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Reporting on a Craft Show

by Marilyn Davenport.

I have just finished participating in a benefit shopping bazaar for Relay for Life in my town. It has been years since I set up at a craft show.

I used to participate in the Spring and Holiday shows in Knoxville, Tn. Did very well at the show before Christmas.

That was before the recession, when customers felt they could spend more freely on gifts as well as themselves.

I did not want to use my old tablecloths, so I made a new cloth for an 8 foot table that covered all sides to the floor. I made an over cloth in bright pink and added bright pink and spring green netting around the black jewelry displays for necklaces, pendants, bracelets and rings

Added four lights and two pots of fresh flowers. Put my business banner and ribbon streamers on the wall behind my table.

Had a side table with appreciate boxes, silver ties, gift bags, as well as my receipt pad and money box.

I was ready to meet and greet and sell. The show opened and a few attendees came by.

By 1:00 p.m., I made one sale – a $12.00 veneered polymer clay pen to a little girl for her Grandpa.

This bazaar was the first show for the organizer and was not well publicized. She had placed one ad in the local paper and ask the participants to hand out flyers.

However, I feel I gained some exposure for my hand made jewelry of precious metal clay and polymer clay, incorporating semi-precious gems, sterling silver findings and chains.

I may have also interested a couple of potential students in both clays.

I have a new tablecloth and covering; a new banner and I liked my displays on my table.

So, I feel I gained quite a bit in retrospect. Maybe I’ll try again and enter another show.

Marilyn Davenport
Bits of Clay

Comments:

Been there!
by: Kim from Ohio

Marilyn,

I have had your experience on several occasions. You have a good attitude in that you view the experience as an exposure of your jewelry and your business. I have found that I have to very carefully choose the craft show, as our jewelry is of a high quality and commands a price that craft show shoppers are often not willing to pay for. That is a very unusual and interesting PMC ring, by the way. Good luck with your jewelry business!

Craft Shows
by: Tracy Dawn May

I would definitely give the organizer some feedback, especially since this is for a worthy cause

Only jury
by: ImajinArt

Craft shows have never worked for me, or for my husband who is an abstract artist. If you want the clientele who will appreciate and purchase your art, enter only those shows that require jurying in, and watch what types of art they accept. If it’s bird houses and yard art, go on to the next show. Most craft shows are for those who spend less than $25. Be selective with your time and money and enter only those shows that attract higher-end, art appreciators. Carolyn

Craft Show
by: Marilyn Davenport

I have expressed my thinking and past craft show experiences to the organizer of the Bazaar. I have participated in many holiday and spring craft shows with great success a few years ago, when the economy was better.