Weekend Craft Shows
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
United States
October 27, 2008 2:39pm CST
I had 2 shows this weekend and both were disappointments, for different reasons. The first show was a huge 97 handmade vendor show that was held at an airport. The show had a large tent that housed 47 of the vendors, and the balance of the vendors were outdoors.
If you were trying to watch the World Series game between the Phillies & Rays on Saturday night, you kind of get the idea of what the weather was like for this show.
We probably had a lot less rain, but we had unforgiving wind conditions. 15 mph sustained winds with gusts reaching a bit above 25 mph. It was a shame too, because this show was one I was looking forward too because it was heavily promoted.
Despite the bad weather conditions, the locals came out to support the show and they were there to shop!
Unfortunately, as the conditions worsened, the crowds slowed to a stop. As the winds increased, the vendors tents began to give way. Brackets snapped, canopies tore and displays were knocked over... and the customers were afraid to be under the outside tents.
The vendors had little choice but to first remove the walls on the tents to take the pressure off the tents and eventually pack up their items.
In all, the show wasn't bad, but it could have been my best show of the fall/holiday season. Hopefully the next show at this location will have Mother Nature's cooperation.
Sunday's show was considered an "A" show. The show was labeled a handmade & personalized gift show. However, there was very little forwarding thinking to the juried process. At least a dozen other jewelry vendors were at the show (a couple of which didn't make their pieces, but instead purchased them from companies that pay others to make jewelry) Their were several artists and photographers too. It certainly wasn't a very good mix of vendors and the cutomers weren't all that impressed with the variety of vendors.
This show was a total disappointment. I didn't get the impression that customers were there to spend money, instead they seemed to be walking about and many left the show empty-handed. I'll be looking for a better show to replace this one next fall/holiday season.
So who had a show this past weekend? How did the show go and did it seem like the those that came to the show were there to spend money? Let's hear about your shows your fall/holiday shows!
9 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Ouch, bad experience with your show last weekend. The wind always makes a mess of things when outside under a tent. We had this happen to us in the past. Maybe paper weights would be of some help. I have nothing planned for the future with any shows this year. If I wasn't such a whimp, I'd get into one before Christmas. If it's juried, I am sunk. The quality of items I sell aren't in the same category as jewelry. I make fun, inexpensive, plastic canvas crafts. Good luck with any upcoming shows.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I'm pretty upset with the "juried" show organizers. Despite doing a good job of promoting, they did a poor job on limiting the amount of types to a few and instead had several artists, 6 or 7 photographers and at least a dozen jewelry vendors.
When I signed up for the show, there was only 3 vendors and I was told there wouldn't be too many more allowed in (they felt they had 3 other sellers that they needed to allow in, if they applied for the show and that would be it...so I feel like they weren't honest w/ me)
It was so bad, that if I minus the amount of sales from my repeat customers, I barely made 2x the table fee.
I feel pretty secure about my remaining three shows and I'm looking to add one more, but it really has to be the right show. And none of those will be outdoor shows.
Thx for your response!!
@auntiedis (165)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I'm so sorry to hear about your shows. I had a show this past weekend that was also like that. Very rainy for the first part of the day, few people braved that. In the afternoon though, the sun came out, and so did the people, in droves. Unfortunately, we were situated on a side street, and no one came down it! :( Total disappointment. I wish that people who organize these things would take things like that into consideration. I won't write the show off as a total loss though, because there were TONS of people on the main street, they just were not going down the side streets. I will request to do it again on the main street next year.
On another note, I just got my deposit returned and a letter in the mail today that said that one of the large shows I do Thanksgiving weekend has been canceled this year! I'm so sad about this. Sadly, I hear it's happening all over, but I definitely didn't think such a large show in an expo center would be canceled.
I have one more show next weekend, and then I think I'm going to call it quits until next year. Hopefully after the elections, things will pick up and get better.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Cancelled craft shows? That's something that doesn't happen very often around here. Usually, the show organizers stop taking applications a month before the show because they're filled.
Seeing all those people at the show and not coming down to your location does stink and I would be very frustrated. Who knows how well you might have done had they found your location.
Hopefully your right... I hope it picks up after the election also!
@rosettaresearch (1285)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Oh dear, that is too bad. The first show should have realized that late October weather can be a problem and not put people outside. I hope nobody's items were damaged.
The second show signs like it was promoted as a show, not a sale. Which is fine, as long as the vendors know it too. Someone slipped up in the planning.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
28 Oct 08
The first show wasn't able to secure a rain date. They had a wedding the next day and this was their last weekend for events until the spring. It's something that will need to be considered for future shows.
I've done the 2nd show before and the turnout wwas okay, but the variety of vendors was much better. The show used to attract Avon, Tupperware-type vendors, but they weren't permitted this time and the variety clearly suffered.
At least I know the airport show is worth doing again and I'm hoping to find another show in that area before the holidays.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
28 Oct 08
That must have been frusturating. I went to a show this summer and it was so hot. I have allergys and the cottonwood trees made it look like it was snowing. But I made more then I payed for the booth so I still consider it a success. Id like to do more but they have always been so hit and miss for me.
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
28 Oct 08
The Saturday show is still frustrating me, because I just know I would've had a huge day at the airport show. The organizers did everything right and actually went over and above with their promoting. For a first time show, the people came out with the intention of buying!
What makes it even more frustrating is that the people were raving about the vendors and the quality of the items. I think they were a bit frustrated because the weather wasn't allowing them the opportunity to see all the items and they complained they felt a bit rushed because they wanted to get out of the foul weather (I can't blame them, I wanted out too)
The good thing is, that since those that came out and saw what these vendors were selling and the variety of items (this show was juried and more than 20 jewelry vendors were turned away, along with a few bath & beauty, artists, etc) they may spread the word for the next show and the turnout may end up being bigger and better than expected.
I know how you feel about having allergies on a hot day. I don't know which is worse...being sick at a craft show or having bad allergies, but I hope I don't ever have to experience either. I'm glad you made enough to consider it a success!
Thanks for your response!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
27 Oct 08
I have a sale coming up in November.....hope its a good one! Too bad mother nature had different ideas for you! I did one a few years ago in Iowa at a mall and it was supposed to be handcrafted. The people next to us were selling up a storm....all they sold were things purchased from Ohio Wholesale...several real crafters left the show very angry and demanded their money back....I talked to the people next to me and she told me how she stayed up nights painting all their products when I went through her booth I saw the labels....but she was selling everything! Kinda disgusting!
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I think this is going to be an issue with handmade shows in the near future. There are many sites on the internet that sell bulk handmade items to vendors and I think shows will need to address this, otherwise you'll have a few vendors selling the same exact handmade items. And it does stink for the crafters that actually sit there and make all of their own original creations!
Good luck with your show...let us know how it goes!
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
28 Oct 08
We did a show a few weeks back. It was our first show here in Texas and was a huge disappointment. It had a flea market feel about it. Additionally, I had lots of great jewelry to display which kept getting blown about by the wind (a huge problem for outdoor shows here in Texas) and top it all off with a lot of vendors having jewelry purchased rather then made. Many of them were selling things cheaper then I could make them (I think there were several who purchased items in Mexico being Mexican). Top that off with a lot of crafters being disappointed in the number of buyers. People just weren't spending much there and it was quite a disappointment. We will be doing our next show next fall and are hoping to find other options!
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I noticed two sellers at the Sunday show with "purchased handmade" jewelry. It is handmade, but by someone other than the seller. I have a feeling this will be an issue in the future and it's going to hurt vendors that make their own wares.
At the same time, I know that people are looking for ways to make extra money and the lure of making $75+ plus for 4 or 5 hours on the weekend. Since handmade "stuff" is being sold by websites on the internet, people will take the gamble and hope to turn a decent profit. (it is getting tough to find part time jobs...everyone wants one. So why not choose how you do it and be your own boss)
That being said, it won't take time for show regulars to see this "stuff" (or "mass-produced JUNK" for lack of a better term) at several tables and realize what is going on. I just hope promoters figure it out too!
The number of options seems to also be the problem. Shows are cropping up all over the place and diluting the market. Maybe I'll have to look into the local firehouses and halls and put on my own show in the near future. Maybe there's good money in organizing one of these shows!
Sorry to hear about your disappointing show. Hopefully your next show will more than make up for the bad one. Thanks for responding.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
3 Nov 08
How disappointing for you.
I used to work at community centres, and a couple of them did juried craft fairs. One difficulty they had was sometimes the organizers weren't crafters themselves, and so couldn't always tell if something was handmade - a couple of times I would be asked to look at someone's work to double check. It can be hard for a person to be able to tell unless it is a craft that they themselves do, or unless they go to a lot of craft fairs.
When I go to craft fairs or shopping in general, I strangely don't buy things unless I see a lot of things that I like. It's sort of a weird thing, which I know isn't fair, but I need to get into buying mode. So if you're at a fair with other vendors who have stuff that isn't handmade or is inferior, I don't get into buying mode and won't buy anything. Sorry.
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I think that was the problem with the last show I did. The organizer doesn't craft and probably couldn't tell from a picture or two if the items are handmade or not.
I received an application to a show where the organizers wanted pictures of the components. They wanted to see pictures of supplies and finished goods...I guess the re-sellers are beginning to crop up all over the place and this show figured that re-sellers won't have supplies. I thought it was a good idea, but not one that will definately stop re-sellers.
I didn't apply for that show because it was about a 50 mile drive and I have a Fiday night show the night before and a Sunday show the day after...but had it been a show in my town, I would've given it a shot.
I've found that I don't buy a lot of goods at shows any longer and when I do buy, I'm buying almost totally from crafters who are members of Etsy.com.
@SukiSmiles (1991)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Sorry to hear the your shows didn't work out very well. My friend had a show up in Flagstaff acouple weekends ago. She took my items up there with her since I couldn't go. It was an outside one, but it got cold and windy (sound familiar) and they moved inside a school. But then the flow wasn't very good. There weren't that many people that came out and the ones that did were mainly just looking. It too was heavily promoted, and usually has a really good turn out, so we were a little dissapointed. At least she had fun and got to see her family.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Yes, that sounds very familiar! The show basically ended when the outside vendors packed up. The large tent hat housed the remainder of the vendors is built to withstand 60+ mph winds and apparently is set-up often. Potential customers may have assumed the show was over when the outside sellers were gone.
Thankfully, I (as many other outside vendors did) had my hubby with me to help set the tent up. He spent a large part of the show hanging onto the corner exposed to the wind and made constant adjustments trying to relieve the pressure on the tent, while I shifted items and tried to keep them dry.
I had originally thought that despite the economy, people weren't spending as much for the holidays, but they were looking for value and uniqueness (is that a word? LOL) for their $$ and many were going the handmade route. Saturday's show, while in an area that I would consider a decent $$ area, did nothing to dispel that thought. Yesterday's show has been good in the past. I'm not sure if it was the fact that there were more than a dozen jewelry vendors, but my sales were not good and had I not had several sea glass pieces, I would have had an awful show.
I also noticed many people who looked like they had little intention of buying. My prices are often considered by Etsy sellers as too low for the value and I sell for even less at shows. People loooked and looked, sometimes spending 5 minutes or more at my table, but clearly looked like they had little intention of making a purchase. The turnout was much better this year, but I don't know of many vendors that could say they did better than last year.
I hope you at least made a few sales and hope you make many more in the near future!
@agrant10 (1476)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I sorry the outcome of the two shows were not better. The only thing about when we do these shows it could go either way. I know about people who come out and eye buy. That by itself is disappointing. Better success next time.
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I do know some of the shows can go either way and have done those before. This weekend's shows bothered me because it would've been a great show on Saturday , if not for the weather (as it was, it wasn't all that bad) I had high expectations for the show and it was living up to those expectations before the weather turned for the worse.
The way the 2nd show was run was clearly to blame for the show's outcome.
I can always hope that my November and December shows go a bit better.
Thanks for your response.
