How to know which shows are best?

[ElleJay]

Hi,

I hope that I am posting this in the right place.

I am new to craftster.org and also new to the business side of the craft world. I have been creating for as long as I can remember and have have sold some of my work over the years.

Being a new stay at home mom I am able to pursue my dream and jump in to the business of craft!

I recently did a gift show which was a flop for myself and just about all of the vendors there. I paid $50 for my table and did not even make that much back! 

I know that there are no guarantees on making money at a show, however I was wondering if there is a way to know which shows are a better risk than others?

Thank you for any advice! I am really happy that I found your site.

xoxo
ElleJay

[Chris in VT]

I made $20 at my first show. That was in 1980 and I have been doing shows since then. Full time since 1994.

First thing I must ask is what do you make? And please don't tell me it's jewelry. That is one category that is by far the most competitive in this business. Only the best make any real money. When a show has 1/3 jewelry, even the customers' eyes glaze over and nobody does well.

I always see where exhibitors want only the best shows. Sure, I can rattle off some GREAT shows where I have made thousands in a weekend. But a beginner would be totally lost there. You have to find the shows that are good for you, not everybody else. Besides, the 'good shows' aren't $50, they're $200-$500. And for that money you have a 10x10 space that consists of two chalk marks on the floor and a plug. Our job is to transform that space into an attractive booth.

Where do we begin? Well, first, what did your display look like? Was it all laid out on a table just like everybody else? Or was it different? The key word is different. That's what draws the customers to your booth, not table. And different is the key to selling. You have to have what nobody else has at that show.

How many shows did you attend before signing up? I always tell  beginners to attend as many shows within a 100 mile radius as possible. Small shows, big shows put on by professionals with professional exhibitors. Look at the displays. Nobody has a table set up, they all have 3 sided booths with lighting and displays. Here's a site to search for shows in your area:

http://festivalnet.com/

Do a Google images for craft show displays. Get ideas. Here's one site for a promoter I do a lot of shows with. You can click any image to bring it up. All of the shows are in New England.

http://www.castleberryfairs.com/photoalbum.php

Helpful tips. Never sit down at a show! Unless you're handicapped or something, you always stand and be ready to greet your customers. Just a simple "good morning" with a smile is all that's necessary. You don't see the employees at a store sitting, so why do we think it's ok? Dress nice. I use the trem "dress for success" literally. Nothing fancy, but you do want to look professional.

It's a beginning. You will learn at every show you do. Good luck.

[ElleJay]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your reply and guidance! I would love to see your work I see you are closed I will check in a few days.

The show that I did was at a church. I figured out quickly that the event was not in support of the vendors but a way to bring money in for them. The space was uncomfortable, badly lit, Announcer/DJ blaring loud and you nailed it toooo many Jewelry vendors. There were 20 of us in all and probably 70% had jewelry. Most were sitting and looked bored, but then the announcer kept screwing up our names and products and kept pushing the bar. Basically the "shoppers" got tipsy and sampled all the free samples (a baker had cookies and coffee). By the end everyone was dropping their prices by as much as 70% or buy one get on free and the vendors were trying to solicit each other! I was stunned, exhausted but not discouraged!

I make handmade gifts for babies and crocheted items. I was given a 6' table which I wrapped in beautiful silver paper. I had long rectangular canvases which I sponged in silver paint and draped my hand stitched felt mobiles over them. It wasn't the best but pretty good, I would do something similar again.

I used part of my table for hand quilled snowflakes.

I did not sit while I was there and smiled and said hello to everyone who passed by. I had many nice conversations and got lots of compliments. Although I do admit when two ladies stopped in front of my table and rested their drinks to chat, I took a break and sat for a minute (I needed a break).

I started packing up early and the announcer let everyone know it was their last chance to make a purchase from me, when I looked up the other vendors had also started to pack up. I thanked all of the people running the show and left.

I will admit that my display was not breath taking and if I had more time to plan it would have been much different (the opportunity to do the show was last minute).

I have been to many craft fairs and love the shops in the New England artist shops. Sadly I live in the NYC area and there isn't a lot of craftsy stuff going on here. One our goals in the next year or so is to make a move to New England in part for my future in the arts.

I am using this time for research and development. I will explore more shows and try again soon when I am able.

Thank you for sending me the links I will bookmark them and take your advice to prepare and learn from what others are doing.

Happy New Year!
ElleJay

[Chris in VT]

Not a lot of craft stuff in the NYC area? There's plenty of shows!

I grew up in New Jersey and I could find a show every weekend from March to Christmas. I have since moved to the country (Vermont) and yet I'm able to do 40 shows a year. I still go down to Jersey twice a year for a great show in Chester. It's worth the five hour drive.

I chose Vermont as it is a state that recognizes the value of the arts. We even have "open studio weekends" twice a year where the real artists and craftsmen literally open their studios to the public. And the State distributes maps to the studios. I don't take part as I have gotten older and my product is more a craft than art, so I just do shows.

I found heaven in Vermont. We got 15 inches of snow the other day and another 5 inches yesterday. And when the sun came out today it was breathtaking!

If you're at all interested in persuing crafts, there's a school in Ludlow, VT that gives weekly classes in a number of mediums.

Here's their site: http://fletcherfarm.org/