Is it worth it?

[jccauliflower]

Hi Ladies!

Okay, I have been wanting to do a craft show and thought I found a perfect venue to try my first one at...but now I am not so sure.

This is a community Holiday Extravaganza at the neighborhood clubhouse. When I asked for more information I was told it was $25 for a table. Not bad! The lady said she didn't have anybody else there with this type of product, hairclips, bows, etc. She said everybody is geared more for mom...Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Gold Canyon Candles....my thought was, well the moms buying those things would have daughters, nieces, granddaughters. She also said my stuff was more inexpensive than what everyone else's price range was so she wasn't sure how that would go over...I wasn't quite sure what she meant by this. I asked her on average how many people have shown up before. She said 25-50...my first reaction was, "Thats it?!" She said she put an ad in the newspapers this time and was going to put signs out a week in advance this year.

To get ready for this, I would have to buy ribbon charts and make an example of all of my clips. I was going to take orders instead of selling actual things there. This show is 2 1/2 weeks away...

Do you think it will be worth my time and effort in sales?? I have never done a show before and was thinking it would be a good small venue to start with, but I also want to make some money. What do you gals think?

[craftyone]

GO FOR IT!!!!!!! I've missed 2 shows and 2 potential times to make some $$$. So, I've decided no matter the venue or the sacrifice in time or whatever, I'm going to put my self out there. We'll never know how to do this until we try. So, give it a GO.

JMO,

Shawn

[missykay]

I am sure you will sell more than the $25 booth fee and will get your name out. I just did something like this at my Aunt's house. There were Gold Canyon, Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple , and a purse/sunglass booth plus me. I was there for 3 hours and sold almost $200 plus had some orders. There were probably about 30 people there. One lady bought $65 from me and $99 from the candle lady. Not sure how much she bought from the others. It was fun and low key, plus I made some $$. So I say go for it!! I would have some items on hand if possiable because people really want to buy things NOW and not wait for it, or so I have found. Good luck!

[SSC07]

I'd say go for it too! That sounds like a great opportunity to get your items out there!

Buuuuut.... I would have some inventory out there. Like someone else said, some people aren't necessarily going to want to deal with placing an order and waiting. You might lose some sales by doing that. JMO.

If the expected turnout isn't much more than 50 people, then I'd think, "well, if there's 50 people going to show up, let's assume that 25 will purchase. If those 25 purchase around 1-2 bows each, then I'll need about 25-50 bows. So maybe you could do 30 bows and 20 clippies...

IDK- just trying to think of some way for you to have an actual inventory there w/out having to overwork yourself getting it thrown together!!

[RachL]

I would definitely bring inventory. But don't overwhelm yourself with stuff. Like - make 5 basic bows in white, pink, red, brown (or whatever you want) and have a color chart as to what they can 'order' if they need other colors. Or just do a few polka dot, or whatever. It doesn't have to be a ton, but people do like walking away with something - especially if the prince point is below what others are selling. I'd think you'd make some great sales!

Good luck!

[gconde]

Thanks for putting that question out there. I have been wondering the same thing. There is this gathering downtown every 1st Sat of the month and it costs $25.00 as well. I am kinda scared to put myself out there and no one buy anything. After reading this I am getting the courage though. I just might do it. How else am I going to get myself out there. Thanks everyone

[colleen26]

DO IT!!! But bring inventory. I would do some holiday clippies/bows as well. Perhaps winter themes. That is what I am going to do for my first show next month. OMG it's only a month away....gotta go....

[jccauliflower]

Wow, thanks so much for responding everyone! I was kind of leaning towards going for it, but I guess I am scared of walking away with hardly any sales. I'll really be crushed if I don't at least make back my table money...I think I will though. I am going to do it!! I will let you guys know how it turns out!