Deciding On Shows???

[jnice123]

I have a few ? on how you decide on shows. I did a street market 2wks ago it is every sat market. It is only $25 I made 60 but all the vendors complained that traffic was down because of the holiday weekend and the rain in the forecast. I got great feedback on my items which made me feel great, and the organizer told me that people were asking for accessories last wk so would you do it again? Also I am just wondering if i need to sign up for larger events I have done a few small events but it seems like small events =small money. What are your thoughts? Also has anyone done shows where you pay to get in? Are they big money makers? THanks in advance.

[jnice123]

Anyone???Where are the craft show queens??

[Barbara Jean]

I have only done one show. It is a "festival" that our city does every year so I knew about it and just had to find it online. I check my state's webpage (SCIWAY) and they list the different shows around the state. After my first one I have also been contacted about doing other ones but declined those right now because the fee was a bit much for me to handle right now (one was $635 and the other $385, both you would have to pay to get in). You can check Craft Shows, Music Festivals, Craft Fairs, Fine Art Fairs (http://festivalnet.com) and Art and Craft Shows, Festivals, Fairs, Expos, Concerts - Event Directory of 50,000 FREE Online Listings! (http://www.eventlister.com/) for some shows and that might give you a lead on others. Sorry I am not much help.

[jnice123]

Thanks for responding and thanks for the links.

[BusyBumbleBee]

The more the cost of the show the higher the expected turn out basically. I've done school craft shows, festivals outside, even a nursing home (Learn from my mistake, DO NOT do a nursing home), but now doing big shows, expos, malls. If you are just starting out, start small - schools, vendor fairs and work your way up. It's good to get experience and work on making your display bigger and better as you go.

[GrandmaJ]

The more the cost of the show the higher the expected turn out basically. I've done school craft shows, festivals outside, even a nursing home (Learn from my mistake, DO NOT do a nursing home), but now doing big shows, expos, malls. If you are just starting out, start small - schools, vendor fairs and work your way up. It's good to get experience and work on making your display bigger and better as you go.
Good advice! If I were to build up inventory, that is the route I would take. Right now I pass my things off to my sister inlaw, she has them in her salon. She also does a few craft fairs and has sold quite a bit for me that way. I dont feel like I am a good sales person ... so if she's willing, I will keep passing them off to her. I live in a small town area where there are occassional midsized fairs but SIL lives in southern NH ... bigger area. I would think that it would depend on your area as to what/how much you could sell!?!??!

[sweetbabyk]

I have a few ? on how you decide on shows. I did a street market 2wks ago it is every sat market. It is only $25 I made 60 but all the vendors complained that traffic was down because of the holiday weekend and the rain in the forecast. I got great feedback on my items which made me feel great, and the organizer told me that people were asking for accessories last wk so would you do it again? Also I am just wondering if i need to sign up for larger events I have done a few small events but it seems like small events =small money. What are your thoughts? Also has anyone done shows where you pay to get in? Are they big money makers? THanks in advance.

Farmer's market won't bring sales, you need to look at the demographic that's going to attend. I can make more money at one of the craft sale in December in 6 hours than I can at a 2 day sale in the spring. If you're wanting to get your feet wet and don't have a lot of stock then go small but don't expect big money. Look at it as networking and cheap advertisement.

Bigger events don't always bring bigger money. You need to talk to other crafters and find out what shows you need to do. I spent the first year going to craft shows and checking out the people/vendors and talking to the vendors. The links given are good to know. Also search your local chamber of commerce or visitor's bureau. Something the calendar will have festivals or shows.

Yes I've done shows that you need to pay, I love doing the festivals around here. I can't venture too far away since I have 4 kids and my husband wouldn't find it funny if I was always gone on the weekends.

Good luck!

[smurfette]

I know there is an online site that you can check for shows in your area. I think you have to pay to get all the info though. It might be worth checking out to get the basic info and then googling to get the details.

[punkincreations]

I say the same as others.. start small and if you like it go bigger.

I havent done any shows yet but theres 3 or 4 in the schools in my area in Nov. & Dec that I am going to try.

Good luck to you