We had a craft show at one of the schools in my wife's district. I figured that it would be slow as it was mostly the elementary school families, but I did not figure on it being so windy. This week our So. Calif. area has gotten some really nasty winds and were supposed to be over, but they were still being a bit persistent. Two good things were that I made some new leg weights for the EZ-UP awning which worked very well so it didn't fly away (PVC pipes filled with sand strapped to the legs) and that my wood products are heavy enough so that they didn't blow away across the parking lot. We literally had to duct tape the table cloths to the table and use cutting boards as weights to hold down the plastic sign holders and we weathered the storm better than any of the other vendors. A number of them didn't even unload but just drove into the parking lot and got out and went right back into their cars. A few others set up and when the winds started picking up, the bailed out and headed home.

I made a total of $150 in sales with 1 rocking chair, 3 rolling pins (left overs from Christmas 2009), 6 trivets and 3 cutting boards all in the striped pattern as they were cheaper. There were lots of "ooo's and ahhh's" over my higher end 3D and end grain boards, but it was just too pricey for that crowd. But since it was a $20 buy in, it was ok. So next Saturday we will be doing a different craft show where we should do better in the higher end stuff.

Here are a few photos of my set up.

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

I was wondering how you were going to do with that Allen with the wind and all, but  it appears you didn't do to dang bad after all! Congrats on the sells. I like your set up too, very nice. Hey Allen, have you ever thought of raffling off a cutting board as well? You could offer raffle tickets for 2 dollars, and it's a great lead in to your booth as well. I have seen it work successfully at other fairs. Beautiful work man!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Great job Allen.  Congrats!!

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

John,

I have thought about a raffle but the school was doing a raffle and each vendor along with the $20 entry fee had to donate a $5 item that the school would raffle off during the event.

Charles,

My lathe is a Jet Mini with the extension table so the rolling pins are about 14" for the small ones and 16" for the large ones. They are fun to turn but take a lot of sanding. I haven't turned any of them since 2009 but will probably un-bury and blow the dust off the lathe and do some more in 2012.

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Allen,

Your products always look fantastic. Nice way you displayed them, also.   With that wind, was wondering if you were going to have to put sand in your socks.  lol  Congratulations on the sales.  

SQ

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It it can't be fixed with glue and sawdust - it's not worth fixing.

Thanks Sue.

My wife is the one who does the display as I tend to operate in a "concrete-sequesntial" manner while she operates in an "abstract-random" manner. So she can put things out that look more appealing than I can.

Now while I have dropped 50 lbs. the first of August, I still have enough mass to keep my feet on the ground.

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Congratulations Allen. Nice setup. I like the weights you put on the tent to hold it down.

Nice display and layout. I use several of the stands to hold my cutting boards up like the one you have. It works to draw them in when they are vertical. 

I hope you do well next weekend.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com