Would you go back to this craft show?

Hello All!

As I have said in other posts, I have recently been inspired to try to start my own business selling my jewelry... or more apropriately re-launch.   I was very ill and mostly bed-ridden when I first started making my jewelry and I attempted to sell it then, but was heavily medicated and really was only functioning on half a brain, if that!  LOL! 

But seriously, I attempted to do a craft show last November.  It was at a local church in a small-ish town.  There were a dozen other people selling handmade jewelry.  I was having a horrible day with my disease and I was in so much pain that I couldn't hide it, so I basically avoided eye contact with people... BUT I did sell a few pieces.  It was the first craft show I had ever been to in my life.... including as a customer! 

I got the invitation to come again this year.  I was like, "NO WAY! because I hadn't sold much last time and I felt like the people running the thing should have made sure there weren't sooooo many people selling the same thing.  But I've been reading posts about how showing up at the same shows every year is good for repeat customers.  

So should I go back this year equiped with all my knowledge I've been gaining and hopefully have a more successful experience?  Does it matter that I might have a ton of competition?   Or should I just try to find new shows to participate in?  What would you do?

Stepheny

 MissEden

 All our shows last year and the early one we did this year sound exactly like the one you discribed.

One thing you said that stood out though was you were in pain and couldn't hide it. You have to be willing to talk and make eye contact with potential customers, let them in on your knowledge of your craft and tell them a bit about each piece. Be friendly just like you are on the forums. That goes along way in making a sell.

I do realize from you're other posts that you are in costant pain. Only you can decide whether or not craft shows and fairs are the right forum. But if you're pain is making you avoid your customers...why would they buy from you. Perhaps you're more a candidate for the on-line type of sells.

If this is harsh you have my apologies but I don't want you to be in pain sitting at a show and not make sales and get discouraged and give up.

sellen

My pain has been a factor in my mind.  I'm much much better now at dealing with it.... ironically deciding to take myself OFF the meds was the best decision I ever made!   But I also worry because the intensity of my pain comes and goes, often times without rhyme or reason.   I'm thinking of asking my best friend if she would like to be my "understudy".  I could bring her along to shows and she could learn the things I've been learning on this and other sites.  Then she could be on 'stand-by' if I absolutely can't make it to an event.  She doesn't work, so her schedule would be open.

 MissEden

 Now, that sounds like a plan.

 I don't sell my stuff "personally" my family has a booth of all the crafts our family does.(I'm house bound. ) 1 booth but 3 or 4 crafters and they do the shows.

 So, if your friend is willing that sounds great.

sellen

 Stepheny - You plan sounds like the best thing to me! I would definitely give it a shot, depending on the price of the booth. If you are in a position to do it, then do it! Ask your friend to go along with you. On another forum, there was a discussion similar to this. Several people say that they will take someone with them to do the actual selling and they ( the artisan ) will take stuff to work on. People love to see the work happening! Then if someone asks a question that your friend is not comfortable answering, you are right there. The suggestion was to try, depending on space, to have a "work" area that people can stand and watch. They all swear by it!

But this also allows your friend to watch your booth for you to be able to go to the restroom, get food, or get up and stretch. I can only sit for so long before I have to walk around a little bit.

However, I would drive 2 vehicles if possible so that if things get too bad, you can leave and she will be there to man your booth so that you won't have to break down the booth early.

Best of Luck with your show!

I'd say it wouldn't hurt to give it a second try since you're a bit more clear-headed than you were last time.  Then you'd have a better idea of whether it's worth doing again going forward. That will also help you determine your current tolerance levels for it. There's bound to be competition no matter where you are, so you have to think about what makes your jewelry different than the next person's.  Ultimately what people buy comes down to personal taste, so if someone doesn't buy from me I may be disppointed but I can deal with it.

Taking something to work on and more importantly a selection of your most-used components for a quick re-string can be invaluable.  I've made plenty of sales I otherwise wouldn't have just because I could resize it on the fly, or re-string a bracelet as a necklace by removing the clasp and adding some chain to either end.  Just try not to be so absorbed in what you're doing that you forget to look up to smile and greet people.

If your friend is willing to help you mind your booth, so much the better!  I usually have to do shows on my own and trying to track down a volunteer to watch the booth while I use the restroom is a right pain in the "ahem".

Good luck whatever you decide to do. :)

I think I will give it another whirl.  I did sell a few things, and maybe some of the other 'competition' will have decided not to return!   I actually felt like mine was different for the most part.  I was the only one who had one of a kinds... there were some who used higher end materials, and some who used lower end.  Some who specialized in the local school colors/mascots.   I know SOOO much more now from reading posts and looking at pictures of people's booths.  Mine was WAY too crowded and random.  And all I had on the table was a cheap, thin plastic tablecloth that I picked up in the clearance bin the day before the show!  I'm going to plan everything out this time and I got my own table (found it in the garage!  never knew my hubby owned it!) so I can practice setting up and tearing down.  I think it will be a good trial run if nothing else!

Stepheny

That's a great idea.  You might also try setting it up different ways, and take pics of each one so you can decide what you like best afterwards.  That way you have time to experiment with props, different heights, etc.

Stepheny I haven't had experience with setting up a table for selling my beaded jewelry yet, but have done so for country, folk and animal dolls I made for years.

Presentation is SO important! I can't stress that enough. And when you sell a few items, take a look at your table and re-arrange so your table always looks good.

I'm currently making Sea inspired earrings etc. for a small Florida Park show in Feb or March . My sister will share a table with me for her nature watercolors. I plan to use driftwood, a large Conch shell, sand a small 'treasure chest'. We'll probably get a linen cloth for a table cover. Good luck!

LUV

 Just a note on tablecloths, I bought some nice material ones as wal-mart for $6 and $8 depending on size. I got cream colored since I don't do very much jewelry that color. It allows the color of the jewelry to pop! But it is still neutral.

Check to see if there is any kind of theme, etc that you are suppose to decorate for. Some have it, some don't.

But go and have a great time!

Jeni, I love the idea of taking pictures so I can compare!  I plan on taking my table and stuff to my mom's house to 'experiment' and get input.  My grandmother also lives with my mom and they both have unique decorating styles.  I figure the more input the better!  

Sheila, there's a Walmart right by my mom's house, so I will keep them in mind for a table cloth! 

My mom also sews, so I might end up going to Joanne's and picking out material... all depends on if she's in the mood to make me something "custom".   I kinda thought about covering boxes with material to give some height to a couple spots on the table.... add a level.  My mind has all sorts of ideas bouncing around!

My business name is Jewels of Eden.  My middle name is Eden.  My displays are from the "Rose Series" that FMG sells.  I'm thinking of getting some fake  ivy from Hobby Lobby and winding it around on the table.  And I want to have a couple of mirrors too so people can look at how great they look in my stuff!

Stepheny

I think craft shows are pretty expensive thats just my person taste

I agree with some of them. But the craft shows I do are $10-$25 a booth so it is worth the chance. I always make my money back. At some I sell even more! YEAH! Although, this year, I am cutting back to just a couple. 

I was also going to say to take into account the cost of the show.  And you never know - if some of the other vendors who were selling jewelry had a really bad show, they might not come back, but YOU will!  I have experienced that at one of the farmers markets up here where I sell regularly.  At the beginning of the season, we were absolutely saturated with jewelry sellers.  (Most of it was pretty run-of-the-mill stuff, too.)  But myself and one of my friends kept coming back, and now we seem to have weeded out the folks who gave up, and we're getting all the business!  I say, go for it! 

And it can never hurt to bring a friend with you to a show!  I brought a friend with me down to a big show I did earlier this summer, and it was great.  Even though I don't have the same issues that you do, I still do need bathroom breaks and a chance to eat, LOL!

Post some pics of your displays when you get them all worked out!

-Jen

This particular show is only $15 entry for a single booth.  There's a $5 table rental, but I'll have my own this year.