The Biggest Craft Show
You would think the craft show which pulls the biggest profits for us would be huge. Visions of thousands of people come to mind, with hundreds of vendors.
Oddly enough, this isn’t the case. Our best shows are right in our own backyard.
Believe it or not, the best shows are right here in our itty bitty towns. My mother lives near Monroe, while I sit here in Prairie City. Population 1200. The towns are the same school district, so regardless of which town we are in we are both “locals”.
Once a year each town has a small town celebration. Do you remember those when you were a kid? If you grew up in a small town, you probably know what I’m talking about. Carnival rides, games for the kids, tractor pulls, parades, food, music, and of course – craft vendors.
For the last two years we’ve set up our table at both Prairie Days and Old Settler’s Days. The first year we were just getting started and the profits weren’t all that big. Last year though, we were absolutely floored. You would think in a small town you wouldn’t make so much, but I really believe being a local helps. Plus of course, who doesn’t like candles? (We hear this one a lot!)
Prairie Days is this weekend, and I’m more than excited. Not only are my kids going to have a blast, but I just know we are going to make some good money as well. We’ve enlisted the help of my best friend who lives here in town, so I have time to spend with my children at this fun event.
What’s better is we’ve worked out a pretty good deal with this friend of mine. I’ve been wanting to set up a drawing box for awhile now. It’s been a long time since we’ve done a drawing of any kind. The main purpose of a drawing is to collect names for catalog shows and home parties (for us anyway, because we don’t do mailing lists). Well I just haven’t wanted to mess with contacting people and following up with those names. Luckily my friend DOES want to do this (she does wholesale with us), so all those names are going to go to her. 
This week is all about getting ready for this show. We’ll be busy printing catalogs, putting the box together, printing forms, and of course pouring candles. What’s even more great is my town now has a farmer’s market – so what sales we miss this weekend we may be able to pick up next week or later this summer. I’m excited!! 
Your fellow WAHM in success,
Kara
Topics: Business Stuff | 2 Comments »
June 14th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Back when I did craft shows I always did better at small town shows than at big ones. Big ones were okay for getting contacts, but a lot fell through in the way of leads. Small town is more casual and less stressful and you get more people that are truly interested than people that are just killing time.
I miss having a farmer’s market, living in the city sucks
June 15th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I’ve noticed it’s not just all small towns, but the two we are “locals” in. I guess it helps my mom use to own the restaurant here in town, so we already know half the town lol. I think there is just something about knowing your money is being put back into the community in some way (and of course, small towns feel stronger about that).
You don’t have a farmer’s market in the city? We do in Des Moines! It’s a big deal too. I was shocked they decided to do it here because we are so small and so close to Des Moines (and other towns in the area that have a farmer’s market).