball games is not an easy trick (no wonder I'm always so tired
)
I couldn't imagine trying to juggle 3 part-time jobs and do crafts also. Hopefully when "someday" comes around for you, you find success in what you do!
Thanks for your response!!
)
I couldn't imagine trying to juggle 3 part-time jobs and do crafts also. Hopefully when "someday" comes around for you, you find success in what you do!
Thanks for your response!!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I have done many Craft Shows and such in my lifetime. I used to even have a Business license so I could do these type of shows. I have not done any of these type in a few years, but can remember doing quite a few that were good along with a couple of them I would have been better off staying home. My Best one I ever did was a 4 hr. show I did over $2500 on. A lot of times I miss doing the shows but do not miss the time involved in getting ready for them.
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
8 Jun 09
It does take a great deal of time to prepare for a show. When I did shows before I started selling online, it seemed like I spent 7 or 8 days making enough items to fill a table. But since the online handmade movement, I just shut-down my shop for the day and take those goods with me. Now I only spend 2 nights making/prepping my items for the show.
$2500...Wow, that's a great show!! I can only wish to make that much in one show. Congrats to you
@venshida (4836)
• United States
30 Apr 09
I am glad you made some money. I think sometimes small events are better. I have not done any craft shows. I was checking different venues a couple of days ago, and the fees were $500 way above my budget. I am still hoping I can find something reasonable price and soon.
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Most of the shows in my area are much more reasonable. I think I do okay at the shows with the highest fees,(I think the most I paid was $100 for a 7 hour show and a two-day show for $150)but I agree with you...I do just as well at some of the lower priced shows. Of course that equals a much better return on my investment.
Most of the shows in my area haven't been just handmade crafts. They seem to be allowing resellers at most of the shows and the organizers are apparently interested in jamming as many vendors into the event as possible... and of course, they are charging more than last year. (that's probably why I don't have another show until June)
Thanks for your response!
