First let me say that I am still having trouble with Photobucket and being able to upload my templates in their original size... I am losing my patience with it, honestly, but there is nothing I can do as of the moment. The woman that is helping me asked me to send her the file I was trying to upload... she successfully added it to my album but unfortunately, that does not help me... I have a few more I would like to add.
Onward: I have a couple of questions for all you ladies that do craft shows, if you would be so kind as to add your input. I stitched about 40 pillows for the Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays this year... but I never completed them... so I am thinking about just going and going and maybe doing a craft show next year.
Now, I have never done a craft show before but I am thinking of just completing my pillows (and framed stitcheries) and making some dolls, bowl fillers, possibly some quilted table runners/wall hangings, room sprays and maybe even some dough ornies. I do work about 50 hours a week outside the home but I am thinking that if I work on this stuff throughout the year, I should have a pretty good inventory.
I would have to stay in my area and would absolutely LOVE to do the Sturbridge, MA fair (I'm going this weekend and I can't wait!)
So my questions are:
Are craft shows worth your time and effort?
Has anyone ever regretted doing it?
Can anyone tell me how to get started on being accepted to a craft show?
Also, do you accept credit cards and if so, how would I go about setting that up?
Anyone help that you can give would be VERY MUCH appreciated!
Thank you!
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Howdy,
ReplyDeleteYour ideas and choice of items sound great. :)
I hope that you get some good advice. I did a Christmas fair one year. It was great fun.
I don't know if I can do shows. I wish I could. Sometimes it is a hard thing. But at the same time really fun. Good luck with that.
I hope that you will be able to get the photobucket thing worked out. What a pain, huh?
Have a great day. Take care, Janet W
I did a couple of show over the summer and set up at some farmers markets ~ I really enjoyed them ~ they are a lot of work to set up and take down ~ but I thought well worth it. I'm hoping to do more next year. When you go to your sale this weekend find out where you can get an application for next years show.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Prim Blessings
Robin
Hello dear,I wish I can come to this fair too..sound so nice
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day
Love cucki x
I did shows with a friend back in the 90s. We also did open house shows in her home. All the shows were great fun! Yes, the setting up & taking down is a lot of work but it's fun to meet & talk with the people who stop by & even more fun when they buy something : ) There was no credit card purchasing from individual booth sellers back then so I don't know what to tell you about that. The best way to sign up to be in a craft show is just ask someone selling at one who you should contact, or if it's a big craft show you could maybe Google it. I've never regretted doing one, even when sales were not good (that happened a time or two). Best of luck to you ... your plans for next year sound great!
ReplyDeleteShows are a lot of work, but if you can spread it out over the year, maybe it wouldn't be so overwhelming. I never had a chance to do that...always waited until September to get started on a Christmas show.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed doing a GOOD show. Don't waste your time on small ones that are 'unproven'. The Sturbridge one sounds amazing.
Try to plan your setup ahead of time and get some big totes to put all your items in for traveling. A handcart is great for moving things to and from the car.
I do love hobnobbing with the people at the shows. I have only regretted doing one, the rest have been fun.
I have never accepted credit cards, so I can't help you there. I do cash and checks.
It sounds like you have some wonderful things planned, so good luck next year. Hope this helps.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I too did them in the 90's with a friend and her hubby made us a display rack, he make 3 hinged sections of framed lattice with one big shelf that we could lower and raise and we had a lot of s hooks because our stuff mostly hung.
ReplyDeleteGoogle the craft shows for your state and you'll get a site with a list of them all. I can't remember the link or I'd give it to you. We didn't take credit cards, they seem to be used more now than then. There's an app for the phones now that let's you slide the cc's for payment. Cool.
Hugs,
Susan
Hi dear,
ReplyDeleteI just did a show the end of October and it was terrific. Although I have to travel 2 hrs to do it, I find that doing this pays off in some ways but in others it's time consuming. For myself, it's hard when your doing a 2 or 3 day show alone. So my first advise would be to bring a friend.
I also accept credit cards and find that nearly 40 percent of my sales are by cc. Of course you can take checks and cash is my favorite.
I have an e-book that goes into deeper detail on finding and doing shows, if your interest. :-)
All in all, I say go for it!
Tammy here is everything you need to know to set up to become a vendor
ReplyDeleteWe have been promoting craft shows for 30 years. As needs have changed over the years, we have had to improvise and come up with new strategies for our business. As an incentive to encourage more handmade booths at our shows, we have implemented a Special Discount for all those booths that are 100% handmade in the USA and made by and sold by the artisan at the show!!!
New Exhibitors...
Four Easy Steps to become a Country Folk Art vendor:
Step 1: Download Lease Agreement to apply to be a new vendor at our shows.
Step 2: Submit Lease Agreement with $20 Application Fee and Photos.
To be accepted as a participant please submit Lease Agreement, four to six close-up photos of the products that you will be selling at each show, along with your $20 new exhibitor application fee. This is a one-time processing fee. We will evaluate your application and our decision will be sent promptly.
Step 3: Register for shows by submitting your Show Contract and Payment.
Upon acceptance you may download Show Contracts or have them mailed or faxed to you. The individual show contracts will indicate show set-up times, booth fees, electrical fees, table rental costs, hotel information, any food or tax permit info needed. Select the shows you would like to participate in and submit the individual Show Contract along with your Booth Fee.
Step 4: Get ready to make money!
Contact Us:
COUNTRY FOLK ART SHOWS, INC.
15045 Dixie Hwy/Ste A • Holly, MI 48442
Ph: 248-634-4151 / Fax: 248-634-3718
e-mail us at shows {at}countryfolkart dot com
Hey! I just finished hosting a craft sale in my home. I have been doing this since 2004. I take my decor and furniture out of the first floor and sell my crafts and a couple of my friends' crafts. This year I bought the "Square" It worked great. People spent more money because they could use their credit card. You need to have a smartphone or iphone or ipad to use it. I bought it at Best Buy for 9.99 and Square deposited $10 into my account as soon as it was set up. They charge your 2.25 Percent fee on each transaction, but people spend more so it is worth having. I don't regret doing any craft sales. I need an outlet for all the things I create :)
ReplyDelete