Crafters???

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

This will get lengthy so let me start this topic off by saying I did a craft show this Sat. 12/3/16 and have always done well there with at least $1500 in sales.  But this year it was the worse year I have been doing shows there making 1/4 of that. Most of the crafters were also not doing well including another scroller who is really good. The people I seen doing well and one in particular was a person that makes ceramic Christmas trees and other ceramic holiday items. I do other shows with her and she always does well and I mean very well. Her prices are reasonable but they do touch the $100 range so not cheap. I will get to my point in a minute.

 

I am a veteran crafter and have done many shows in many venues. I have done consignment work as well. I have made over 700 different items over the 30 + years I have been doing this plus now have added some turned items such as pens, birdhouse ornament and other things to my inventory. I am knowledgeable in the area of craft show waves. The up's and downs of a show from year to year in that some things sell one year better than others and one show maybe better than others and each year is another chapter. I get all that and adjust accordingly such as this year I will not totally judge this show I just did on this year. But I will say it took me by surprise in that the crowd was great and the economy is doing great for the most part, the venue is a show that has been around for a long time and it in a county that is well affluent. But for some strange reason the hands did not get out of the pockets this year. I got the many many many usually lookers that loved my work and and picked it up and touched things. I have not changed my prices on items in many years and I always try to keep as low as I can so I believe price was not a factor for all. (some yes) I can not help those people. I used all my best lines to close deals yesterday but it was like going to a dentist. I never worked so hard at a show as this one. Maybe the show has run its course and people coming to the show have seen the crafters way too often, but this show is always adding and subtracting crafters and the quality of crafts is highly rated. It is a juried show also. I do know the craft show scene has dramatically fallen off and continues to do so. I have left many shows because of the lack of customers and such.

 

 

Anyway enough of the background of this post and to my point. As I mentioned the lady that makes the ceramic trees has done well at any show I have seen her at and continues to do so got me into thinking (had plenty of time for that yesterday) do you crafters that sell at shows have a particular item or items that sell very well no matter what show, or what year. Those stand out items that withstand the test of time year in and year out. I have tried the holiday line of ornaments and things like that but that does not pay the bills. Over the years I made items that became popular and stayed that way for a couple years and then you could not give them away. But one item I have been making for at least 15+ years has stood the test of time and does well every year (except this year) and that is my baskets. I try to incorporate new color combinations or at least as many as wood is available. Have sold 100's of these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple other items that have stood the test of time. I have had these items in my line for a long time also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this brings me to the conclusion of this post and thanks for reading. I am looking for something that will be my next can not miss and people buy every year item. An item that will stand the test of time and be a hit from year to year. Any suggestions will be appreciated and if you care to share your stories that too would be fun reading. Sorry for being so lengthy. happy scrolling

 

 

[vykus]

We, as a country are in a state of uncertainty after the election. In times like that, even if the economy is doing well, people tend to be tight with money, in case something disastrous happens. Sociology class was good for something after all. But it looks like you have some great product, I'm sure after the inauguration things will settle down, at as much as they are going to, and people will go back to spending their money.  

Edited December 4, 2016 by vykus

[hawkeye10]

We, as a country are in a state of uncertainty after the election. In times like that, even if the economy is doing well, people tend to be tight with money, in case something disastrous happens. Sociology class was good for something after all. But it looks like you have some great product, I'm sure after the inauguration things will settle down, at as much as they are going to, and people will go back to spending their money.  

Matt I would disagree with you but it might have to do with what state or city you live in. When there is a lot of uncertainty the stock market will go down but since the election it has gone up and up. Yes I know it could go down Monday mourning. I could see if you live in a blue city or state some people might think the world is coming to an end. I have a niece that thinks the world is coming to a end. I have been bugging the heck out of her. I have to have a little fun. Another niece did a show yesterday and she didn't do as good as last year and we live in a red state. I really don't think there is an answer for why things do good or bad. Just my thoughts.

[Dan]

I don't think any one thing would cause a change in buying habits of everyone. Several scrollers this year have done better at the same venues they've been doing for years. I had a booth along a guy that made wooden boxes. Quite often he would sell out. I ask why he didn't sell any other item. He said he didn't want to compete with himself. If someone liked several different items they tended to say they would come back. Some did and some didn't. Just some food for thought.

 

Your work is outstanding. Your baskets are top-notch!

Edited December 4, 2016 by Dan

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Thanks Dan. On those lines of thought I always had and have a wide variety of things so as to not lock myself or customers into one thing to choose from. I like to give people choices and hopefully more customers can find something that fits their needs. It was just a weird atmosphere Sat and I could not put my finger on it. As I said the crowd was great. They stood in line for a while waiting to get in and it was pretty chilly. But going from talking to one crafter after another it was the same story. Not that good. What made this year different than last year??  The economy is strong enough that people are making money. Now wondering if their jobs will be there the next day has been going on for years now. We all are use to that by now. It will be interesting next year at this show for sure.

[amazingkevin]

This will get lengthy so let me start this topic off by saying I did a craft show this Sat. 12/3/16 and have always done well there with at least $1500 in sales.  But this year it was the worse year I have been doing shows there making 1/4 of that. Most of the crafters were also not doing well including another scroller who is really good. The people I seen doing well and one in particular was a person that makes ceramic Christmas trees and other ceramic holiday items. I do other shows with her and she always does well and I mean very well. Her prices are reasonable but they do touch the $100 range so not cheap. I will get to my point in a minute.

 

I am a veteran crafter and have done many shows in many venues. I have done consignment work as well. I have made over 700 different items over the 30 + years I have been doing this plus now have added some turned items such as pens, birdhouse ornament and other things to my inventory. I am knowledgeable in the area of craft show waves. The up's and downs of a show from year to year in that some things sell one year better than others and one show maybe better than others and each year is another chapter. I get all that and adjust accordingly such as this year I will not totally judge this show I just did on this year. But I will say it took me by surprise in that the crowd was great and the economy is doing great for the most part, the venue is a show that has been around for a long time and it in a county that is well affluent. But for some strange reason the hands did not get out of the pockets this year. I got the many many many usually lookers that loved my work and and picked it up and touched things. I have not changed my prices on items in many years and I always try to keep as low as I can so I believe price was not a factor for all. (some yes) I can not help those people. I used all my best lines to close deals yesterday but it was like going to a dentist. I never worked so hard at a show as this one. Maybe the show has run its course and people coming to the show have seen the crafters way too often, but this show is always adding and subtracting crafters and the quality of crafts is highly rated. It is a juried show also. I do know the craft show scene has dramatically fallen off and continues to do so. I have left many shows because of the lack of customers and such.

 

 

Anyway enough of the background of this post and to my point. As I mentioned the lady that makes the ceramic trees has done well at any show I have seen her at and continues to do so got me into thinking (had plenty of time for that yesterday) do you crafters that sell at shows have a particular item or items that sell very well no matter what show, or what year. Those stand out items that withstand the test of time year in and year out. I have tried the holiday line of ornaments and things like that but that does not pay the bills. Over the years I made items that became popular and stayed that way for a couple years and then you could not give them away. But one item I have been making for at least 15+ years has stood the test of time and does well every year (except this year) and that is my baskets. I try to incorporate new color combinations or at least as many as wood is available. Have sold 100's of these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple other items that have stood the test of time. I have had these items in my line for a long time also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this brings me to the conclusion of this post and thanks for reading. I am looking for something that will be my next can not miss and people buy every year item. An item that will stand the test of time and be a hit from year to year. Any suggestions will be appreciated and if you care to share your stories that too would be fun reading. Sorry for being so lengthy. happy scrolling

your baskets are out of this world ,most amazing to see.all your work is top shelve!!!! Thanks for showing!

[WayneMahler]

Our last show was at the local Elks Lodge. We did the best we have ever at this show. 500 % over the past 3 years. Other shows we have done were fair and had me doing the same thing. Scratching my head wondering what was up. My wife is one heck of a sales person and even she has asked what was up at shows that didn't do as well as expected that we normally do extremely well at. Same this, lots of lookers and compliments but lower sales. We still state each show is a crap shoot. I do change my inventory from time to time but it normally stays faith based with some other secular items. Keep the faith and things will turn around. 

[Fish]

I don't do shows myself. Sorry I can't help. That's some beautiful work!

[Iguanadon]

Absolutely beautiful work JT.  Don't kill yourself trying to figure it out quite yet.  Sometimes it's the phase of the moon or the weather or a butterfly flapping it's wings in Japan that can cause a ripple or an anomaly at an event.  I'm still a newbie overall, but I set up at the same farmers market, in the same spot every Saturday all summer long and I could never predict what kind of day I'd have on any given Saturday.  Some days just seemed to resonate with the crowd and others didn't.  

 

That being said, there's no reason not to think of new items or ideas.  Not only for your customers, but for yourself to keep you on your toes.

 

Best of luck, but I don't think you need it.... your work is incredible. 

Edited December 5, 2016 by Iguanadon

[Phantom Scroller]

Have to say those baskets look amazing and a lot of work I assume.     Roly

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Have to say those baskets look amazing and a lot of work I assume.     Roly

 

Thank you. Yes lots of work on them 125 pieces on the large and 92 on the small ones. Lots of steps just to get to the cutting to correct length. People do not see the little things as usual. Price of lumber keeps going up also. I am trying to hold the price stable but it gets tougher every year. Oh the 10000's of pieces I cut over the years. As I said they have been a constant seller and i will continue to carry them and add color combinations as I think of them. I was suppose to try a spectraply wood one but never got it done in time. Want to experiment with that wood and it could open many more possibilities if I can do what I want. They have a ton of different colored woods. If I can figure a few things out with it I will post a finished product. 

[Bill WIlson]

Being that you are a veteran of the craft show scene, John, you are well aware of the ebbs & flows that are inherent to that market.  I wouldn't overthink it too much.  Buyers are fickle and for some reason, at this particular show, they weren't inspired to pull out their wallets.  You know it just wasn't you or your selection of inventory, especially since you polled other crafters that had similar experiences.  Doesn't mean that next week, next month or next year the same conditions will exist.  I'd chalk it up to experience and just be aware of trends.  If there was that one, can't miss, everyone's gotta have, item out there, then everyone else would be selling them.  Sorry to hear of your bad experience.  Hope the next show you do makes up for it.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Being that you are a veteran of the craft show scene, John, you are well aware of the ebbs & flows that are inherent to that market.  I wouldn't overthink it too much.  Buyers are fickle and for some reason, at this particular show, they weren't inspired to pull out their wallets.  You know it just wasn't you or your selection of inventory, especially since you polled other crafters that had similar experiences.  Doesn't mean that next week, next month or next year the same conditions will exist.  I'd chalk it up to experience and just be aware of trends.  If there was that one, can't miss, everyone's gotta have, item out there, then everyone else would be selling them.  Sorry to hear of your bad experience.  Hope the next show you do makes up for it.

 

 

Bill you are correct 100% on all that you said and yes I will be back there again next year. The thing that just did not figure into things is the economy doing so well. I have done many shows when we were in a total melt down as far as the economy and the stock market was tanking. But still people did buy then. Sales projections are up according to many annalists. So there is money out there. Have one more show and will see how it goes. Got to love this to endure.   

[125 CSL]

I have sold stuff on ebay for years, figuring out the no miss is going to always make the sale, is like catching smoke with your hands. What people like and do not changes faster then the weather. I have books that are one day going to end up recycled, when I get tired of moving them. My lesson was keep my inventory low and always try a few new things.