Iguanadon Posted May 13, 2017 Report Share Posted May 13, 2017 The Strawberry Festival in Wallace, NC is now history. I spent the week checking every weather forecast tool I could to see if this would be a rainout and I'm happy to report that it rained for all of 12 minutes right after I finished setting up. I was able to cover my exposed items so nothing got damaged or ruined. I had side panels for my tent and I covered any exposed items with another tarp. No problem. Then the rest of the day was simply cloudy. Sales however were lackluster. The vendors on either side of me shared that they did about 1/2 of what they did last year. I had a goal of 40 pieces and sold 22. So, I was in line with everyone else. Crowd size was down apparently due to the threat of rain all day. Nice event, lots of vendors, food, music, etc. A good sized crowd, considering. I came home with $420 in my pocket that I otherwise wouldn't have had, so I'll never complain about sales volume. I'll make a note about this event, will do it again next year if my schedule allows, and see if sales increase next time. Wallace NC is a very blue collar, laid back community. I'm more accustomed to catering to tourists and medium to upscale events. I met more resistance than usual when I quoted my price of $25 and I'd then offer it for $20. I truly enjoy selling and making them so I don't mind offering discounts when I know someone likes a certain item. At least I don't have a lot to make this week in advance of my big event next Saturday here in my town. I want to also say I greatly appreciate the kind words many of you made on a couple of other threads about me and my work lately. You're truly too kind. I almost feel like a hack compared to the exquisite, detailed, intricate work that so many of you true "artists" produce. I know my puzzles are simply puzzles and I never want to sound like I'm gloating or patting myself on the back when in fact, I so truly enjoy making my puzzles purely for the relaxation and enjoyment. I absolutely love the smiles and comments I hear from people as they come up to my booth. I realize how fortunate I am to live in a tourist area and can sell my items somewhat easily. Enjoy the rest of the weekend my SSV friends. Next up for Iggy is the Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival with 50 artists. My goal for this event is 60. Iggy P.S. I know I need to re-center my banner on the front of the table... Mrs. Ig was quick to point that out to me earlier. LOL jbrowning, 125 CSL, Lucky2 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted May 13, 2017 Report Share Posted May 13, 2017 Iggy, was there much interest in the unpainted dinosaurs with paint kits? I notice you have colored ones in your picture, did you try your unpainted/with paint kit? I spent time this afternoon doing something that I have a rough time with, making a picture frame. As soon as I get it glued and clamped, it is scroll on a puzzle time to relax. Puzzles do not need frames..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, Scrappile said: Iggy, was there much interest in the unpainted dinosaurs with paint kits? I notice you have colored ones in your picture, did you try your unpainted/with paint kit? I spent time this afternoon doing something that I have a rough time with, making a picture frame. As soon as I get it glued and clamped, it is scroll on a puzzle time to relax. Puzzles do not need frames..... Hi Paul, the unpainted dinosaurs were popular once again, but nobody bought the $5 paint kit I offered to them. Which is fine, I'm still "test marketing" it. I did have one set out as an example that I had my daughter paint using the kit. The psychedelic looking one in this picture. Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Next show they may go like wildfire. Different clientele, different location. Coarse then you have the clientele like me, I love to go to farmers markets, craft shows, etc, but I rarely buy anything. Guess I think I would rather make it myself, not that I ever do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOE_M Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 $420 for a "slow" weekend of selling your work is $420 more than I've made in a lifetime of woodworking. So if you're a hack, then I guess I'm just a hack-in-training. Even if I could focus long enough to cut that much wood, I don't have the patience to deal with the selling aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, JOE_M said: $420 for a "slow" weekend of selling your work is $420 more than I've made in a lifetime of woodworking. So if you're a hack, then I guess I'm just a hack-in-training. Even if I could focus long enough to cut that much wood, I don't have the patience to deal with the selling aspect. What, you don't have 400 puzzles stockpiled in 3 giant plastic tubs to haul to event after event? LOL I enjoy and look forward to each event. I'm somewhat a people person, but only in moderation. 1 day a week of interacting with people is plenty for me. I work from home so it is nice to interact with other humans now and again. I'm also a bit of a neurotic person and like to have things perfect, so I've enjoyed coming up with my setup and display for events. I hope I didn't come across as a total ass or bitching because I "only" made $420. That's not the case at all. I know people are giving me their hard earned money for my little pieces of wood animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Nice set up. As long as you make table, gas and expenses it can be considered a good show. You got to meet folks, take to them and see what they were looking for. One never knows what the customer will want. Thanks for the pictures of the show. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 16 minutes ago, DWSUDEKUM said: Nice set up. As long as you make table, gas and expenses it can be considered a good show. You got to meet folks, take to them and see what they were looking for. One never knows what the customer will want. Thanks for the pictures of the show. DW I take 60 breeds of dog with me, basically every one I've ever made. I enjoy when someone comes up, like they did today and said "I bet you don't have a Cane Corso!" and I smile and say "I bet I do... right there..." It blows their minds. Malinois, Shar Pei, Weimeraner, Pyrenees, just some examples of the out of the ordinary ones I have on display and every once in a blue moon someone comes up asking for one and buys it. Here are other pics of today's setup if interested. I now put my top 3 selling dogs on the little display facing out to the crowd to catch their eye. I'll be making some minor changes to my display next Saturday. My zoo and farm animal collection has overgrown the display stand so I'm going to shift a couple of things around. Nothing major. Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordster Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 You did good Iggy,warm up for the big show..I am still guessing high sales for you. Nice booth you have. Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordster Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Just seen the bichon,we have a bichon here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Congrats Iggy. Very nice display. Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Congrat's Scott. At least you don't have as many to re cut this time to keep your stock up. Look forward to your next sales report. Marg Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Congrats Iggy! Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 16 hours ago, Iguanadon said: The Strawberry Festival in Wallace, NC is now history. I spent the week checking every weather forecast tool I could to see if this would be a rainout and I'm happy to report that it rained for all of 12 minutes right after I finished setting up. I was able to cover my exposed items so nothing got damaged or ruined. I had side panels for my tent and I covered any exposed items with another tarp. No problem. Then the rest of the day was simply cloudy. Sales however were lackluster. The vendors on either side of me shared that they did about 1/2 of what they did last year. I had a goal of 40 pieces and sold 22. So, I was in line with everyone else. Crowd size was down apparently due to the threat of rain all day. Nice event, lots of vendors, food, music, etc. A good sized crowd, considering. I came home with $420 in my pocket that I otherwise wouldn't have had, so I'll never complain about sales volume. I'll make a note about this event, will do it again next year if my schedule allows, and see if sales increase next time. Wallace NC is a very blue collar, laid back community. I'm more accustomed to catering to tourists and medium to upscale events. I met more resistance than usual when I quoted my price of $25 and I'd then offer it for $20. I truly enjoy selling and making them so I don't mind offering discounts when I know someone likes a certain item. At least I don't have a lot to make this week in advance of my big event next Saturday here in my town. I want to also say I greatly appreciate the kind words many of you made on a couple of other threads about me and my work lately. You're truly too kind. I almost feel like a hack compared to the exquisite, detailed, intricate work that so many of you true "artists" produce. I know my puzzles are simply puzzles and I never want to sound like I'm gloating or patting myself on the back when in fact, I so truly enjoy making my puzzles purely for the relaxation and enjoyment. I absolutely love the smiles and comments I hear from people as they come up to my booth. I realize how fortunate I am to live in a tourist area and can sell my items somewhat easily. Enjoy the rest of the weekend my SSV friends. Next up for Iggy is the Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival with 50 artists. My goal for this event is 60. Iggy P.S. I know I need to re-center my banner on the front of the table... Mrs. Ig was quick to point that out to me earlier. LOL terrific looking set up! Makes the eyes wander to not miss a thing.too bad the weather was not a little better as you said more would have showed up!your doing real good ,don't miss a show they've seen your work and will be back with friends! Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Congrats Scott ! Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Congratulations on another good weekend Iggy. Sounds like the weather still played a part even though it didn't actually really rain. Bonus is you still walked out with good money and have less work to do this week to get ready for the next show. Thanks for continuing to share your experiences with your shows. I am sure it helps many who consider doing them or do them. While I don't, I enjoy hearing about your success with the puzzles. Things do not have to be complicated to sell well. They just need to be quality work that appeals to the masses and your puzzles fit that clearly! Iguanadon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfie Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Nice setup thanks for showing us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McDonald Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Quick question--Do you keep your stock in alphabetical order to fill an order quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 3 hours ago, Jim McDonald said: Quick question--Do you keep your stock in alphabetical order to fill an order quickly? LOL, I actually said to a customer this past Saturday while I was trying to find a dog on display "I really should lay these out in alphabetical order..." but I can usually find the one asked for pretty quickly as I lay them out in a similar way each show. As far as the 200 duplicates I have with me at a show... I set up a 4'x2' table behind my tent and I lay out and stack as many as I can for easy access. I still have to dig around in the large plastic tub for less frequently purchased items but not too often. If someone asks for one that's on display I'll wrap it up and then when I have time I'll dig out a duplicate, unwrap it and put it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penquin Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Good looking set up and mix of items. Sometimes you just can't tell with a show, hope you do better at the next one. Thanks for the look at your set up and display jim penquin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPscroller Posted May 15, 2017 Report Share Posted May 15, 2017 Great looking set up, thanks for the pics. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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