Craft Show Tips
In many areas, craft shows and markets are underway and will certainly steam ahead once autumn arrives. I thought it would be great to list some tips for those of us who do shows....what we've learned, what we'd never do, tips for success,etc.
I've learned to not do a show in a remote,tucked away location unless it comes highly suggested. It won't attract drive-by drop ins and advertising is often limited. Often if it's an effort to get there, they won't come.
What have you learned?
Tags: craft, markets, shows, suggestions, tips
Views: 825
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michelle De Rooy on -
I am up for doing another market stall this coming Friday. I haven't done one in my local town before... and for some reason I am a bit nervous, waking up a 5 the last 2 mornings and then this morning I gave up the ghost at 4.30am.... I still have a week to go. It might not be worth it if it is going to affect me like this. But I am determined to give it at least 1 go. (it is a weekly market right in town and I have visited it the last 2 weeks and talked to a couple of vendors. 1 lady makes dolls dresses and has been coming every 2 weeks for 7 years, so though I don't ask about profit, I figure if she has been coming for that long, it must be worth it for her...Being outdoors is the biggest problem. I have a marque but that doesn't stop the wind and some rain... and on paper products this can be disastrous! (PS: I am in Australia and the weather is warming up and heading into Summer here!)
I will let you know after the event how I go.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle De Rooy on
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I never did get to do the craft show. That was the weekend my MIL went into hospital just before she died. I haven't the heart to do a show now. maybe next year!
I am getting lots of ideas and have started on a new product line which I hope to launch in January or February at the latest! (Hubby and I are going away for 2 weeks in January and it might hold things back whilst we have some fun! LOL)
Good luck to all those who are doing craft shows!
Michelle
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Permalink Reply by Unexpected Treasure (Anna) on
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It took a while but I read this entire thread! Whew! But there were a lot of great tips! I'm just breaking into the craft show circuit this year and have a show next weekend. I'm really nervous but excited, too! I've copied and pasted tons of these tips so I can print them out for later reference. Thanks to all of you for sharing your insight and experience. :)
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on -
Good luck and share when it's over!
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Update on the craft show I did a couple of weeks ago. The attendance was terrible. There were less than fifty people that came out! There were also less vendors than I thought there would be. I think the low attendance was due to the fact that the gate to the parking lot was never unlocked so people must've thought the show was canceled.
But even with all of that the show was a success for me. I made back all of my expenses plus got seven custom orders for the mohawk hats (all paid in advance). The other vendors were not so lucky.
The show coordinator has offered us each a free spot at the next show to make it up to us. That's almost unheard of in the craft show circuit!
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Permalink Reply by Nicole ~ Nicole's Visions on -
Wow. how sad that some small thing like unlocking a gate could cause such turmoil. But seriously... forget to unlock the gate? How could that be overlooked to begin with? Wow....glad I wasn't the one in charge!
But how awesome that they offered everyone a free spot for the next one. Nice.
And how awesome that you did so well in spite of the circumstances! Wow... imagine if they had unlocked the gates!
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Thanks for this, Nicole. It made me smile!
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on
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Definitely unheard of but happy to hear it was a winner for you!
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Permalink Reply by Nicole ~ Nicole's Visions on
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I have a show coming up on Saturday. A local holiday craft show that has been going on for years.
This is my first holiday show with them. I've done 2 spring shows there.
I feel pretty organized this time. Big tip is most certainly planning ahead.
Always give yourself more time to prepare than you think you will need, but you'll need it!
Be sure to look thru all your things (both the 'stuff' you take & your stock) before every show.
you never know what you might have over looked when packing up from the last show.
I was going thru my 'stuff' on Sunday with my daughter (who is doing the show with me) & saw several things that can stay home. LOL
It's been several years since I've done a holiday show, even longer since I've done just a one day show. Here's hoping the extra prep will be worth it!
I'll have to report back afterwards.
Nicole
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on
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You can never be too prepared. I had a show last week and had to call my husband because I had no tissues and also needed my crochet hook to fix a slipped thread. Fortunately he got there only a few minutes after the start...dumb! My motto is "Better to have it and not need it than to not have it at all"!
Good luck,Nicole!
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Sanchez on -
Don't be afraid to demo (if you are able) while you are sitting there. Often times, people are curious about how you are doing your work and you can draw a good crowd.
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Permalink Reply by Tea Sampler (Gayla) on -
I love these tips!
I have a huge 3 day fair that has the table set up tomorrow and then goes for the next 3 days after that. I have always done well at this fair. I have also only sold my bath products there before and this year will also be selling my teas so I am excited about that! Hoping for some great sales to come my way!!
I agree to always have tons of change and bring a snack and something to drink...but do not eat when you have a customer around. There is nothing worse than a customer asking you a question and your mouth is stuffed full of food! lol so be careful about that! Also, I try to bring someone with me too but it is hard to find someone that will sit all day and have to learn to entertaon themselves when you get the slow times during the event. Then you kinda feel like you have to entertain them lol. Well...wish me luck and I will try to come back and report how the fair went once it is over with!
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