My First Craft Show

I will be doing my very first craft show this weekend at the auditorium here in town.  It's a 2 day show and inside (the only kind I will do because of the heat here) and is put on by the Junior Women's League.

OK, it's probably hard for some of you to believe that I have never been in a craft show before since I've been selling my mosaics for nearly 2 years now.   Well, I have if you want to count the 4 hours I set up during my grandson's Halloween Festival at school a few years ago.  I was bored out of my mind and so was everyone else.  Hardly any sales that day for anyone and it turned me off of doing a 2 day show.

Anyway, I have heard there can be some real horror stories involved in doing one of these gigs so I am a bit curious what some of you have run into.  I suppose the weather can certainly throw a ringer in it.  I have some online friends who recently experienced what rain can do to ruin a perfectly good day of sales.

I just hope I have everything I will possibly need so that things run smoothly. I have made a list of the supplies I think will be used such as tablecloths, cash box, sales receipts, pen, bags, bubble wrap, tape, etc. etc. etc.  I even plan to take a lunch in case we're stuck there and can't get out.  Some inside shows don't have the food like others except for the tasting kinds of things like soups or dips.

All in all I am looking forward to it mostly because I would love to hear what people say about my pieces.   When selling online the only contact you really have is in the feedback people leave and half of them don't know to do that.

Anyway, let me know how things went for your craft shows as I would love to know.

Don't Give Up!

I have been in the forums of the Etsy site and have noticed more and more sellers are getting disenchanted with selling online. Mostly it appears to be that their sales are down and they are wondering if their items have appeal.

I felt this same way on so many occasions I can't even count. It is so amazing though, that each and every single time I have been to the point of giving it all up and just giving my mosaics away as Christmas gifts, I end up selling one.

With all the promoting it takes to keep your shop afloat in this sea of endless stores online it can certainly affect your creativity. Sometimes you wonder if you are an artist/crafter or just a glorified PR person.

I know firsthand the hours that are spent in the forums of the various teams you join and trying to stay "tuned in" to what is going on with each; then there are the many sites you may belong to that offer assistance and support for "handmade" items. I personally belong to 3 such sites. There is also treasuries, and challenges, and special sales that you don't want to miss out on. Or, how about the chat rooms and resource pages that you feel compelled to read because it might have something that will help you further your shop.
It truly takes dedication, perseverance and patience to make a real go of it with online selling. It isn't for everyone, but it is definitely worth giving it a try.

So don't give up. Hang in there at least until the Christmas season hits. Then, if you feel it is just too much try sending letters with photos out to the various stores in your community and ask them if they would like to sell your items in their store. I did this when I first started and I am now selling in Cocoa Village, Florida in a shop called "The Gingerbread House".

One way or another there is a spot for you in all of this, it just may take a while to find your niche.