fresh picks
“craft show disappointment”
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Description from Kitty Chicky Cat: I spent over $200 getting ready fore my first craft show. I’d guess there were almost 50 vendors (we filled the main sanctuary of the church and another large room across the lobby). Only 3 or 4 others had jewelry. The show was scheduled during a football game!!! Maybe 25 people showed up (maybe!)!! I only sold about $45 worth of stuff!! That was just about the booth fee!! Most of my items were earrings (small ticket items) but I did sell a bracelet and earring set for 15. If I hadn’t been sharing a table I would have come away empty handed! I haven’t done a craft fair since!
Charoite Flat Oval 14x10mm Buy this Gemstone Bead: |
Pink Peony Faceted Bicone 6mm Buy this Bead: |
Canadian Jade Round 8mm OUT OF STOCK
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Lilac Faceted Bicone 4mm OUT OF STOCK
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Rose Quartz Flat Oval 14x10mm OUT OF STOCK
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On May 11, 2009 at 11:52 am #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:When was it? The craft show I did was $50 for one table for one day (toooo expensive). There were 15 vendors and 6 were jewelry
But anyway I was talking to family yesterday and they said it’d be good to have maybe a sign for “If you spend $50 you get a $5 bracelet (or earring pair) free” Because people like free things! Will you do any more? I think Christmas is the best time to do shows…but we were hoping Mother’s Day would be good too. Oh well…
On May 11, 2009 at 11:55 am #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:Chicky Cat, I feel your pain! You work SO hard, get SO excited..only to get a bit discouraged and disappointed…I still think the best way to make some money at this is to have an open house or do home parties…no competition and people who are invited buy! Has anyone had luck on the internet? I have some things on ebay in my husbands “store” and while people look at my jewelry, they haven’t bought it.
On May 11, 2009 at 11:56 am #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:At the open houses I have a raffle…usually a bookmark or a pair of earrings…people love free things, just like Little Chick said!
On May 11, 2009 at 11:56 am #
movie chick aka susan says:Kitty, I have not done a show for that reason…I am sorry it was like that…big turnoff
On May 11, 2009 at 12:01 pm #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:How much was the table? Was it one day or two? (sorry, just had to ask)
On May 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Yup, sometimes that happens!!! We did about 12 shows & then picked the best ones. A real pain, but, we narrowed it down to 4 really good shows!!!! I also find that shows at Churches don’t do very well….. I don’t know why????
On May 11, 2009 at 12:26 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:OOPS, BTW, this is a very pretty pick!!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:28 pm #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:The craft show we do in November is a Church show and it does really well. Also, I think that if a show has been around longer, it does better. The one I did was the 1st Annual…blahhh
On May 11, 2009 at 12:32 pm #
Dizzy Chick Lori Z says:Oh, I’m sorry. I think craft shows are kind of a hit or miss thing myself. I have never sold at one.
If I try to relate to the craft fair customer mentality (like my own when I go to one) I think that most people come looking for “cheap, cute stuff”. If you are selling something of quality & have it priced accordingly, most people admire, but don’t buy. I just don’t think people come prepared to spend more than $10-15 on an item.
We have a few seasonal events in our town where different people will set up tables of their wares. The higher the prices, the fewer people there are looking!
I have had people tell me to go set up shop in an office building around lunch time (Bank, Dr.’s plaza, etc.) (with permission of course)! Never done that either, but if you become a regular, that might be a way to build a clientele.
On May 11, 2009 at 12:37 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:I agree with Little Chick, the longer a show is around the better it does!!! Any Show around Christmas does well!!! Even the Church shows!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:38 pm #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:Some Chicky said that they sell their jewelry to little shops so that the shop can resell them (right?) How would you do that?
On May 11, 2009 at 12:44 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Little Chicky, I give jewelry to shops on consignment!! Do real well with that!! You just go to a nice boutique or gift shop and ask if they would be interested in carring your things, of course, bring some examples. Find out how much percentage they charge & add the amount you’d need to make up the difference. Be sure to find out when they pay out!! Some may just want to buy out-right….
On May 11, 2009 at 12:47 pm #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:Ok! I guess I’ll need to find some shops. Like what kind of shops (I wonder if that was a dumb question)?
On May 11, 2009 at 12:50 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Not a dumb question!!! Try to find some higher end gift shops!!! Make sure they don’t already have TOOOOO MUCH jewelry!! Also the little Dress Boutiques!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:51 pm #
Luv2bead - Little Chick says:Ok! Thanks!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Oh yea, there arwe also hotels that sometimes have show cases by the front desk, we sell alot through one here!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:53 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:Chicky Cat, I feel for you. Your description sounds almost exactly like what happend to me. I did 3 craft shows last year and each time I just barely paid for the booth with a bit extra. Wasn’t really worth the time but I did get a few items out there, so maybe things will spread word of mouth.
Dizzy Chick, ditto on what you said too.
People want cheap stuff. They look but don’t buy.
Sparkle Chick, I just can’t quite wrap my head around the idea of a home party.
I don’t work outside the home so the only people I know would be family and friends.
I don’t want anyone to buy out of obligation and I think they would. Most of them know I make jewelry anyway so if they really wanted some…they’d have asked already. Sigh.
On May 11, 2009 at 12:55 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Little Chicky, remember to make out two inventory sheets, 1 for you & 1 for them, have them mark off the things as they sell. And on the back of the tags give each item a different number for you inventory..!!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:57 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Oh ya, also have them keep the tags in an envelope (give them the envelope) with the inventory sheet!!!! I think I covered everthing….lol……. Ask anything else you want to know!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:You’re not only helping Little Chick Miss
Anita! Those are great tips for me too!
Thank you!!!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 1:03 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Sweet Chick, Have your family bring 1 or 2 of their friends with them. Tell your family not to buy out of obligation. This way your things get seen & when they need a gift they’ll think of you!!! If the open house is at your house you won’t be out much!!! Also, tell them your willing to do parties at their houses too, if they would like to!!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 1:06 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:No problem, they work for us, I like seeing you gals all do WELL…. We have to stick together!!!!lol……. No one else will do it for us!!
On May 11, 2009 at 1:07 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:THANK YOU!!!!!!
Never occured to me to tell family NOT to buy but bring friends that might!!
Cool!
On May 11, 2009 at 1:08 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:Like I said, GOT ANY QUESTIONS, JUST ASK…… I’ve done them all!!!!!!
On May 11, 2009 at 1:23 pm #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:Great tips Funny Chick…
Sweet Chick…I also don’t work outside the home….I invite friends to my home parties and tell them NO obligation…many of them bring friends too. If they come, they always buy (usually for gifts at Christmas or Mother’s Day)…they are so very supportive of me and my jewelry business.
When I have a home party at my mom’s in another state, she & my sister invite tons of people that I don’t know…that works out even better!
On May 11, 2009 at 2:21 pm #
Kitty Chicky Cat says:Thanks for your support and kind words Chicks! I should look into little shops and home parties!
Little Chick, it was $50 for a table for one day.
I may have overpriced things. They were really simple but crystals and sterling silver Really add up! The style was also more “high school-college” aged and those few people who came were “mom of high school-college” aged. I also didn’t have any necklaces (stringing did and still does make me nervous)!
On May 11, 2009 at 3:54 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Oh so sorry to hear that, I know the feeling, all that preparation, time, and money spent seems like it was all for nothing. But don’t give up! Also, festivals are a really great place to set up jewelry booths; where I live there are a ton of festivals throughout the year and it seems like the jewelry booths always do pretty well. If it wasn’t for the new restaurant I’d be doing all the festivals this year. Good luck with any other future jewelry endeavors!
On May 11, 2009 at 10:12 pm #
Valentine Chick says:Just a thought…beauty shops? Also, do you have business cards made up to pass out? I hope maybe you got some ideas. Don’t be discouraged though.
On May 12, 2009 at 6:07 pm #
Kitty Chicky Cat says:Thanks Chicks! I should look into it!