Your Results of This Year (2024) Craft Sales

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I think this would be a great place to help others that maybe thinking about selling at shows or old timers giving us a report as to what they are seeing as a trend this year in sales and also customers. With the economy in the state it is good or bad as you look at it, maybe we can see if the show circuit is making a comeback. This usually is the big sales time of the year being the holidays. 

Maybe tell us the type of show you did. (Indoor Outdoor?) Maybe a photo or 2 of your setup. Your take on your sales ( do not have to tell how much, your choice) How did this compare to last year show if you did it before. What was the crowd size like. If you had a chance to walk the show , were there other crafters like yours? If you care to share what was your big seller? How many shows do you do? Were you overall happy? Anything else you would like to add would be great. I will probably during the season just prop this subject back to the top to keep it current so ignore that part. 

I wish all a great selling season and you all become rich, not too rich that you forget about us here though. Thanks for contributing. 

[kmmcrafts]

Seems like from what I read on some of the other sites people are mostly reporting having doing pretty good at the shows in spite the economy etc.. Sure seems like a bad economy when I get back from the grocery store or gas station.. but reading from those that go to the shows make it seem otherwise.. Although I suppose they could be reporting good in terms of the economy so maybe they're considering they did good because they paid the fees and bought lunch.. I don't know, LOL

I'm hoping everyone is having good turnouts though..   

[dgman]

I have my first show this weekend (two day show). I’m hoping to exceed what I did last year. I have increased my sales each year from the previous years. I will report Monday.

[kmmcrafts]

50 minutes ago, dgman said:

I have my first show this weekend (two day show). I’m hoping to exceed what I did last year. I have increased my sales each year from the previous years. I will report Monday.

Best of luck Dan, Hope to hear of a sell out from you. Do you do many shows? I guess I thought you only sold on Etsy? Etsy changed the way the search works at the very end of the last quarter so many people have been saying it's a huge slump in sales. The change they made once all the dust settles I think will actually improve sales but it may hurt the results of 2024 sales.   I've seen really no change on there myself.. maybe slightly slower but pretty close to the same as any other year for me. Amazon is kicking my behind though.. huge increase in orders, and I'm just not ready for that kind of work this year, LOL.

Either way best of luck on both Etsy and the shows. 

[dgman]

6 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Best of luck Dan, Hope to hear of a sell out from you. Do you do many shows? I guess I thought you only sold on Etsy? Etsy changed the way the search works at the very end of the last quarter so many people have been saying it's a huge slump in sales. The change they made once all the dust settles I think will actually improve sales but it may hurt the results of 2024 sales.   I've seen really no change on there myself.. maybe slightly slower but pretty close to the same as any other year for me. Amazon is kicking my behind though.. huge increase in orders, and I'm just not ready for that kind of work this year, LOL.

Either way best of luck on both Etsy and the shows. 

I have done this one show for at least 10 years now. I have two or three a year periodically depending on what’s out there. I usually get invited to other shows while at this show. It’s just a matter of if I think it’s worth it or not. As far as selling out, I have so much stock, selling out would be quite a feat! As far as Etsy, I am probably up about 20% from last year. 

[barb.j.enders]

Did my first show of the season on Sunday.  New event & venue for me.  All my events are indoor.  Was not a great sales day.  I made my table cost back from other vendors before the show actually started.  Traffic was a little slow.  I did about half of what I was hoping for.  I did have someone reach out to me in the evening.  i am meeting up with them to sell an item.  I also have a possible commision.  Another sale this Sunday.  This one is for a pet rescue.

[Dave Monk]

I have done two shows this year and one to go. The last show of the year I am doing won't be much because it is a school show which I am getting away from because the things I am making are not suitable for them. The other two shows I have already done this year have been art shows. They have been awesome. I am in a great market with lots of people and lots of money which makes a big difference. The things I am making would not be suitable to sell on line because of the price point and shipping issue.  I enjoy the interaction with people and all the positive strokes. 

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by Dave Monk

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Yes Dave you belong in Art Shows for sure. You would not get your price in simple craft shows and even on line sales. Your work needs to be seen in person and that at times hurts sales when selling on etsy and Amazon and places like that. Photos do not do it justice. Plus selling in person it is easy to explain the item and what goes into it. That stuff gets lost in photos. Nice work as usual. 

[rjweb]

Dave, great looking display, and as always your work looks excellent. Have you heard from the art show in the spring ?, RJ

[jamieline]

Had a very good show a couple of weeks ago. 3rd year there which each year getting better. Been on corner site for 2 years. Show was a 2 day event, Friday and Saturday. Show is only for crafters and handmade items including cedar outdoor furniture. Did not get a chance to look too much at other vendors. Did talk with someone doing CNC work and there was a laser booth close to me. I think there was above 120 vendors. Well attended. People are still amazed that everything is done by hand with a scroll saw.

One thing I do is show the blades I use. Have a couple of pictures of the scroll saw with an item that has been cut.

Clocks don't seem to sell. I was able to sell one hummingbird clock but not much interest.

Sold lots of nativity items and about 50+ birdhouses of various styles. I offer to change the bird if folks like a different color of wood type. I then with glue it in place for them.

 

[Dave Monk]

7 hours ago, rjweb said:

Dave, great looking display, and as always your work looks excellent. Have you heard from the art show in the spring ?, RJ

Jurying is Thursday and I should know around the 18th.

[barb.j.enders]

11 hours ago, jamieline said:

Sold lots of nativity items and about 50+ birdhouses of various styles. I offer to change the bird if folks like a different color of wood type. I then with glue it in place for them.

I didn't sell any nativity items.  I sold one birdhouse!

[Juan Rodriguez]

On 11/5/2024 at 11:21 AM, Dave Monk said:

I have done two shows this year and one to go. The last show of the year I am doing won't be much because it is a school show which I am getting away from because the things I am making are not suitable for them. The other two shows I have already done this year have been art shows. They have been awesome. I am in a great market with lots of people and lots of money which makes a big difference. The things I am making would not be suitable to sell on line because of the price point and shipping issue.  I enjoy the interaction with people and all the positive strokes. 

 

Wow Dave, you do beautiful work!

[jamieline]

5 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

I didn't sell any nativity items.  I sold one birdhouse!

Last year I sold maybe 3 birdhouses. Nativity items have been very good the last two years. Did not offer them the first year at this particular show. Another show next week.

[Roberta Moreton]

I did pretty good. I bought another Dewalt saw. I have decided that I won’t be doing outdoor shows anymore. The tent is just too much and I get cold too easy. 
It’s not fun anymore. I can’t just cut what I like. I might do one or two small shows, indoors. But, maybe not. 

[Rolf]

I only do two shows a year and they are coming up in a few weeks. One is consignment, they get 20 % but I just drop my work off and they do all the rest. (i just mark my work up to compensate)  The other is my Church, that I have been doing since 2005. I have a significant following and always do very well. 

Next 4th of July I plan on doing a local "Artists on the Lane" for the first time. That will be all Intarsia and turnings, I will be one of only two woodworkers. My friends in the community have been pushing for me to do this for several years. It is a rather affluent nautical community  I may even sell my recently made Owl. I just have to price it, which for me is the difficult part.

 

 

[Dave Monk]

13 hours ago, Rolf said:

I only do two shows a year and they are coming up in a few weeks. One is consignment, they get 20 % but I just drop my work off and they do all the rest. (i just mark my work up to compensate)  The other is my Church, that I have been doing since 2005. I have a significant following and always do very well. 

Next 4th of July I plan on doing a local "Artists on the Lane" for the first time. That will be all Intarsia and turnings, I will be one of only two woodworkers. My friends in the community have been pushing for me to do this for several years. It is a rather affluent nautical community  I may even sell my recently made Owl. I just have to price it, which for me is the difficult part.

 

 

It's a beautiful piece. Pricing is always hard. Selling at art shows is totally different than selling at a craft show.  

[Rolf]

3 hours ago, Dave Monk said:

It's a beautiful piece. Pricing is always hard. Selling at art shows is totally different than selling at a craft show.  

That is why I have never sold any intarsia at the craft fairs that I do,  I have a very good friend that runs a high end gallery in the village I will have a discussion with him about it. Plus input from my forum friends around the country that sell Intarsia. I have only donated some of my pieces to local charity auctions and they did very well.

Edited November 7, 2024 by Rolf

[Joe W.]

I did two this year - one at a church yard sale and sales were comparable to last year - OK.

The other was at a car show at an Elks Lodge and I sold just one item which didn't cover the indoor space cost.  Very surprising as many people attended.  Lots of "nice work" but that was as far as it went.  

I am on the fence now about another event I've been invited to set up at.  Rent space for 10x10 is $75.  Other things going on now and not sure I could fit it in even if I wanted to.  Will decide at the last minute.

[kmmcrafts]

14 hours ago, Joe W. said:

I did two this year - one at a church yard sale and sales were comparable to last year - OK.

The other was at a car show at an Elks Lodge and I sold just one item which didn't cover the indoor space cost.  Very surprising as many people attended.  Lots of "nice work" but that was as far as it went.  

I am on the fence now about another event I've been invited to set up at.  Rent space for 10x10 is $75.  Other things going on now and not sure I could fit it in even if I wanted to.  Will decide at the last minute.

My experience with car shows and tractor shows is the same.. Years ago I did both and got the same results.. Being a car enthusiast myself.. sadly when I go to a car show I go for the cars and rarely do I even look at the craft vendors.. Same with the tractor shows.. I even took a lot of the car clocks and tractor clocks that I used to make.. no too many interested and the ones that were said if they didn't spend their money on parts at the swapmeet they might come back.. their interest isn't in crafts at these events.. some I've seen that got lucky but I would say the majority of time they don't do as good as they would at a actual craft event..

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Events like car shows and street fairs, parades are tough places to sell crafts because those people are there for specific things. Street fairs I found that people are there for the food and rides for the kids. They do not have the minds on buying crafts. Unless you have something that just is outstanding and unique it may sell. But wood scrollsawn items is not one of them. Dedicated craft shows or art shows is the better choice when selecting places to sell. I had people in my town ask me to sell my stuff at our town Labor day event. We have a 5K race before the parade and then there is a park were food vendors and few craft vendors set up and sell. I refused many times again because it would just be a waste of time. They are there for the rides and food. I also stay away from the church sales because again the crowd is limited. I have checked a few out over the years and talking with the vendors sales are just so so depending what it is they sell. Not easy finding well run craft shows any more at least in my area. 

As we get closer and closer to craft show season I wish all good luck and hope you all check in here and let us know how you did. 

[Gonzo]

I do two craft shows a year. “Dears Gone Wild” which is held on deer hunting opener. It’s a small show hosted by American Legion Auxiliary. It was this past Saturday.  As far as sales go, I did well. I had a good time, my table is always next to the Auxiliary Ladies Baked goods table. The Auxiliary ladies are so much fun. 

The other craft show is put on by the local Catholic school, which is 12/7.  I was hoping to replenish my stock, unfortunately I did a faceplant yesterday and sprained both wrists. Hopefully out for only a week. Is there such a thing as a hands free scrollsaw?

[barb.j.enders]

My second sale was last Sunday.  Traffic was great.  Sales were pretty good.  I had an 8' table and was able to take my 2' rack.  I wasn't able to put lots of items out.  Getting concerned about my next sale.  I only have a 6' table.  I will also bring my rack for hanging items.  These get set up in a gym and it doesn't look like we can move tables.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I like this. Always love seeing others work. Very nice displays and there is nothing like doing shows like that. An element you just can not explain. Hope the trend continues and crafters do well. 

[dgman]

Had my two day show this past weekend.  I was hoping to surpass last years total, but did about even. I hade three tables plus the 6’ pegboard. In the past, Saturday was the best day, but this weekend Sunday was the better day in sales even though it was a half day. The pictures were taken before the show started, but changed as items sold. I have so much stock, that I can’t display everything at the same time despite having three tables. I even sold items that weren’t displayed! Between the two I made $3100.