My show!!!!

[sla762]

Ok - so after ALL the panic about what the heck to do in the downpour - I made a tarp because I couldn't find a waterproof one! Actually hubby made it out of 4 mil painters tarp. We put up the sidewalls, moved the pictures on easels inside because it was really dark and icky about 8am and started to drizzle around 8:10 - light drizzle - for 10 minutes. Then, the sun cam out bright as anything and shined ALL day!!! Attendance was approx. 100,000. Granted - I had NEVER done a show this big. Trust me when I tell you ladies, that many of you have been an inspiration to me. I have learned a ton from this site and continue to do so. Thank you.
Thank goodness my sister was there on time at 11 to help after my morning help had to leave. I was there starting at 6:15 am and the fair ended at 6pm. I got home at 7:23pm. I only sat down once during the entire day - when I went to the port-o-potty to pee!!!!!!! WE did not have a moment for a breather!!! We could barely re-stock! It was NUTS!!!! There were women stacked outside my tent waiting for a chance to get in! Absolutely crazy, and flattering! In all....we came home with $2635!!!!!! I almost pooped!!! Big sellers - crochet headbands with a flower - they chose - also crochet hats were huge!!! Bows do not sell well up here. I am thinking of just offering seasonal bows at the next couple shows or doing a "year set" and selling for $20 or something. Bottlecap necklaces flew off my trays. It was amazing. I will post pics later - honestly - they are not good. my hubby took osme, but people started coming into the booth at 8:15 am and the fair did not even start until 9!!!! So we never even got to take a pic of it all set up and empty!
I also got an order for 400 custom cap necklaces!!! No mind that she wants them by the 8th!!! ACK!!!!!


Things I learned for the future:
1. bring a huge bottle of hand sanitizer!
2. bring some water and a tub to wash hands with soap! (can you tell having dirty hands (me) drives me nuts??!!
3. I HAVE to figure out a better way of checking people out - I am using a reciept book right now. Takes too much time. Most people don't want the repeipt - so why am I using that method??! HELP HERE - what do you do??
4. I need to invest in a new setup - right now I am in a "U" shape with 2 6' tables on either side and a zig zag pegboard across the back - there is very little room to stand and move!!!! I love my pegboards - as they are pink and green - but we are waaaayyyyy too crowded in there
7. crimp all ribbon necklaces for extra security before leaving the house! I did them as I sold them, and it took too long!
8. have my sister help me on a permanant basis - she is an amazing sales lady!!!!!
9. Matching nametags were KEY!!!!! People knew that we both worked there and could call us easily by our first names. My tags match my colors in my logo and I also have matching Amy Butler fabric aprons.
10. Apron is awesome!
11. Have a third person there just to watch for theft.
12. I am sure there is more, but I am tired and will post pics soon.


Shelley

[mommy2ella]

That is WONDERFUL!! I am so happy for you. I am hoping to do my first show the second weekend in October and I am so nervous about it. You are an inspiration to all of us. How many shows have you done? And from what you said I guess plenty of inventory is a must. Thanks for sharing.

[murolyushka]

THat is great!!! So happy for you!!!
ANd just a tip, bring the wet ones for cleaning purposes. I cant stand dirty hands, so had to use those often.

[Ste1977]

That's awesome!!

[TwoHandyHagsBoutique]

That's great, I'm very happy for you! Our first show is in Oct. and I would love to know how everyone else keeps up with sales. I don't want to have to write reciepts. We were thinking of the little white tags with strings, not sure how that will work.

[AWalsh]

Congratulations on having a great sale!!

[Dede]

Shelley, thank you so much for posting your experiences (and wish list for next time)! OUTSTANDING day!

Someday... *sigh*

Oh, and when you say "bows do not sell well up here," do you by any chance mean New England?


On preview...

Duh, you're in Wisconsin now I remember...

[aqua1978]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!
will be waiting for pictures.....................

[bstimpert]

Congrats on your show!! What a good take!

I use an apron for all my cash. actually it's a tool belt made of the canvas so it's heavy duty and has 2 rows of pockets.

The only receipt I do is for taking a credit card or a custom order. If I do a custom order I have a form I use then carbon copy a paid slip and staple it to the form so the customer has my info and proof of payment.

Hand Sanitizer is good but Baby wipes are better for dirt. I had a show where I had a few bows that got dirty from little hands (or big ones!) So I took them home and washed them but still!!

I highly recommend a gridwall set up. I started out with tables and easels but if you can find a store supply surplus or watch on craigslist for stores going out of business/cleaning out a warehouse you can get them pretty cheap. It would be a good investment and you can also resell it down the road if you get out of the business.

[MrsP.net]

WONDERFUL! I am so happy that your show went well.

I got a cash register when I first started out and it was perfect. If you dont think you will have power at all shows get a calculator that has printing and uses batteries..check walmart and office supply.

Gridwall is totally the way to go. My goal is to be able to hang everything so all inventory is on a wall and all of the floor space is for strollers and carts. I am almost there with the exception of one small table.