Thursday, September 27, 2007

Help, Please

"Help, please," is what we have taught Little P to say when he needs something from us. He doesn't always use it, but he usually tries. And "Help, please" is what I need from you today. I signed up to do a craft show the weekend before Thanksgiving and I am feeling overwhelmed. It's still six weeks away, but I don't really have any idea what I'm doing. I don't know how much inventory I should prepare (it's a three day show), I have no clue how I should to set-up my display, and I'm not sure exactly what items to take. Purses and aprons are definitely in, but I want some lower cost items and some things that appeal to a wider audience. So, any advice you have, I'd love to hear it! Do you have any ideas on how to set up, where to get things to display items on (like where can a get something to hang my purses on), how much inventory to take, how to make my space look more appealing (the show is in a home and I'll have a six-foot space against the wall), and what items have sold well for you in person as opposed to online. I'm looking at the set-up as an investment - something I will be able to use for future shows, so I'm willing to not be totally thrifty, but I don't have all the money in the world, so it does need to be somewhat economical.

And did anyone else hit the 50% Clearance at JoAnn this week? This is my little collection from that - the green is for a shirt for me, the tan floral for purses, the brown denim for a jacket for me, and the pinks and reds for Valentine banners. I probably would have gotten more, but I just put in a fairly large order to Sew, Mama, Sew too, so I was trying to be somewhat prudent.

8 comments:

Windybrook Spinner said...

I love the fabrics. I wish I had some advice for you about your show. Is it going to be in Idaho? Good luck!

Sarah said...

Against a wall, huh? Well, you could always set up some kind of pegboard display, with S-hooks for purses. I haven't done a 3-day show, so I don't really know how much stuff to bring, but definitely bring lots of cards, because if you do sell out, they can always contact you later for more. I got bowls and plates from thrift stores to display my smaller items, and used signs put on dowels for pricing and description. I'll send you a pic of my table...

Mama Said Sew said...

I went to Joann's today specifically for the sale fabrics. Unfortunately, there was a home ec class from a neighboring town shopping for fabric too. They all seemed to be at the cutting table in front of me! I had to put my fabrics back and race home to meet the school bus!!! Might go back tomorrow though. (See what a bad influence you are Jess!)

We used to sell at craft fairs. Our items were wooden step stools and shelves shaped like biplanes. For smaller items you could try: tissue holders, business card holders, zippered pouches, wallets, headbands. There are a couple other bloggers who are getting ready for holiday craft shows. I'll try to remember who and email you.

Breanna said...

Good luck with the show! I did one over the summer, and had a lot of fun. To display my bags, I use a painters ladder that I repainted a pretty color, and then put lots of little nails in the sides to hand the bags on. Tissue holders sold well for people looking to spend a few dollars. I have to go to JoAnn's today to see if there is anything left on sale. I tried earlier this week, but my little guy threw himself on the floor shrieking when we walked through the door. Ugh.

Phoebe said...

Bring the onesies, everyone here loves the ones you have made for Agnes.

Darcy said...

I don't know if you want to include any of the baby items that you make like the embellished onesies and burp cloths but I would think people would snatch those right up. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

lera said...

Can you make a tree stand for purses? Or maybe take some trellis or lattice and use that? A basket for smaller things?

iSew said...

Wow, a 3 day show? I've only done my twice weekly farmer's market. I can say that what I sell online totally differs from what I sell in person.

I like to create some height in my display using crates & a little bookcase thing I got at Target. You can see my setup on my Flickr account, just look for isew.
Anyway, it's definitely a good idea to have a range of prices. I find it really hard to display totes in a nice way. I'm not crazy about loads of things hanging everywhere. Your stuff is gorgeous, I'm sure you'll do well. Take as much as you can, you don't have to put it all out at once.