We are nearly in the second part of the year! Time flies...
I have the most of September-December events confirmed. They are mostly the same as the last year with one addition and one miss (probably). I've decided to try and go farther afield, meaning out of the region where I live. The reason is that being an active feltmaker and selling at many events in the area means that the number of potential customers of my most popular products goes down. Obviously who needs three glasses cases 😖! Fish is a different story because there are people who buy two and more easily. So all this considering I added a new event - Kendal Wool Gathering in October and am going to miss ETSY Made Local event in December.
So this is my list of events for the autumn-winter part of the year 2018:
September 29-30 Masham Sheep Festival Masham
October 27-28 Kendal Wool Gathering Kendal
November 17-18 Crafts in the Pen Skipton
Once a month is more than enough I think 😊
Showing posts with label fair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fair. Show all posts
Monday, 25 June 2018
Monday, 9 April 2018
My first Spring into Wool fair
A month ago I published a list of upcoming events and here we are! The first one, Spring into Wool in Leeds come and gone. Will try to put my feelings and thoughts down on paper while I remember details:
- general (venue, organisation, people). Very positive! I like venue, light and spacious (even if I was in a bit of awkward place, but it was my choice), organisers did a brilliant job and fellow exhibitors were very friendly.
- footfall. Saturday was very busy, but not overcrowded still, which was good, I do not like when people need to push through. Sunday was much quieter. I know this happens often (if not always) and still...
- sales. This is a tricky one 😊 In general I've sold OK considering the time of year and my table position. There are two "buts" still. - the sales to the visitors were mainly of the lower price end. The two most expensive sales were to the other exhibitors. Obviously, people came for supplies and were very focused on it. I've received so many great comments on my stuff but sales were mainly of small and inexpensive items. And the second "but" - I've sold mostly on Saturday. If not one large sale to an exhibitor and good last minute sale to a visitor it would have been just lost day entirely.
Summary: - will I do it the next year? Yes, I suppose. I do like an atmosphere, I have had lovely chats with the other exhibitors, I didn't feel tired at the end, I've bought lovely silks and very fine wool tops. And it's so close to home, just 40 mins of easy drive. Yes, I'd like to do it again!
Now there are some pictures. These are of my stall on the first and the second day, when I restocked and rearranged things.
And a few pictures of other stalls with people readying for opening.
- general (venue, organisation, people). Very positive! I like venue, light and spacious (even if I was in a bit of awkward place, but it was my choice), organisers did a brilliant job and fellow exhibitors were very friendly.
- footfall. Saturday was very busy, but not overcrowded still, which was good, I do not like when people need to push through. Sunday was much quieter. I know this happens often (if not always) and still...
- sales. This is a tricky one 😊 In general I've sold OK considering the time of year and my table position. There are two "buts" still. - the sales to the visitors were mainly of the lower price end. The two most expensive sales were to the other exhibitors. Obviously, people came for supplies and were very focused on it. I've received so many great comments on my stuff but sales were mainly of small and inexpensive items. And the second "but" - I've sold mostly on Saturday. If not one large sale to an exhibitor and good last minute sale to a visitor it would have been just lost day entirely.
Summary: - will I do it the next year? Yes, I suppose. I do like an atmosphere, I have had lovely chats with the other exhibitors, I didn't feel tired at the end, I've bought lovely silks and very fine wool tops. And it's so close to home, just 40 mins of easy drive. Yes, I'd like to do it again!
Now there are some pictures. These are of my stall on the first and the second day, when I restocked and rearranged things.
And a few pictures of other stalls with people readying for opening.
Saturday, 3 March 2018
Year 2018 Schedule
I'm delighted to be accepted to this year Art in the Pen event in Thirsk. Being not well for a half of February I run out of time to create new pictures and make a proper good application. Fortunately I'm still through!
So this is my list of events for the first half of the year 2018:
April 07-08 Spring into wool Leeds
April 26-29 Harrogate Flower Show Harrogate
May 3-8 Felting festival Feltrosa Cavareno, Italy
July 21-22 Art in the Pen , Thirsk
July 28 York River Art Market, York
August 4 York River Art Market, York
Then I will have my summer holiday with a family and back to work in September. The September-December events are to be confirmed yet.
So this is my list of events for the first half of the year 2018:
April 07-08 Spring into wool Leeds
April 26-29 Harrogate Flower Show Harrogate
May 3-8 Felting festival Feltrosa Cavareno, Italy
July 21-22 Art in the Pen , Thirsk
July 28 York River Art Market, York
August 4 York River Art Market, York
Then I will have my summer holiday with a family and back to work in September. The September-December events are to be confirmed yet.
Monday, 20 November 2017
Crafts in the Pen 2017
A short report on the event.
Crafts in the Pen is my main event of the year, so expectations were high as was pre-fair stress :)
In general it was good this year as well but with a twist. A few twists actually.
- it was really huge! 230 stalls and a quality of very high standards;
- the footfall was 4370 against 2590 last year;
- again a lot of people coming who had already bought some stuff from me, sometimes just to say hello and tell that my things are alive and doing well, which was really great. Thanks everyone even if you are not reading this!
- the weather was really nice, I was well prepared and didn't got cold;
- apart from overwhelming number of stalls, 1/3 of them were textile artists and 25 stalls doing just felt! Some customers comments that this year felt was everywhere.
- with such massive number of stalls customers became bored, tired or just cold. They lost interest and forget to come back or just lost in the maze of streets. Some stallholders complained about the scale of the show and low takings. I happened to be in a good position in the very centre with good light but other could struggle when it became darker.
I can't complain because I did OK but with somewhat mixed feeling :)
I posted some pictures below of neighbouring stalls and to give an idea of the size of the show:
Crafts in the Pen is my main event of the year, so expectations were high as was pre-fair stress :)
In general it was good this year as well but with a twist. A few twists actually.
- it was really huge! 230 stalls and a quality of very high standards;
- the footfall was 4370 against 2590 last year;
- again a lot of people coming who had already bought some stuff from me, sometimes just to say hello and tell that my things are alive and doing well, which was really great. Thanks everyone even if you are not reading this!
- the weather was really nice, I was well prepared and didn't got cold;
- apart from overwhelming number of stalls, 1/3 of them were textile artists and 25 stalls doing just felt! Some customers comments that this year felt was everywhere.
- with such massive number of stalls customers became bored, tired or just cold. They lost interest and forget to come back or just lost in the maze of streets. Some stallholders complained about the scale of the show and low takings. I happened to be in a good position in the very centre with good light but other could struggle when it became darker.
I can't complain because I did OK but with somewhat mixed feeling :)
I posted some pictures below of neighbouring stalls and to give an idea of the size of the show:
Monday, 2 October 2017
Masham 2017
My second Wool event at Masham sheep fair. One of my favorites! Nice venue, busy town, friendly people. good attendance. It was nice to meet some friends from the last year too! I did well last year and it was good this year as well. I like that I've sold a little bit of everything. I make a few pictures at the beginning of the second day, before we opened.
Tuesday, 8 August 2017
Catch up for Summer
Short catch up for June - July- early August 😊
Have been VERY busy!
New techniques.
After taking a course on a textured felt I started to use these new techniques in my fish and cushions. I think it works well for these items:
New Fairs.
I have tried a new event this summer, York River Art Market and it happened to be quite good for me (and for the most of exhibitors I presume).
I did two days, the weather on the day of the first one was very poor and still it was OK in sales. The second one, on the first Saturday of August was very good - a glorious weather, great location - a river work in the very centre of York. All in all it was very pleasant day and sales were high, at the same level as Xmas time. And it was so close to home ! Very pleased with the event, will do it again next year.
Could you see the difference?
As for a Art in the Pen this year it was not as good as last year for me. May be I need to reconsider "my strategy" 😊
Anyway I have finished with fairs for a while. The next one is Masham sheep festival the last weekend of September.
At the moment I'm nearly off to Finland for a holiday and try to put everything felty aside. Back to felting in September.
Have been VERY busy!
New techniques.
After taking a course on a textured felt I started to use these new techniques in my fish and cushions. I think it works well for these items:
New Fairs.
I have tried a new event this summer, York River Art Market and it happened to be quite good for me (and for the most of exhibitors I presume).
I did two days, the weather on the day of the first one was very poor and still it was OK in sales. The second one, on the first Saturday of August was very good - a glorious weather, great location - a river work in the very centre of York. All in all it was very pleasant day and sales were high, at the same level as Xmas time. And it was so close to home ! Very pleased with the event, will do it again next year.
Could you see the difference?
Anyway I have finished with fairs for a while. The next one is Masham sheep festival the last weekend of September.
At the moment I'm nearly off to Finland for a holiday and try to put everything felty aside. Back to felting in September.
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
What is a good fair?
Just before my largest craft fair of the year I started to ponder on the subject :) Why I need a fair at all and what is a good one?
At first it's of course fun and excitement! Meeting people, getting their reaction, making new acquaintances or friends (even better).
But from practical point of view? What's in it for me?
- I could sell things which I do not sell through Internet. They are bulky or heavy like pictures and cushions or I do not know how advertise them properly like fish. I still want to make them and the fairs provide opportunities of sales.
- Felt is difficult media, it's much easier to sell in real.
- Not only to sell but to attract attention of "important" people like those who run shops, galleries and other craft events. You may not even know about them and it could be more difficult to get into uninvited.
- Spread the word about yourself especially if you make something unusual. I become known as "a fish lady" :)!
- Advertise your classes if you teach. I've got one fantastic student for the fish course!
All these points above may be hard to estimate in money equivalent so let's talk profit!
What fair is good in profits? How to calculate it?
1. Put all the expenses together. Everyone could get it different and it very much depends on the particular fair, but general points are: - the cost of the stand.
- if the fair is far away - the traveling and accommodation cost. In my case I need to include the cost of my husband's day away of job because I do not drive and anyway I need his help for a large shows.
- comparing to Internet sale there are extra expenses for staging the stand. They could be one-off (table covers) or regular like extra packaging.
2. Put your sale profit together.
3. Now it's a tricky one. I know a lot of people consider a fair to be a successful one if #2 is more than #1. Not exactly.
I do sell through Internet and in a real shop. If I was to sell there (not at fairs) I would avoid all expenses #1 but will lose 35-40% of commissions. So I deduct say 30% of my profits #2, then deduct expenses of #1. If the result is more then zero I am in profit! How much it's to everyone to decide!
To finish on a lighter note I'll show one of a few cushions ready for the fair. Hope to sell it and make some profit :)!
At first it's of course fun and excitement! Meeting people, getting their reaction, making new acquaintances or friends (even better).
But from practical point of view? What's in it for me?
- I could sell things which I do not sell through Internet. They are bulky or heavy like pictures and cushions or I do not know how advertise them properly like fish. I still want to make them and the fairs provide opportunities of sales.
- Felt is difficult media, it's much easier to sell in real.
- Not only to sell but to attract attention of "important" people like those who run shops, galleries and other craft events. You may not even know about them and it could be more difficult to get into uninvited.
- Spread the word about yourself especially if you make something unusual. I become known as "a fish lady" :)!
- Advertise your classes if you teach. I've got one fantastic student for the fish course!
All these points above may be hard to estimate in money equivalent so let's talk profit!
What fair is good in profits? How to calculate it?
1. Put all the expenses together. Everyone could get it different and it very much depends on the particular fair, but general points are: - the cost of the stand.
- if the fair is far away - the traveling and accommodation cost. In my case I need to include the cost of my husband's day away of job because I do not drive and anyway I need his help for a large shows.
- comparing to Internet sale there are extra expenses for staging the stand. They could be one-off (table covers) or regular like extra packaging.
2. Put your sale profit together.
3. Now it's a tricky one. I know a lot of people consider a fair to be a successful one if #2 is more than #1. Not exactly.
I do sell through Internet and in a real shop. If I was to sell there (not at fairs) I would avoid all expenses #1 but will lose 35-40% of commissions. So I deduct say 30% of my profits #2, then deduct expenses of #1. If the result is more then zero I am in profit! How much it's to everyone to decide!
To finish on a lighter note I'll show one of a few cushions ready for the fair. Hope to sell it and make some profit :)!
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Chrismas Craft Fayre. Some afterthoughts
I took part in my first Craft Fair last Saturday. I mean - as a felter and on my own. I've left it rather late so when this village fair came up (it was their first year) I grabbed the palce immediately.
In general it was a good and pleasant experience. Venue was warm, light and suitable decorated, stuff was very helpful and everything was arranged nicely. (Thank you, Ruth!). Fellow crafters were very friendly and quite a lot of local people turned up. Here are the pictures of my stall. Unfortunately my camera is out of order at the moment so I'd to use the old one hence poor quality pictures, sorry!
I've sold quite a few items so it was fine from this side too. But still there were some disappointing things and it seems they are general and regular for practically every fair or show which are not large scale craft shows:
- the buyers of my staff were mainly friends, friends of friends, members of stuff and other makers. General publc - very few.
- people attending were not ready to pay more than ...The most of my items were out of that range even if I was selling them cheaper than usually in the shop.
- the majority of visitors had no idea about felt, what was this "fabric" and so on... I am thinking about doing demonstration next time!
All this is quite understandable, but still frustrating. I need to think it over and learn the lesson.
Hope you have nice time with your fairs if you are taking part in any!
In general it was a good and pleasant experience. Venue was warm, light and suitable decorated, stuff was very helpful and everything was arranged nicely. (Thank you, Ruth!). Fellow crafters were very friendly and quite a lot of local people turned up. Here are the pictures of my stall. Unfortunately my camera is out of order at the moment so I'd to use the old one hence poor quality pictures, sorry!
 |
| Chrismas Craft Fayre - Getting ready |
 |
| Chrismas Craft Fayre - In process |
I've sold quite a few items so it was fine from this side too. But still there were some disappointing things and it seems they are general and regular for practically every fair or show which are not large scale craft shows:
- the buyers of my staff were mainly friends, friends of friends, members of stuff and other makers. General publc - very few.
- people attending were not ready to pay more than ...The most of my items were out of that range even if I was selling them cheaper than usually in the shop.
- the majority of visitors had no idea about felt, what was this "fabric" and so on... I am thinking about doing demonstration next time!
All this is quite understandable, but still frustrating. I need to think it over and learn the lesson.
Hope you have nice time with your fairs if you are taking part in any!
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