Is this show worth it?

[Amylynn]

Originally Posted by creativesidebows

I don't think the entrance fee is bad but I personally would not go without a tent. Especially with the baby in tow. 90 degrees in the shade is one thing but 90 degrees in the blazing sun is a whole new world. You will be miserable and most likely get sun burned and the last thing you want is the baby to get ANY sun with that brand new skin. Some shows will let you rent a tent from them. You could ask if they do this. You can get a decent tent at Sam's club for around $200 if you have the extra money (I realize the extra $ isn't always available). But I would only buy a tent if you plan on doing a lot of craft shows over the next couple of years. After all they aren't cheap. Don't get discouraged, my first show I paid $125 to get into and I walked away with $280. Not what I would call a good show but I kept at it, found some really great shows and now I average about $1000 a day when I do them. Good luck and I hope it works out for you. It's super nerve racking at first. Don't get to stressed, oh, and tell your inlaws to f**k off. Sorry, I know that is harsh but it's your life, not theirs.

Ps. just a thought...between now and the time you have your show if you just want to go by yourself-could you pump enough milk to get your baby though the day so you don't have to take her? That would just be one last thing to worry about with it being your first show and since you are trying to make some money for your family.

Ok, I have to ask....what kind of shows do you do $1000 a day? That's awesome. I just quite my job to finish school and I'd like to make extra money. So it would be good to know what kind of shows are better. Any advice?? Thx

[creativesidebows]

Originally Posted by budsock

Ok, I have to ask....what kind of shows do you do $1000 a day? That's awesome. I just quite my job to finish school and I'd like to make extra money. So it would be good to know what kind of shows are better. Any advice?? Thx

I live in Northern VA-my husband and I joke it is the land of "everything expensive". People here have money (not us sadly) and I do shows that have been around forever, cost several hundred dollars to get into and they bring in the crowds. Crowds= money. It's as simple as that. I'm not saying every show I do is an award wining show. I've had my share of shows that I haven't made crap in the way of sales but I don't do those shows again and I find new ones. This is a game of finding the good shows and advoiding the crappy ones. Of course you don't know they are crappy until you do them so it's trial and error. I happen to live in a good area where people have the $ to spend. I have a show coming up in mid October. It was my best show last year and I'm stoked about it coming up again. It's $125 to get into and last year I did just over $1900 in sales. It's a 1 day show!!! (most of my shows cost way more than this) I wish every show was like that!! Honestly I wish my website would just take off and make great money and I could stop doing craft shows. They are time consuming, exhusting and expensive but until my website does a steady several thousand dollar income every month I'll be hanging in with the rest of the craft show crowd. No, I'm not being greedy. I have 3 kids, a mortgage, 2 car payments blah, blah, blah. I remember being 16 and thinking "if I could just make $300 a week life would be so great" Good hell, what a fairy tail land I was living in!!

[Amber427]

When I was 16- I worked my butt off at McDs for 4.25 an hour. UGH!

So- I need to start a poll I suppose - what types of items are your money makers at craft shows?

[Sweet Baby Michele]

OMGosh.. I don't feel quite so old now! LOL When I was 16 I worked at Taco Bell, and AFTER my raise, I made $4.10
Memories...

[Amber427]

I was sooo proud of that 4.25 too- LOLOLOL

It costs me more then 4.25 to drive to Hobby Lobby!! (45 miles from here- then I gotta get back home!)

[ldelzer]

110 for a show is not bad at all. I typically pay between 200 and 300 for a show. If it gets above 300 I get a bit nervous. I've paid more than 400, but that is getting harder and harder to get back (meaning, I may sell 1500, but my expenses are so high that it's not really worth it).

When is the festival? I would skip an August festival. I say this and I have one this weekend (LOL). But, honestly, it's effin' hot. People do not come out in masses during August. It's just a wasted month.

If it's a Sept festival, you may fare better. People start spending money again in Sept. Oct and Nov are your money months.

An outdoor festival is impossible without a tent. You need to appear professional and I rarely see someone without their tent. If I do, I know they are newbies.

I'd take this time to plan wisely and to invetigate the kinds of things you want in your booth. For example, what will you hang merchandise on? Do you have a register? Do you have a table? What about table coverings? etc etc.

HTH

[Sweet Baby Michele]

Update:
The craft show is September 6th & 7th. It'll be outdoors. The space is 12x12. There are 3 other vendors selling baby and childrens items, but she couldn't say if it was bows or what.
I do not have a canopy, but DH said we could maybe get one at Home Depot on the CC. (not sure how much balance is left on the card!)
I do not have a cash register, but I was a waitress for almost 10 years, and we were the walking cash register! We only turned in the money at the end of our shift. We made change, kept it in our apron and all.
I only have like two 6 foot fold out tables, so I'm a little worried about that. I have tons of display ideas. I have racks, sign stands, a mannequine head.
I'd be selling everything that is offered in my online site... Crib shoes, wipe cases, burp cloths. bibs, bows...
I have two really nice round table cloth covers, which overlap beautifully. I've done a parking lot sale at the Antique shop I work at, but people go for old antiques, not new baby items! I only sold like $50 worth that day!and I got a bad sunburn!
The other crafter I was trying to get ahold of, is playing phone tag with me.