vkasal

I have been doing craft shows for over 10 years - it started when I lost my job and needed money for Christmas gifts for my kids. I tend to change up my inventory every 3 years or so because I get bored plus I tend to do the same shows so I want fresh things to sell for the customers.

This year I did a combination of sewing and painted items (I've been teaching decorative painting for about 12 years). This first show was at a high school so the customers tend to be a little more conservative with their cash. I sold several microwave bowl holders, some tissue holders, catnip toys, clothesline coasters, a few lavender sachets and a faux fur scarf. Things that didn't sell (sewing related) were applique Christmas towels, 2 snowman pillows and the 5 table runners I brought with me, although people were handling them a *lot*. Painted related I sold several snowman candles and some glassware. For the past 3 years I've sold personalized clay ornaments and am clearancing them out since I'm so sick of them - sold several of them along with some clay pins.

I meant to take pictures of my booth yesterday but it totally slipped my mind until I was driving home after the show last night!

This next weekend is a HUGE church sale - over 150 vendors. This place is *packed* from 9am until right before they close at 3pm. The spaces are much smaller than what I'm used to so its going to be tight. I've done this show for *years* and its probably one of my favorites. So throughout this week I'm hoping to find enough time to replenish some of what I sold as well as some new things that I need to finish. I took Friday off from work so hopefully that will help me get more stuff done

Side note: People were just *amazed* when my friend and I explained about the microwave potholders. Seems that most people didn't know what they were and just loved the idea. I sold lots but what I didn't expect is for people to buy several different designs - I really thought they'd buy matching sets but nope, everyone bought different designs. (I sold mine individually rather than in sets).

I did ok at the show but I've done better in the past. I talked to several of the vendors yesterday and they were experiencing the same thing - ok but nothing great for sales. I really do believe that its because this sale is at the high school and sales are always low; I always have much better luck at church sales, but that's just my experience.

I'll take pics of next weeks show to share next weekend - for those of you who also do shows how are you doing?

Vanessa

pollyjvan9

Wow, you have quite an inventory. I went to craft shows about 12 years ago with purses and did pretty good, but haven't been to any since then. But I am going to two small ones this year. Both are next week, one on Friday on the OUHSC (my daughter works on campus and says a lot of the employees go to this craft show) and the other is on Saturday at a church. They were both so inexpensive I decided to see if I could sell some of my quilts I had on hand. I have heard they don't sell real well at craft shows, just have to wait and see. If I sell one I will be happy. BTW I don't know what a microwave potholder is either. I just use regular potholders. Hope you do well next weekend at the big show.

betty jo

Can you please explain your potholders or show us a picture, we have started some craft shows this year and you are right no one interested in my dresden plate table toppers, need to move on to something else. thanks for your time ...

NanaCsews2

Here is a link to over 40 potholder patterns and tutorials-free.
http://tipnut.com/potholder-patterns/
A few shown are considered microwave potholders. Those with a potholder for each hand on the end.
There are also microwave bowl potholders. Here is one link. Google microwave potholders and several come up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlN8hXpaUV4

vkasal

The microwave potholders I referred to are the microwave bowl potholders - there's a tutorial on the forum: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t144848.html

I do mine a bit differently but if you check out that link you'll get the gist of it, anyway...