I participated in my first real craft show a few weeks back! I was up until 2am every night the entire week before hand. It was a lot of work. But it was my first time and I wanted to be ready for ANYTHING. I read the section in my Handmade Marketplace book and I read these two posts I had seen on INDIE FIXX : Post #1 and Post #2 to help give me an idea about what I should do to prepare.
Here is what I did to get ready:
- I created lots of product and affixed them with the official Cozy Project label
- I made copies of care instruction cards (that I forgot to put my website on!! Next batch!)
- I made magnets to give away in my booth..
- I printed out my ad to create a sign to display.
- I got Cash! I was working at my day job the day before and I completely spaced going to the bank. I ran around Sunday morning trying to get as many 1's and 5's as I could. (And in the end I had way too much cash. But better safe than sorry!)
- I gathered supplies like tape, scissors, string, tablecloth, a bowl for business cards, cups for display
- I cut hearts out of cardboard and strung them together with recycled cotton yarn and made a garland to hang in my booth.
- I drank a 6-er of PBR to use for display as beer coozies... (I thought the PBR might woo some hipsters. I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. Seriously don't tell. It's embarrassing.)
The night before the big day, my super cool friends, Lizzy , Chelsea , and Ansley brought me over dinner and hung out while I finished some last minute tasks and kept me company. Ansley even helped me finish the last minute bits on my magnets. It was a great way to spend the night before... it distracted me from thinking and worrying too much and it was so great to feel supported!!
And then came the rains. You all know it is July, right? Mother Nature doesn't seem to!! Could you tell her please? TORRENTIAL downpour. For hours!! I was sooo so sad. (I know all of you in the midst of record heatwaves might have been a little jealous... I would have traded you for 100 degrees. And that offer still stands. You just let me know!) Did I mention the show was outdoors?
The show started at 1 pm on Sunday and we toughed it out. My super friend Desi came along as my sidekick and we arrived at the location (Portland Nursery) around 11 am. We pitched our tent and moved the tables into the middle. Luckily I had brought a towel... which was dripping wet by the time I had wiped things down for the 18th time. When the show opened at 1 there were a few folks wandering in with raincoats and umbrellas. It continues to rain at least lightly until about 2:30. People came out anyway. Bless you Oregonians!! You are in my heart! I suppose the live music and offer of FREE Hopworks beer helped reel a few people in! At some point the sun did finally come out and grace us with its presence.
Despite the weather it was a great show! I made enough money to cover my booth fee and then some. In total I sold about 20 cozies. Not too shabby considering the conditions. I figured out that I could sell at craft fairs for my Etsy prices. I had a bad experience at a previous Street fair, so I was glad to know that was possible. I got to practice using my Square card reader, I handed out business cards, and I got some new Facebook fans. I also met some SUPER RAD crafty peeps. I deem the event a complete success!
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| I was so busy that I didn't take any pics of my booth. Here's a lovely pic though of my gifty magnets! |
I am looking forward to details on the Super Rad Christmas show!!
