Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events...

Subject: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Thu 18 Dec 2008, 3:56 pm

This section is for your experiences with Craft Shows, Parties or any other selling you might be doing locally. Tell us your experiences and show us some pictures if you would like!! Thanks!

Number of posts : 24 Registration date : 2008-12-22

Yes - definitely keep a mirror on your table. I did my first show last fall, and had one, and people really used it.

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Sun 11 Jan 2009, 6:09 pm

Good tips everyone! I am hoping to get into my first craft fair at the end of march! I usually do parties and online only. This year I am branching out and trying craft fairs. It is difficult when I stay at home with a 5 and 3 yr old

Smile

Really excited! Lots of great ideas here keep them coming ladies!!!

Guest

I have been selling jewelry for 5 years now--I was a school counselor and worked in 3 schools--let me tell u that teachers, secretaries, lunch ladies, teacher aids and administration are the best customers--
I did a number of jewelry parties for the 1st 2 years, by the 3rd year that slowed down so I started to do local craft fairs and holiday fairs--i do from 20-25 fairs a year--i love them because you get to meet the most interesting pple and u get to promote your jewels in the flesh--I sell alot--my set up is one of the nicest at any fair--there are always a # of other jewelry vendors at fairs--I have a 6 foot table that is covered in black micro fiber material--my husband made me a long narrow box that hos an opening--i keep it across the back of the table, drape it with a fringed long rectangular shawl--in the box opening i keep my tools, receipt book, and little stuff i need for the fair--The box is like a raised platform and I keep my special sign with my logo on it--necklace busts & sometimes an earring rack--i like the elevated look--also I have this plexi glass little staircase, this enables me to have my necklace bust on different levels-
gives me more room with less clutter!
Definitely less is better--replace as things get sold--have a mirror available with alchol wipes or any kind of wipes so if someone wants to try on earrings they can and u can clean them afterwards--have business cards disjplayed in a nice box or whatever holder u can find--also have flyers to give out to advertise your on line stores and that you do jewelry parties--
Think of some gift with every purchase--i give earrings away--u always have those few xtra beads around so whip up a bunch of small hanging or whatever earrings you can make--pple love to get something for free--Advertise your small giveaway on the table--
It's funny I do so well at the fairs that i decided to start selling on line--my first shop was opened on Etsy at the end of Aug--the sales i made since then is far less than i sell at a fair in one day--who knew so many pple made and sold jewelry lol!

well i talk too much--hope i helped a tad--if u have any questions just ask me--i'm always happy to help--
btw, Jewelbox.com has a fabulous supply of displays at reasonable prices--also Nilecorp.com--
good luck!!! ta, ta margo cat

Subject: Parties vs. Shows Mon 02 Feb 2009, 8:17 pm

I did have a very good holiday jewelry party,thank goodness. But I have found my craft shows have been a bit slow. I am going to do some this year to promote my Etsy shop, any helpful advice to make them better?
Thanks Lisa Scala

Number of posts : 17 Location : Las Vegas Registration date : 2008-12-19

Margo you are very fortunate to be in an area where there are so many craft fairs. Unfortunately Las Vegas doesn't have that many and then there are a few that are juried and VERY difficult to get into and then if you do they are VERY costly for the booth. The only one I have done was organized through the LBS I go to and since it was their first one there was not a lot of traffic and of course 90% jewelry people. The Southern Nevada Center for the Arts just opened and they are supposed to have a shop where local artists can display their wares on consignment so I will hopefully have that soon.

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

pictures from the party:
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Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... DSCF4360

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Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... DSCF4358

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Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... DSCF4356

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Tue 10 Feb 2009, 2:13 am

It will get better Teresa! Hang in there! You always have such nice clean setups for your shows! I am always impressed with the pics you send of your shows!

Number of posts : 17 Location : Las Vegas Registration date : 2008-12-19

Teresa, great set-up for the party, shame only 2 people showed up after all that work. Better than no one showing up I suppose...lol. Now that would be my luck! lol!

Number of posts : 24 Registration date : 2008-12-22

Despite my very slow sales on etsy, I am excited about an upcoming show in the beginning of May. I did this show last fall and had GREAT results. One positive thing my etsy store did bring me this week was an invitation to do another show in my area. I am not sure I will be able to do it, but it was flattering to receive the invitation. I will have to gauge if I have enough time to get more inventory done for two shows while fulfilling all my other obligations.

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Thu 02 Apr 2009, 12:35 pm

How much inventory does everyone have usually for Jewelry Parties?

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

windyriver wrote:: Despite my very slow sales on etsy, I am excited about an upcoming show in the beginning of May. I did this show last fall and had GREAT results. One positive thing my etsy store did bring me this week was an invitation to do another show in my area. I am not sure I will be able to do it, but it was flattering to receive the invitation. I will have to gauge if I have enough time to get more inventory done for two shows while fulfilling all my other obligations.

If you can go, I would take whatever you have on hand and just go for it!
If you can make a few more pieces, great, but unless you only have like 2 pieces, I would go. Who knows, they may buy you out!!! Shocked

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

Anyone else doing a party or craft fairs? I am not sure we are going to do Last Fridays this summer. I went last month to check it out and it was dismal to say the least. They only had about half the normal amount of vendors(they usually have about 30) and I counted 8 jewelry booths! It didn't appear that anyone was selling anything. I don't want to sink money into getting the sellers permit and the booth space if I am going to loose money.

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

Gearing up for several shows,events in the next several months. The end of August, the craft co-op that I sell at locally is participating in a sidewalk sale. I'll be setting up a table there and trying to move out a load of stuff that I have. Things I've not renewed,etc. Rock bottom prices! Nothing over $5.00

I also just sent in my registration and booth fee for the Junior League Holiday Market. I did it last year, and wasn't too happy becuase of the venue. Well, they are having it at the Marriot Convention center in Durham so it will be much more public and hopefully not as crowded. So, I decided to give it another shot. I will also be doing the Daniel Boone Merchants Assoc. Holiday Market. I did well there last year and my husband has decided to try and sell some of his wood pens, and some toys. I think I may need to squeeze a jewelry party in there too.

Number of posts : 4 Registration date : 2008-12-27

Good luck Teresa!

Dawn

Number of posts : 24 Registration date : 2008-12-22

Good luck Teresa - let us know how you do....

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

windyriver wrote:: Good luck Teresa - let us know how you do....

Believe me, you will all know the outcome . I just really hope it's good news, cause I would sure like to deliver some. Sales are so bad again and I am getting extremely frustrated.

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Thu 30 Jul 2009, 6:09 pm

Don't be Frustrated!! I will send some Profitable Vibes your way!!! Good luck Sweetie!!!

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

Sarah wrote:: Don't be Frustrated!! I will send some Profitable Vibes your way!!! Good luck Sweetie!!!

Thanks! I'll take all the help I can get!

Number of posts : 24 Registration date : 2008-12-22

I have given up trying to predict sales - when I least expect them I get them, and when I am sure I have a winner posted in my etsy shop, it hardly gets any views...
Anyway, I find selling in person generally is easier than on line - so I really hope this goes well for you and you no longer feel frustrated. I have a show coming up in October - I did unbelievably well at this show last year but the weather was PERFECT - so I am hoping for the same this year.

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

Getting all my stuff together for the sidewalk sale on Friday. I really hope we have a good turnout. Friday is an odd day to have that type of sale and it's only the one day.The ladies who run the store that I'll be selling at may run it on Saturday too, so maybe I can get in another day. I sure could use it. I am bringing a lot of jewelry that I have taken out of my shops, plus some purses and tote bags. I haven't had a sale anywhere in a month. I just hope it doesn't rain. They are predicting 50% chance of showers. for friday Rolling Eyes

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

The new store in town that I am a vendor at is having an open house next saturday. She's going to let me bring all my clearance stuff to try and sell. I'm excited. My sales there have been quite good (knock wood!) I have one customer who loves my bracelets. I have made a custome order for her that I delivering today and she wants me to make another one. Whoo hoo!
On the 21st I will be at the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties holiday market. I sold at this one last year. I didn't do really well, but they changed their location his year to a more public place. last year it was at a very exclusive country club. I found it rather intimidating myself.

My last show is the first weekend of Dec. I will be at the Holiday Market at the Big Barn in town. I did really well there last year. My husband has been working on pens and now toys to sell there too. He's always there to help me anyway, so why not.
I would like to fit in a jewelry party. Don't know if that will happen or not.

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Mon 16 Nov 2009, 9:21 pm

I was just browsing this topic....I have never done a show before...most of my sales have been through word of mouth...
The only big sales I did was in August where I helped my sister-in-law raise funds to support her for the breast cancer walk. I just made the jewelry and gave it to her with price tag, and she set up the booth for me at her workplace.
Teresa, your set up are impressive...very neatly organized

Subject: Re: Craft Shows, Jewelry Parties, Events... Tue 17 Nov 2009, 7:18 pm

I haven't done any official craft shows etc. I have only had Jewelry parties at various houses. I have had about 10 of those. I really enjoy having those. It gives me a chance to meet ad get to know my customers. It has really helped me establish a local clientele base here in my home town. I find the clients I have had really seem to enjoy the parties as well.

I would like to do a craft show of some kind. My only problem is I have a son who is 5 and a daughter who is 4. They keep me plenty busy lately and I just don't know how being at one of those shows all weekend for 8-10 hrs would go over. Maybe when they are a bit older and I can devote more time to one of those I will consider it.

Teresa does have wonderfully organized setups! Very Happy

I always enjoy seeing her photos!

Admin Number of posts : 69 Registration date : 2008-12-18

I will be doing my first Holiday market of the seaon this weekend. It's only a one day event. I'll be sure to take pictures and let you know how it goes. I have been working on my set up in my workroom, so it's a bit tight in here right now. Wish me luck ladies!