Craft shows

[Sparkey]

Wow there are so many on here right now doing craft shows that it makes me want to do one. I wish I had enough inventory. GOING to seriously try to make at least one next year.

[hawkeye10]

Wow there are so many on here right now doing craft shows that it makes me want to do one. I wish I had enough inventory. GOING to seriously try to make at least one next year.

I bet you could do a show every week and not have to drive very far. If I was younger I know I would like to try several shows a year. I use to rent a table at about three gun shows a year and it was fun.

[Sparkey]

Never thought about selling at a gun show. Thanks for the idea.

[ike]

d you are doing good today.

[amazingkevin]

Wow there are so many on here right now doing craft shows that it makes me want to do one. I wish I had enough inventory. GOING to seriously try to make at least one next year.

You could always have a yard craft sale any day you please,Time a waste en.

Edited November 16, 2016 by amazingkevin

[Jim Finn]

Gun shows are a natural for my boxes but they want more than $300 for a small space. I do not do gun shows.

  I have also thought of having a sale, like a garage sale at my home.  Call it a "Christmas gift sale."  I have not done it yet.  Usually, I am glad for the break from doing the twenty-five sales a year that I already do.

Edited November 15, 2016 by Jim Finn

[LarryEA]

At this time of year, most of the high schools have craft fairs. 

I have one coming up Dec 4th at Vestal HIgh School

[WayneMahler]

This time of year there are tons of shows to chose from. I'm booked through the middle of December thanks to my wife. Do a search for craft shows local to you. Something should show up. 

[NC Scroller]

Sparkey and others who want to explore this activity here is some friendly advise. I have been doing this for 10+ years. I do 2 craft shows a year and I gross over $2,500.

 

- A good source to find craft fairs in your area is Craigslist or the classified ads in your local paper. Look under events. November / December is the best time.

 

- Before laying out your money go to the event. See how well it is attended. Talk to other vendors about the event. SEE is it is really crafts or are most of the vendor resellers of made in China junk or selling stuff like Avon, Mary Kay, etc. If so keep looking.

 

- Also ask the other vendors about the cost and what the organizers provide (table, chairs, etc).

 

- While visiting these shows scope out the competition. See what kinda quality their stuff is and the prices.

 

- Start off small. Focus on quality and not quantity. You will be far better off bringing 40 beautiful pieces vs 400 pieces of junk.

 

- Plan how you will display your works ahead of time. A nice professional looking and organized display will attract more attention.

 

- Don't expect to make a killing. Have fun with it.

[meflick]

Sparkey and others who want to explore this activity here is some friendly advise. I have been doing this for 10+ years. I do 2 craft shows a year and I gross over $2,500.

 

- A good source to find craft fairs in your area is Craigslist or the classified ads in your local paper. Look under events. November / December is the best time.

 

- Before laying out your money go to the event. See how well it is attended. Talk to other vendors about the event. SEE is it is really crafts or are most of the vendor resellers of made in China junk or selling stuff like Avon, Mary Kay, etc. If so keep looking.

 

- Also ask the other vendors about the cost and what the organizers provide (table, chairs, etc).

 

- While visiting these shows scope out the competition. See what kinda quality their stuff is and the prices.

 

- Start off small. Focus on quality and not quantity. You will be far better off bringing 40 beautiful pieces vs 400 pieces of junk.

 

- Plan how you will display your works ahead of time. A nice professional looking and organized display will attract more attention.

 

- Don't expect to make a killing. Have fun with it.

 

That sounds like great all around advise Scott.  I would agree, visiting a show before you commit to it the next year would be great advise.  Learn a lot that way. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.

[Sparkey]

Thanks Scott. My wife and I have been going to a local craft show for years. There has to be close to 300 vendors. Not one time have I seen anybody with work from a scrollsaw. There are a few wood turners. It is a three day event and I think it cost $200 for a space. That is the one I working towards.

[tonylumps]

My wife thinks we have come to the point where we might be eating on the floor because we are running out of table space.So she suggested a craft show coming up in December.It will be my first.I did a dry run in my basement to see the best way to set up a table. Anyone think I should do it a different way for a first show I would welcome any feedback. Thanks Tony

Edited November 15, 2016 by tonylumps

[NC Scroller]

The blue back ground is good. It makes a perfect backdrop. You also need a table cloth. Stick with solid colors. Colors like blue, red, or black work well. Avoid white.

[tonylumps]

The blue back ground is good. It makes a perfect backdrop. You also need a table cloth. Stick with solid colors. Colors like blue, red, or black work well. Avoid white.

Scott. That Back drop is the table cloth.I have it hanging from the joist to hide the basement mess.If i could hang one at the show I will use it and a red table cloth If not I will try and use Coraplast sheets

[dgman]

Scott. That Back drop is the table cloth.I have it hanging from the joist to hide the basement mess.If i could hang one at the show I will use it and a red table cloth If not I will try and use Coraplast sheets

Tony, people like to touch. If they can't touch it, they are less likely to buy. The hanging ornaments look out of reach.

Other than that and a table cloth, it looks great!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I would put the pens off to the side and to a place that you too can easily reach them. Your main items is scroll work. Let that be front and center. have some paper so they can try out the pens. Have better refills so that you can change them for the customer and it also shows the person how to change them and operate them. other than that have fun and enjoy the experience of talking to the customers. Be active. Good luck.

[tonylumps]

Tony, people like to touch. If they can't touch it, they are less likely to buy. The hanging ornaments look out of reach.

Other than that and a table cloth, it looks great

Dan thanks. I can slide the ornament and cross rack forward as much as I want

Edited November 15, 2016 by tonylumps

[tonylumps]

I would put the pens off to the side and to a place that you too can easily reach them. Your main items is scroll work. Let that be front and center. have some paper so they can try out the pens. Have better refills so that you can change them for the customer and it also shows the person how to change them and operate them. other than that have fun and enjoy the experience of talking to the customers. Be active. Good luck.

John I thought the pens should be on to the side to.When i read the confirmation card I thought the space was only 8' wide .But it is 10' so i can slip a small card table next to the larger table.I could dedicate that to pens and pen boxes

[tonylumps]

This is a great place. I never left the house and I think I can be a Pro at this.Thanks everybody.

[meflick]

Looks good Tony.  With the advise you already got from some seasoned sellers you should be good to go.  Good luck with your show and hope it goes very well for you.

[amazingkevin]

Wow there are so many on here right now doing craft shows that it makes me want to do one. I wish I had enough inventory. GOING to seriously try to make at least one next year.

You'll have the time of your life there.its all fun

[amazingkevin]

Never thought about selling at a gun show. Thanks for the idea.

Gun shows ,yard sales,flower shows all kinds of shows have different venders ,and you can always count on chinese jewelry

[amazingkevin]

Thanks Scott. My wife and I have been going to a local craft show for years. There has to be close to 300 vendors. Not one time have I seen anybody with work from a scrollsaw. There are a few wood turners. It is a three day event and I think it cost $200 for a space. That is the one I working towards.

You do good being the only one,I haven't seen scroll work either and the one show i did the other vendors came up and exclaimed profusly on how great and detail my work was.they bought more then the customers $190,00 worth and they sold nothing.

[amazingkevin]

My wife thinks we have come to the point where we might be eating on the floor because we are running out of table space.So she suggested a craft show coming up in December.It will be my first.I did a dry run in my basement to see the best way to set up a table. Anyone think I should do it a different way for a first show I would welcome any feedback. Thanks Tony

Atta boy ,Set em up move em out beautiful work

[amazingkevin]

The blue back ground is good. It makes a perfect backdrop. You also need a table cloth. Stick with solid colors. Colors like blue, red, or black work well. Avoid white.

Great advice on colors