There! I've Said it Again: There are NO Bad Shows

 

Ever do a show that makes you want to say HMMMMM!

 

 

Or maybe.....why am I even here?

 

You know, the last year I had my shop, I asked myself that DAILY.   It became more and more apparent that while I had done all I could to make my shop space in the front of our building appealing....the location just STUNK!

 

And what a shame, too, as the shop itself was like a doll's house. 

 

 

I loved it.   But I didn't love that nobody came.  I didn't love that it became more and more apparent that our jewelry was just not entirely right for our area.   And, to be honest, I had to come to terms with the fact that my business is, and probably always will be, more effective on the internet at this point in my life.   The shop was a distraction and money I didn't need to spend.

 

SO....we quit that "show".....and we came home.

 

 

Big diff, right?   Do I miss my cute little shop.  YOU BETCHA.   Am I upset about the three years of head-banging I put into it?

 

NOPE.

 

I LEARNED SO MUCH!   I learned right way/wrong way,  how to merchandise product,  how to juggle time better than I previously had.  I truly could have learned it no other way.

 

It's all good.  We were happy there....

 

 

And we are happier, here!   What I NEED to grow is a great place to work.    I don't need to worry about spilling stuff on the floors in a rented building anymore, and I have three times the working space I used to have.

 

But I had to learn that by DOING.   Everyone has a dream they just HAVE to try.   I am so glad I tried it!

 

 

 

Some of us have had brick and mortar shops in the past, and we no longer do.   Each has their own reason for quitting that sort of business.

 

Others still find it a great experience.   They possibly have just the right location or more money to spend in  the area where they sell.

 

Yet that could someday change.   For that reason, I believe it's best to be diversified, to sell across a number of platforms...really as many as you are able to manage and still do a good job.

 

Some say that shows are dying.   I don't believe that at all.   Some say that jewelry has fallen out of favor.  I don't believe that either.   Why don't I believe that, when folks are reporting slow shows and others are not selling as much jewelry?

 

I don't believe it because people wear jewelry.  They DO wear it differently from area to area, they DO wear different styles.   What's a favorite gift?  WHY, it's JEWELRY!

 

I don't believe all shows are bad because I did many shows for many years, back in my earlier days.  If I didn't have some health issues that make doing shows a bit rought,  I would still look for a few to do every year.    It's one of the best ways to see what people like in your area, to do some invaluable local networking, and to get that immediate rapport with folks.  I LOVED to visit and joke with people at shows.   I miss that!   And I did well at shows...

 

BUT.  Not all of them.   I remember one show where we had actually been invited to have a very special spot at a county fair.   They gave us a sheltered spot on the porch of a historical building on the fairgrounds.   Alot of people passed by it and came inside the historical building.   We couldn't help but have traffic!  And it was so nice not to have to lug a tent with us.

 

We came to the show and the promoter was so helpful!   Early in the morning we set up and then waited for people to arrive....and they did.   MANY people.

 

Schoolchildren on buses coming to see the historical building for a class project,  and Amish folks.

 

It was a three day show and we made 200.00.   Disappointing!   But interestingly, the sales we did make were for our more expensive, more showy things.   Just the right people for that merchandise found us.   And from that, I met some folks that invited me to come and do a lecture on handmade jewelry, which was a paying gig, and do a trunk show for a women's group at a country club nearby.

 

And from there, even more opportunities.

 

Another I often mention is the 25.00 high school table top show we did that didn't even bring the table rent back to us.  All they did was come to buy the home made candy and cookies.   What a waste of time, right?

 

Turns out the lady right across from me sold clothing and purses, some handmade, some not.  (It wasn't a juried show, but that's another subject.....)

 

As the show was winding up, she cut across the aisle and approached me.   She said, "You know, I think I would do better with my stuff if I had a nice line of handmade jewelry to go with it.   I LOVE your jewelry!   I do mostly trunk shows and home parties and I have quite a few booked.   What do you say you let me take some of this jewelry JUST THIS NEXT WEEK.....and see what happens? "

 

I had no reason not to think it would be okay.   Plus I am one to take a leap of faith, anyway.  I didn't expect much but I said, sure, let's do it!

 

Only a few days later she called me on the phone and said,  "You will NOT believe this.  I have sold almost all that jewelry and I have a big check for you!   Can you meet me somewhere?  I'll give you the check and you can bring me more jewelry."

 

OHMIGOODNESS.  Was that for real?   Hmmm I thought....it's a CHECK.   What if it bounces?  

 

Oh well, time for another leap of faith.  I met her, took the check...actually it was part check and part CASH....and gave her more jewelry.  The jewelry again was promptly sold.

 

Over the next three years I made a lot of money working with this lady, until the whole thing had run its course and needed to be re-invented.  By that time I was actively wholesaling and doing something else, so there wasn't any need to. 

 

But see what I mean?   NO BAD SHOWS.  

 

When you do a show, it's another opportunity to set up your display, another opportunity to meet others who do shows in your area and network, a chance to show off what you do and pass out business cards.   Often you can get some custom work as a result of the show.  If you have an Etsy or other online presence, be SURE you let people know where to find you later if you are not doing another show in the area soon.  Maybe it's just a bad day for people to buy.   Another day will be a good day!

 

Look for the opportunities and keep working hard on each platform you choose.   There are things to learn every day....and with every show or selling experience.

 

 

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Comments

[Ginger]

As they say here in Hickory County - Amen Sister!

[Beth Trubman]

Thanks for being so encouraging Brenda. Good info. Thanks.

[Barbara Kelley]

BRAVA! 'Nuff said!

[Pat Jones]

Well said! My husband wondered why I do shows - small ones - until he went with me one time last year and stayed because I didn't feel well. He figured out very quickly that it's a good way to figure out what sells in the area! And now he helps gladly. Thanks so much for encouraging us!

[paula Gaskill]

Yes' I feel there's never a bad show. There's always something to learn from doing a show whether merchandising, meeting people for insight. All in what you take from it.

[Karen Eaton]

I've never done a show, but I think this is such a great blog! And so true!! I think there can always be a lesson learned in most situations, whether it be a show, or something else in your own life. And love the pic in the shop w/ Donna!!

[Susan Bowerman]

Great read, Brenda. When I know a show is going to have quite a bit of jewelry artists attending, I try to take a few other things just to stand out. One year, I took a bunch of homemade cinnamon buns and put them prominently on my table. That really helped! I think the message is that from time to time, we just have to come up with an edge. I love doing shows, especially now that I have simplified my set-up and have a system for doing them. And yes, I've done a few shows where I couldn't give the stuff away. But all in all, I've been fairly fortunate.

[Gail]

Everything you said is true. Having been selling some kind of art for over 20 years I learned that always, always, when a door closes a window opens. Very nice article Brenda!

[Lucia King]

Terrific post! My friend/business partner have been doing art/craft shows for about 10 years. We only do a few a year and have learned a lot over the years. I think the most important things I have learned are that you can't take anything personally, not everyone is going to love your jewelry. It doesn't necessarily mean it isn't good, just not for some people. But the thing that has helped me the most is having a sense of humor, especially since most of our shows are outdoors where anything can happen and has. Rain, wind, extreme heat, losing our tent overnight due to straight line winds, we've seen a lot and just keep laughing...and creating!

[Shari Gardner]

Thank you Brenda, great timing. It was a well written and interesting blog post, and it gives me another way of looking at this. Since I signed up to do my very first show next month, I've been getting a bit anxious. It seems I have so much I need, that I haven't gotten around to buying, because I have only sold online or to friends/family that have stopped by our house. I need stands and trays, risers, table cloths, etc. I wish there was a list, and I'm praying to make at least how much I need to buy now. But, I also know there is no counting on that it will be busy or that I'll sell anything. So considering what you wrote, maybe I need to be thinking of this as a learning experience and maybe an opportunity to network, instead of "counting my chickens before they have hatched" as my dad would say.

[Sherry Castro]

Well said Brenda :)

[Jennifer Merrill Williams]

Great blog post, Brenda Sue!

Yes a lot of "brick and mortar" shops do close, the overhead is high. and as you made so clear location is key. I was tipped off by a friend that a nice second hand store was coosing. The store was beautifuk with really nice wares but it was out of the way of shopping areas with high rent. Lessons are learned.

I have always had a dream of having a store (an ancestor was a shopkeeper, it might be genetic!) but for me the only affordable store space has been a spot in a co-op. Same issues with location/clientele, much less expense but there is the added aspect of dealing with additional business relationships and not having control of the space and the display options.

I always liked the social, sharing aspect of selling at shows, although for me they were more of a learning experience. I learned about setting up quickly, what to have on hand (yes, Shari, a list comes in handy!), how to package and display my items, how to pack light (important!), how much help is needed (you need breaks at least). It gave me enough experience to be able to do home parties on short notice, or to sell one on one and have what I needed (receipts, bags).

[Marcia Tuzzolino]

Thanks for this wonderful post, Brenda! It's a great read with valuable lessons.

[Chris]

Great information and encouragement :)

[Jeanette Belmont]

Great Post! A needed reminder at this time for myself as I get ready to take my first leap of faith. Even if it does not work out, I am sure I will learn something that I can use in the future.

[Janet Calardo]

Loved the article. I also am so glad that I was able to come to your shop for the 1st ans 2nd workshops. It was so beautiful and I loved everything and how you had such wonderful displays. Thanks for sharing.

[Elisabeth Wilks]

Thanks for writing this about shows. I vacillate whether to do a show on what kind of customer will be there. This gives me encouragement on trying go to more shows and learn about the customer and what they want and also lots of networking.

[B'sue]

Thanks for reading the blog guys and I am really impressed with how many of you took time to leave your thoughts. Really makes me want to hop on the blog bandwagon again with some good content and encouraging ideas!

[Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures]

This is wonderful. I've had some experience with this at shows, but I never know what to tell people, or how to explain it when I only make $250 on a $35 table, and they ask why I'm bothering? Or why I want to try things that I know will probably not make me any money, but I'm going to "give them a go" anyways. Thanks for giving me the words!

One of the best thing that's happened to me from shows is the networking opportunities for other shows. I got invited to three Garden Club events by doing one at the start of last year; and I got invited to a church fair by being found at one of the Garden Club events. Two of them are shows that repeat, which I will now be on the list to attend as a repeat vendor.

I've already had people spot me and say, "I remember you! Didn't I see your stuff at? What's new?" and that's a perfect segue to show them new stuff, tell them all about the new pieces I'm developing and the new designs I'm working on.

My major failing, atm, is the Internet, and THAT is what this summer is for. No shows from May - September, and that means it's time to work on the storefront and the inventory/bookkeeping!

I most certainly think you *should* continue to blog! I've found your experience invaluable. :)