barbara arner on tue 15 oct 02
Thanks for the information. I hope all goes well. I just look at it as an experience and see how it goes. Thanks so much for the insight.
-barbara
-----Original Message-----
From: barbara arner
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 10:57 AM
Subject: first time craft show
Hi
In two weeks I am going to be in my first craft show. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. Not really sure what I'm asking for, just anything that helped you along the way. I guess I'll find out what it's like soon enough. Thanks in advance.
-barbara
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Chris Campbell on tue 15 oct 02
Barbara -
Chris covered the basics very well, but here are some little things to
have with you just in case..........
........ lots of change, business cards, pens, scissors, extra price
stickers, ruler or tape measure, calculator, bottled water, bite sized snacks
- be it veggies or trail mix - safety pins, scotch tape, paper to write down
reminders or special orders, small piece of sandpaper in case you find a
rough spot, and of course - some aspirin ... the day can get ruthless if you
have a headache.
Chris Campbell Pottery, LLC
9417 Koupela Drive
Raleigh NC 27615-2233
e-mail : ccpottery@aol.com
website : www.wholesalecrafts.com
Jennifer F Boyer on tue 15 oct 02
Drink lots of water.
When breaking the ice with people in your booth never say
something to them that requires them to say yes or no. Don't
say "Can I help you?" That makes them say "no" if they are still
looking. Say instead " Let me know if you have any
questions." That way they say "Thanks" and it leaves
communication lines open with you.
Look busy. Bring hand-work to do, like stringing tags or
something. Rearrange things in your booth to look busy. Don't
sit watching customers. Don't read a book.
Be sensitive to neighbor craftspeople you talk to, and break off
conversation the minute they have customers.
Have fun!
Jennifer
Marianne Lombardo wrote:
>
> Hi Christena;
>
> Now THAT's the best advice I've heard. My first sale is coming up in
> November, and I was getting nervous. I'm going to follow your advice.
>
> Marianne Lombardo
> Omemee, Ontario, Canada
> email: mlombardo@nexicom.net
>
> > Think of it as a learning opportunity -- be prepared to not sell anything,
> > but be delighted if you do. Enjoy watching and listening to the
> customers,
> > and see what you can learn from them about your work and how it affects
> > people. Look at other artists' booths and displays to learn better ways
> to
> > set up yours the next time. Above all, try to look friendly, happy, and
> > interested in what is going on, even if you aren't selling anything.
>
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jennifer Boyer mailto:jboyer@adelphia.net
Thistle Hill Pottery Montpelier VT USA
http://www.thistlehillpottery.com/
Never pass on an email warning without checking out these sites
for web hoaxes and junk:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/
http://snopes.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
barbara arner on tue 15 oct 02
Hi
In two weeks I am going to be in my first craft show. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. Not really sure what I'm asking for, just anything that helped you along the way. I guess I'll find out what it's like soon enough. Thanks in advance.
-barbara
Jonathan Kirkendall on tue 15 oct 02
Start a mailing list: have a way that interested customers can sign up to
recieve info from you about other sales, classes, etc.
Jonathan in DC
well, mostly, anyway.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of barbara arner
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 12:46 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: first time craft show
Hi
In two weeks I am going to be in my first craft show. I was wondering if
anyone could give me any advice. Not really sure what I'm asking for, just
anything that helped you along the way. I guess I'll find out what it's like
soon enough. Thanks in advance.
-barbara
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Christena Schafale on tue 15 oct 02
Hi Barbara,
As one who was in your seat not all that long ago, here are some thoughts:
Think of it as a learning opportunity -- be prepared to not sell anything,
but be delighted if you do. Enjoy watching and listening to the customers,
and see what you can learn from them about your work and how it affects
people. Look at other artists' booths and displays to learn better ways to
set up yours the next time. Above all, try to look friendly, happy, and
interested in what is going on, even if you aren't selling anything.
Bring a chair, but don't sit in it if there is anyone anywhere near your
booth. Do NOT read a book or magazine in your booth. Move your pots
around, people-watch, do anything except look like you'd rather be
somewhere else.
Bring something to eat and drink if it's an all day show. You may not get
a chance to leave your booth, and a thermos of coffee can be a
lifesaver. If you drink coffee, use one of your own mugs if you make mugs
-- it's a good demo of how they are to use. I've had people insist on
buying the one that I am using.
Bring plenty of change, paper for wrapping, and bags. If you can get plain
newsprint, it's a lot nicer than recycled newspaper and won't leave your
hands all black.
If you make functional pots, putting an appropriate recipe with some of
them can help people imagine what they are for and make them sell better.
Have fun, learn a lot, and try not to take it personally if people don't
buy your pots. It might just not be the right market for you.
Chris
>.
Consultation and Referral Specialist
Resources for Seniors
christenas@rfsnc.org
http://www.resourcesforseniors.com
Phone: (919) 713-1537
FAX: (919) 872-9574
1110 Navaho Dr, Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27609
Mildred Herot on tue 15 oct 02
Hi Barbara - I recently went into my first craft show (even though I have
been doing this for a long time) and was pleasantly surprised at my
reception although I must admit, the show was not what I had expected
(replete with wreaths and towels). I had very funtional bowls basically
brown, green and blue. No one even looked at the brown ones, the blue sold
but what sold the best was the green ones. I hope that little bit of
information proves of some value and the best of luck.
Mildred Herot - Cheltenham, Pa.
----- Original Message -----
From: barbara arner
To:
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 10:45 PM
Subject: first time craft show
> Hi
> In two weeks I am going to be in my first craft show. I was wondering if
anyone could give me any advice. Not really sure what I'm asking for, just
anything that helped you along the way. I guess I'll find out what it's like
soon enough. Thanks in advance.
> -barbara
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Marianne Lombardo on tue 15 oct 02
Hi Christena;
Now THAT's the best advice I've heard. My first sale is coming up in
November, and I was getting nervous. I'm going to follow your advice.
Marianne Lombardo
Omemee, Ontario, Canada
email: mlombardo@nexicom.net
> Think of it as a learning opportunity -- be prepared to not sell anything,
> but be delighted if you do. Enjoy watching and listening to the
customers,
> and see what you can learn from them about your work and how it affects
> people. Look at other artists' booths and displays to learn better ways
to
> set up yours the next time. Above all, try to look friendly, happy, and
> interested in what is going on, even if you aren't selling anything.
Russel Fouts on wed 16 oct 02
Barbara,
Below is a link to a file on my website to a list compiled with the help
of Clayart.
http://www.mypots.com/resource.htm
There are some other files there that you might also find inreresting.
You might also want to look around my site while you're there.
Russel
--
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
Http://www.mypots.com
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martha rosenfeld on wed 16 oct 02
>From: barbara arner
>In two weeks I am going to be in my first craft show. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. Not really sure what I'm asking for, just anything that helped you along the way. I guess I'll find out what it's like soon enough. Thanks in advance.
>-barbara
Here are a few suggestions that come to mind:
You might find it helpful to make up a checklist for when you load up, to make sure you haven't forgotten anything essential. It's a real bummer to get to a show and realize you forgot your cashbox or the box with all the mugs or something.
Pack some healthy, energizing snacks for yourself (not just candybars) and something to drink. Craft shows can be long and exhausting, and you have to take care of yourself.
If it's an indoor show and you will be standing on a hard floor, consider taking a change of shoes. Even if your first pair is comfy, it will be a relief for your feet to change shoes in the middle of the day.
Be organized. The show will go much more smoothly if you are not constantly hunting around for things. Good luck!
Martha Rosenfeld
currently in Chicago
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Susan Kosko on thu 17 oct 02
i'm not sure if anyone has suggested this (or if this is on russell's
wonderful checklist), but bring shims so you can make your booth
fixtures level. i did my first three shows this summer. the first two
were on completely level ground. the last one was 'level' according to
the promoters, but i had some unevenness in my area. i was able to get
some shims so nothing fell over, but i've since added them to my list of
necessities.
susan kosko
new durham, nh, usa
gina on thu 17 oct 02
Also .... don't forget "shims" (little wood bits or even heavy cardboard) in
case the floor/surface is uneven. (you don't want wobbly display shelves)
gina
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