Craft Shows!

[poshnpretty]

I do not have any personal experience in craft shows(still need courage:().

If you know abt craft shows, please let us know your experience, it will be useful to many of us!:clap:

[BusyBumbleBee]

The first two were a waist of my time (nursing home:sleep1:, small school:thumbdown:), I barely paid my table fees at both. The third one was at a bigger school and I did alright (really good compared to my 1st two):thumbup1: I actually had 3 people from that show contact me afterwards. I spend a lot of time on my display and my stock, so I'd say really it wasn't worth my time; however, since I am a newbie I guess it was good to start out small and not jump right in. There was a lot of talk at all the shows I did that there was poor advertising (make sure you ask how it will be advertised before you register for a show, it makes ALL the difference). Next year I will probably look into some of the bigger shows. If you are having axiety about doing a show DON'T! Really all it is is saying "Hi" over and over. When someone wants to talk you know all the answers and should be proud of what you have displayed. I'd rather be talking to people all day then sitting reading my magazine for 2 hours like I did at one show. You can do it!:yes:

[tatortot]

I havent yet done one

[polychic]

I was supposed to do one in December which fell through... sOOOOOO I've been getting ready for my first one over the last few months which happens to be in 2 WEEKS! I'm getting stinkin nervous! 70,000 people... it sounds like a lot, but since I've never done one, I wouldn't know any different. All I know is that I've got a gazillion of everything and it's coming out of my ears! LOL!

[taky]

I haven't done one yet!

[polychic]

Mine turned out great! Many people I've talked to do lots of little shows. I think this year I'm going to stick to the two big shows and then, perhaps, try 4 big ones next year. My main goal (besides making $) is totally marketing and getting my name out there... lots of brochures, flyers, business cards!!

The next one is November 5-8 and is hosted by the Junior League. I'm super excited because the president of the JL approached me and asked me to apply... I had not even considered it because a booth is $625!!:eek: That's a small fortune to me, so I'm pretty nervous. BUT, the reason I decided to do it is because it is 4 days long. The Junior League is elite and is associated with my prime customer-base, so being that marketing is my main goal, I should be able to rub elbows with some pretty helpful people!

Wow I just totally rambled LOL! sorry :)

[Lauren]

Mine turned out great! Many people I've talked to do lots of little shows. I think this year I'm going to stick to the two big shows and then, perhaps, try 4 big ones next year. My main goal (besides making $) is totally marketing and getting my name out there... lots of brochures, flyers, business cards!!

The next one is November 5-8 and is hosted by the Junior League. I'm super excited because the president of the JL approached me and asked me to apply... I had not even considered it because a booth is $625!!:eek: That's a small fortune to me, so I'm pretty nervous. BUT, the reason I decided to do it is because it is 4 days long. The Junior League is elite and is associated with my prime customer-base, so being that marketing is my main goal, I should be able to rub elbows with some pretty helpful people!

Wow I just totally rambled LOL! sorry :)

You should TOTALLY do that JL show!! That would be excellent exposure for you and your business!!

[Barbara Jean]

Mine turned out great! Many people I've talked to do lots of little shows. I think this year I'm going to stick to the two big shows and then, perhaps, try 4 big ones next year. My main goal (besides making $) is totally marketing and getting my name out there... lots of brochures, flyers, business cards!!

The next one is November 5-8 and is hosted by the Junior League. I'm super excited because the president of the JL approached me and asked me to apply... I had not even considered it because a booth is $625!!:eek: That's a small fortune to me, so I'm pretty nervous. BUT, the reason I decided to do it is because it is 4 days long. The Junior League is elite and is associated with my prime customer-base, so being that marketing is my main goal, I should be able to rub elbows with some pretty helpful people!

Wow I just totally rambled LOL! sorry :)
That does sound like an excellent opportunity for you to connect with your target customer-base! I know you'll do well, too!

[polychic]

Thanks, Ladies! I hope so :) I'm resting for a couple of weeks waiting on my ribbon order to arrive and then I'm back to it! LOL!

[mamaof2cuties]

ive got a show coming up may 22 and i am so nervous!!! i am afraID I WONT HAVE ENOUGH STUFF BY THEN!!!!!

[Lauren]

ive got a show coming up may 22 and i am so nervous!!! i am afraID I WONT HAVE ENOUGH STUFF BY THEN!!!!!
That is exciting! I am sure you will have enough merchandise by then. ;-) Please take pics of it all...I am sure everyone would love to see! :)

[mamaof2cuties]

That is exciting! I am sure you will have enough merchandise by then. ;-) Please take pics of it all...I am sure everyone would love to see! :)
i will i am in the process of uploading pics to my myspace now. but im one of those ppl that never think their stuff is good enough so.. my sister has been working late nights painting bow holders for me LOL. she has come up with some pretty unique designs. i think the thing that scares me is that i just started making bows or anything about a month ago and word has traveled fast in my small town and i was asked to do this show... eeeek!!!

[Lauren]

Sometimes that is the best way to get into something...being thrown into it! lol

[polychic]

ive got a show coming up may 22 and i am so nervous!!! i am afraID I WONT HAVE ENOUGH STUFF BY THEN!!!!!

Good luck!!! You will do wonderful!!!

[mamaof2cuties]

Good luck!!! You will do wonderful!!!
thank you so much for the encouragement.....

[maeve33]

I was making clippies and stuff for a month when i did my first craft fair and it went really well and i've had people emailing me orders. I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo nervous but in hindsight i shouldn't have bothered. It'll go great:clap:

[SunVolley15]

I've never worked up the nerve to try a show, but I would love to someday. My big fear is that I will not only not make any money, but then I would be out all of the time and effort and pretty supplies that it took to make all the stuff that did sell. Have any of you hosted a small show or been part of an open house type of show? I think that would be the way to go if there is enough local interest.

[kidsm3]

ive got a show coming up may 22 and i am so nervous!!! i am afraID I WONT HAVE ENOUGH STUFF BY THEN!!!!!

Need stuff i have like a ton from my last show. mostly animal print pinwheeles. oh and pony o's., ribbon tees 3t - medium in girls

[thatlittleboutique]

I did a small show w/ my local etsy team last year. I was small and probably not advertised well enough. Most people didn't make anything. I made a little bit. I chalked it up to exposure and experience. I think that doing a few small ones to get your display skills up and running is a good route to take. I am going to be doing a big one this Xmas time and then go from there.

[beansnana]

I did a small show w/ my local etsy team last year. I was small and probably not advertised well enough. Most people didn't make anything. I made a little bit. I chalked it up to exposure and experience. I think that doing a few small ones to get your display skills up and running is a good route to take. I am going to be doing a big one this Xmas time and then go from there.

I have heard of hooking up with etsy teams and how wonderful they are to help get your name out there. I need to start searching for one in my area. :D

[kidsm3]

hey you never did tell us how your show went and if the stock you bought sold or not! We want to know!!!!glaugh

[beansnana]

hey you never did tell us how your show went and if the stock you bought sold or not! We want to know!!!!glaugh

Lets just say I should have stayed home and slept. LOL The set up was a total joke. They told us the size of our tables, and they were not even close to that. My friend made me some nurse sculptures and I raffled those off, and donated 100.00 to the heart assoc. I was so tired, I was not even disappointed, can you believe that. My poor dh was more upset over it than I was. I am glad I did things the way I did though, cuz I found out my clippie board sucked and now it gives me time to fix it up a bit better. SIGH!!!:hug:
Thanks for asking though. I am looking for another venue here close to home though. Might have to get a sellers permit but no biggie there

[mamaof2cuties]

hey you never did tell us how your show went and if the stock you bought sold or not! We want to know!!!!glaugh


things went pretty well.. i posted pics on here i think!!! i made enough to cover my table (25$) plus 32$. not bad for a baby fair that was mainly for free info. the lady that hosted its exact words were and i quote" you did pretty well considering our clientel is lower class and dont have any extra money" so im pretty happy with it,. i have a big big show coming up june 20th with six to seven thousand ppl expected so now i am nervous!!!