{Day 2} Craft Show Preparation – Making the Decision to Do It

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Molly’s Day 2 Post: Deciding to Be in a Craft Show

Deciding to sell your crochet in a craft show is a big decision. It is one you should carefully think about. Molly, shares her thoughts in her second post in her 31 Days Preparing for My First Craft Show series.

She shares her anxiety about sending off the application, her joy when she received word that she was accepted and then a bit of apprehension when the word ‘resale license’ came up in her craft show contract.

She dealt brilliantly with it all. She got some help from her husband and easily got her resale licence from the Tax Board. (see boe.ca.gov for California specific information)

My Craft Show Experience

I’ve done a total of 2 craft shows. I’ve actually registered 3 times but never attended the 3rd one.

My first show was a little show put on by a church. It was a low entry fee ($25) and they said (“they said“) tables were provided.  No application was needed only a contract that was signed the day of the event. Being my first show I didn’t know that this was a big flashing warning sign that this was NOT the show for me.

First, there was only one table available which was a very tiny round table – not enough room for what I brought. Tip: Double check (triple check) to make sure you know the space you are renting, the equipment being supplied as well as measurements of equipment.

Second, I felt used. After I handed over my $25 and signed the contract stating all liability is mine and not theirs I was left alone. I seriously couldn’t find this lady for the entire day. I know she isn’t my babysitter but I wanted to leave as I was obviously ill prepared.

Third, I brought my boys. Big mistake. I thought since this even had activities for children that I’d bring the boys and they could have a little fun while I did my selling – Oh, Grandma came too. It took all of 1 hour for them to be ‘done’ with the fun that was available and then they quickly got bored of sitting at the too small table with NO chairs in the heat of a July day – to tell the truth so was I.

Key Take Away Points

1. Read the entire contract and application carefully 
2. Ask plenty of questions even if you think your question is silly – ask anyway
3. Be prepared – over prepare and expect the unexpected
4. Get a babysitter {smiles}
5. Research selling laws for your State (the above link is specific to California sellers)
6. Buy your own equipment and triple check measurements and what is acceptable to bring (tent, dividers, etc)
7. Research your potential shows. Make sure your target market will be there in a buying mood.

Have you sold your crochet goods at a craft show? What is your #1 tip for newbies? Share in the comments below.

Join me in the 31 Days of Craft Show Preparation by Blogger Molly of http://mollyeleen.wordpress.com. Molly was inspired to do the 31 days challenge when her friends took on the challenge that The Nester hosts each year. (based on the 31 Days to build a better blog by ProBlogger)

 How You Can Participate

1. Visit Molly’s Blog post which has all 31 posts in the series
2. Blog about it. You can do one post for the entire week or one post per day. I’ll be doing one post a day. (31)
3. Chat about it either on the Crochet Business fanpage or in either the CBB Google+ community or CBB Fb group.