Winter blues??

[JimNC]

Maybe I just have the winter blues, but I can’t get motivated to start any projects.

Back story: my wife and I sell at craft shows. We have done this for some 20+ years. I build toys, and some wooden nick-nacks, and seasonal decorations. My wife is a talented artist and does all the painting and artwork.

 We have a following of customers, but most shows this past year just didn’t have good attendance. Sales were below the same show as in past years.  We do this as a “pay for itself hobby” and not for a living. With prices for material going up and people with less money, and sales down, the “fun” is gone.

Anyone else see the same trend?

[Joe W.]

19 hours ago, JimNC said:

Anyone else see the same trend

Like you, I see this as a hobby that pays for itself. 
I got into scroll sawing a little over 3 years ago and soon after had many items that, while fun to make and were nice, only a few of them fit with the decor in the house. 
So I found a Farmers Market and was pleasantly surprised to find people who liked my stuff enough to buy many of the items I had made.  Being able to sell the those items was a win-win situation for me = I got to enjoy making something and have it pay for itself. 
After the last sale event last month, I went over the sales records of the Farmers Markets, Yard sales, and the like and see that there has been a decline in sales between the time I started and this past year.  But not what I would call a significant amount.
When I started, I was buying all the wood I used - Baltic Birch, Pine and hardwoods.
This past year, I bought a bandsaw and jointer and with the planer I already have, am able to repurpose abandoned furniture my wife (bless her soul) is constantly finding on the side of the road during her outings.  The only wood I buy now is Baltic Birch.  And I use less of that now, being able to use the wood I mill down for many of the patterns such as the Penny Drop (sides/bottom).
So, that's a long story to say, yeah, when you factor in the cost of the equipment, the price HAS gone up.  
But the enjoyment factor is still high to keep me wanting to keep doing it.

 

 

[JimNC]

Thanks Joe for the feedback.

We are in a small market area here and we have tried the Farmers Market but the attendance  there is even smaller that the craft shows. We have raided some construction sites for cut offs and that helps keeping the cost down. 

[Joe W.]

8 hours ago, JimNC said:

We have raided some construction sites for cut offs and that helps keeping the cost down

We've got a place here called Spence's Bazar, a flea market, also holds auctions of various items. 
I've noticed on a couple occasions unsold furniture items (chest of drawers, tables, and the like) have been placed by the dumpster.  Much of it is veneered particle board, but sometimes there are some pieces that have all or some solid hard wood. 
When I go to the big box stores, sometimes I'll go by the lumber section, look at prices and smile.       

[Roberta Moreton]

I do the same, selling to fund the saw.  Sales were down last year. I hope this year is a bit better.  I am glad I don’t do this to pay the bills!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I have sold and been on the craft show circuit for close to 35 years now. Since the pandemic I lost 3 shows and can not find replacements in my area. I have lost the desire to shlup all that stuff back and forth to shows to make a few dollars. Not what it used to be. people just buy on line these days. I hate selling on line and just do not do it. I leave that for guys like Kevin  I always liked to talk to customers and be able to talk them into sales. that is always the fun part. I am a people person. I hate computers. Will craft shows ever get back up to speed, who knows and with the viruses attacking us all these days that is a turn off also. Good luck and hang in there. 

Edited January 17, 2024 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Bill WIlson]

I'm not a craft show vendor, but have been a browser/customer for many years.  Craft shows are cyclical, based on economic conditions, so they've experienced a lot of ups & downs over the years.  Frankly, I think the craft show market has been over-saturated for some time.  I remember going to craft shows back in the 80's.  They were a novelty and once word got out, they became very popular.  Every civic group and small town seemed to hold a craft show as a fundraiser or part of a town festival.  I wonder if perhaps the whole craft show thing is just another Boomer fad that is reaching the end of its shelf life, like indoor shopping malls and cursive writing.

[Joe W.]

3 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

I wonder if perhaps the whole craft show thing is just another Boomer fad that is reaching the end of its shelf life,

That's very possible. 
Our local high school hosted a craft show recently and my wife and I shared the same opinion that there was a TON of duplication of many items.  Items such as candles, coozies and Christmas decorations/ornaments. 
However, out of the 100+ vendors, I think only about 5 of them were selling wood products.  So I am hopeful that while the craft show market may be declining, the wood/scroll saw made items may in fact become more attractive to craft show customers because they are different from what everyone else is selling. 

[JimNC]

I agree with the statements that Craft shows have reached a  saturation point.  Too many Mary Kay's, Pampered Chef's, jewelry, and none "craft items".