The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource

Lee Watermann Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 416	Shows Jun 26^th, 2019 at 10:02pm How many of you sell at art or craft shows? I can't get over the lack of talk about selling. After all how much can you make and keep before it's too much. I love making but can't keep it so that got me into selling. lol I go to shows and I'm the only turner there most of the time. Almost always.
Back to top	IP Logged

Register To Remove Ads

Richard Shelby

Junior Member

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 41

NOVA 1624

Re: Shows
Reply #1 - Jun 27^th, 2019 at 5:12am

It's a LOT OF WORK. I sell at 3 or 4 craft shows per year. Our product is heavy compared to jewelry, prints, etc. and I usually bring 30- 40 turnings to a show. That means lugging tote bins and a big white tent, tables, etc. I've learned to pick shows carefully. Nothing more than 100 miles from home, Nothing in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Lately, I only show at JURIED art shows. That puts you in front of a different clientelle. Also, don't forget consignment and online sales. You've got to get rid of thie stuff somehow.

Back to top

IP Logged

Bill Neff

WR Addict

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 997

Barronett
Wisconsin
USA
Gender: male

Jet 1642EVS

Re: Shows
Reply #2 - Jun 27^th, 2019 at 1:29pm

Like Richard I do 3-4 shows a year and within 100 miles. For no more shows than I do hotel rooms eat into the profits. I do a couple in the Twin Cities and can stay at my daughter's house. If the show isn't juried, I won't apply because you'll be competing with stuff that looks like it's from Hobby Lobby, fishing lures made from beer bottle caps, and grandma's handmade cabbage patch dolls. Unless you price your items at near giveaway prices you won't sell anything. DAMHIK

I have some bowls in a local gallery which sells 4-5 a year. Don't make as much from the gallery, but you have to put your product in danger of being sold.

Back to top

Some people are like slinkies... totally worthless but it puts a smile on your face when you push them down the stairs.

IP Logged

robo_hippy

WR Addict

Offline

Posts: 3,638

Eugene, OR
USA

Re: Shows
Reply #3 - Jun 28^th, 2019 at 9:06am

I did shows for some years. I did prefer the juried show since they tend to have better over all quality of vendors and customers. The best shows sales wise were the Christmas shows, and shows where people were on vacation. People spend as much or more money when on vacation as they do at Christmas time. I had one Mother's Day weekend show that was pretty good. I didn't like the festivals that were centered around food and alcohol. You get a crowd that comes for that and just browses the vendors. I didn't like the high end 'art' shows. Most of what I sold was daily use utilitarian wood bowls. You just never know. I am down to only one show per year now. It draws maybe 50,000 people, and has a work crew and vendor population of maybe 20,000 more people. They are all on vacation. Most fun, and most profitable. Almost no vendor turn over so very hard to get into. The Oregon Country Fair. You can look that one up.. Known locally as the Hippie Fair...

robo hippy

Back to top

IP Logged

Don Stephan WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2,659 Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio USA Gender:	Re: Shows Reply #4 - Jun 28^th, 2019 at 12:11pm Hippie or Hippy Fair?
Back to top	IP Logged

robo_hippy

WR Addict

Offline

Posts: 3,638

Eugene, OR
USA

Re: Shows
Reply #5 - Jun 30^th, 2019 at 11:13am

I always spelled it Hippy, and spell check used to correct me. They don't any more. The more popular spelling is Hippie. Supposedly the term came from an old song from the 50's or maybe early 60's, some thing like 'South Street, that's where all the hippies (hipsters) meet'. Don't know for sure... Spell check doesn't like robo either, or kerf, or spalt....

robo hippy

Back to top

IP Logged

Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Shows Reply #6 - Jun 30^th, 2019 at 11:58am Eons ago, George Carlin did a skit called the Hippy Dippy Weatherman...so.. maybe THAT's where the spelling came from.
Back to top	Originality is the art of concealing your source. IP Logged

George Stratton Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 322 Gender: Old Delta 12" 46-701 in great condition. Had it about 20+ years and turned 1 part.	Re: Shows Reply #7 - Jul 1^st, 2019 at 10:31am And he always gave the Hippy Dippy Weather....Man.
Back to top	IP Logged

Register To Remove Ads

Lee Watermann

Senior Member

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 416

Re: Shows
Reply #8 - Jul 1^st, 2019 at 8:35pm

Guys, Thanks for the responses on shows. I too have limited myself to only three shows a year. These shows have to be two day shows. Yup, just too much work but I have to sell. If I were younger I would be able to do a lot more. I know a younger guy that does twelve shows a year and some out of state. My wife and I just can't do it. The trouble is I think many are in our position with our age.
But, we keep on turning. lol Thumbs Up

Back to top

IP Logged

Dave Richards

Full Member

Offline

WR Rocks!

Posts: 56

Re: Shows
Reply #9 - Jul 1^st, 2019 at 9:31pm

looks like I am about where everyone else is on the shows..3-4 a year. I do 2-3 one day shows and 1- 2 day show.

I only do shows where I continue to take in at least $1000/day. We have been very blessed to continue that requirement for the past 3 years.

We also sell items from our home and a few things on FB and have some pieces in 2 stores- 1 local and 1 out of state.

It does keep me turning, which I like, but I do make pieces much faster than they sell since I turn usually 4-5 days a week.

Back to top

IP Logged

Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,940 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Shows Reply #10 - Jul 2^nd, 2019 at 9:05am robo_hippy wrote on Jun 30^th, 2019 at 11:13am: Spell check doesn't like robo either, or kerf, or spalt.... Or any woods other than Pine, Oak or Maple Pretty much any term involved in woodworking.
Back to top	IP Logged

Tony Rozendaal WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 990 East Troy, WI Wisconsin USA Gender: Robust AB Grizzly 12x20 Midi Lathe Delta 10x16 Mini Lathe	Re: Shows Reply #11 - Jul 2^nd, 2019 at 9:33pm I sell at indoor craft shows in the fall and winter. I have done as many as 10 in a fall but the last couple years have really pulled back. This year I am currently booked only at one 2-day show (a quilt show) and 2 one-day shows. I also sell a little bit on Etsy and have had a few sales on Facebook.
Back to top	Turnin' and learnin' Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or IP Logged

Steve Doerr

WR Addict

Offline

Wood is one of God's hidden /> /> canvases.

Posts: 837

Joplin
Missouri
USA
Gender: male

Rikon 70-050VS
Jet 1642 EVS 2HP
Robust American Beauty

Re: Shows
Reply #12 - Jul 2^nd, 2019 at 10:29pm

My wife and I have been doing shows since about 2013. For the past three years we have been doing about 12 juried shows per year. When we first started we were doing mostly craft shows, but found out that the customer base wanted to spend at the most about $25 on an item.

We do a lot of shows in the St. Louis area which is about a 4 1/2 hour drive from where we live. Most of these are two and three day shows. We are fortunate in the fact that we have family in the St. Louis area and so are able to stay with them. Like Dave Richards we do shows that we have an average sales of at least $1,000 per day.

Doing shows, especially outdoor shows, are not for the weary. I'm 70, and not the oldest or youngest doing the shows. The nature of doing shows means you have to be outside for long hours in all sorts of weather--hot, humid, windy, rainy, etc. So, you have to be in shape and in good health. It is amazing at some of these shows, there are artists that are in their 80's and still going strong.

Back to top

IP Logged

George Stratton Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 322 Gender: Old Delta 12" 46-701 in great condition. Had it about 20+ years and turned 1 part.	Re: Shows Reply #13 - Jul 3^rd, 2019 at 10:53am Now what's wrong with the 80s ?? and i'm just starting to think about selling something instead of filling my wife's shelves.
Back to top	IP Logged

Steve Doerr WR Addict Offline Wood is one of God's hidden /> /> canvases. Posts: 837 Joplin Missouri USA Gender: Rikon 70-050VS Jet 1642 EVS 2HP Robust American Beauty	Re: Shows Reply #14 - Jul 3^rd, 2019 at 2:01pm George, nothing wrong with being in the 80's. Just saying that it's a lot of hard work, long hours, and hot weather when you are that age.
Back to top	IP Logged