I'd love some feedback from anyone, everyone! My husband and I set up at the Sylvania, Ohio Chamber of Commerce's Art and Craft show on Sept 11th, 2011. Our first show!! Obviously exciting for me and he was a great supporter / helper!
I selected this for my first show because it's small and would be a great learning adventure. It was that and more. I didn't know there were that many things to learn.....
One learning is that people want to see what you have to sell without having to work at it! I need to revamp the displays to make sure I don't overwhelm people with too many items that don't stand out much when someone is waltzing past the booth. Other learning is to have more focus. I think I had too diverse of an offering.
People didn't even browse the earrings, somehow those got lost in the shuffle. Although they're not my main focus, I do make them to match the pendants! I received plenty of comments about how clever, cute, unusual, blah,blah my items were but darned if we barely sold enough to cover the cost of the show! Midway through the show we moved the smaller tables out further into the walkway so that people could look without entering the booth. Also near the end of the show I lowered prices (even tho they're very reasonable already) just to see if that was a contributor to the low number of purchases... it didn't have an impact.
Ideas I've had since include featuring matching sets of pendants and earrings on a pedestal, listing the components used to construct the jewelry (as in Swarovski Crystal), and then offering the pendants separate from the chains so that people look at the item more closely and the clutter of the chains would be eliminated.
Would love your comments, thoughts, see attached pics! Thanks!
Comments
I have found also, that the best advice is given to me by artists not in my medium...because we compete in a way. But I have read in other blogs...don't lower your pricing...so I agree w/ Diane. People may pass by even when something isn't priced high enough as they "perceive" that it's cheap or imported. I don't sell a pendant/necklace for less than $20...you have to cover your booth fees and think about how your going to support investing more into your displays. I struggle with pricing because my art comes naturally to me...and I am always so surprised that people are willing to pay me for doing what I love...and paying me much more than I think it should sell for.
you've got enough talent to make it into the show...price it like it's special and one of a kind...you might see sales INCREASE....(and....I'm telling myself this as I'm writing to you...). Sometimes I put a ridiculous price on a piece, maybe 4x the amount I think it should be....and guess which piece sells? that one. I've lowered prices from one show to the next...and as you mentioned above...it doesn't seem to matter. I bring sets of items...and they want the one stupid coaster I made...or that one in blue without green. My next show, I'm going to bring less...and bring photos on my laptop...run a slide show...because I never seem to have "there" at my mobile boutique/tent the one thing they're looking for.
Here is my 2cents - I use 4 ft lifetime tables that I got at Sam's Club brought up to the full 36" height covered with fitted table cloths that go to the ground. The consistency of the look of the tables make the display look more professional. I got my table coverings at Collector's House.com on the web, but you can make them yourself. I would use frames around the foam board and I would put up curtains along your walls to break up the white walls. My large format photos I got at Vistaprint (small banner size).
My only other advice at this point is don't lower you price during a show. If you think it is too high wait until the next show to lower it. I personally don't barter - my price is my price. I work hard at coming up with a fair price that includes my time and materials.
Good luck to you. Your booth and your jewelry will grow and develop the longer you are doing shows. The important thing is that you have made the first step.
Thanks so much to everyone who commented! (You can't offend me, btw, I'm always interested in real feedback!)
I've taken your comments to heart and especially like the idea about big pics for the walls. Tablecloths to the ground is interesting -- I didn't think of that as a big deal. I'll certainly get those legs covered.
Next show is in three weeks so I have some time and given the poor sales results, I still have plenty of inventory =:) I'll post new pics after the next few shows. Thank you all! The encouragement helps so much.
I have about 4 shows under my belt...I understand how it is starting out...someone gave me this advice, and it would work for you, too. White up against the white tent tends to make your product fade into la-la land. consider getting large frames, adding d hooks on the back and hang them just as you have...but with maybe large scale black frames. You could add your "tiffany blue" fabric on top of the foamcore and then place in the frame. you should then be able to use t-pins and hang your jewelry.
I also agree with table cloths to the ground...I made mine (which wasn't very easy) out of fabric that didn't wrinkle (polyester) and left a slit in the front so I could lift and store add'l inventory underneath.
I noticed that most other jewelry tents are layed out with the tables set in about 42" from the front in a straight line or in a u-shaped table layout....they also have built boxes with a clear acrylic lid to lift up the jewelry and make a display case. they jewelry artist I know puts beans in the wood case and her jewelry on top...adds a contrast and a neat draw in to the area. She also has 8 x 10 or 11 x 17 pictures of a few pieces.
merchandising and knowing what to bring/not too much/ not enough is a constant rework and process with me...so I understand. When you look back at your first picture of your first show, you'll realize how much you learned and how far you've come. I was so proud of my booth my first show...and now looking at it...it didn't use the real estate from the table up...and looks terrible. you'll get there...
8-) merritt
another thought is to have the back closed, but if you are not have problems with wind, remove the sides - Again, each show is different with different circumstances and you will learn to evolve around each. You will also learn how much to engage people to look, especially with the side walls up. When I set up outside, I often have to have the sides up as a barrier against the wind and as people come by, just merely inviting them in and making a comment about the wind puts them at ease and they come in and shop. Like Donna said above, watch people and you will learn alot.
Close off the back - the booth/aisle behind you distracts from your work. I hope you didn't actually put your tables in the aisle! That's an aisle, not a display space. If I'm your neighbor, I'm objecting in a big hurry. Hang in there and learn from experience.
Congrats on taking the art show plunge. Get a nice little book and start an email list of the people who like your work and would like to know where else you are exhibiting (write a few names and emails so it isn't empty to start). Include lots of hand mirrors so people can admire what they've tried on. Good luck!!!
Laura.. the first one is always the hardest, but it gives you a place to start and you are on your way! I agree with the comments above including multiple levels, table coverings, etc. and you can find some really creative props at vintage and resale shops. Large pics draw people in and I think some of your pieces would look great blown up! Also, you can use some simple frames and still use the foam board concept to make those displays more finished looking. You mentioned moving your displays around to see if that helped... good for you! I constantly watch how people shop and have adjusted my displays etc. It's a really good habit to get into no matter how many shows you do.
Starting is the hardest part, but now you have a place to grow from. My first booth and my current one are miles apart!! The important thing is that your booth and designs compliment each other and it is easy to shop and inviting. Good Luck!
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