When are you ready to sell outside the home?

[Amylynn]

Hi all I am new to these boards but not to craft shows, I used to make  homemade soap.

 What I am wondering, now that I have already booked my first craft show, is am I ready? From reading  some I am thinking that I may not have the stock I need to make a go of this.
 I have thought about maybe splitting a table with another small seller or just waiting until next spring when I have more pieces. Or maybe buying some filler pieces just to fill the table.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Amy

[Luann Udell]

I know your first show can seem so overwhelming.  Rest assured, almost everyone feels that way their first time out!  And the feeling almost never goes completely away...

But the ONLY way to find out if you're ready is to simply DO IT.  

Do the show.  See what happens.  Take a notebook with you, and write down everything that happens.  Note the stuff that worked (the display ideas that worked, the packaging, the sales pitch, the items that sell well, etc.)

And the the things that don't work, think about what you could do better next time.

Look at what other vendors are doing and saying, and see if you can learn from them.  You should get great ideas for set-up, display, how to talk to customers, etc.  Most of your fellow craftspeople are amazingly generous people who are happy to make suggestions, give feedback, and encourage you.  If you find a grumpy one, run the other way.  (But don't be a pest, either.  NEVER interrupt another vendor when they are with a customer!!)  (Unless it's a pure-dee emergency!)

Recognize that the process never ends.  I STILL take notebooks to shows, and I still make notes on what went well, and what I could do better!   '>

Good luck, let everyone know how it went.

[marym]

Great advice Luann. AmyLynn I'm sorry your question went so long with out an answer... but nobody is better than Luann for these kinds of tips so I'm glad it was received by an expert!!!

Welcome to our forum- let us know if you need anything else!!

-Mary

[Amylynn]

Thanks so much for the advice. Now that the hubby is hooked on wire I am starting to relax a bit. He is just plain gifted and his pieces are gorgeous and unique.

I went to a craft fair that is very much like the one I am booked into in July and ....wow...the jewelery vendors were very cut throat with each other. The booth that seemed to have the most business actually did not sell handmade pieces but  imports, which also had a selection of other items,purses,wallets, sunglasses. (I don't know, maybe that was why the other crafters were so crabby ?)
 I made sure to buy a piece or two before asking any questions but even though there wasn't a lot of traffic the people were very tightlipped  with advice or answers to simple things like "I love your tent, I am thinking of doing a craftshow myself ...where did you get yours?" Or even a question about where they were from...I must have come accross as an IRS agent I think. It was just odd how competitive everyone was.
 When I sold soap it was in the winter and indoor sales and usually I was the only one so I guess it may just be a learning curve, but there were atleast 40% or higher jewelry booths out of all the crafting tables.
 AND OMG $700 for a spot with good foot traffic!!!! I would be more paniced but the show I am doing is set up in a square and there really are no "Bad" locations.
 I couldn't really tell how far people travel for these because nobody liked that question. I am still curious though. How far do folks travel for a festival type event?
 I have seen some that are far enough from home that I would have to get a hotel to do a show and was just curious if it was the norm or do people usually stick close enough to home to be able to go home at night  for multi day events?
 I'll ask here, atleast y'all can't stone me over the computer. How far should you travel,or what is the limit on radius? Just curious,don't kill me.

Amy

[Polly]

I would start out close to home (unless there are no good shows close at home) simply because it costs less: less gas, no motel, and you'll eat at home at least some meals.  

Everyone is nice here, we promise not to throw stones.

At the top of this page, is a short list of craft publications.  The 2nd section "Craft Show Listings (online or print)", is smaller regional publications and web sites, that have booth/canopy ads you might be interested in.
Many of the articles are useful for getting started, even if the site doesn't list shows in your area.

p.s.  In case you wonder why I only mention "oldies but goodies" there, and have skipped most of the new publications ... I haven't updated the info on the top of that page in quite a while.  
If you have favorites I should add, please post them here with a brief description and we'll add them.

[Polly]

re: stock for your first show.
I'm recycling this answer, about how much stock you should have ready for your show.  (My apologies if you already read it.)