Frustrated

[cdrover(Clyde)]

How do you make any money from your hard work?? Today I participated in my first real craft fair. I went well prepared, low priced ornaments and key chains ($5.00, $6.00) , mid line items, $10.00 to $ 25.00  intarsia and fretwork and some higher priced fretwork  items but nothing over $60.00 and that included the frame. The items were of good quality with lots of detail . I sold one, (1), yes, one, key chain for $6.00 and $2.00 for postage. There was good traffic, 1200 to 1400 people over 6 hours. There were over 150 exhibitors. What did I do wrong??

[GrayBeard]

Did you get a chance to "walk the fair" and see what you were competing against?

Did the 'promoters' exclude "Non-Hand made" items? If not you were likely competing with all kinds of manufactured junk.

I personally did not start this 'hobby' to make money and will not do shows on a frequent basis and depending on the reaction at the 'show' I am doing on Dec. 4th may never do another.

These are TOUGH times for everyone and they are ALL looking for CHEAP!
We are in a bit of a different world in that what we do is a True Craft and not just buying a bunch of pre-cut stuff and painting things in pretty colors!

Other 'artisans' may appreciate our work and be willing to pay our prices but the general public are totally conditioned to look at PRICE first and the quality/workmanship second, if at all!

My Thoughts, My Opinion!

~~~GrayBeard~~~ 

[scratcho]

I think the public is so used to seeing Made in China objects that are sold in dollar stores that they can not realise the time and materials involved. This summer I was at a small engine show and flea market near to me. I took along some tractor and vehicle cutting that I had made. An old friend saw a plaque that looked like one of his cars. I had designed it from a photo. He asked if it was for sale. I told him $20.00 thinking I was almost giving it to him. He looked at it again and slowly put it down saying ohhh. This year I decided to just give out pieces to people I know and like instead of selling them for less then the materials cost to someone that I probably don`t like anyway. 

[Rightarm]

   cd. I have never done any shows. Maybe next year I'll have some things to display at the Cover Bridge Festible, here in  West Central Indiana. But I didn't get into this to make money. However, I do make a lot of Birthday, Christmas, Wedding, etc presents. I do charitable events, [to be raffled off]. I guess if you look at it this way, you save money. I look at it as a hobby. Also, it keeps me out of trouble. So I'm money ahead! Dave  

[dgman]

Yeah, I'm just like Rightarm. Everything I make ends up as gifts or put on display at the Woodcraft store. However, The Woodcraft store is putting on an Art Show and Sale. They have invited 25 local craftsmen to show and sell their hand crafted,  wooden wares. I was invited, so I have been busy cutting and finishing lots of projects including ornaments. Everything I am making will end up as gifts if they don't sell, so I won't be disappointed if I have lots of things left over!

[cdrover(Clyde)]

Thanks folks, I was a tad disappointed with the whole affair. My wife and you people remind me why I enjoy scrolling. Most of my stuff do go as gifts  or is given to church and other groups to raffle and make some much needed funds. All that counts is that I feel good scrolling and I do make people happy with the gifts. I have put a lot of crosses and plaques in the houses of my friends and family. However,  it would have been nice to sell just a few items. I found out after that there were others selling similar but inferior pieces for a fraction of what I could sell it for and there were commercially produced items as well. . I said from the beginning that I would bring it home and give away as gifts rather than sell it to people that want something for nothing. Thanks.

[jimbo]

I like to go to a fair first and check out what is being sold and of coarse the price of having a stall, I try and work on 10% cost for a site so at $20 I would to take at least $200, but in NZ we pay as much as $135 so that is out of my price range
Jimbo

[julief]

It seems few people are doing well at the shows this fall.  I really don't think it is the merchandise we are putting out there - I believe it is the economy.  Shows that historically do well are seeing the same traffic with far less sales.  Don't be discouraged, things will pick up.

[paul44224]

I do 2 or 3 shows a year. Just one day shows, and they are just Church shows. Pretty much pays for my scrolling hobby. Just 2 weeks ago, I went to a craft show that is one of the biggest in my area. I talked to a couple of people (crafters), and they said sales were really down the last two years at this show. They had also paid $135 for the 2 day show. Only one scroller there, and she also did turning. Excellant work, finish. She said she hadn't made the cost of her table yet. I was there late afternoon, 1st day.
My whole point is that the smaller Church type of shows have been much better for me. Only $25-30 or so for a table area. I usually do $230 average.
The average shopper does big-box stores, and the internet nowadays.
Paul

[cdrover(Clyde)]

Good advice Paul. I have sold many items through word of mouth or because I donated an item to a community group.  At the Craft Fair yesterday there were 150 exhibitors, that is  too much for a person to take in. With  the crowd and the amount of material to choose from, maybe I am lucky to have sold a key chain. I did learn one thing, in this area I will need to look at other venues to market my product. Has anyone else out there found innovative/ creative ways to market their wares?  Thanks for the advice.

[dunk]

I am back doing shows this year.  Stopped for quite a while.  I re-located and needed a way to meet people so I began selling at the local farmers mkt.  That led to being invited to 3 juried shows this fall.  All that coupled with my website and I stay plenty busy.  If it gets too busy I'll just not show up...LOL  I do 2-3 times the sales on my website as I do at any craft show though.

[Spartan scroller]

Cd, I feel your pain.  Did a show earlier this fall just like the one you mentioned.  Had the same kind of variety and price range you did.  $150 for a two day show and made just short of a hundred bucks. The only things that appear to be selling this year at these shows is food and jewelry.  And so called "craft shows" are pretty much turning in to "crap shows".  The vendor can't find enough crafters so he's letting in commercial enterprises.  I see Pampered Chef, Avon, and Mary Kay everywhere and it torques me off! I've found I do just as good and sometimes better selling my stuff to my friends at work.  The space is free and all I have to do is put it on my desk and a few days later it's gone with a note saying "tell me what you want for this".  I Think I'll go that route for a while.  Now...what to do with my EZ-UP tent?

[dunk]

sell your e-z up on craigslist...LOL

[spiderman]

a tip.. on all of you stuff that you make just put a sticker that say Made in China LOL ! ! !

[Danny]

Here's one more....Had a Beautiful Display set-up....Lots of variety in my crafts.  Area cost was $60 for 2 days.  I was amoung 2 other wood crafters.
By Sunday afternoon and listening to I would bet over 500 different people admire my crafts.  Pick um up and just set um down (out of place) and give me all kinds of nice compliments and just keep walking!!!!  The other two wood crafters had the same bad luck with their sells.  Last year....Same time of year....Same place....By Sunday I had sells of $475.00.  This year after costs I pocketed $191.00!!!!  Had two ladies next to me selling all types of hand made SOAPS and they did real good.  Brought most of my crafts home and for this Christmas....Everyone is getting one of them as their gift.  I really feel like Julief mentioned.  Its the way the world is at present.  Thanks for listening....  Danny  :+}