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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2008, at 15:14:03
Does anyone have any experience with selling homemade crafts at craft shows? I want to sell my vases and scarves, I am a little hesitant about selling some of my painted vases though becuase they are... not perfect, to say the least. They are cute though. Anywho, if anyone knows what people are expecting to find at craft shows, which I am assuming is something perfect, but am hoping not perfect, let me know. Thanks.
Posted by Tabitha on October 5, 2008, at 17:05:20
In reply to Craft Shows, posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2008, at 15:14:03
Do you know about etsy.com? It's a huge online store for homemade jewelry and crafts. Might give you some idea of what people are selling.
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on October 6, 2008, at 2:31:57
In reply to Craft Shows, posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2008, at 15:14:03
> Does anyone have any experience with selling homemade crafts at craft shows? I want to sell my vases and scarves, I am a little hesitant about selling some of my painted vases though becuase they are... not perfect, to say the least. They are cute though. Anywho, if anyone knows what people are expecting to find at craft shows, which I am assuming is something perfect, but am hoping not perfect, let me know. Thanks.
>
>My Mom has been selling her art, tole (sp?) paintings and some folk-art-like stuff for quite a few years. First thing...make sure you don't break *any* copyright. This means not copying any type of pattern, or representation. This applies mostly if you are going to sell your stuff. They have ways of easily tracking down this stuff on the internet these days. Just be careful...it sounds like a nice hobby! My Mom gets a lot of enjoyment from it.
Jay :)
Posted by Angela2 on October 6, 2008, at 10:39:47
In reply to Re: Craft Shows » Angela2, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on October 6, 2008, at 2:31:57
Thanks Tabitha, Thanks Jay. I ended up calling about an upcoming craft show and left a message for the contact person. We'll see what happens.
Posted by kid47 on October 6, 2008, at 12:28:26
In reply to Craft Shows, posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2008, at 15:14:03
Posted by Kath on October 6, 2008, at 14:08:33
In reply to Craft Shows, posted by Angela2 on October 5, 2008, at 15:14:03
Hi Angela,
I'll answer through your post between **marks**
> Does anyone have any experience with selling homemade crafts at craft shows?
**I sell pottery at a Pottery Guild Sale. I think the expectations are higher than at a craft sale, but I'm not sure.**> I want to sell my vases and scarves, I am a little hesitant about selling some of my painted vases though becuase they are... not perfect, to say the least. They are cute though.
**I think 'not perfect' is okay unless they were sharp on the edges or cracked, such that water would leak out of them. If you mean that the painting isn't perfect - I'd say RELAX & smile!! If they're cute, that's what counts. Our pottery is checked for cracks & sharp bits before the sale. If it's a teapot (which I don't make) or jug, they're expected to pour without dripping.
As far as decoration they don't have to 'pass'. If I painted a butterfly & it looked silly, it'd be my choice to put it in the sale.**
>Anywho, if anyone knows what people are expecting to find at craft shows, which I am assuming is something perfect, but am hoping not perfect, let me know. Thanks.**what kind of imperfect are some of your things Angela? hugs, Kath**
Posted by Angela2 on October 6, 2008, at 17:25:18
In reply to Re: Craft Shows, posted by Kath on October 6, 2008, at 14:08:33
Thank you Kath. I'll give you a couple examples of what I mean by imperfect: one vase has a square with flowers in it at the center, and the square is not a perfect square. Another vase has a city skyline and the buildings I painted are..they look like a kid painted it kinda. But it is cute.
So yup, called someone today. Haven't heard back from them yet. If I don't hear back from them soon There's another place I might try. Thanks again.
Angela2
Posted by Kath on October 9, 2008, at 15:01:42
In reply to Re: Craft Shows, posted by Angela2 on October 6, 2008, at 17:25:18
Hi Angela,
Guess what - sometimes potters make a set of mugs & get worried 'cuz they're not all exactly the same size, or the decorating on them isn't all the same.
We always encourage each other by pointing out that if people want perfection & exactly-the-sameness, they'll buy mass produced stuff at a big store!!
What you're talking about is what personally made art items are all about!
Go for it. Last time I had painted butterflies by hand on a couple of dishes & they looked like kindergarten art. They sold. One time I painted a pink whale on a little plate - it looked like a 7 year old painted it. It sold.
People like charming stuff.
I see absolutely NO worry about putting your stuff for sale. Someone will probably love it. And if it doesn't sell right away, don't let that turn you off. I have been in - hmmm - maybe 10 or more pottery sales, putting the same old stuff on sale along with my new stuff. I do not have ANY of my original stuff left. Each sale, I usually go to check out my table when I'm on my 'shift' & realize "OHHH - THAT has finally sold!!"
:-)
Best of luck Angela
hugs, Kath
Posted by Kath on October 10, 2008, at 22:39:11
In reply to Go For it!!! » Angela2, posted by Kath on October 9, 2008, at 15:01:42
Posted by Angela2 on October 11, 2008, at 9:05:58
In reply to Please let us know what happens! (nm) » Kath, posted by Kath on October 10, 2008, at 22:39:11
I will. Thanks for the encouragement Kath. :) :) :)
Posted by Angela2 on October 12, 2008, at 15:40:10
In reply to Re: Please let us know what happens!, posted by Angela2 on October 11, 2008, at 9:05:58
OK, now I'm nervous lol. The two craft shows that I know of are apparently huge and get a lot of publicity. that kinda scares me. Should I look for something smaller? Part of me thinks I should just go for one of them anyway. Any thoughts?
Posted by Kath on October 13, 2008, at 19:55:09
In reply to here's what's happening, posted by Angela2 on October 12, 2008, at 15:40:10
Oh heck - just go for it!!! Maybe the bigger, the better!! LOL
Angela, do you know if you have to have a certain number of items? In our sale, we can go on the 'Guild Table' with 12 or less items. Or we can have half a table or a whole table or 1 1/2. The tables are about 6 feet long. My first sale, I shared a table with my friend. Since then, I've mostly had a table, although once or twice I had 1 1/2.
If we have items on the Guild Table, there's no charge to us. We have to pay $35 for a table (until this sale it was $25!!! A lot of us are NOT happy about this hike). And the Guild takes 15 or 20% off the amount that we sell (MY MEMORY!! Can't believe that I don't know which %).
Anyhow, I guess those type of things are important to find out.
If the large craft show gets more advertising, etc, that might be good for you in that lots of people might come. On the other hand, if you go into a smaller show, there will be less competition - less stuff there for customers to look at, so you'll have more of a chance for people to notice your stuff.
How many items do you have Angela?
I'm really excited for you!!!!!!!!!!! I remember at the first sale I sold, I think if was 5 items. I was SO excited that people had actually bought stuff I made! It's a wonderful feeling.
I'm right behind you supporting you here. Please ask me whatever you like. Sometimes I don't go online for a few days.
Do you know the dates you might be looking at? Once you do, if you need strong support right before & during the show, please let me know ahead, so I can be sure to be here for you, okay?
luv & hugs, Kath
Posted by Angela2 on October 13, 2008, at 20:48:19
In reply to Re: here's what's happening » Angela2, posted by Kath on October 13, 2008, at 19:55:09
This is the end of the thread.
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