My first 2 day event coming up...

[Iguanadon]

Great, I'm seeing posts and comments about spring shows being rather weak... Just in time for my first big show.  :-)

 

As most of you know, I just started selling my puzzles last June, so this is my first Spring season and I'm signing up for events as I hear about them.  The one this weekend is the 25th annual event and while it's focused on herb/garden, it's got a little bit of everything as there's a farm on the premises.

 

http://www.poplargrove.org/festivals/herb-garden-fair/

 

Going into this I'm focusing on making several of my BUNNY and RABBIT puzzles for those thinking about Easter and I'm also making a bunch of the CHICKEN and ROOSTER puzzles (my newest additions) thinking that the attendees may also be into raising chickens which has become a big thing lately.

 

As I prepare and get ready for this, here are my thoughts:

 

PROS:

1) This is the 25th year of the event and it's very popular.  My wife and I would be attending it if I wasn't planning on working it.

2) There are 100 vendors signed up which tells me it's also popular with vendors and they had no trouble filling up the place. A very broad mix of vendors as well.  And my booth location looks good.

3)  The weather is going to be absolutely perfect, sunny and 74 degrees both days (it's outdoors)

 

CONS:

1) It's spring time and I see a lot of you saying that sales aren't great in the spring time

2) It's a different type of event/venue than I'm used to and not sure what to expect as far as interest in my items

3) It's 2 days long... I hope it's worth going back the 2nd day

 

I'm still in the learning, fumbling, figuring out stage as I'm still in my first year.  So, try an event, if it works out, great, sign up in future years.  But if it's a dud, I make a note and know not to do it again in the future.

 

Wish me luck and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

Iggy

 

[rjweb]

Best of luck, hope you sell out, what do they say to actors, go break a leg, for good luck, RJ

[Fish]

If that stuff doesn't sell I'll really be surprised. You do some great work. Good luck

[edward]

Good Luck, hope you do better then I did. I keep all my records and the past four years the Spring shows have gone down hill, I was talking to the wife and she feels the same way as I do, and that is to give up Spring shows next year . edward

[orangeman]

I just did my first Spring show in the South and sales were fantastic! Sold out of many items. Sales were up 25% vs last year.

 

Wish I hadn't signed up for the next show in two weeks.

 

I'm seeing some negative thoughts on Spring shows and wondering if it might be related to geography. There is a small town in the North GA mountains that sponsors a Spring and Fall show. The Spring show always has more folks and artists than the Fall show. I think the reason is there are many more Fall shows in the area which tends to dilute the crowds at each event.

 

bb

 

bb

[Scrolling Steve]

Good luck, Scott !....You should do fine !

[redwine]

I would suspect that this may be a good show for a couple of reasons, one being the years that it has been in existence and two the number of vendors already signed up. This would tell me that it has been a good one or the vendors would not be returning each year! In any case good luck and sell out !

Erv

[MTCowpoke22]

Best of luck!

[tuner]

Your in a win win situation if you consider the experience you're going to gain. Best of luck and let us know !!

[WayneMahler]

Iggy

Best of luck to you. From what I understand puzzles do well. I have been thinking of adding them to my inventory. We did a show on Saturday and it was super great for us. We sold just short of $700 of merchandise and made a lot of new contacts and potential future orders. Keep the faith and let us know how you did. 

[meflick]

Good luck Iggy.  I hope you do well.  I attempted my first animal puzzles at the end of last week and my respect for you guys and gals who do them went way up    .    Hopefully people are out and abut and ready to spend - needing things for those Easter baskets!

[hawkeye10]

If I know you, you will do great. Those chickens look like they are going to lay eggs. I can hear the rooster crowing now.

[Iguanadon]

Good luck Iggy.  I hope you do well.  I attempted my first animal puzzles at the end of last week and my respect for you guys and gals who do them went way up    .    Hopefully people are out and abut and ready to spend - needing things for those Easter baskets!

 

Oh, come on Melanie, you just cut along the lines, nothin' to it  :-)

[Iguanadon]

OK, official counts are:

 

108 unique animal puzzles for display, not including the kids colored dinosaurs

 

162 duplicates shrink wrapped and ready to find new homes

 

I'll set an ambitious goal of selling 65 during the 2 days.

 

My least favorite task is painting the kids dinosaurs, it's a nuisance having to wipe off the excess food coloring/water (paint) so it doesn't bleed.  I came up with the idea of offering them unpainted for $5 less and let the kids who receive them enjoy painting them.

 

 

[meflick]

Oh, come on Melanie, you just cut along the lines, nothin' to it  :-)

Yea, easy for you to say!     What blades do you typically use?  I had gotten some Flying Dutchman Puzzle blades and was using those.  Didn't seem to cut as well for me and I think I was pushing so then they were not quite square and didn't want to fit back together from either direction - some pieces only slid back into place from the backside.   Then another problem was - the wood  I used for one - I have a lot of cedar so I used it for one since I'm just learning and not selling or giving away   - problem was a foot broke off when I tried to remove it from the piece I cut it out of.  Yes, I glued it back together but I could see the break line on the side.  Then, I tried to alter the tail a tad (it was a golden retriever because I have one) as I cut it out and that made it not quite fit "tightly" in place.  Which I didn't like - hubby said it looked ok - I didn't.  Then, the other one I did ok with except the same pushing or problem I had with the other one.  It was a bulldog I was going to give my son since his college mascot is a bulldog.  Since I had used a "thin" blade - I decided to "thicken" up the lines that were in its face so it was more easily "seen" - well you know the evil of good don't you.  I managed to break one area by its outer eye.  All's good.  I'm trying to learn that its all okay.  Its okay to screw things up - that's how you learn - but that's hard!    Any advice or wisdom is appreciated!

[Iguanadon]

Yea, easy for you to say!     What blades do you typically use?  I had gotten some Flying Dutchman Puzzle blades and was using those.  Didn't seem to cut as well for me and I think I was pushing so then they were not quite square and didn't want to fit back together from either direction - some pieces only slid back into place from the backside.   Then another problem was - the wood  I used for one - I have a lot of cedar so I used it for one since I'm just learning and not selling or giving away   - problem was a foot broke off when I tried to remove it from the piece I cut it out of.  Yes, I glued it back together but I could see the break line on the side.  Then, I tried to alter the tail a tad (it was a golden retriever because I have one) as I cut it out and that made it not quite fit "tightly" in place.  Which I didn't like - hubby said it looked ok - I didn't.  Then, the other one I did ok with except the same pushing or problem I had with the other one.  It was a bulldog I was going to give my son since his college mascot is a bulldog.  Since I had used a "thin" blade - I decided to "thicken" up the lines that were in its face so it was more easily "seen" - well you know the evil of good don't you.  I managed to break one area by its outer eye.  All's good.  I'm trying to learn that its all okay.  Its okay to screw things up - that's how you learn - but that's hard!    Any advice or wisdom is appreciated!

 

I'll start off by saying I've had every one of those issues, so it's not just you.

 

I use poplar wood which I really like due to the color variation when oiled, but it is very fragile and I was having an issue with pieces snapping mostly due to me manhandling them.  I've learned how to be easier with them now.  I also had to slightly modify some of the patterns because some of the pieces tended to snap more often, for instance the "U's" in Chihuahua and the neck of the Sea Turtle was a bit too thin at one place.  I've gotten good at gluing and repairing.  :-)

 

The issue you've run into with the puzzle pieces only sliding in one way is very common and you're exactly right, you're pushing it and the blade is "flexing" which causes the problem.  Patience is key as you now know and take your time.  I still can't cut these puzzles out of red oak because I flex the blade so much the pieces won't go together both ways.  I gave up.  LOL

 

All of the items you list are things you'll learn and get accustomed to over time.  I've only been cutting them for 9 months and rarely have issues now.

 

As far as blades, I prefer Olsen blades and I use the Mach Speed #3.  I wish they made the Precision Ground Tooth (PGT) in a #3 but the smallest they make is #5.  I buy the MS #3's by the gross and I can cut anywhere from 3 to 6 puzzles with a single blade.

 

Good luck and keep me posted on how things are going.  And of course, let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Iggy

Edited March 27, 2017 by Iguanadon

[orangeman]

OK, official counts are:

 

108 unique animal puzzles for display, not including the kids colored dinosaurs

 

162 duplicates shrink wrapped and ready to find new homes

 

I'll set an ambitious goal of selling 65 during the 2 days.

 

My least favorite task is painting the kids dinosaurs, it's a nuisance having to wipe off the excess food coloring/water (paint) so it doesn't bleed.  I came up with the idea of offering them unpainted for $5 less and let the kids who receive them enjoy painting them.

What do you seal the colored puzzles with so they don't bleed when touched with wet hands?

[Iguanadon]

What do you seal the colored puzzles with so they don't bleed when touched with wet hands?

 

I actually don't seal with anything.  I haven't had anyone mention any issues.  Now you have me wondering, so I'll go out and "test" to see if there's any bleeding.

 

I use very watered down food coloring and wipe off the excess so I'm guessing there can't be much pigment that would come off, but I'll find out in a minute...

 

Yep, some color did bleed onto my fingers but not too bad.  I'll see if any of last years customers come by my booth at the farmers market this summer to tell me they've had issues with this.

[orangeman]

better hope no child touches with wet fingers and then lays it down on a white couch

 

I've been using food colors for years BUT always seal with a Sherwin Williams lacquer.

 

bb

[Iguanadon]

better hope no child touches with wet fingers and then lays it down on a white couch

 

I've been using food colors for years BUT always seal with a Sherwin Williams lacquer.

 

bb

 

I appreciate the suggestion Brian.  You do beautiful work and I wish I had the patience to the amazing work you do.

[Dave Monk]

I'm sure you will do great Iggy. dave

[Sparkey]

Good luck Iggy.

[Gonzo]

Good luck Iggy. I like your idea of selling them unpainted. Makes for a good project for the kids.

[jbrowning]

You got this Iggy, you are going to have a great weekend.

 

Jim

[Scrappile]

Kids will love to paint their own, Mommy maybe not so much, they have to clean up the mess...    Good sales to you.  I think you will do fine.  and if for some reason not, okay, you are not selling a perishable item.  They will keep for the next show.