Yesterdays craft show

[edward]

Yesterdays craft show was a dud, this is why I hate Spring shows, going back a few years they have not gotten any better, still have one more next week and according to my records its not any better. The Table fee was $50 and I did $53, some people did"n sell anything, and there was another show in the next town and according to some people that visited that show it was the same way. In my honest opinion craft shows have been going down hill, I think Michael and AC More, plus other craft stores have ruined these shows plus the internet. This is only my personal opinion. edward ows

[Phantom Scroller]

Yes Ed it who's there on the day and the weather plays a part as well still there's always next time I say. It's always nice to chat to people anyway . Roly

[tuner]

Well you had a day off and your only out travel money .(you can tell I like to look at the bright side) hopefully the next one it all comes together😀

[Scrolling Steve]

Maybe the next one will be better Edward !.....Good luck !

[Scrappile]

I think my old generation are more into crafts the the younger generations, and we are dying off.  The younger generation is "busy".  I still haven't figured out what keeps them so busy.  I thought all the automation was suppose to give people more time.  The audience  for craft show is getting smaller and smaller.  Maybe I am wrong, I don't get out much, would have to leave my little shop.

[WayneMahler]

Shows are hit and miss. Our spring shows are never as good as the fall ones. Best of luck on your next show.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I have given up spring shows. summer shows and street fairs years ago. It is not Hobby Lobby or Michaels, it is the culture of craft shows. I think the newer generation view them more as yard sales than actual arts and craft shows. When shows start allowing vendors that do not make crafts then it becomes commercialized. I craft show is not a commercial event. I see this woodworking shows as well. they allow vendors in that have nothing to do with woodworking such as mops and gutterguards and things of this nature. people that run these craft shows make their money on you and as long as they have people willing to pay for tables the shows go on. Advertising is such a product that can easily be done today for such little cost but it gets overlooked. The older generation appreciated crafts more than what is today. I also believe there is too many shows. It has saturated the market too. Good luck on the next one. 

[Chachi111769]

Yesterdays craft show was a dud, this is why I hate Spring shows, going back a few years they have not gotten any better, still have one more next week and according to my records its not any better. The Table fee was $50 and I did $53, some people did"n sell anything, and there was another show in the next town and according to some people that visited that show it was the same way. In my honest opinion craft shows have been going down hill, I think Michael and AC More, plus other craft stores have ruined these shows plus the internet. This is only my personal opinion. edward ows

This is why I stopped doing them I always got why Should I buy this from you when I can get it at Walmart,Michels, Hobby lobby,Ect Ect  for cheaper then you want......Because it's handmade not mass produced...Well I'll take mass produced any cause it's cheaper But here is a little helpful hint for summer show (if you do them) have kid things like sword rubber band guns marshmallow shooters from pvc painted up use mini marshmallows. I know this because this one time I did a show next to a guy who had stuff for kids and adults and because the kids drug the adults  to his table the adults bought a toy for the kid and bought something for themselves right next to me but I only had adult things....  

[ike]

I do one spring show at live oaks voc. ed.  school the fee is $10 I usually do about $50 to $100 it''s slow but it is a educational thing it will be in a couple of weeks. al I am going to take is the Dog puzzles. It's an easy show.

IKE

[SCROLLSAW703]

Well Mr. Edward, My sincere apologies ya didn't do so hot at the craft show yesterday. You're in the city, my friend, & ain't able to sell, it's worse out here in farm country of NW Kansas. The economy is killin' us, hobbyist or for profit. Lumber prices ain't gettin' no cheaper, neither is electricity or insurance. I give more of my work away than I sell. No matter what it is. Most of my work goes by advertisin' flyers, or word of mouth. Once in a great while, somebody'll come into the shop & want somethin' fixed or made, otherwise, I just get by on a shoe string.

 

If you're willing to read a grumpy ol' ex truckdrivers' reasoning, I'll tell ya why I don't much care for the craft shows anymore. As you've read in some of my posts I'm sure, I been at this a day or to myself. But seems ever' year, we're competin' with pampered chef, avon, folks what go to hobby lobby & buy their things & turn around sell'em 3x what they paid for'em. And flea market junk, too. Then folks walk by our tables, look over our exhibit, after they handle it & compliment the work, & then they tell us they're sorry, but they can buy it cheaper at Walmart. I tell them I have a map to the closest one right handy, but when the junk falls apart in a month or so, don't bring it to me to repair, because I don't fix Walmart junk! No Sir, it doesn't do a damn thing for my sales, but it gets them to thinkin'.

 

My projects are hand made, & all solid, real wood. And the wood has been jointed, planed, & cut to straight edges. Put together with glue & screws. And guareented I'll fix it if somethin' goes wrong. Now, I realize walmart just replaces it with a new one, but you can't beat hand made products, nor the craftmanship. 
 

I also take into consideration the economy I'm dealin' with. I have prices on everything, but if a customer comes along & is extremely interested in something, I'll try to start a little conversation with them, & ask'em to make me an offer. If it ain't to my likin', I'll try & meet'em in the middle & do what I can to sell it. But them craft shows is for the birds. My apologies for the ramble. 

Edited March 27, 2017 by SCROLLSAW703

[David Lehner]

Well Mr. Edward, My sincere apologies ya didn't do so hot at the craft show yesterday. You're in the city, my friend, & ain't able to sell, it's worse out here in farm country of NW Kansas. The economy is killin' us, hobbyist or for profit. Lumber prices ain't gettin' no cheaper, neither is electricity or insurance. I give more of my work away than I sell. No matter what it is. Most of my work goes by advertisin' flyers, or word of mouth. Once in a great while, somebody'll come into the shop & want somethin' fixed or made, otherwise, I just get by on a shoe string.

 

If you're willing to read a grumpy ol' ex truckdrivers' reasoning, I'll tell ya why I don't much care for the craft shows anymore. As you've read in some of my posts I'm sure, I been at this a day or to myself. But seems ever' year, we're competin' with pampered chef, avon, folks what go to hobby lobby & buy their things & turn around sell'em 3x what they paid for'em. And flea market junk, too. Then folks walk by our tables, look over our exhibit, after they handle it & compliment the work, & then they tell us they're sorry, but they can buy it cheaper at Walmart. I tell them I have a map to the closest one right handy, but when the junk falls apart in a month or so, don't bring it to me to repair, because I don't fix Walmart junk! No Sir, it doesn't do a damn thing for my sales, but it gets them to thinkin'.

 

My projects are hand made, & all solid, real wood. And the wood has been jointed, planed, & cut to straight edges. Put together with glue & screws. And guareented I'll fix it if somethin' goes wrong. Now, I realize walmart just replaces it with a new one, but you can't beat hand made products, nor the craftmanship. 

 

I also take into consideration the economy I'm dealin' with. I have prices on everything, but if a customer comes along & is extremely interested in something, I'll try to start a little conversation with them, & ask'em to make me an offer. If it ain't to my likin', I'll try & meet'em in the middle & do what I can to sell it. But them craft shows is for the birds. My apologies for the ramble. 

I agree.... The spring shows are always worse than the fall shows.

Our local show called the "Big One" is in early November. when I started doing the show the ladies putting it on required everyone to have "handmade" products..

the the show sold to another person a few years ago and the same philosophy went out the window.... now its all about getting vendors in to fill the booths ....

Not sure when I will do another show .... somewhat disenchanted but have lots of inventory

[Jim Finn]

I have had a different experience.

      I do about 25 sales every year now for ten years, and still selling all that I make .  Some of the sales I attend also sell garage sale stuff and I still do well there.  I have developed some inexpensive items that I mass produce and sell for under $30.  Every sale I attend I sell enough $5 toys to pay my space rent.  I see no one else offering wood working projects at about 22 of the shows each year. The few, once a year sales ,are best for me.

      I also do well at a local farmers market.

[amazingkevin]

Yesterdays craft show was a dud, this is why I hate Spring shows, going back a few years they have not gotten any better, still have one more next week and according to my records its not any better. The Table fee was $50 and I did $53, some people did"n sell anything, and there was another show in the next town and according to some people that visited that show it was the same way. In my honest opinion craft shows have been going down hill, I think Michael and AC More, plus other craft stores have ruined these shows plus the internet. This is only my personal opinion. edward ows

Better days are coming!