I had high hopes for Cider Days. I had heard this was a HUGE event and thought surely out of the sheer numbers of people I should have a successful show based on the numbers. At this show I joined forces with several friends. My friend recently opened an Etsy store, HeatherMelody, selling her beautiful jewelery. This was her first craft show so I went as support, and because she thought she couldn't fill an entire booth. Hind sight being 20/20, she shouldn't have invited as many people to join her in the booth as she did, because the space was not as big as we thought it would be. Now that she has layed out all of her product and displayed it she now has the confidence that she can fill a booth by herself!
Anyway, on to the review of Cider Days. There were a lot of people there. There was a high potential to do very well, but we missed the boat. Our display set up on Saturday was horrible. The booth looked crowded, we had 4 people trying to man a booth that could have been handled by 1 person, and we had a giant board displaying the HeatherMelody jewelery that covered up the fact there was a table behind it. Despite all of OUR mistakes, the administrators of this craft show also made several mistakes.
The quality of booths allowed to be inside the Expo center were mislead to us. We were told there would not be food allowed inside... there was. We were told everything was to be handmade... it wasn't. There were several booths near us with items made in India and China. I know that some people take a store bought item and personalize it or add a little something special to it, which is a touchy subject to some people. The hard part was that there were several booths selling hair flowers and headbands like we were that had their marked at 3 for $10, well if you are making a quality product, there is no way you can sell it at those prices. So we were under cut quite a bit with these less than handmade booths.
Other complaints we had about this show were we still haven't received a receipt for tax purposes, when it came time for tear down the expo center workers were in the way taking down the dividers. Those people were getting PAID to be there, we were not! Let us tear down our things BEFORE you start cleaning up for your job! They also didn't have the consideration to get out of the way when we would pass them with arms full of things. RUDE!
This was a two day event, Saturday was filled with people, but Sunday was basically customer free. It turned out that there were several major events and other big craft shows in Topeka that weekend that may have taken potential visitors away. Since we are not from Topeka we didn't know about this other events until we got there.
As we visited with other vendors during the day on Sunday, because there was PLENTY of time, we found that they were also not happy with the goings on of the day and the weekend.
Even though this event turned out to be a financial disaster for the 4 of us, we learned invaluable lessons from it. Who knew there was such a thing as a show that is too big? Not Me!! I also know now that being in a jewelery booth with my unique items (I spy bag) might be a little tough on sales, unless I bring my item to the front of the booth. People have seen tons of jewelery in their lives, but they may have not seen an I spy bag before. Lessons learned and now it is time to go on with more shows and improve! I love learning and improving! Biggest lessons learned for me? Topeka is a cruel mistress, and has always mistreated me, so I will NEVER do a show there again! Lesson learned! :)
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Park Place Ministry Center, Wichita KS, 12/11/2010
Today I had my final craft fair of the year! I was very excited for this. Especially after my last craft fair experience, I was looking forward to getting back to at least average.
I found this craft fair through a google search, and then an email from a vendor I met at a previous show. I decided since the booth fee was only $20 I would take a chance and sign up. I also assumed that since it was on South Maize Road that it was on a busy street. I should have looked this up on a map to make sure my assumption was correct.
The organizers were very friendly, and helpful. They talked about all the different methods of advertising they put into this fair and so I'm sure they tried their best to spread the word.
In all actuality the attendance was very poor. There were tons of booths. I thought the number was 50, but when we got there, I think there were well over 50 booths. Everyone was happy and hopeful, but there just wasn't any traffic. I only sold 3 bags and they were to other vendors. This was the first year of this show, so perhaps in a few years (if it continues on) it will be established with traffic, but for now I'll pass on it. Ask me in a few years if I want to join up again!
I found this craft fair through a google search, and then an email from a vendor I met at a previous show. I decided since the booth fee was only $20 I would take a chance and sign up. I also assumed that since it was on South Maize Road that it was on a busy street. I should have looked this up on a map to make sure my assumption was correct.
The organizers were very friendly, and helpful. They talked about all the different methods of advertising they put into this fair and so I'm sure they tried their best to spread the word.
In all actuality the attendance was very poor. There were tons of booths. I thought the number was 50, but when we got there, I think there were well over 50 booths. Everyone was happy and hopeful, but there just wasn't any traffic. I only sold 3 bags and they were to other vendors. This was the first year of this show, so perhaps in a few years (if it continues on) it will be established with traffic, but for now I'll pass on it. Ask me in a few years if I want to join up again!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Shop 'Til you Drop Sale, Topeks KS, 11/27/2010
In theory this show sounded like a great idea. The black Friday weekend is a huge shopping weekend, and there is a movement to make that Saturday "Small Business Saturday" so what a great way to support small business by going to a craft fair! The location on this show was in a ballroom inside a Holiday Inn right off the freeway. There was a big sign standing on the ground telling passers by of the sale on Saturday. Patty Pugh who is the event coordinator for KS- Events- Fair was in charge of this event and advertised this event as going out with all the Black Friday ads and led everyone to believe this was going to be a huge event. On top of the booth fee each booth was required to donate a door prize.
Now for reality. A hotel ballroom might be good for a wedding reception, but not for a craft show. The hotel guests were basically the only people that showed up. Although the hotel was on the side of the freeway there weren't signs right where you got off to direct people to the hotel. Also, I think whatever effort Patty made to get this advertised, she exaggerated to make this show seem bigger than it was. Also, right now there is no way that small business can compete with large mass merchandisers. So perhaps that major shopping weekend should be left to the "big boys."
Patty also is running a show on Dec. 11 in Topeka and the locals told me they had heard a lot of advertising for that show, but not for Nov. 27.
Now I know sales can't dictate how successful a show is in most cases, but I do believe if it is b ad for the majority of people that can be a dictator. In this shows case, it was horrible for everyone! Almost everyone didn't even sell enough to cover their booth fee ( $75 for non-commercial, $150 for commercial) I was lucky enough to have a lady who runs a daycare LOVE my I spy bags enough to buy one for each of her daycare kids. She did ask for a big discount for buying in bulk (12 bags) so I hardly made any money on the deal, but I was glad to help her, loved her enthusiasm for my bags and wanted to get my bags out to more people. I may have been the only one who covered my booth fee and that's only because I shared a booth with my friend!
Summary
Overall this show was a HUGE waste of time and money. Luckily my family and I had turned it into vacation and visited a few sites and had fun staying at the hotel. With low sales, and low customers this was a bust. In my opinion when Patty saw that this was going downhill fast (it was obvious!) she should have at least given us back our door prizes so not to have lost that money. All the vendors were very upset, and I think Patty could sense the tension so she left before the show was even over. Now just because this was a bust, doesn't mean every show she does is a bust, but this experience was enough to show that she doesn't care a smidgen for the vendors she is supposed to be helping, so I'm done with her. I will not work with Patty Pugh and KS-Events-Fairs ever again! I give this show 1 out of 5 stars!
Now for reality. A hotel ballroom might be good for a wedding reception, but not for a craft show. The hotel guests were basically the only people that showed up. Although the hotel was on the side of the freeway there weren't signs right where you got off to direct people to the hotel. Also, I think whatever effort Patty made to get this advertised, she exaggerated to make this show seem bigger than it was. Also, right now there is no way that small business can compete with large mass merchandisers. So perhaps that major shopping weekend should be left to the "big boys."
Patty also is running a show on Dec. 11 in Topeka and the locals told me they had heard a lot of advertising for that show, but not for Nov. 27.
Now I know sales can't dictate how successful a show is in most cases, but I do believe if it is b ad for the majority of people that can be a dictator. In this shows case, it was horrible for everyone! Almost everyone didn't even sell enough to cover their booth fee ( $75 for non-commercial, $150 for commercial) I was lucky enough to have a lady who runs a daycare LOVE my I spy bags enough to buy one for each of her daycare kids. She did ask for a big discount for buying in bulk (12 bags) so I hardly made any money on the deal, but I was glad to help her, loved her enthusiasm for my bags and wanted to get my bags out to more people. I may have been the only one who covered my booth fee and that's only because I shared a booth with my friend!
Summary
Overall this show was a HUGE waste of time and money. Luckily my family and I had turned it into vacation and visited a few sites and had fun staying at the hotel. With low sales, and low customers this was a bust. In my opinion when Patty saw that this was going downhill fast (it was obvious!) she should have at least given us back our door prizes so not to have lost that money. All the vendors were very upset, and I think Patty could sense the tension so she left before the show was even over. Now just because this was a bust, doesn't mean every show she does is a bust, but this experience was enough to show that she doesn't care a smidgen for the vendors she is supposed to be helping, so I'm done with her. I will not work with Patty Pugh and KS-Events-Fairs ever again! I give this show 1 out of 5 stars!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Guest Reviewer
I have done shows for 16 yrs mainly in the SLC,Utah area.
My favorite show hands down is the Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers/Craft and Art Market in Utah.
http://www.downtownslc.org/
I did that show for 7 yrs and would do it still if I had not moved out of State. It was only 20 dollars a week and they had roughly 5000 + visitors each week. It was on Saturdays from 8am to 1 pm and my sales were consistent and very good each week.
The Downtown Alliance were wonderful to work with. Very accomidating and always quick to answer questions or help you out if you needed assistance. This show actually spoiled me to other shows. It was so much fun and is still a big event each week. I really miss doing that show.
I have a hard time now doing shows that are 3 days long ,10 hrs a day and really miss the market. If your city has a farmers market and they allow arts and crafts I highly reccomend giving it a go. You cannot judge the success with one week though. You may have a great Saturday one week and the next week is a dud. The up side is they usually have very low vendor fees (Under 20 dollars) and you are not there for more than 6 - 8 hrs and only 1 day.
The new city I am in only charges 2 dollars for a table. They are just starting out and have a small crowd each week but it is growing and you can't beat 2 bucks.
It is a great, inexpensive way to test the market and see if your stuff sells before doing a more expensive longer show. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce and they will let you know what is in your area.
Remember...You don't know if you don't try.
Happy Vending!
Kim:)
www.claybykim.etsy.com
www.claybykim.blogspot.com
My favorite show hands down is the Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers/Craft and Art Market in Utah.
http://www.downtownslc.org/
I did that show for 7 yrs and would do it still if I had not moved out of State. It was only 20 dollars a week and they had roughly 5000 + visitors each week. It was on Saturdays from 8am to 1 pm and my sales were consistent and very good each week.
The Downtown Alliance were wonderful to work with. Very accomidating and always quick to answer questions or help you out if you needed assistance. This show actually spoiled me to other shows. It was so much fun and is still a big event each week. I really miss doing that show.
I have a hard time now doing shows that are 3 days long ,10 hrs a day and really miss the market. If your city has a farmers market and they allow arts and crafts I highly reccomend giving it a go. You cannot judge the success with one week though. You may have a great Saturday one week and the next week is a dud. The up side is they usually have very low vendor fees (Under 20 dollars) and you are not there for more than 6 - 8 hrs and only 1 day.
The new city I am in only charges 2 dollars for a table. They are just starting out and have a small crowd each week but it is growing and you can't beat 2 bucks.
It is a great, inexpensive way to test the market and see if your stuff sells before doing a more expensive longer show. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce and they will let you know what is in your area.
Remember...You don't know if you don't try.
Happy Vending!
Kim:)
www.claybykim.etsy.com
www.claybykim.blogspot.com
Mission Market, Wichita KS, 11/20/2010
This craft show was at the United Calvary Methodist Church on North Rock Road in Wichita, KS. There were $50 booths and the fee was $40, which for being my 3rd show I thought was a lot of money and I was pretty nervous about it. There was a great selection of booths with not too many of one thing. The application process was typical with it suggesting it would be juried, but in the end I didn't have to provide pictures, just an item list. Since my main product is an I spy bag, I'm pretty unique anyway.
Parking was fantastic, the church was pretty big, thus it had a huge parking lot! It was also on a busy street lending itself to people driving by and stopping in without prior knowledge of the event, although the actual attendance would not suggest that actually happened.
The church had volunteers circling the booths with a complimentary snack and beverage cart. I thought this little touch was amazing and super nice of them!
The church held a luncheon and bake sale so most of the attendees were congregation members. Plus it also seemed to be an older crowd which wasn't ideal for a lot of the vendors. Even though this show seemed really slow, and low on customers at the end of the day it ended up being my best show. I sold 13 I spy bags at this event. Even though things worked out well in the end, I don't think I would attend this show again because of the booth fee and the amount of foot traffic. I give this show 3 out of 5 stars!
Parking was fantastic, the church was pretty big, thus it had a huge parking lot! It was also on a busy street lending itself to people driving by and stopping in without prior knowledge of the event, although the actual attendance would not suggest that actually happened.
The church had volunteers circling the booths with a complimentary snack and beverage cart. I thought this little touch was amazing and super nice of them!
The church held a luncheon and bake sale so most of the attendees were congregation members. Plus it also seemed to be an older crowd which wasn't ideal for a lot of the vendors. Even though this show seemed really slow, and low on customers at the end of the day it ended up being my best show. I sold 13 I spy bags at this event. Even though things worked out well in the end, I don't think I would attend this show again because of the booth fee and the amount of foot traffic. I give this show 3 out of 5 stars!
Help with reviews
I have reached out to some of my etsy friends as well as to all of you for help with reviews! A friend has a site called Pros and Cons has some awesome reviews of different shows(mostly anime conventions)! Definitely worth a look! Remember I would love to include your review. Please email me your reviews to purseplaceorder at gmail.com
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
The Handmade Faire, Medford NJ July 2010,
This show is perhaps one of the best shows in all of New Jersey. Coordinated by fellow Etsy member OriginalAbbey, this show has grown to include 90+ juried handmade vendors in an outdoor setting. ( A juried show is a show where the organizers request images of the artists creations. They will then select the best of the best from each category to appear. The organizers will look at the work of the artist, and often ask for an image of the artist's show display.)
The Handmade Faire, as an example, will limit the number of vendors in specific categories, such as jewelry (because they receive dozens of jewelry applications) For an artist new to vending at a craft fair, attending a juried show as a visitor is a great way to pick up ideas, and tips on creating a professional-looking display, and it's also a great way to learn of upcoming shows from vendors who are regulars on the craft show "circuit".
This past year, the show was held in July, in 95+ degree weather and the shows traffic still was a couple thousand people. The prior year, it was just a bit cooler, and several thousand attended. I was barely able to leave my tent display, and there were periods when people were waiting outside my tent trying to get in...that's how CRAZY BUSY it was.
Always well-promoted, and well-attended by both quality vendors and potential customers that appreciate and love to buy handmade items. The last 2 years, people actually stayed home instead of going to the beach for the weekend, to attend this show!
If I can do only one show per year, this is the show. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thx
CreationsByRobin
Robin S
The Handmade Faire, as an example, will limit the number of vendors in specific categories, such as jewelry (because they receive dozens of jewelry applications) For an artist new to vending at a craft fair, attending a juried show as a visitor is a great way to pick up ideas, and tips on creating a professional-looking display, and it's also a great way to learn of upcoming shows from vendors who are regulars on the craft show "circuit".
This past year, the show was held in July, in 95+ degree weather and the shows traffic still was a couple thousand people. The prior year, it was just a bit cooler, and several thousand attended. I was barely able to leave my tent display, and there were periods when people were waiting outside my tent trying to get in...that's how CRAZY BUSY it was.
Always well-promoted, and well-attended by both quality vendors and potential customers that appreciate and love to buy handmade items. The last 2 years, people actually stayed home instead of going to the beach for the weekend, to attend this show!
If I can do only one show per year, this is the show. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thx
CreationsByRobin
Robin S
Holiday Market, McPherson KS, 11/6/2010
This craft fair had a pretty average booth fee at $25. The application process was pretty lax, as was the event itself (which I did not mind). The booths at this fair were spread over several floors of the Opera House in McPherson. That was a little annoying, because friends that had come to see me, had a hard time finding me.
I don't know how many years this had been running, but it wasn't the first year. I was concerned that this event hadn't been publicized very much because it wasn't on facebook and there weren't fliers in the windows in town like there usually are for events in this town. I of course put this on facebook and invited everyone I know relatively close to this town.
The event coordinators were very flexible as far as set up times went, which I really appreciated, and even though this was a 2 day show, they let me take down and not participate the second day, which I also really appreciated!
Parking for this event was adequate for a medium crowd. There is parking in the rear of the Opera House and some in front.
Attendance to this show ended up being pretty good. I was please because I met my goal of 10 bags. I wanted to repeat my first show to build my confidence, and really feel like my product was a great thing for the people.
Summary
Overall I really liked this show. I liked being close to home, seeing friends and I sold well. It was a really great time! I give this show 4 out of 5 stars!
I don't know how many years this had been running, but it wasn't the first year. I was concerned that this event hadn't been publicized very much because it wasn't on facebook and there weren't fliers in the windows in town like there usually are for events in this town. I of course put this on facebook and invited everyone I know relatively close to this town.
The event coordinators were very flexible as far as set up times went, which I really appreciated, and even though this was a 2 day show, they let me take down and not participate the second day, which I also really appreciated!
Parking for this event was adequate for a medium crowd. There is parking in the rear of the Opera House and some in front.
Attendance to this show ended up being pretty good. I was please because I met my goal of 10 bags. I wanted to repeat my first show to build my confidence, and really feel like my product was a great thing for the people.
Summary
Overall I really liked this show. I liked being close to home, seeing friends and I sold well. It was a really great time! I give this show 4 out of 5 stars!
Barn Sale Review - Hesston, KS 10/3/2010
The craft fair in Hesston was at the coordinators home. This fair was kind of "off the beaten path" so when I arrived I was a little nervous about the foot traffic, BUT it was a free show, so I couldn't complain either way. The lady in charge had a really big property for the 20+ booths that were there, plus a great space for a parking lot. It was an outdoor show, but I had a tent so the sun wasn't a problem. There were some really windy times, so that was annoying. She put signs up all over the roads leading up to her home and all over downtown Hesston. There ended up being a great turn out, and since it was my very first show I felt it went well for me. My total I spy bags sold there were 10. Thus began 10 bags being what I compare all future shows too.
Synopsis
This was a great show for being the first year! I will definitely do it again if it happens again next year! Especially if it remains free, that would be an awesome break from all the vendor fees at every other show! I give it 4 (out of 5) Stars!
Synopsis
This was a great show for being the first year! I will definitely do it again if it happens again next year! Especially if it remains free, that would be an awesome break from all the vendor fees at every other show! I give it 4 (out of 5) Stars!
Reviews
I have searched the internet looking for craft fairs to join and in all my searches I have found a couple things. First, there are very few sites that offer any of that information for free (which is ridiculous since you already have to pay to be a vendor) and second, I haven't ever seen a site that has reviews of these events after the fact to either praise or warn for future vendors. I haven't done a lot of craft shows, but I did do my fourth one today and I feel the need to beginning review the fairs I attend. I would love to be able to help people know what was a great show, a good show or one to avoid all together! So here I begin my on going series on fair reviews! I have four fairs to catch you up on so I will start with my first craft show and then proceed in date sequential order.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
