I was walking Wrigley this afternoon, and thinking that I should call the people at the craft show I applied to and ask when I would find out if I got in. The show was full and I had been put on a waiting list...plus it's juried and I had to send photos of my work and some photos of a work in progress.
We got back to the house and I opened the mailbox and grabbed the mail. I started leafing though it as we walked to the door and there was the envelope from the craft show. I felt the envelope and I could feel my photos in it. That was not a good sign. They only return the photos if you didn't get accepted. Rats!
I was so bummed because just today I was thinking about what I would make if I got accepted, and I had myself a little psyched.
I put the mail on the kitchen table and took off my coat, gave the dogs a treat and then started opening the mail....leaving the bad news for last. I took the envelope and went and sat in my workshop and opened it up.
I GOT ACCEPTED!!!!!!!! What felt like pictures was just the numbers for our cars!!!!!
Oh my gosh I am just bouncing off the walls. I don't even know where to start or what to do. I have never done this before!!!!!! I am Booth Number 311 and see that little green line on the map? That's me....or what will be me on May 17!
All I know is that I will one busy little crafter during the next two months!!!! Any of you that do craft shows that have any words of wisdom....please pass them on!!!! I'm going to be in a craft fair! Woo hoo!
The show is called "Fair Diddley", and this is it's 41st year. It takes place in Woodstock, Illinois. The town has an awesome town square. The movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray was filmed there.
My booth is not in the best of places, but that's okay. There are over 350 booths and I am in the center area near this gazebo in the grass. You also can't stake a tent into the grass because the sprinkler system is shallow! So, see...we have much to figure out.
Whenever I am doing things and I say to Irv, "We have a lot to do.", or "We will figure it out", or "Don't worry, we can do it", he always replies, "Do you have a mouse in your pocket?" He likes to pretend that he isn't going to help me, but he will...he always does. :)
So what kind of advice can you give me? I am going to need it!
We got back to the house and I opened the mailbox and grabbed the mail. I started leafing though it as we walked to the door and there was the envelope from the craft show. I felt the envelope and I could feel my photos in it. That was not a good sign. They only return the photos if you didn't get accepted. Rats!
I was so bummed because just today I was thinking about what I would make if I got accepted, and I had myself a little psyched.
I put the mail on the kitchen table and took off my coat, gave the dogs a treat and then started opening the mail....leaving the bad news for last. I took the envelope and went and sat in my workshop and opened it up.
I GOT ACCEPTED!!!!!!!! What felt like pictures was just the numbers for our cars!!!!!
Oh my gosh I am just bouncing off the walls. I don't even know where to start or what to do. I have never done this before!!!!!! I am Booth Number 311 and see that little green line on the map? That's me....or what will be me on May 17!
All I know is that I will one busy little crafter during the next two months!!!! Any of you that do craft shows that have any words of wisdom....please pass them on!!!! I'm going to be in a craft fair! Woo hoo!
The show is called "Fair Diddley", and this is it's 41st year. It takes place in Woodstock, Illinois. The town has an awesome town square. The movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray was filmed there.
My booth is not in the best of places, but that's okay. There are over 350 booths and I am in the center area near this gazebo in the grass. You also can't stake a tent into the grass because the sprinkler system is shallow! So, see...we have much to figure out.
Whenever I am doing things and I say to Irv, "We have a lot to do.", or "We will figure it out", or "Don't worry, we can do it", he always replies, "Do you have a mouse in your pocket?" He likes to pretend that he isn't going to help me, but he will...he always does. :)
So what kind of advice can you give me? I am going to need it!
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11 comments:
Congratulations on your exciting news!! You will have such an assortment of great items that yours will be a popular booth! Sorry I don't have any advice but look forward to reading what others say.
Congrats!! Oh gosh where to start there are gazillions of tips on the forums and blogs. Also look at the flickr group that shows people's craft set up it may inspire you. =D Again congrats!
Kathy, what awesome news, I am happy for you:) My other blog-www.artsycrafter.blogspot.com has a lot of great info about arts & craft shows, including helpful links on the left:):)
Yay! Congrats!
Ok, it has been 4 years since my last show. But, here is my advice:
Take baby wipes with you.
Take snacks and plenty of water. (craft show food is a rip off and greasy too)
Take someone with you or make friends with the people in the booth next to you. (You will need someone to watch your booth when you need to go potty)
Take plenty of change and a receipt book.
Take bags for people's items.
Take newspaper to wrap breakable items in.
Plenty of business cards.
Take Pepto, Tums, Tylenol...
Sunscreen.
I like to wear something along the lines of a carpenter's apron for pens, business cards....
Take something to work on. When people see you creating, it make them want to buy (I have no idea why) I painted ornaments at a show once. People started watching me, which caused a crowd. Once other people saw the crowd, they started buying. People are strange that way.
I will post again if I remember anything else.
Congrats! I wrote a post last year about what I learned about craft shows from the 3 I did last Fall. Here's a link if you want to check it out:
http://lenoxknits.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-i-learned.html
They are pretty stressful but totally worth it. Have fun!
Wow Kathy!!
Congratulations, it sounds like a great adventure...
I don't have any advice,just wanted to share in your happiness..
Happy crafting and have fun doing what you love.
I have never taken credit cards at a craft show. I just didn't have a way to do it.
I have taken checks. I just trusted the people and I never once got a bad check.
We have gotten a ton of bad checks at work lately. In fact, we stopped taking checks April 1st. I think people who go to craft fairs typically are not the type of people to write a bad check. I will probably take checks during my show. It is a hard call though.
If I were you, I would keep my prices the same as in the Etsy shop. That is what I am going to do. I think your prices are good and fair.
Also, watch out for people who come at the very end of the show when you are packing up. They will want something for a discount because they think you would rather sell it than pack it. I never offer a discount to these people. I find it insulting. I would rather pack it up and sell it to someone who knows my worth.
Sorry, no advice, but I just wanted to say Congratulations on getting accepted!!!! YAY!!!!
Congratulations on the fantastic news. I alway love doing Craft Shows and my husband goes with me..Enjoy yourself above all else..
Hooray! I think you will do really well:))
Have never done a craft show, but if it's outside I have two suggestions.
Hat and sunglasses. LOL
Great luck and hope you sell tons! Found you at the Lanyardlady blog.
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