alisonquilts

Thanks for both the compliment and the idea - that is an excellent thought!

Alison

alisonquilts

Well, by the end of the day (when I had seen the same people mooch by several times) I realized that a large proportion of the traffic was other vendors and their family members/helpers! And I walked around the fair and didn't buy much, so I am part of the problem! (I did buy a gorgeous original painting of an octopus...)

Alison

alisonquilts

I was kind of hoping for the "I have a quilt that needs finishing" comment to come up at the fair, because that is something I do as a custom quilter. I have made/finished many a quilt that the original crafter got bogged down on, ran out of time to finish, or abandoned after deciding that quilting just wasn't for them. I guess everyone at the craft show has no UFOs...snort.

Alison

ptquilts

Now THAT is something I would like to see a picture of!!

nstitches4u

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. It could be a sign of the economy. When money is tight, people don't buy a lot of extras that they can live without, no matter how beautiful the quilt or the item is. When you have to decide whether to buy a quilt or craft item or put gas in your car and food on the table, gas and food wins.

Norma

emlee51

I attended several craft fairs this year and last...even participated in a couple of them...all were based around the holidays or big events in the area, and I only sold a few things from my table as did the other vendors. I will add that these events were yearly events, and had been going on for years. I think the economy has really taken its toll on a lot of consumer spending...especially gifts and such.

Pat G

I agree with many other comments that crafts are gone by the wayside now. I've seen that in my travels that craft shows just don't seem to work anymore. Plus, I think people have tightened up on their spending. Yes, they're also mostly looking for ideas to go home & make themselves. I used to do the same thing.

I find that quilt shows are now more popular & are well attended.

cookiepress

I did a craft show 30 years ago and was told by a "friend" that the product wasn't worth buying because it was homemade.
Last craft show I ever did. Now I only make things for real friends and family. Also as donations. It is so much more gratifying.

elm

In my area crafters do well when combined with fresh markets or well established gallery walks.

QuilterToo

Whatever u do, don't set up the first time a specialty show or sale has related vendors. In
southeast TX I set up an attractive booth at a herb society sale and sold 2 items--total cost to consumers $10 less than cost of booth. People walked out with trays of herbs and plants though. I learned that this show is definitely not my style.