Monday
Dec142009
Craft Shows
Monday, December 14, 2009 at 5:23PM 
I had a first time customer in the shop a couple weeks ago. She asked me how I sold my work apart from having my Home Sale and I gave her the list, mentioning craft shows. I told her I wasn't doing as many shows as I once did because it was pretty hard work. She said something along the lines of, "sitting there all day long." I think this is a pretty common notion that visitors to craft shows have. That we exhibitors just sit there in our booths all day. Most of us know there's much more to it than that: set up, break down, packing up again, stress over weather, getting there w/o the piece of crap van breaking down, answering the same questions over and over, smiling, engaging w. people, being 'on', being tired from getting up to unload those last pots at 4 am. Any how I was nice and mentioned a few things and she seemed to understand that there was more to it than 'sitting in the booth all day'.
As a matter of fact, I make it a point to rarely sit down at a show. I move around the booth, shuffle pots, say hello to people, look busy. Sitting down, or sitting down reading (big no-no) pretty much sends a negative message to customers.
It's hard at first to find shows that may be profitable. And sometimes it takes doing a show several times for it to begin to pay off. I have found that pottery only shows have been the best for me. I belong to a pottery guild that holds two shows a year. It's well attended and folks have gotten used to seeing me there. There are several pottery only shows in NC, we are a big pottery state with lots of potters so there is a good market for this kind of show. People usually come ready to buy.
I did a medium sized, regional show for 4 or 5 years before I got it through my head that it just wasn't working for me. Sometimes hoping that something will come about clouds my judgment. Better to see it for what it is and find another show.
I've also exhibited in the American Craft Council show in Charlotte a few times. This is a big indoor, juried venue with all mediums and exhibitors from around the country. ACC holds shows across the US. In Charlotte the booth fee with electricity runs about $900 and up. It's a three day show. That show never really brought in lots of money for me, it did give me good exposure and a sense of pride to be showing there. Eventually the ACC Charlotte show folded, which wasn't a big surprise. Charlotte just didn't support that show.
That's the only show of that caliber that I've done. There are many out there and I know some are very good.
The bottom line is that you have to find what works for you. There is a lot involved including building up a display that is nice looking but easy to transport, set up and tear down.
Over the years I've learned to put out less work at once to give the pots space and allow customer's eyes to rest. I have some friends who take the big box store approach, stacking bowls and plates and getting as much as possible out on a table. They claim this is something most customers are use to. Maybe so, it doesn't work for me as all my pots are decorated differently and they need to see each one.
I also know a potter who loves to put some pots down on the floor, out of the way, but not out of sight. Folks see these and just have to know 'what those pots down there are', 'are they sold?'. I think it's something about finding a 'treasure' or something special. (which really isn't). Funny.
What else to say about craft shows? Maybe some one else will add something. Or feel free to ask questions.
Reader Comments (14)
craft shows suck...but are a necessary evil, at least for me. i may add more later.
Ha. Thanks for that comment. Tell about the time you had to rescue that guy. Ron
whoa, $900 - would need to make more than $300 a day to break even, yikes. At my first shows I put lots out and had a crowded booth, now I see pottery shows much better with more open space around it. I also found having wares at eye level for those walking by is better than table height - which looks more like a home sale style. I noticed attending more than once may encourage sales as folks ask during the year - are you going to be at such and such show? even if they didn't purchase at the last show. I am working on better signage for my booth.
How do you wrap pottery for those purchasing? In a
decorative bag?
One show I had a woman do all her shopping for the year from me and she continues to purchase from me. halfway through that show i felt like leaving but I am glad I didn't.
I never know and can never predict which show will be better than the next.
Hey Linda thanks for the input. I get end rolls of news print from the local paper to wrap pots in and I use grocery type brown paper bags. I did score about 200 bags for free that have carrying handles.
For what it's worth... I like the "give it space" format. I lug everything around in wooden crates that I've made and I leave a good amount of work in the crates but still in plain sight. You are right, people love finding treasure. I let interested customers paw though the boxes, usually it's in the best interest of both of us...
I've just finished applying for next years fairs. It seems very early when I've only just finished doing this years!.I'm finding it difficult to know how many to apply for. I need 4-5 over the year but should I aply for more in case I don't get into all I apply for?
Also a big consideration for me is the need to camp!! If the fair is a long way off camping is a neccesity or too much of the profits get used on accomodation.
At the end of Potfest last year my husband threw away our tent as getting it up had proved a bit of a challenge. Though the watching audience of potters (all with their tents safely up) probably found it quite amusing. So we've got to invest in a new tent!! All adds to the fun and drama!!!
Craft shows are very draining, and nobody has mentioned the toll that standing on a concrete floor takes on your body. They are great for making contact and getting feed back from customers. I do like talking to people about how the pottery was created or why I made something the way I did. People seem to react well to the story of the Monk's Vases.
I'm considering doing a local weekly farmers market next spring but it's a large time commitment. I'd love to get some feed back about other potters experiences with these venues.
A love hate relationship is what I have with fairs. The prospect of them scares me witless, especially if it's one of the selected ones that I don't often get into but occaisionally do. The idea of putting out what I make in front of lots of people, real people at that, and often people who really know what is good and what isn't. However generally when I get there I enjoy myself, especially if it's full of my lovely potting friends. They are essential I think in terms of meeting others in the same boat as yourself and making me get out of the workshop else I'd stay there all year on my own.
One(or ten) of the main reasons I hate fairs:
Top 10 "favorite" things said to me at art/craft fairs:
1. "Do you do anything in blue?"
2. "Do you make french butter dishes?"
3. "Your work is good...not good enough that I'd buy it though."
4. "Is this your best price?"
5. "If I buy 2 cups do I get a discount?"
6. "I have to pay sales tax?"
7. A woman holding a coffee mug says: "Can this be used?" to which I replied "yes" but thought: who makes decorative coffee mugs?
8. Said by another potter upon walking in my booth: "Somebody sure likes shino, you'd better hope there are other potters to buy your work here." Funny thing...I don't use shino.
9. "We'll definitely be back."
and my personal favorite:
10. "I didn't become wealthy by paying retail."
Every fair you'll hear at least 5/10 of these or some variation thereof. Good times.
Brandon, I bet we could all add some to this list, but you've certainly hit the top ones. I had a potter tell me my work didn't belong in a show because it wasn't traditional enough. I also had a guy say, Is that $100 or $1. I said $100. Of course, his response was 'I wouldn't pay that.' I've also gotten, This sure is heavy.
We've only been doing it a couple of years, and only 2-4 shows locally a year, so maybe we haven't had time to get jaded about it. I still get a kick out of stupid questions and enjoy talking to people.
I'd also disagree about reading a book - I think people are more willing to come in if you're not soliciting them too much. Just be inviting and polite. I don't think people like being "sold" - I know I don't. Sketching is also good, because people will look at what you're sketching and feel involved. Just don't get caught drawing little voodoo cartoons of customers buying piles of pots. Not that I've ever done that.
Thanks for commenting Gabe. I agree that people don't want to be sold. I find that I stand most of the time and look busy. I think as you said people want to be acknowledged when they come in the booth and then left alone. I usually say hi and if they have questions to let me know. I don't like to sit b/c if someone walks in and you stand up immediately they may see it as you coming after them (not exactly, but you know what I mean). I like the idea of sketching, that certainly would generate interest. I don't know that voodoo thing may work. Ha.
I have had people come in and ask if my rod iron coffee cup rack is for sale. My husband says to tell them it is $140 with all the mugs:)
I have some metal spoons that are included with a few items, sometimes people ask if I make them. I know it is going to be a bad day when people are more interested in the silverware than the pottery.
Totally agree with you about sitting, once i get up to help them they usually run from the booth.
Good answer about the coffee cup rack!