Some observations and thoughts...
Two years running, rain has made working the St. Peter Schulte Arts and Crafts Show a challenge. Loading and unloading in the rain is just a pain.
Spunky, unlike the Assistant, is not quite old enough to help me at craft shows. The hundreds of people passing by made her so uncomfortable that by 10:00 am, she was hiding under the table. My sister and nephew, who live nearby, came to her rescue and took her home until the day was over.
As the day passed, I grew concerned that I would make barely enough to consider the show "worth it," but in the last 30 minutes a very generous woman brought a gaggle of gals back with her to shop again, and they provided 1/3 of my sales for the day! The economy is simply bad; plenty of people came to look, but cute, handmade hats are a luxury, not a necessity, as are so many other items at this kind of show.
I will be narrowing down my offerings for next year. I have expanded my offerings drastically in the last year by customer request, but too many requests have not been met by a corresponding sale (and if you request things and buy them, you're not the people I mean!). I plan to make less than 20 types of hats next year, so plenty of last chance hats will be going on clearance.
Thank you to all my repeat customers! I felt very encouraged to have people say, "I was looking everywhere for you! I'm so glad you're here!"
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
Two years running, rain has made working the St. Peter Schulte Arts and Crafts Show a challenge. Loading and unloading in the rain is just a pain.
Spunky, unlike the Assistant, is not quite old enough to help me at craft shows. The hundreds of people passing by made her so uncomfortable that by 10:00 am, she was hiding under the table. My sister and nephew, who live nearby, came to her rescue and took her home until the day was over.
As the day passed, I grew concerned that I would make barely enough to consider the show "worth it," but in the last 30 minutes a very generous woman brought a gaggle of gals back with her to shop again, and they provided 1/3 of my sales for the day! The economy is simply bad; plenty of people came to look, but cute, handmade hats are a luxury, not a necessity, as are so many other items at this kind of show.
I will be narrowing down my offerings for next year. I have expanded my offerings drastically in the last year by customer request, but too many requests have not been met by a corresponding sale (and if you request things and buy them, you're not the people I mean!). I plan to make less than 20 types of hats next year, so plenty of last chance hats will be going on clearance.
Thank you to all my repeat customers! I felt very encouraged to have people say, "I was looking everywhere for you! I'm so glad you're here!"
from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.
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