Trends

I find it so interesting to see what sells and what doesn't, especially at shows where you have a concentrated block of sales in a definite time period...well, hopefully!
The first time I sold 9 sets of wash cloths at a show I thought I had the new pet rock!

The first show this season was a scarf and bookmark show....oodles. Yay, terrific.

The 2nd show 2 weeks later,in roughly the same area, no scarves at all but handwarmers and bookmarks.
Now I did have the other odd item here and there-some barrettes, a pin or 2, a tapemeasure but the scarves and handwarmers were the hits and the bookmarks. Now some may say, it's getting cool, tis the season for those sales and that is true but I have a new and different viewpoint. I'm thinking people,in this tense economy, are purchasing the practical. The needed. The useful. Not the decorative little doo-dad that may become a dust collector. Maybe they'll buy those closer to the holidays when gifts are really needed but I'm sensing a shying away from that stuff. Maybe marketing and promoting have to be steered in that direction. What do you think?

Anyway, here's a useful, little doo-dad I just listed. I can't help myself!
And oh, after 2 shows, just 3 sets of wash cloths!

Craft Show Learning Curve

Wiser people than I have said to not work a show that you have not visited first. This is an often difficult piece of advice to follow when starting on the circuit. There are other, subtler lessons to learn.

Last fall I did a mediocre show at a high school about 25 minutes away, that I had never attended as a visitor. Lesson learned: try not to do a show that is off the beaten path. This school was a destination and attracted no drive-by traffic. Out in the woods may not be profitable.

Yesterday, I worked a new show again. I had been suggested to this group and was obviously flattered. They answered most of my questions well regarding advertising, other draws, size, etc. I knew the location was a good one, also in the previous high school area but on a main drag. They were going to have pony rides and bouncy houses and music and more to draw in the passer-bys. Great! We set up Friday and I 'thought' I had a great spot by the only entrance/exit....you couldn't/wouldn't miss my tables.

Saturday came with 40degree temperatures and a nasty, constant down pour.

Cancel the horses.

Cancel the music.
Cancel the bouncy thingies.

Freeze by the exit/entrance.

The visitors were mostly either friends or family of other vendors or the organizers. I barely made back my entry fee (precisely by $1.00). Of course, it wasn't the organizers fault and I do think with cooperative weather, it might have been a grand fair. Do I venture again, next year if they ask me back?

My saddest reaction to this was not being able to sell even one piece of a friend's wonderful work, shown below. She is an amazing clay artist and I hope at the next show she will be appreciated. Visit her at Clay Art By Daresa. Her work is inspiring!

Oh, the next show? Also a new one, never attended....hmmmm, we'll see!

Shows

Just finished another show and characteristics were basically equal:
Gorgeous weather.
Heavy advertisements.
Free admission.
Kids activities.
Smooth flow.
Good locations.
Variety.
Why are some shows so much more successful than others?
#1-sold 9 sets of cloths.
#2-sold 1 set
#3-sold none
#1-sold 1 pair of hand warmers
#2-none
#3-5 pairs
#1-0 scarves
#2-6 scarves (plus orders for 3)
#3-1 scarf
No rhyme or reason that I can see but fortunately all worth the effort for me.
Three down, 3 to go...phew!

And just for fun....a new style clock:

Shows

There were parts of my body that hurt and I didn't know they could after the 2 day show! LONG hours (9-7 Saturday and 9-1 on Sunday) but for me, very successful. It is definitely a case of be careful what you wish for. In certain areas my stock is almost depleted. I also received 4 special orders during the show. So now I must re-stock and work on those. I AM NOT COMPLAINING!!! This more than makes up for the July & August drought.
Contrary to the first show, only one set of wash cloths were sold. Again, lots of bookmarks,scarves and cozies like these:

As well as several mini-purses:

I'm low on hats and scarves so those needles must get clacking!
Just finished these for some special orders:


The next show is Nov. 6...do I have enough time?!

Show #2

Pretty busy around here. Had a great show last Saturday and off in a bit to set up for a 2 day affair.
This time I'll use pins on the side to avoid the bunches. Wish me luck!


Last week a big seller were the washcloths


and the bookmarks.


What will it be this week?!

The Shows

I can rant, and have, to close friends about what the fairs were like but I'm over it! The shows were okay, PERIOD!!!! Not great,not awful, disappointing.
Since they were 2 different shows in a row, inventory was a pre-show concern. One always thinks, what happens if I sell out? Let me have that problem...please! Anyway, I learned a little, laughed alot and had bones that hurt that I didn't know could. It's done. Back to online promotion and maybe a sale from one of the dozens that took a business card-easily 75-100 cards were taken. Maybe I should charge for them? Just kidding. Big hugs to my DH for his great sportsmanship and companionship.
Interestingly, again, the most popular items were the magnetic bookmarks which barely move online. Sold about 16-17. I have more to list like these.

I have agita........

Agita to me is that gnawing,anxious feeling inside when you don't know quite what to expect in the future. Unsettling.
I have not one, but 2 craft shows this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. I'm flattered that I was 'invited' to both but.....will they like me? Will my things sell? Will I hear "Now I know what to do with my box of buttons?" Will my DH be bored to tears and desert me? Will I bring enough change? Will there be people I should know but forgot their names? Will there be people I don't want to see? Will it be cool or warm? Will my back break from standing?
UGH....too many 'ifs'.
Everything is tagged and priced and looked over for flaws and packed. I have all the equipment and paper and tissue and tape and and and..........
So why am I doing this if it makes me crazed?
Well, I spelled it out below and I want to share. And a few cents won't hurt!

Art & Craft Fairs

I have close friends who are dealers of antiques that are quite pricey by most standards. I have been privy to their ups and downs for years and I ache for them when a show is a bust & applaud with them when they have success. The hauling of heavy goods, the endurance of long hours, the muddy field or the cold concrete floors have been chapters in their lives forever. Irregular, unpredictable, and very hard work.
For the rare times I do shows, I think of them & I ache more for them with the preparation, the set-up, the anxiety, the boredom, the cost and on and on. I don't think the general public appreciates the before,during and after effort that is necessary for craft fairs and shows.
I did a local show today and was quite pleased with the results though we are exhausted. It's nice to know that some really care about my work & that their purchase of it supports my dream. To them I say "THANK YOU".
For those that say "Oh, now I know what to do with Grandma's buttons" or "How cute, how clever, I'll have to try that at home" , I say be my guest, do it, try it and call me when you're trying to sell it and I'll come look, and touch, and measure and comment under my breath "Hmph, I could do that".

Wild and Wacky Week

Last week will hopefully never be repeated! It started with having the majority of the indoor spaces of my house being painted. It was exhausting taking everything down and stashing it out of the painter's way. They were good and clean and neat but then everything (almost) had to be put back. It does look beautiful & we're happy with our color choices.
Saturday I did a show with another etsy seller, LOLSoaps. So in between the painting I attempted to get ready. We met at 7AM (which meant leaving home at 6!), set up and fried! It was a mere 96degrees and after about 11AM there was no shade nearby. According to people who have attended or worked this show in the past, it was dead. Neither of us made a sale until about 1:30. Ashley made a few more but it was awful. At around 3:45 we started to pack it in and yours truly had a bit of a meltdown. I felt like my legs wouldn't work. A kind gentleman got me an icy water and I sat in the EMTs cart which was shaded for a bit until my legs felt sturdy again. Ashley and her DH loaded my car for which I am so grateful. I made it home fine but was tired beyond belief. I will never do an outdoor show during summer in South Carolina again! I did everything right (my clothes,drinking,eating,etc.) but 96? The only saving grace that we all appreciated? I brought my water spray bottle. Thank goodness for small squirts!
The picture shows my cloths with a bar of Ashley's soap....smells delicious but I can't use it until I finish taking more pix. Check her out!