Wednesday
Feb102010
« WW~Inspiring Weekend »
Wednesday, February 10 This past weekend I participated in a craft show . . . and what a great learning experience for me! Great networking, great information, such lovely ladies I did meet! The show was not what I had expected (is anything ever what you envision it to be) or anticipated . . . but, I did make some sales. Mostly thanks to all my friends and family for supporting me in this new hobby / business / I don't know what to call it yet. Sadly, without the support of my friends and family I would have only made two sales. This craft show was mostly for vendors. There were a total of four crafters there amongst more than a dozen vendors. Not the best fit for me. But I take away nothing but positive energy from this first show of mine.
I spent a total of 16 hours away from my children . . . something I have never done (aside from being in the hospital giving birth to another child). I am feeling so refreshed and renewed as a mother! I definitely need to do that more often!
Things I learned is: do I want to sell lots or do I want to to be a bit more exclusive. Should I sell simpler albums--still cute, but perhaps have a high-end line that are only available at certain shows. I will need to participate in a few more craft shows to see which ones are the best market for my type of 'thing'. But for now, I am left with many adorable tassels to sell and some really fabulous hand made scrapbooks. I had an Etsy shop, but I closed it. I may have to open another one!
Reader Comments (51)
Congrats on your first show!
Your scrapbooks are amazing! Given the right kind of event, I know they'll sell like crazy!
xoxo
your crafts look awesome. I am glad to hear it was a success! Your table looks great.
Congrats on your first show. Your scrapbooks look so cute. They are great for craft challenged people like me :)
I think opening a new etsy shop is a great idea.
And thanks for comments on my hair, going back to my roots, literally :) (with just a bit more sass added)
Your table looks great! Glad you got some time out doing your thing! That is great and so refreshing!
Congrats on your first show. I think your table looks fab!
Congrats on the show!
Those tassels are just GORGEOUS!!!
Wow! Your booth looks so fun! I would definitely have stopped to take a peek!
You are so talented. I love what you made. I have always wanted to make the tassels, but never knew what I would use them for. :)
I so admire people like you! I'm not so crafty!
Open an new etsy shop NOW!! That stuff is way too cute to go to waste!!!!!
Good for you for trying it out - your stuff is so cute!
Your books are beautiful and the table looks amazing! I am so glad you enjoyed yourself and I hope you find your niche...you completely deserve it!
~K
That is totally cool!! I tried to do a craft fair a few years ago and it was a total bust for me. :(
I love your attitude so much. It is refreshing! You took something away and learned : ) That is so valuable! I really like your albums. They look awesome! Good luck!
I clicked and double clicked on those pictures. AMAZING, amazing stuff. You really have a knack for that........do you have an Etsy shop I don't know about?
Congrats on attending your first show! Your scrapbooks and things just look fabulous!
You are very talented!
congrats!your things are beautiful
Everything looks so great! Wish I could be as talented as that!
It's great to get your feet wet! Good for you! Your items are beautiful.
I wish you luck in your business.
WTG! Everything looks so great! I wish you continued success.
Good for you! LOVE the "school days" book.
I know nothing about craft shows, but your table looked beautiful.
congrats on your first show!
Your table looks amazing!!!
Congrats! It looks great!
Congratulations! Everything looks so fabulous! Well done you!
Happy WW too!
Love your positive energy ! That will take you far. Good luck in this new adventure !
How beautiful! You are very talented. A magical WW to you.
You make sure beautiful things!! For sure re-open that Etsy shop!
Congratulation on a succesful show!
your stuff is too cute!
Wow, what cute stuff!!!!
And yes, I agree, we need to be refreshed!!! Such a great feeling!
Wow- I haven't been to a craft show in years.
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2010/02/having-bad-day-your-day-is-nothing-in.html
beautiful stuff, I wish I had talent!
happy WW
Gorgeous things!!
Sounds like you took some lessons learned away from your weekend, along with time to yourself! Win/win in my book!!
I like your new look on your blog!! Its weird but it seems like guilt sets in when you are away from kids for a long time it does for me too! Have fun with it!
Congrats and yes open that Esty shop. I think I need to shop in it!
Congrats on some time away. It's a beautiful thing!
Congrats on your first show.
I have only done a couple shows over the past few years and had about the same experience. I love having an etsy shop though. I think you would do well on etsy.
You should have an etsy shop - your work is amazing as I can testify to first hand. The scrap book that you made me for the Baby Shower was amazing, and it was Stacey's favorite gift.
I agree that you need to find the right show - your scrapbooks are classy and need to be priced accordingly. You don't want to give them away.
Stay true to yourself - you will figure it out!! You got class and you got talent!!
That looks like a blast! I would have loved it!
Good luck on your new venture....I think you will do great once you find out what kinds of shows will better showcase your things and have the type of customer you are looking for.
Congrats on "getting your toes wet!" You really have some cute items there! I'm sure that once you're at the right show everything will just be flying out of your booth!
i've been to craft shows before and the way you merchandised your table was great...i definately would have been pulled in!
yeah craft shows are hard since you can sit there for hours and the traffic can be very, very light but you are right always an experience
I think you should re-open your Etsy shop! What a positive attitude to have, with that you will go far! It looks like you have some adorable items!
Good for you! Love the tassles!
You really do have talent! I can imagine how exhilarating the show must have been! :)
What a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was quite a change being away from family for so long, but it looks like you have so much talent to showcase! I have to agree with others here about opening an Etsy show.
16 hours? Sounds heavenly!