Craft Show Review

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The craft show was disappointing, I'm sorry to report. My sales were down 30% from this show in 2007. I had expectations of exceeding last year's sales, based on location alone. Yesterday's show was on the main drag in Webster, a busy town. The weather wasn't awful - it was a winter day in Rochester, NY. But it didn't snow I don't think and it wasn't windy as hell like last year. So I thought we were in good shape.

The only thing I can guess is maybe there wasn't enough advertising. I mentioned that on my end-of-show-survey so I'm sure Ida, the organizer - and loyal reader here - will address that with us vendors in a follow-up email or something. I know it's difficult at best to ever provide enough advertising, particularly for a non-profit fundraiser. I understand there are a number of free advertising sources around town but they only have so much room and clearly can't mention every event submitted to them.

I don't know what the answer is. Last week I sent out close to 200 postcards announcing my 3 spring shows. I pimped the show a lot on this blog. I left postcards in the mailroom at work and posted one on the wall outside my office - my own personal billboard, as I like to call it.

I also mentioned in my survey, I thought there were too many repeat vendors - too many jewelry artists, for sure. There were several photographers I think. There were several other greeting card vendors but my cards are very different (and more expensive). I don't worry about it too much because greeting cards are not my bread & butter.

I'll have to see if this show is held again next year, if there are any changes before deciding if I want to do it again. When I filled out the survey, I said yes, I'd attend next year. But after totaling my sales, I'm less inclined.

However, maybe it's just a tough time of year. It's quite possibly the first craft show in the area of the new year. And it's winter, not spring - so maybe winter shows are just tough. It's only a one day commitment with a low entrance fee. I did make money, don't get me wrong. My sales were somewhat under my definition of success of 7 times the entrance fee. I think my disappointment stems from sales being 30% less than last year. Not exactly trending in the right direction, as they say.

The good news:

I have a really decent inventory heading into the next show, March 13-16 at Powers Farm Market. That was a good show for me last year. I'll still stay in full throttle to continuously build my inventory throughout the year anyway.

I met some new vendors - always good contacts and good times. One is a woman I went to high school with. She doesn't remember me but that doesn't bother me at all. It was 34 years ago and she only went to our high school for 2 years. But she was friendly and funny. She's just starting to do shows so I'm going to email her some contacts for other shows. She makes jewelry, which seems to be a pretty saturated market but that's up to the organizers and her to worry about, not me.

I was invited to participate in a couple of other shows - school fundraisers mostly so I'll wait to be contacted with details and make a decision then. One is in December when there's already a gazillion shows.

A photographer wanted to barter two of his photos for a framed piece of mine that his sister wanted. I gave one photo to Steve and the other is for a future Christmas present for a family member. ;-)

Mom & Gretchen stopped by, primarily so Gretchen & I could pick out birthday presents. (I'll post it another time - we both liked the same thing!)

Pam stopped by - always good to see her. We're meeting for breakfast next Saturday.

I sold one of those blue & burgundy paper quilts - that's 2 in a few weeks. So I'm definitely onto something there.

I taught Ida's son how to make the origami heart with the flower center. He was an excellent student, already into origami so he was easy to teach. "Mom! Mom! That lady showed me how to make the heart."

I offer a free drawing for a card, notepad and pin as a means to gather names for my mailing list. I'm happy that a sweet little girl won. She kept coming back to my booth. Her mom bought stuff from me too - they were both very nice.

The PTSA offered great food at the concession stand. I usually take my lunch but ran out of time. I was afraid they'd offer pizza and hot dogs but they had about 7 crockpots going with different soups. I had a delicious vegetable tortellini. They also had a bake sale, run by little girls when I was there. They were cute as all get out. Good cookies too.

Steve and I went out to Beale Street for dinner afterwards. I had pulled pork, fries and some of the best macaroni salad I've ever had. It was all outstanding food.

Today Steve & I started the day off with a sit in the hot tub. Just what the doctor ordered!

I'm off to Charlie's Frog Pond shortly, to meet Lynn & Linda for lunch. Then we are going to the 2:00 show at Geva - Cabaret. It's one of the few musicals we see there and it's been getting rave reviews. Fun shall be had by all.

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