Guest guest Posted December 4, 2001 Report Share Posted December 4, 2001 Can't answer your ? Bobbi, but I did a show this past weekend (been doin this one for 4yrs.) and they have 70 crafters and I'm the only soapmaker there! There was one gal last yr. but she didn't come back. I always do well at this show (no competition!) I have to say there are very few soapers in my area.....SO FAR!! Alot of customers ask me how to make soap, and say they would like to start making it......Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 In a message dated 10/27/2007 11:02:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, deedee47@... writes: Hi all, has anyone had any crafts shows lately? Anyone want to share how they are doing so far? I went to a craft show that I used to run when my older son was in elementary school at Catholic school. It was very sad, empty spaces where vendors should have been and vendors told me the customers were few and far between. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ooh, that's too bad, Dee Dee. I wonder why it's become so poor. I know Shaye has one this weekend, so maybe she'll soon have a minute to report in. I have one next weekend at Gro- Farms in Henrietta. It was good for me last year, so I hope it is this year, too. :-) Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Well I haven't done show lately... (trying to get well) but I was calling around to our locall schools and all but one don't do them anymore?! I was like WTF lol.. just my luck. So my next move is to call around to other schools. Gabby > > Hi all, has anyone had any crafts shows lately? Anyone want to share how they are doing so far? I went to a craft show that I used to run when my older son was in elementary school at Catholic school. It was very sad, empty spaces where vendors should have been and vendors told me the customers were few and far between. > > Dee > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. This was my first time at that particular show and I made around $200 which is normal for me - I only sell soap.. no lotions or body butters. There was another soaper there but our products are different enough I don't think it affected our sales. Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? Barb 's Homemade Soaps www.millershomemade.com -- http://www.fastmail.fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Hi all, Barbara you pretty much just described the show I did yesterday as well.. Attendance was great! Just not buying a lot. It was a smallish show, just in a firehall in a tiny town (dont think I even saw a traffic light). I looked around during the day and you know I think everyone else could say the same thing (with only one exception who must have been giving away gold or something butr htey practically sold out) This was my first time at this show and it was also the furthest away from home I have done before as well. But I will probably give it another go next year. I do think that sometimes you have to give it some time for the customers to get to know you, and expect to see you there. It always seems hard for a new face at first. That being said I sold a LOT of bottlecap pins.. One other vendor who had a store someplace seemed excited that I do wholesale too so who knows what may come of that. The punchneedle things I had there got a lot of attention too but nobody bought any of it. Sold " some " soap.. but again I think it takes a while for the;m to get to know it. Sold a variety of this and that other products and surprizingly, at the last minute I decided to just take in some beeswax ornys that I had at the local craftmall.. sold quite a few of them. I learned that I cannot compare my sales with others sales that have a whole different craft. So I dont let that get to me anymore. But as you all know, you have to sell a LOT of soap to make it. I got compliments from others about my packaging and display so I know thats on the right track at least. So it could have been better and it could have been worse. It was a couple hundred bucks more than I started with that day soo.. The icing on the cake was despite the grey and windy weather, we did not get rained on! yeah!!! LOL So... this just strikes me as funny (in a funny way).. On another list recently another soaper, and dont even know where she was from. Said.. She was dissapointed because she only made about $450 at a show she pain $150 to do. So she dosnt think she wanted to do it again. Gosh, I would have taken it and been happy! I hear on lists where people are making several hundred dollars at their shows and blah blah.. So why is it so low here? I dont get that I guess. What do you all think? If'n you want to talk about it. Shaye Re: craft shows Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. This was my first time at that particular show and I made around $200 which is normal for me - I only sell soap.. no lotions or body butters. There was another soaper there but our products are different enough I don't think it affected our sales. Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? Barb 's Homemade Soaps www.millershomemade.com -- http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail.fm> .fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Barb, I was put on the waiting list for that show last year and they called me just 2 days before it but I had something come up and couldn't do it. I was glad after talking to a candlemaker friend of mine who said that she didn't even make her booth rent. She said she's done it in the past too and it's gotten progressively worse. I might go visit as a customer this year. Will you be there? As far as shows go, I cut mine way back. I only do about 4 or 5 a year now. The last one I did was the Naples Grape Festival and I made double what my best year was in the past. I was so pleased! I've gotten several invitations for smaller shows in November but haven't decided yet. I sold out of so much in September that I'm still catching up and trying to get ready for Christmas. After hearing everyone's reports, I'm not sure I will do any of them now. Do you think that people are just saving now until Christmas? Because they were definitely spending money in September. I used to do an October show in Victor at one of the schools and sales got slower every year so I stopped doing it. Maybe it's just October shows and things will pick up in November. Good luck to you all! Katy > > Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? > > Barb > 's Homemade Soaps > www.millershomemade.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 In a message dated 10/28/2007 6:38:46 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, barbmill@... writes: Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I know that when the weather is nice, fall, indoor craft sales are poor. :-( I hope that's all it is! Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 In a message dated 10/28/2007 9:36:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, shaye@... writes: So... this just strikes me as funny (in a funny way).. On another list recently another soaper, and dont even know where she was from. Said.. She was dissapointed because she only made about $450 at a show she pain $150 to do. So she dosnt think she wanted to do it again. Gosh, I would have taken it and been happy! I hear on lists where people are making several hundred dollars at their shows and blah blah.. So why is it so low here? I dont get that I guess. What do you all think? If'n you want to talk about it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, Shaye, I was wishing better for you, but maybe next year. . . I don't know. My shows since I started doing soaps (not for that long, but a little while), have not been that great in total sales--not like some of those I've heard of. I don't, for the life of me know why. Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 I have three indoor shows starting on Nov. 10th. Will keep you informed about sales and attendance. Jeanine Jeanine's Hummingbird Soap Works _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ByrneBunch@... Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 11:18 PM Subject: Re: Re: craft shows In a message dated 10/28/2007 6:38:46 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, HYPERLINK " mailto:barbmill%40fastmail.fm " barbmillfastmail (DOT) -fm writes: Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. ~~~~~~~~~~~~-~~~~~~~~~-~~~~~~ I know that when the weather is nice, fall, indoor craft sales are poor. :-( I hope that's all it is! Beth _www.soapandgarden.-com_ (HYPERLINK " http://www.soapandgarden.com/ " http://www.soapandg-arden.com/) www.saponifier.-com ************-*********-*********-******** See what's new at HYPERLINK " http://www.aol.com " http://www.aol.-com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 I've got three more shows too so we'll see. My next one I have low expectations and Im even regretting I signed up for it. One of those where you go set up your stuf and you work a shift during the weekend but you dont have to be there the whole time. But it still gonna be a busy weekend cuz I have to work at the craftmall. Shaye <http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=2226641/grpspId=1705162404/msgId =32775/stime=1193650382/nc1=4718984/nc2=3848643/nc3=4990217> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 I had no idea what to expect from this one, It was still a fun thing for the most part I guess. Shaye Re: Re: craft shows In a message dated 10/28/2007 9:36:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, shayemysoapshack (DOT) <mailto:shaye%40mysoapshack.com> com writes: So... this just strikes me as funny (in a funny way).. On another list recently another soaper, and dont even know where she was from. Said.. She was dissapointed because she only made about $450 at a show she pain $150 to do. So she dosnt think she wanted to do it again. Gosh, I would have taken it and been happy! I hear on lists where people are making several hundred dollars at their shows and blah blah.. So why is it so low here? I dont get that I guess. What do you all think? If'n you want to talk about it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, Shaye, I was wishing better for you, but maybe next year. . . I don't know. My shows since I started doing soaps (not for that long, but a little while), have not been that great in total sales--not like some of those I've heard of. I don't, for the life of me know why. Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandg <http://www.soapandgarden.com/> arden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com> com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 My next three shows are one day affairs, then a big two day and finally, a one day that has always been very profitable. Have to be there the whole time. I was asked about doing one of the shift things at the mall (crafters are there from Thanksgiving until near Christmas) but I just don’t have the time and that particular mall has very few shops that are open. Can’t believe the end of the year is almost here!!!!! Jeanine Jeanine's Hummingbird Soap Works _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Shaye Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 6:24 AM Subject: RE: Re: craft shows I've got three more shows too so we'll see. My next one I have low expectations and Im even regretting I signed up for it. One of those where you go set up your stuf and you work a shift during the weekend but you dont have to be there the whole time. But it still gonna be a busy weekend cuz I have to work at the craftmall. Shaye <HYPERLINK " http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=2226641/grpspId=1705162404/msgId " http://geo..-com/serv?-s=97359714/-grpId=2226641/-grpspId=17051624-04/ msgId =32775/stime=-1193650382/-nc1=4718984/-nc2=3848643/-nc3=4990217> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Shaye, I find the school and small town fairs, just don't bring in the customers with the big deep pockets. I think those are mostly people just spending time walking around and spending the day outside. Yeah, but I don't sneeze at 450 either. LOL! I once was set up next to a lady that was selling T-shirts in NJ. She complained all day. And then she complained that she only made, get this, $900, that day. The cost was $110 for 10x10 space. I felt like hitting her! LOL! Marisol in Brooklyn Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: Hi all, Barbara you pretty much just described the show I did yesterday as well.. Attendance was great! Just not buying a lot. It was a smallish show, just in a firehall in a tiny town (dont think I even saw a traffic light). I looked around during the day and you know I think everyone else could say the same thing (with only one exception who must have been giving away gold or something butr htey practically sold out) This was my first time at this show and it was also the furthest away from home I have done before as well. But I will probably give it another go next year. I do think that sometimes you have to give it some time for the customers to get to know you, and expect to see you there. It always seems hard for a new face at first. That being said I sold a LOT of bottlecap pins.. One other vendor who had a store someplace seemed excited that I do wholesale too so who knows what may come of that. The punchneedle things I had there got a lot of attention too but nobody bought any of it. Sold " some " soap.. but again I think it takes a while for the;m to get to know it. Sold a variety of this and that other products and surprizingly, at the last minute I decided to just take in some beeswax ornys that I had at the local craftmall.. sold quite a few of them. I learned that I cannot compare my sales with others sales that have a whole different craft. So I dont let that get to me anymore. But as you all know, you have to sell a LOT of soap to make it. I got compliments from others about my packaging and display so I know thats on the right track at least. So it could have been better and it could have been worse. It was a couple hundred bucks more than I started with that day soo.. The icing on the cake was despite the grey and windy weather, we did not get rained on! yeah!!! LOL So... this just strikes me as funny (in a funny way).. On another list recently another soaper, and dont even know where she was from. Said.. She was dissapointed because she only made about $450 at a show she pain $150 to do. So she dosnt think she wanted to do it again. Gosh, I would have taken it and been happy! I hear on lists where people are making several hundred dollars at their shows and blah blah.. So why is it so low here? I dont get that I guess. What do you all think? If'n you want to talk about it. Shaye Re: craft shows Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. This was my first time at that particular show and I made around $200 which is normal for me - I only sell soap.. no lotions or body butters. There was another soaper there but our products are different enough I don't think it affected our sales. Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? Barb 's Homemade Soaps www.millershomemade.com -- http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail.fm> .fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 In a message dated 10/29/2007 6:24:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, shaye@... writes: One of those where you go set up your stuf and you work a shift during the weekend but you dont have to be there the whole time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Where is it, Shaye? I hope you beat your expectations. :-) Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 In a message dated 10/29/2007 6:24:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, shaye@... writes: One of those where you go set up your stuf and you work a shift during the weekend but you dont have to be there the whole time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Where is it, Shaye? I hope you beat your expectations. :-) Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Oh I know that! Its all relative. Ohh that poor lady only making $900! LOL Shaye Re: craft shows Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. This was my first time at that particular show and I made around $200 which is normal for me - I only sell soap.. no lotions or body butters. There was another soaper there but our products are different enough I don't think it affected our sales. Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? Barb 's Homemade Soaps www.millershomemade.com -- http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail.fm> .fm> .fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Oh I know that! Its all relative. Ohh that poor lady only making $900! LOL Shaye Re: craft shows Just did one this Saturday and all the vendors were complaining about the lack of sales. There was a decent amount of customers throughout the day but people just weren't buying like in the past - probably people have less spending money this year or maybe the warmer than normal temperatures had something to do with it <shrug>. This was my first time at that particular show and I made around $200 which is normal for me - I only sell soap.. no lotions or body butters. There was another soaper there but our products are different enough I don't think it affected our sales. Does anyone on this list do the Corning show coming up in November? Barb 's Homemade Soaps www.millershomemade.com -- http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail <http://www.fastmail.fm> .fm> .fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 In a message dated 10/30/2007 6:21:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, shaye@... writes: Perinton Square Mall. Nov 9, 10, 11. I'll be working there on Saturday 10-2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ah, OK. Big wishes for you! Beth _www.soapandgarden.com_ (http://www.soapandgarden.com/) www.saponifier.com ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Per day, they are only open on Saturdays. The rent I pay is per Saturday. There are 2 other soapmakers in my building. One who focuses on glycerine, and the other on goat's milk soap. They are not letting any new soapmakers in at this time. I'm new this year to the Windmill with my soaps, although I used to sell my rubber stamps there. I do believe I have been able to capture a fair portion of the soap market there because of my presentation. I get compliments on my display...and my soap...all the time. I think we all make a good soap product. I also love to try other people's homemade soaps. If we can create a display and product package that increases the perceived value, it's creates sales. Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: , you make that per Day? or per Month at the windmill? Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Hi, wanted to share another idea a customer gave me at the beginning of the season at the Windmill. She suggested that I offer sampler sizes of my soaps. At first I thought it would be alot of extra work. But I tried it and it has paid off. I cut 1 oz. bars with my waffle cutter (actually 1 regular bar cut into 4 smaller bars), then wrap them with a regular label which I fold in a funny way to get it to fit, but it works. I sell the samplers for $1.50/bar. I have found some people want to try a few different kinds before buying the bigger bars, or maybe they can't afford to buy the bigger bars but can treat themselves to something a bit smaller. Customers use them for stocking stuffers or for guest soaps in their bathrooms. Another told me she keeps one in her car to make it smell extra nice. Maybe doing something like this will boost your sales. I haven't done this at craft shows because I ususally lack the space but think I will try it out next year. Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: , you make that per Day? or per Month at the windmill? Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 LOL I already do this. Wana critique my display? I can post pictures. Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 sure : ) K Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: LOL I already do this. Wana critique my display? I can post pictures. Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 / ladies / gents, Thanks for all your helpful ideas. I've always struggled to make my display appear professional, attractive and neat. What do you ladies/gents think is the best shape when putting the tables together? I've noticed that when I have a " U " shape, people don't seem to want to come into the canopy. They seem to lurk just outside and stare in. So I changed it around. I put the back table to the front, but then I had two vendors on either side, so no one could access the products of either side of me. So, then I did the " L " shape, but had so much empty space. So, then I tried an " L " with an " I " , in which people could see some of the products up front and then they could walk through, but then it seem to get jammed, with people wanting to come in or out. My " I " table was too long. I really preferred the single " U " , with the table at the back, it makes traffic easier in and out, but what can I do to lure them in, in the first place? I want to get a banner made for the front of my canopy. I have a 10X10 white canopy. What do you suggest, company name, tag line, graphic? In what font size? I'm also thinking of changing the name from Marisol's Naturals to something else. Who knows what " natural " is anymore? LOL! I've been an off and on craft show vendor, maybe two to three times only during the summer. I'd like to expand and do shows spring, summer and fall. Thanks for your ideas in advance. Marisol in Brooklyn Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: , you make that per Day? or per Month at the windmill? Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 , What is this Windmill? Marisol in Brooklyn Rothfuss <karenrothfuss@...> wrote: Per day, they are only open on Saturdays. The rent I pay is per Saturday. There are 2 other soapmakers in my building. One who focuses on glycerine, and the other on goat's milk soap. They are not letting any new soapmakers in at this time. I'm new this year to the Windmill with my soaps, although I used to sell my rubber stamps there. I do believe I have been able to capture a fair portion of the soap market there because of my presentation. I get compliments on my display...and my soap...all the time. I think we all make a good soap product. I also love to try other people's homemade soaps. If we can create a display and product package that increases the perceived value, it's creates sales. Shaye <shaye@...> wrote: , you make that per Day? or per Month at the windmill? Shaye Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Okay, there ya go. Critique away. I have got to take my dd to an appt and will be back in a few hours. BTW. the basket with the samples on are on another rack that I didnt get photos of. But I have already been doing that for years now. Yes they are a very good idea. Craft Shows Hi everybody, I'm still relatively new to this board and have been quiet for a while. I've been very interested in your postings on your craft show results and wanted to pass along some of my experience. I have a friend, Dawn Westbrook, who is many years older than myself and has taught me alot about how to present products. She and her husband did shows for years. I have found that I often do better than vendors around me and I think it is all due to how I present my soap. I did a show at Hobart College in Geneva this last weekend. Table rent was $35, my sales were $668. I sell my soap at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market in Penn Yan. My booth rent varies during the season from $39 to $44 during peak season. My sales average aro. $400, my highest one day sales were $960. I always drape my table to the floor with a neutral colored fabric. If I have two tables, they get the same colored drape. Then I can hide all my boxes and containers under the table too. Then I may layer the base of the table with another contrasting fabric that hangs over the edge of the table at an angle. I'm always trying to create visual interest and make my booth very inviting. Next, I create a tiered display, not straight across the table though. I use different props of different heights. I use lots of interesting and different shaped containers. For example, I found a large planter coffee cup and saucer that I display my Hazelnut capaccino in. Most of my props and containers come from auctions and yard sales and they are not expensive. My main fabric drape material I bought at Walmart for $1/yard. I place my containers on their side or at angles and have the soap spilling out of them or prop up the backside of the container so that it doesn't lie flat on the table. It makes the soap more visible to people approaching the table. Before this last show I went to another Windmill vendor and bought a lot of his nice hand towels, dishcloths, and napkins. I mixed and matched the colors and use these in my containers before putting in my soap. You could make all of these yourself with inexpensive fabric. Just look for inexpensive fabric that has an expensive look. I use either silk or real flowers in jars and put these through out my display. Or this time of year I would use pine cones and some greens that I cut from the evergreens in my own yard.I work to create a feeling in the people who come to my table. It's good to make people laugh too. I have a Chocolate Moose soap with a moose on the label. I don't sell a lot of it, but peope love to smell of it and laugh at the idea of it. Always greet and interact with customers too. I have met so many lovely people. My labels are one of the main selling points of my soap. My applejack soap has a picture of an apple slice on it, the grape soap has grapes on it, vanilla pear has pears on the label. Some of you may say that you are not artistic and can't design the labels, but you probably have friend who could do it for you and you could probably barter with your soap to pay them to help you with the label design aspects. When you go to other shows and you see a display you really like, take notes and even draw simple pictures of it to help give you ideas. It is so competitive out there. With higher gas prices, people have less money to spend and we have to find creative ways to make our product as attractive as possible to attract those limited number of available dollars. If you see another vendor at a show whose display your really like. Something I have noticed at the Windmill, on the days I dress up a bit, I have better sales. I'm a blue jeans kind of girl, but even if I wear blue jeans I try to wear a nice top or jacket and matching earrings. I spoke to my friend Dawn about this and she agreed that we are also part of the presentation of our product. It takes me longer than some other vendors to set up my display, but it pays off in the end. I also love to go to auctions and find bargains. Items you buy for your display can be written off as a business expense. Anyway, I hope this is a bit helpful. I enjoy reading the posts on this board and have gained some very useful info. from it. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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