Craft Fair .......Maybe

[smitty0312]

I have been asked to participate in a local craft fair, this craft fair is a last minute idea to raise money for the local womens bowling association, I don't have any inventory cut ahead which I usually don't do anyways because i don't do craft fairs, but I was thinking of having my sled and snowflake wreath on display and just take orders, have people pre-pay,  cost of the table is $25, so not a huge deal there, it will be Oct. 18th.........I'm on the fence about it.......I'm scared I may get buried with orders(not a bad thing i guess)........but since this has'nt been planned for very long it may not do very good.............no taveling involved..........it's a Sunday afternoon.......no guts no glory I guess........give me some feedback........thanks

Edited September 15, 2015 by smitty0312

[amazingkevin]

Nothing ventured nothing gained ,If it cut into my quality time it's not going to happen,lol

[DWSUDEKUM]

Dan here is the best part of this..... Since YOU are the artist and operator you can tell them ok since I have x number of orders it is going to take me x number of days to get your order out.  I do this on a routine basis with my banks which take on average 4 - 6 days from taking the order to finally shipping it out however as my work load increases I have to bump out the time needed.  Last year I had to bump it out to 2 weeks.  I expect to do so again this year.  I think that you will do fine.  If you had a mock up or a picture of one of the wreaths in place on a door that would help sell them I believe.  Good luck on your show should you do it.

 

 

DW

[Scrolling Steve]

Good Luck, Dan !!....I think you will get orders....My question would be , Do i want the pressure that goes with them?....Good luck!

[Phantom Scroller]

Dan that's the trouble with a good skill like yours, everybody wants a piece of you. Roly

[bobscroll]

I would say test the water Dan! You've nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Bob   

[kywoodmaster]

Can you take your saw and work at the booth? I did that one year and got a ton of orders. People love to see the products in various states of completion.

[bandaideman]

It may be worth a go. I just did a show at a local church they had not done this before they were looking to make a little money for the church. The table was 15 dollars unless you wanted more room then 25 and extra table. Anyway there was other things going on in town so I gave it a try. Had various scroll saw stuff and ornaments. The crowd was not but did have some times of groups like 5 families going through. I was one of 6 there. I had wood art and other did more decorative house things. Many signed up then pulled out so not much to look at. Long story short I did get 100 dollars over the cost of the table. Got to give out my card and educate people about Scrolling and orders then and now to come. so I would say go for it take something to do a good book and make some friends with other venders there

[Jim Finn]

Good Luck, Dan !!....I think you will get orders....My question would be , Do i want the pressure that goes with them?....Good luck!

This is an important issue. Think it over.

       I do over 25 shows a year, sell a lot, and take special orders.  I have learned to dislike special orders because of the pressure to get them done on schedule.  This will be more intense as we near Christmas. 

[NC Scroller]

Here is my 2 cents worth.  I do a few craft fairs a year.  I have done this about 12 years now.  While I do take some orders I really hate doing orders.  Scrolling is a fun hobby and when you take orders you have deadlines and my hobby becomes a job which takes a lot of the fun out of it for me.  So my take is you have a month.  Make up some inventory of pieces you like to work on and you would be willing to gift to family or friends should they not sell.  Then go to the craft fair and have fun. 

Edited September 16, 2015 by NC Scroller

[Shannon Banks]

Since it's in Oct. I would try to cut as much as you can. People at these shows are now buyers. You'll still get some orders, but you may have people pass up your table because the draw of product isn't there. Some good things that'll sell during this time is football related, fall/halloween and christmas. good luck! I LOVE doing shows!

[ike]

I do about 6 shows a year and I don't like taking orders. I work on my show products all year long, but most of it is stuff I like to make and all I am interested in doing is paying for my hobby. One ting you will have to do is figure out how to ship and the cost and add $5 for handling into the price. also take a down payment of at least 50% or take full payment at the show. AS I said I don't like special orders, Try it.

[edward]

For $25 you can't go wrong, you still have a couple weeks to make things,  I do 9 shows a year, and do take some orders, sometimes its hard to keep up on, but I enjoy it. From January  to march I am able to make items for the shows, and I also have a backup on some items. Just my opinion.