country girl Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Truth be known to all, my dad was not actually begged to do a craft show. I think what happened is that he knows I do not scroll, so he figured he would scroll, and I would do all the finish work. Well I was thinking Christmas decorations - blue, red, green. Looks festive as backerboard behing a santa or snowman. He told me that no more then half the pieces can be painted because he does not want to get orders for that. (micromanager He had me use this very obnoxious gel stain....Will have to find a medium ground there. He does not think that intarsia will sell because most people going to those shows buy $30 or less. Also, time is limited. So I asked mom if she wanted to sell any of her pieces off her wall....NO. Me neither. What does everyone think about this idea > Take pieces off the walls, dust them, and display them with their prices in the back ground with a sign 'Place Your Order Today'. So, not sell our personal pieces, but have live examples and let them place orders. That way we can hang them back on our walls after the show. Do you think that will work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 no maybe but what do I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Intarsia by its very nature is time and resource intensive and therefore tends to be expensive. Depending upon the show would depend on if it sold or not. For instance a church craft fair intarsia probably would not sell well as folks would be looking for the bargains. An art show where people are looking for art and are willing to pay more might be a different story. One can never truly tell what folks are willing to buy and at what price. I have found boxes and baskets and bowls to sell well as well as ornament sets and the unique things that have the cuteness factor. Wishing you both all the success in your show together. DW Scrolling Steve and country girl 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamminjack Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 It sounds good on paper, however It has been my experience that the majority of my sales come from impulse buyers. When buyers see something that rings their bell they want it now....Placing an order and having to wait, tends to put them off the sale. Plus the pieces you have hanging on your walls in your home are there for a reason. The personal attachment tends to put a higher price tag on the piece. In my opinion. I know your father and you will figure it all out by show time. Your families talent and craftsmanship is unlimited. and anything you bring to the show will do well. Best of luck Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitty0312 Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I sell stuff on the side, my experience is anything over $30, I don't sell as much no matter how nice or unique it is. $20-$30 is the best price range for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I think the above advice is good advice. I have done as well from my yard during a bunch of yard sales in the immediate area as I ever have from "craft shows" however I have only been a vendor at 3 and all were not worth it! Good luck. The people beside me at the craft shows mostly did not do well either! A couple told me that my things were fine and we had just managed to get the wrong show. Good luck to both of you. I will never vendor to a church craft show again, although, i may consign! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 yah never know till you try...................... amazingkevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 (edited) The whole notion of experimenting with a market is great - but having said that - any experiment suggests you conduct your research with just a sampling - meaning - do not invest a whole lot of time and effort in producing products that you "think" folks will buy - do what you are suggesting and see what happens - then take your queues from there ..... Having said that - I quickly got tired of trying to second guess the market a while back - the only mass produced items I make tend to be ornaments (good sellers) - most of my other "stuff" is one-of-a-kind labour intensive pieces that I really enjoy doing but are not the kind of work that usually makes me money - I suspect your intarsia pieces may be pretty much the same - a lot of my pieces are priced at more than what folks are willing to pay - but I will not undersell - so they often end up getting donated to some local cause for auction, raffle or whatever - but when folks do want a duplicate or something special - well - it will get done - but it won't be next week ..... and its a premium price ..... Jay Edited September 11, 2016 by RangerJay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) That may have worked 15 - 20 years ago Theresa when the world was larger and not moving as fast as it is today. I would suggest work smarter, not harder. I think today you would have greater success creating your own web page linked to social media such as LinkedIn,Twitter, Facebook and any other popular social media site. Good luck with your decision. Edited September 12, 2016 by Ron Johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 Theresa, if it is of any sentimental value, then leave it on the wall or wherever it is. There is always someone out there, that will not take no for an answer. They are of the opinion that no matter the price, their money will buy it. Make and take only what you are willing to sell, otherwise, you could end up selling that you don't want to. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarltheScroller Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) Most people (including my wife and I) go to craft shows to find unique things at low prices. They won't leave orders because they are buying on impulse. Similar to intarsia in being labor intensive, I create pine needle baskets, often with fret work bases or lids. I used to sell them at a gallery for $100 and up. Now I sell them at craft fairs for 1/3 or even less...offering "unique things at low prices." Others who make similar items have gotten upset with me because I am selling art at craft prices. But I love making them, end up with boxes of them and want to move them to make more of them. I may be selling at bargain prices but I usually end up making several hundred dollars at each show, which gives me the $$ to feed all my hobbies. At 76 I'm just not into the art for art's sake anymore. I have no argument with those who will disagree with this...just presenting a little different approach to think about. On edit: one more thing to think about. My wife used to get upset when I would take things off the wall or baskets we were actually using, dust them off, and sell them. I always say if she or I like it enough I can make another one for us. It's actually sort of nice to get rid of some of those things and put fresh new stuff on our own walls. Again, just another point of view. Edited September 12, 2016 by EarltheScroller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 Truth be known to all, my dad was not actually begged to do a craft show. I think what happened is that he knows I do not scroll, so he figured he would scroll, and I would do all the finish work. Well I was thinking Christmas decorations - blue, red, green. Looks festive as backerboard behing a santa or snowman. He told me that no more then half the pieces can be painted because he does not want to get orders for that. (micromanager He had me use this very obnoxious gel stain....Will have to find a medium ground there. He does not think that intarsia will sell because most people going to those shows buy $30 or less. Also, time is limited. So I asked mom if she wanted to sell any of her pieces off her wall....NO. Me neither. What does everyone think about this idea > Take pieces off the walls, dust them, and display them with their prices in the back ground with a sign 'Place Your Order Today'. So, not sell our personal pieces, but have live examples and let them place orders. That way we can hang them back on our walls after the show. Do you think that will work? I had a marketing guru tell me folks want to buy something on impulse with one bill $1-$5-$10-$20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarltheScroller Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 I had a marketing guru tell me folks want to buy something on impulse with one bill $1-$5-$10-$20 Boy does that ever sum it up. That's the best idea I've seen floating around for selling at craft shows. amazingkevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 t Boy does that ever sum it up. That's the best idea I've seen floating around for selling at craft shows. Thanks Earl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 I get orders all the time,but it is for what people buy and want more of,another car,or John Wayne.I have thought about doing what your asking,but passed on it,For the reasons above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 I agree with your Dad to a point, I also think that a regular craft show is not the correct venue for intarsia. Having said that I usually put one of my pieces Intarsia or on occasion one of my wooden gear clocks on display in my booth with a not for sale sign on it. I could have sold them many times. So I would hang a couple of pieces with your price and the right customer may just stop by. Just do not discount your work. They have generated some very interesting conversations and really draw people in to my table. I do not normally do consignment work although I am doing a Grey wolf for an old friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.