I have had adults spill beer, ice cream and wine on my light colored table cloths, and all the while dropping my pieces. I actually get defensive when parents say "look, don't touch". For the most part, this is an example of parental laziness- if they listen, I(parent) don't have to pay attention to my kids. I ask the parents if I can speak to their kids and of course, mom and dad say yes and then lean in to hear what I say. I tell the kids, that it is o'k (with parent permission) to ask the artist if they can touch. I then take my textured pieces and help them to understand how fragile art is and how interesting texture is. We learn almost everything by our senses, mostly through touch. If we ( or parents) tell an entire generation not to touch...., not to grow to appreciate art, we will run ourselves out of customers. Using this method, I have never had a broken piece caused by a child. Now, I am sure there are those of you that shudder at the thought, but let me tell you that I make glass art, fragile glass art. I love my customers, present or future...big or small.
My husband has some tumbled stones too and lots of pieces of rough quartzes of different colors, aquamarine, emerald in matrix, you get the gist. Then he lets the kids sit on the curb or the grass to look for their stone, and shows them what the gem quality looks like after it's been cut and polished. They love it!
Absolutely true! And I remember, being a parent is a full time responsability. And I always appreciated people who would, instead of dismissing my little bundle, would try to make her a part of the experience- kids need to be included. Not dragged around, told to be quiet, and behave, all the while bored out their minds. That's when the misbehavior happens. Engage the child, teach them, and all have a better experience. At least that's my philosophy!
I am currently looking into flooring ideas for my booth. Not sure which way I am going yet...
taking suggestions!! looking for safety, comfort and above all it needs to be very portable- My subaru outback has a little room left, but not a lot!
I think that in these times when we are all looking for more business and more customers, we just need to find a way to maximize our opportunities. The "Good Old Days" are gone! Maybe we ARE saddled with the "Walmart" crowd, but we've got to learn to make lemonade and sows purses. I like the idea of kid diversions and handi wipes. I will use these in my "marketing" efforts. How about some more ideas? I also have a piece of carpeting in my booth. I put plastic under to cut down the moisture. It is an old piece, but wow do the SR's love walking into a carpeted booth!! I invite the neckbenders in for a Mai Tai in my air conditioned booth..... chuckling and smiling all the time. I remember a crap table in Vegas about 20 years ago when a guy who was dressed down was signing chits left and right. I realized then that you really can't always judge a book by it's cover.
I have a "treasure chest"
I fill it with tumbled gems, and stretchy rings I make with seed beads and a 4mm colorful glass bead- just for the kids- they love choosing their special stone or ring! My nieces like to" Help Auntie" so when they visit, we make the rings together! They get a kick out of it, and I think one will be continuing her jewelry making education- she has expressed an interest in becoming a jewelry designer!!
I often have a little box of tumbled gems and let the little ones (past the 'mouthing' stage!) sort through it for a piece of 'treasure' - they love it, I get to engage with the parents and children and the little ones hold their treasure very carefully. The parents may or may not buy but are grateful for my attention and little treat.
Oh, and there are ALWAYS kids at the shows here. About the only ones that don't have kids are the Harley Bikefest, and Like Wine & beer garden shows- I exhibit at the bikefest, but not the wine & beer fests.
We Fest just about anything here in Maine.... even have a MOXIE Fest, Whoopie Pie Fest, any excuse to fest!
6 months of cold, drear and rain, sleet, snow- so when the weather is good we party hearty here!
my jewelry booth is intriguing for all ages. I have given classes at my local library- I HAVE to put an age limit in the advert- because of the tools, but we have a lot of children in my family, (mostly female) and they all like to make jewelry, even the boys. At the classes age 10+, there were usually 3-4 boys, the same amount of girls,and several adults. And because I sit near the entrance, but off to the side in my booth, and am usually working on a commission, special order, or re-sizing something for a customer, the kids will drag the parents over to see what I'm doing. I am hyper, so I can't NOT be busy. This has even resulted in more sales for me, as the kids get to ask questions, Mom & Dad get to shop without the whineys, and the parents usually like the fact that I have taken a few minutes to educate the kids!
Most are there with their parents. However, that being said, most of my shows are out door Craft fairs, or Music Fest/ Street fairs. People from all walks of life- not just upscale Art patrons. And, not to be... mean, but there are different levels of parenting. Just visit any Wal-mart around the first of the month, and you will get the picture. I have even done a few children's fairs. Activities for the kids, Arts & Crafts shopping for Mom or Dad. These can be fun, but when the kiddies are around, it's another element you need to be aware of. I don't mind the little ones, they have a joy in life, and natural curiosity that is unique and wonderful. It's the teens that sometimes make me nervous. At my one week long event last year, there was fistfight in front of my booth! And I got hit by shoplifters at one show.
I work with silk and have several kids (most of whom are brought by their parents) visit. Many delight in running their [grubby] hands across swathes of silk scarves. I generally keep an eye out but try to be friendly about. The ones who scare me are the really young ones - 3-6 who insist on touching everything in sight. There are 50:50 odds on parents being attentive.
There are hand wipes in our booth as well. I also keep an eye on the little ones! I think I will try the let me show you how to handle approch at the next show. Then parents can shop and it may help in other's booths as well. Thanks for the tip.
Comments
I am currently looking into flooring ideas for my booth. Not sure which way I am going yet...
taking suggestions!! looking for safety, comfort and above all it needs to be very portable- My subaru outback has a little room left, but not a lot!
I fill it with tumbled gems, and stretchy rings I make with seed beads and a 4mm colorful glass bead- just for the kids- they love choosing their special stone or ring! My nieces like to" Help Auntie" so when they visit, we make the rings together! They get a kick out of it, and I think one will be continuing her jewelry making education- she has expressed an interest in becoming a jewelry designer!!
Oh, and there are ALWAYS kids at the shows here. About the only ones that don't have kids are the Harley Bikefest, and Like Wine & beer garden shows- I exhibit at the bikefest, but not the wine & beer fests.
We Fest just about anything here in Maine.... even have a MOXIE Fest, Whoopie Pie Fest, any excuse to fest!
6 months of cold, drear and rain, sleet, snow- so when the weather is good we party hearty here!
Phil,
my jewelry booth is intriguing for all ages. I have given classes at my local library- I HAVE to put an age limit in the advert- because of the tools, but we have a lot of children in my family, (mostly female) and they all like to make jewelry, even the boys. At the classes age 10+, there were usually 3-4 boys, the same amount of girls,and several adults. And because I sit near the entrance, but off to the side in my booth, and am usually working on a commission, special order, or re-sizing something for a customer, the kids will drag the parents over to see what I'm doing. I am hyper, so I can't NOT be busy. This has even resulted in more sales for me, as the kids get to ask questions, Mom & Dad get to shop without the whineys, and the parents usually like the fact that I have taken a few minutes to educate the kids!
I work with silk and have several kids (most of whom are brought by their parents) visit. Many delight in running their [grubby] hands across swathes of silk scarves. I generally keep an eye out but try to be friendly about. The ones who scare me are the really young ones - 3-6 who insist on touching everything in sight. There are 50:50 odds on parents being attentive.
There are hand wipes in our booth as well. I also keep an eye on the little ones! I think I will try the let me show you how to handle approch at the next show. Then parents can shop and it may help in other's booths as well. Thanks for the tip.
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