Doing my first craft show in a couple weeks, very small venue, about 10 artisans I believe. Wife and I did a mock set up in the garage this afternoon. This is most of what I will have although there will be a few more bowls. Have no idea what I'm doing. It's my idea the larger black shelf will face the flow of traffic and have my nicest pieces on it. The mirror really sets the tops off IMO. Appreciate any thoughts of opinions.

Edited October 16, 20169 yr by Steve Krumanaker
inability to type

I like it...

mirror on one shelf to accent the bowls w/ the most character/feature????

I was at a very small church benefit show a while back. One of the artisans sold high end pens. To me, what made his display standout above all of the others was his addition of lighting. He had his large display lit with "bright white" spots and floods. Not sure if they were halogen or LED. The lighting really drew you to his display. The display wasn't small, either, 2 tables with display racks on both ends.

Very nice setup. I wish you well at your show

Hey Steve, first off, it's a very appealing display, I like the shelf, it non intrusive and lets your work stand out. Black is always a very appealing color for woodworking displays isn't it? That and deep reds. Are you going to have an easy up or is this show indoors?

43 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Hey Steve, first off, it's a very appealing display, I like the shelf, it non intrusive and lets your work stand out. Black is always a very appealing color for woodworking displays isn't it? That and deep reds. Are you going to have an easy up or is this show indoors?

 

 

Thanks guys.

John, it is inside so weather should be a non factor. My wife had a lot to do with the setup. She insisted it must be black or red. The shelves I picked up at a garage sale a couple years ago. Bought them just for this situation if it ever developed. A friend of mine in the club advised, just have fun, enjoy the people, and if you sell something, so much the better.

5 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

A friend of mine in the club advised, just have fun, enjoy the people, and if you sell something, so much the better.

I think that is the best advise anyone could ever receive. Great friend!

I have never done a show, I have had pieces in shows for judging, but never have I manned a booth with my products on display, it sounds fun though, I could get into it easy enough. You'll have great time I bet Steve, and what the heck, good luck selling something! You gotta admit, it would be fun to sell!

13 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I think that is the best advise anyone could ever receive. Great friend!

I have never done a show, I have had pieces in shows for judging, but never have I manned a booth with my products on display, it sounds fun though, I could get into it easy enough. You'll have great time I bet Steve, and what the heck, good luck selling something! You gotta admit, it would be fun to sell!

 

It's my hope to promote our club and wood turning in general as much as anything. I'm sure it's not unusual but I would guess the average age of our club members is late 50's or older. Would love to interest some younger people in our craft and get them as club members. I have been selling for a couple of years but by consignments in a couple local gift shops. Easy peasy but they get 40%, would be nice to keep some of that.

 

Steve

2 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

 

It's my hope to promote our club and wood turning in general as much as anything. I'm sure it's not unusual but I would guess the average age of our club members is late 50's or older. Would love to interest some younger people in our craft and get them as club members. I have been selling for a couple of years but by consignments in a couple local gift shops. Easy peasy but they get 40%, would be nice to keep some of that.

 

Steve

40 percent! Yowsa! I am not sure what commissions run across the nation, where I have my work sometimes they ask for 25 percent.

Nicely done, sir. 

Selling the Kabota, too?

5 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Nicely done, sir. 

Selling the Kabota, too?

 

 

That's my baby

nice set up,  nice work

 

While I've never done a show Steve, a good friend of mine does dozens each year. I think you might find what works great in one venue may only be so-so in another. Folks are fickle it seems.

Some suggestions regarding your inventory display FWIW;

-- Don't hesitate to rotate the displayed items through the course of a day or event; (car dealers do it all the time with inventory); what catches one person's eye may not jump out for someone else; some folks make more than one trip past displays

-- As Lew noted, lighting helps high-light certain pieces and can draw individuals in for a closer look

-- Don't over display or feel the need to display everything you bring all at once

-- With your current trial run, you might consider elevating some pieces on the table &/or making/using some plate racks to position items at different angles versus all flat; helps give multi-dimension view; consider the same for top shelf items on the bakers rack.

-- Where are your honey-dippers? You can't do a show without having some of those!! 

-- Good luck & have fun...and of course report back on your success! 

Great looking display Steve.  The dark shelf and table cloth are a good choice.  Fades into the background and leaves your pieces easily viewed. 

9 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

-- Where are your honey-dippers? You can't do a show without having some of those!! 

-- Good luck & have fun...and of course report back on your success! 

 

Thanks Dave. As it happens the place hosting the show is the honey farm that takes pretty much all of the mason jar dippers I make so I wouldn't display them at this little show. The lady who runs the farm has been a good customer and I appreciate that. I do intend to have some decorative lids without the dipper though.

 

Steve

I'm sure they will know where her dippers came from.  I predict you will have a good sale.