I have done a couple of shows this year and I seem to make in the 4 to 5 hundred range. This is a new area for me with new shows so I don't have much to compare. Other  crafters that have done these shows before say sales are down.I don't know if it is because of what they sell or if it is the economy. I still enjoy going and that makes up for whatever else happens.Hope you can get out there again soon because it sounds like you miss it. Good luck .   Bobby  

My wife and I have done 10 shows in 2004.  We have done mostly the big professional shows with very high expenses. We travel all over the state of Texas having to use a lot of expensive gas and motels for lodging.  We have lost money on every show.  Not a lot at each show but enough that we are in the red. 

Other vendors agree that all shows at every level are going down every year.  Personally I think that we do not have enough new real crafters and the public is tired of seeing the same old same old stuff.  Promoters are trying to get new crafters but only succeding in geting imitations from China.  This just shows customers junk and they quit coming to the shows.  We are going to small to small local church and school shows in 2005.  Best of luck to all who are in this business.  Gary thanks for all your work for us.  Your patterns are great and your inspiration to others has created wonderful new interest in scrolling.

Yours in Christ,

Lyndal 

I've done all right in shows this year. I don't have a last year to compare with, though. I make musical instruments (mountain dulcimers) and the scroll-saw connection is that I like to get creative with the soundholes. Music Festivals aside, I have made five to ten times the booth fee in Arts and Crafts shows. I don't travel for these shows -- they are all close to home -- so I guess I'm doing all right. I don't have any previous years' experience to compare to, so I can't sy it's getting better or worse.

this year was the worst for me, the shows that formerly were really good, this year stunk! attendance was really down,all other crafters i spoke to also said this is a down year.no one knows why, although the popular opinion is the $ of gas.our weather here was not that great[n mich]so that also was a factor.hopefully next year will be better. kim

The season started off slow but picked up great. My hubby talked me into putting some money out to make our booth look more professional and appealing to the eye. That seemed to do the trick. Although, the great advice from fellow scrollers on this site has been wonderful! I had already paid my dues to some shows that , had I known what I know now, I shouldn't have. The best advice given was to try and stay with the shows that are all handmade crafts, no mart merchandise and no secondary events going on. I you do a show that is a family event with stuff for the kids then parents spend their $ on the kids and not the Art/crafts. If you stay strickly with art/craft shows then people are coming for only one of two reasons, either to steal your ideas or to buy.

I would love to do shows full time and travel a bit but my physical disapilites prevent that. So... I stay with in 150 miles of home and only catch one or two a month during the season.

Getting hyped for a up-coming Oct 30/31st show in Denver. There will only be 35 vendors by invite only. It is at the National Stock Show arena and there will be 4 performances by the Westernairs ( trick riding etc.) 5000 at each performance. Have been busy on my Western Art and already have 2 fairly large pieces orderd to be picked up there so I have already made my fees! I am kinda nervous about it as it is kinda a coming out party for me. My 1st invite only show. The right people happen to be at another Western event I did up in Denver and saw my work. They took a card and called me back in June to see if I would be interested. WELL DUH! Thank God for a great family who is  more then willing to lend a hand for these shows so I can get out a bit more.

Talk about family... CONGRATS on the newby Gary! You must be a spring chicken LOL

Good luck to all during the Holiday Show season.

Deb