Hi everyone! My name is Mary Beth and I am relatively new to the creative lifestyle and the arts and craft show circuit.
I am a realtor by trade and was feeling very burned out a couple years back. My 10 year old twin boys were pestering me to do a craft project with them that involved pulling out an old garage sale sewing machine that I barely knew how to use. After struggling through a couple projects I found I loved sewing. I bought my first bag pattern and the rest is history.
I am a full-time "maker" with a part-time assistant and have participated in about a dozen shows. I have done the majority of my sales on Etsy but that has really slowed down this Summer.
Somehow I was accepted into the Chautauqua Crafts Alliance Inc. show here in my hometown with 70 other artisans from all over the U.S. I was honored to have been selected and it was my best show to date.
I was just accepted to Christmas in the Woods in Columbiana, OH. This is not a fine arts show but a well-known and extremely busy one none the less.
I am in the process of improving my booth display to improve the chances of getting in to some other events in the NY, PA, OH areas. I also am at the point of needing a better form of transportation as my inventory grows.
Thanks for reading this (if you are still with me) and I am so excited to learn the ins and outs from some talented and experienced individuals.
~Mary Beth
Replies
HI Mary Beth and welcome! With each sale of our work comes the gratification that we seek as an artist or crafter. It validates each of us and that is what keeps us going. Doesn't it feel great?
Thank you all for the very warm welcome.
I am loving the direct interaction and feedback from customers. I could never sell exclusively online because I would never see any other humans. :) I've been in sales and customer service my whole working life and this is by the far the most fun I have ever had while on the job. It's addictive.
I just booked our rooms for the two weekend show I am doing in Ohio in October. Makes me feel more legit and that this is an actual career and not just a hobby.
My twins will be 13 this year and a lot easier to manage than when they were little. We have a great support system here so when I will need to travel for shows with my husband, his parents are willing to take them. They are even driving to the Ohio show with them and spending the night as a fun treat. My whole family is so happy for me. Makes life a lot easier.
Here are a couple shots of my work. Thanks again. ~Mary Beth
Img001_2774x3590.jpg
crossbodysmall.jpg
Welcome Mary Beth, it is good to have you here. Sewing is a long lost art. I was a Home Ec. teacher and I used to sew everything I wore. I don't do that anymore but not because I don't love to sew. There are just too many things to occupy our time these days. I have a very old sewing machine and how to buy a really nice one when we start having grandkids. However, it is a rare thing to find someone who can sew very well anymore. I will have to look at your Etsey page.
I hope you will join us in the forums here so we can get to know you.
So pleased to have you join us, Mary Beth, and I look forward to your participation. We love to hear the "growing pains" as people get acclimated to this business. Selling on etsy is one thing, getting out there with the public and meeting them is another. How wonderful for you that you were in Chautauqua, one of my favorite shows, lovely setting and intelligent visitors who "get" it.
Can you post a piece or two of your work?
I'm thinking those twins are older now and freeing you up to move around ...?
Welcome aboard from a long time exhibitor. It's nice to see another north easterner. Study the people, study the conversations. You'll learn a lot. I've been doing shows for a number of years now and I learn something new every day.