Sorry to hear that, I don't really have much expierence with shows, or any words of wisdom that might help you. I can only sympathize and hope you have better luck next time.

Scott

A couple of things you might want to look at, what kind of show venue were you involved in....

Some shows do not really cater to the real craftsman... some allow just about anything to be sold and this means that the bargain hunters are out in force and those of us who make good handcrafted goods are at a disadvantage...

Been there, done that, have the Tshirt to prove it and won't do it again... LOL

Look for shows that are truly craft shows.. the best are usually juried and limit the amount of crafters that do the same kind of work...

I am the only pen maker in the 3 shows I do every year... I get a good following and have customers contacting me after the shows are over.

 

Tom

 

 

Hey Scott, sure sorry to hear about the dud weekend. I sure have done that but it was just like the Griz said about picking the right show to go to. I was at a local monthly flea market type thing. I tried about 3 or 4 months of that and hardly sold a thing. Even had a lady cut through my booth in a hurry to buy an old jar that the vendor next to me had some stuff in. She gave him 20 bucks for it. I thought about trashing my saw and go looking for old jars to sell. Just kidding. Anyway I quit going to that sale and started looking for craft shows. Sales have gone up. Not getting rich but I don't go in with a cloud hanging over me wondering if I'll sell anything.  I always sell something  now.  We have a local town festival I have set up at the last 2 years and they have a band and carnival rides and a parade and I go cause I live a couple miles out and I don't sell enough to make it worth while, but I have a hoot so I go anyways.  But the craft shows are good. Check out the threads and see what items are selling for others  they may work for you. Check out the photos of some of the booths and how they display. I know Linster has some good photos in her folder.    Rots of ruck    gw

dont let it hold you down i go to sales almost every weekend that i have the money and i travel in a 300 mile circle what you miss on this show youll make up fpr down the ine trust me this is my only income and it paying the bills 4 me but then again i set up 2 10 by 20 tents and have back wall and i probble display about 750 different pieces good luck and god bless

bill n sherri

Sorry about that too, but I had a similar experiences a couple of times here in PR but not worry your time will come. I learn that one have to do pieces for all pockets  sometimes the economy is not as I want but  we are work with that ,for to know the way to follow.As a joke I have two empty boxes with me in the shows one for all  of this phrases : "OH IT's wonderful", "oh Is only had enough money", "GOD bless you your hands" " Really you  did it",     "I will come later"  Etc.   and the other one for a millions of promises that  I heard in the shows. It's great to hear that   but sometimes We don't work for love to art only  or   I Wrong?

                   Be happy God bless you

                  Orlando

 

In our first craft sale things didn't go that well for a while, in fact we had a 6 hour time span with nobody vistiting our booth and the show was only 12 hours, then a pastor friend gave me an order of 15 mini clocks. I had around 25 there but he wanted dark wood and it was a month before Christmas and he had to send them for gifts so back in the shop I went and made them up. I did manage to sell a few other clocks and shelves, the show wasn't advertised at all and there where other shows in the area. Next year I will skip that show for a different one. I am trying to get ready for a show this July, I plan on having some outdoor stuff in this one like planters, adirondack chairs and bird feeders/houses. Don't get discouraged just keep on keeping on.

Hey Shadez     sounds like you've worked hard at this. If you don't mind telling us, where do you live and what are some of the things that sell for you?  Thanky kindly  gw

gw~

 

I live in North Georgia right on the Ga. ~ Tn. Border, about 5 miles outside Chattanooga Tn. I travel quite a bit to do shows including South Florida(which is a further drive then it sounds about 14 hours), Chicago, New York and Michigan.

 

I do primarily art shows and sell my work as such. My least expensive piece in the booth right now is $90 and my most expensive in $1250 and to answer before you ask I have sold cuttings for that much. I mat and frame everything in the booth in nice frames and can charge more then twice what I would in a cheap frame. So far this year my designs Silverton, Colorado and Bedded Down have been the two best selling pieces for me.

 

When it comes to succeeding at a show it is very important to 1 pick a good show and 2 present your work in the best light possible. I just had some photos taken of my booth and will will post them here soon. Hope that answered your question, feel free to e-mail if you have more detailed questions I'll be happy to help however I can.

 

Happy Scrolling!

Shadez  

Boy have we all been there and done that! The 1st year or two is very hard. I agree with the type of show being very important. I do not do shows that are secondary events to something else going on. If it is kid oriented, meaning things for kids to do, STAY AWAY.  Try to stick to shows which do not allow mart merchantice or wholesalers. Hand made by vender only. I too sell my work as ART not craft. I agree that matting and framing is very important as you will see those prices rise. I have signed up for 10 shows this year, my 1st being June 4th/5th. I live in Colorado so I have a wide varity of work to enclude western art, country singers, horses, wild life etc.I do have photos posted in my album of my set up. Plan to spend a bit of dough to make dough! LOL. Your display and presentation is very important. When setting up your display make it look like a store front. Professionalisim is also important. Dress and act the part. AFTER ALL WE ARE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS!

With trial and error you will come through this down time. Do not get discouraged and take the praise you get for your work knowing you are good at what you do it is just a matter of finding your venue.

Deb