I researched Craft Shows online. This craft show that I attended today said they would have 10,000 individuals attending. We were at the craft show for about an hour – left to get something to eat – then returned to the craft show. When we were there the first time – there could not have been 30-50 people there. I know it was a little early but that was a shock.

I talked with some of the vendors. One was selling paintings. I don’t know how he sells any. He is not personable at all and was unwilling to chat. One we spoke to was selling jewelry – I asked him how it was going and how it compared to last year. He said he did not know as this was only his 2nd show total. One vendor said they were at the show last year and the crowd was down from last year so far. He said they were doing OK. I did not want to press as to what OK was. I should have asked more about how many people came on Saturday.

When we came back about an hour later there were maybe 60-80 people there. Not what I would expect for a total crowd of 10,000. There were only about 30-40 booths in the show. The area where the show was held was a little run down and that was surprising to me.

So trip 1 – a big disappointment. We are not going to any next week but the following week we are going to 3 of them. That will be a busy day but I think we have a better chance of seeing a good show as all 3 of the boast large numbers. We shall see…

Thanks for reading.

Dusty

So I have identified 10 Craft Shows that I want to go and walk around to see what it is all about and learn more. I have intentionally selected larger Craft Shows – most of which are Juried – on purpose. Some are 2 day shows and some are 3 day shows. The only down side to all of this is 3 of them are on the same weekend. I should be able to see all 3 in one day but it will be some traveling.

So this made me do some thinking. Who will man the booth? I thought of a 2 day show. Most start about 9-10 am and go until 5-9 pm on day 1. Day 2 usually starts about 10 am and ends at 5pm. If I try and do the show alone then I have the issue of what do I do when I have to “take a walk”? Who will man the booth? Do I quickly “Shut the booth down” – go do my walk and then “Open the booth back up”? Will I get really tired and really struggle to make it through the second day?

So I am talking with some family to see what interest there is with any of them to see if they want to sell some of what they make and in return help to man the booth and pay a portion of the costs involved. So – if others are reading this and have done shows (or have heard comments from others) what do you do about “Who will man the booth”?

Just to let you know (as if anyone really cares – but this is good for me to put down on paper what I am finding out) I have the first show I am thinking of going to this weekend. It is about 2 hours away from me in area I have not been to so I am interested in seeing the area and the show. That should be my next post.

Dusty

But first I guess a little background on me. I love woodworking. Seeing a finished project that someone likes and uses is enjoyable. As I am sure most do I hate sanding and I constantly work at trying to cut down on the sanding. I work full time in IT for a large company. I am leaving at the end of the year.

One of the ways I was looking to provide some income is to do some woodworking. After reading a lot and researching what seems to work and does not work it appears just a website is not going to cut it. So I have to find other avenues to drive business and to drive customers to my website. Thus this journey. Is craft shows one of the ways I can drive business? What seems to sell at Craft Shows and is this something I want to try?

So I have identified 9 Craft Shows withing a reasonable distance from where I live from now to the end of the year. I have decided to look at the larger craft shows (based on numbers the Shows provide) to see just how big they really are. Then I want to attend as many of the shows as I can. I know it will take up a full day for each and will have some costs involved – gas, food, etc.

I understand that these shows are not the cheap shows. I also understand that most (actually I believe all) are Juried so if I find I do want to do shows I will have to do some small shows this year yet to get my pictures and history that I can use with the Juried shows next year. I also understand that I will have to see what the vendors who are selling wood related products are selling and how they seem to be selling and at what price. No sense going into it if I am going to lose money or not sell anything. Dusty