La Befana was a big success. High quality vendors and lots of customers. I grossed more than I anticipated which was icing on the cake. My primary goal had been to get out of my bubble and meet some fellow crafters plus have the opportunity to chat with customers.
The booth space was really small. The length of a single banquet table. I did a trial setup at home to figure out how to squeeze in my vision. These pictures are from Day 1. I purchased the wooden screen from Store Supply Warehouse. I debated a long time about going with the white grid screens vs. the wooden screen. The jury is still out. I like the natural look of wood but I think the grids are more cost effective and would have given me more flexibility. Lots more accessory options for the grid too. I don’t like the 3 peg hangers. The bags kept falling off when customers grabbed the bag to take a look. I did like the wooden arm that extends out because the bags stay in place.
The wooden bench worked well as did the round table from my living room. Both sides fold down making it easy to fit in the back of my car. I was going for that homey sort of look.
I wore the apron I made when I tested Linda’s fabulous Craft Apple pattern. It was perfect for holding the money. I got a ton of compliments on the apron.
Some thoughts on what sold:
- 65% of my gross sales were made on Friday. 35% on Saturday. This was in line with the customer traffic. No one is quite sure why it was so slow on the second day. Even experienced vendors said it was just one of those things that’s difficult to predict.
- I sold the mini-wallets at $10. Definitely the right price for this venue. 11 sold on day 1, 1 sold on day 2. I’ll be putting those in my Etsy shop shortly.
- None of the tote bags sold. I priced them at $42 on day 1 and $28 on day 2. A LOT of people tried on the black and white bag but no takers. I also displayed my friend Margret’s Mail Sack bags in my booth. Lots of lookers, no buyers.
- Sold lots of kits, patterns and fat quarters from the shop.
- Scrap bags made from bolt ends, flaws, and left over sample making sold like hot cakes. It feels so great to have all of the odds and ends out of my workspace!
- I sold 5 pencil rolls, several pincushions, 2 mini-tins, and some smaller totes for children.
I really enjoyed chatting with customers. Cindy and Beth both traveled a ways to come to the show which I thought was so cool. This is Cindy and me. She’s wearing her Mail Sack bag which was gorgeous. Cindy was one of my first pattern customers and one of those people that you like just from trading e-mails. So fun to finally get to meet her in person. There were quite a few blog readers that stopped by to say hello. It truly made my weekend to chat with all of you. Thank you for making it such a fun time for me. There’s nothing I enjoy more than talking about sewing.
Things I would do differently:
- Bring a receipt book.
- Bring more than two bottles of water for the day.
- Make more gift items. Customers at a holiday show are looking for gifts in an affordable price range. I think that’s why the mini-wallets and pencil rolls did so well. They were great gifts for friends and children.
- Put a wide angle lens on the camera. Day 1 I brought my 50mm 1.4 lens so I could take photos without a flash. Great idea except that I couldn’t get back far enough to get the shot. Day 2 I put the wide angle lens on and used a flash.
There’s a lot of excitement from the group to do multiple shows a year. We’re looking at changing the name and getting more organized. For a first time show I have to say it was extremely well done.
Now I need to go get the details of Pink Friday finalized and publicized!
how exciting to see you all set up in the show! i spent the weekend with a jewelry artist friend (http://www.ramseyhalljewelry.com/) in the local ‘studio’ tour (http://www.artstudiotour.org/) and found it to be so much fun. i helped with sells and snacks. there were 3 other artists at her location. thought you’d enjoy seeing what’s going on in middle tn!
happy turkey day to you and yours.
ann
How strange that the tote bags didn’t sell. I’ve been thinking about them myself all weekend! I love the design and hope you come up with a pattern…
Your space is beautiful.
It all looks great! And I think you’re right about what to sell – smaller gifty things are probably easier to sell than larger items that people buy for themselves. I know I’d have an easier time picking out a wallet for a gift than a tote bag. Bag choice is very personal.
Glad it was so successful!
It is great that you did so well! Usually I hear of crafters working their hineys off,making tons of stuff…then no one shows or they want to “make it themselves for less.” It’s great when hard work pays off!
Tricia
i think the display looks great!! thanks for all of the tips for us newbies!!
The booth looked great. Glad you had a good show.
Andi
Your booth looked great! I’m working on improving mine for next time, thanks for the link to store supply – I’m not sure wooden screen would work for me, maybe they will have something else I can use? You’re right about the small items, I’m already brainstorming on what other smalls I can make for next time.
It was a great show and I’m so glad to hear that you did well. I spent hours at those art shows with my mom when I was young (she did woodcuts) so the scene was all so familiar. Sorry to hear the tote bags didn’t sell, but maybe at another time of year when people are more in the mood to buy for themselves they’d go. The whole economic situation doesn’t help either, so I’m glad it wasn’t a waste of your time. You definitely had a rocking setup, and those fabric packs were flying out the door!
I’m so glad it was more successful than you anticipated. Wonder why the bags weren’t such a hit???
Beautiful set up and you look just gorgeous! I’ll be stalking your Etsy shop for a wallet.
Everything looks/looked beautiful! Glad you had good sales too. Thanks for sharing your learned wisdom with us
I like your wooden screen and the homey look of your setup. How about putting colorful knobs on the ends of the pegs to keep your tote bags from sliding off. Round wooden knobs are available in craft stores – or you could use a square piece of wood. Drill a hole, add some glue and slide on.
Nothing like a little positive reinforcement with your gross sales! I see a mail sack in one of your photos that I’d give my eye teeth for; I’m trying not to drool. It would seriously mess up my computer.
Not surprising you sold a lot, your stuff is amazing! I wish I was near and could attend. I will have to check out your shop. I would love to get some wallets. I have a few people in mind who would love to have one (including me!).
Kathy, your booth look great and inviting. You looked very busy to me. Congrats. xoxoxox Clarice
Oh well done! Your booth looked so good, I wish I could’ve been there. Thanks for sharing all this, Kathy, I’m really enjoying reading your posts and thoughts (and other people’s comments) about doing the market.
Congratulations on doing so well.
congrats on your success! i love your display ~ it definitely would have called my attention and drawn me to ckeck out your items.
Your booth looks really nice – I can’t believe those tote bags didn’t sell, especially at the second day’s price. Are you planning on selling them online – I’ve been drooling over them ever since you posted that picture – especially the one with the apples & pears on one side and the red & white folklore looking print on the other.
I’ll buy one! : )
Congrats! Like the other commenters, I am also surprised the totes did not sell, esp. at the lower 2nd day price! Throw them on your Etsy shop along with those cute wallets and I bet some sell!
Great to read about your experiences! I would have loved to be there to see, smell and feel your booth. Have a wonderful week!
wow all looks lovely and very professional!!
Great inspiration!
Congratulations on a job well done. Your booth looks inviting with lots of color and texture. Wish I lived closer…
It sounds like you did great and the booth space looks amazing – so fresh and peaceful .
Congratulations! Sounds like fun!
Hey Kathy,
Any chance you have the time to email me the photos you took of the bazaar? I’d love to post them to our bazaar site.
Thanks!
Kate
Everything looks great Kathy! Nice job!! I’m looking forward to trying to snag one of those cute little wallets.
I’m so glad to see this post today. I have been doing bazaars for a few years and selling by word of mouth for much longer but really needed another persons point of view on what is selling. My daughter and I are heading into a bazaar at the college I attend on the 4th. I was thinking more make-up bags and less handbags to be able to smaller ticket items.
Your booth looks great!
Lori
I just noticed you have a blogroll for Washington State…I live here too…Grays Harbor County.
)
I would love to join if you are still adding.
Lori
The colors of your items made your booth stand out and I like the white bench. Sorry day 2 was slow for you, but it sounds like it wasn’t too bad considering it was a first time show. At least you had nice people around to chat with. Happy Thanksgiving!
You had a nice set up! Nice height with the screens and good color. Nice that you were able to put stuff on the wall, too. I like the little blue and aqua box on the floor – cute stuff!
I’m so glad the apron came in handy. I loved having my pen and receipts right on me when I needed them.
)
Your booth looks adorable. Check the hardware store for black tabs that lock the metal hooks in place in the peg board. We have them in our garage and they work perfectly. I just ordered an apron pattern the other week and am excited to have time to sew one up this weekend. Thanks for all the ideas on your blog. Your totes are wonderful!
Looks like you have a great setup–glad it was a positive experience!
I like your stuff! The bags where you used the bolt ends are great! Might I make a suggestion for you? The 3 peg area on your display? I guess I’m just one of those people who like to try to solve problems… what if you got say a wooden button or such and screwed one on the end of the each dowel? They would need to be a bit larger than the dowels… but that way things wouldn’t slip off, and people could still take things off them. Just a thought!
Have a Wonderful Thanks Giving!
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