A couple of weeks ago I hosted a trunk sale in my home. I had mentioned it here on AFI and Connie mentioned blogging about it so here I am. Specifically Connie had suggested blogging trunk sale vs. a craft show. This is my first blog here so try to be forgiving if I don't pull it off well.
I have been doing my craft, making travertine tile coasters, trivets and plaques for 3 years this month. I actually got into this coaster business somewhat accidentally. I had taken a class to learn how to make coasters in December 2012 and ended up with 2 sets to give as gifts. When delivering a set to my nail technician, one of her other clients asked whether I sell the coasters. Up to that point, just a week or so after the class, it was nothing more than a new hobby and skill set. But I said yes and the rest, they say, is history. BTW are live in Houma, LA, about an hour out of New Orleans.
In the spring of 2013 I did some very small shows. They were mostly local shows. My first show was at a church. It was a place to get my feet wet and test the waters. I had NO idea what to expect. Our tent was one we had already at our home. We pieced together the rest of it---tables, table covers, backdrop, and so on---mostly using what we had already. Surprisingly we enjoyed it and made a little money! I say "we" because my husband and daughter make up my support team.
Dh works for food and the freedom to walk around and chat up the other artists and crafters once we are set up. At least until time to tear down. DD works is smart and works on commission. They both help with set up and tear down. I could not do shows without their help. Daughter is actually pretty good at selling my work and even trying to upsell.
We have pretty much gotten a system down for setting up from a tarp covered by turf (outdoor shows) to the tent, pipe and drape system, table coverings, product placement in the booth, and so on. We pretty much have our duties divided up on how many of us are needed for the particular task, the degree of difficulty, and how many of us are available for set up ... dh and me, or all three of us.
We have come a long way in better understanding what shows to pick for us and our products. We have progressed to bigger shows in our area. We are limited in how far we can travel due to owning a brick and mortar store in our town. We have traveled up to about 2 hours one way for a show. We have not done any of the nationally known shows that are presented and discussed here. We have applied to a couple of more regionally or nationally known but have yet to make the first cut.
The things I have mentioned are to help anyone reading this to better understand where we started and where we are now.
The trunk show I did this year was actually my 2nd annual trunk show. It is a one girl show, just me. My trunk sales runs the Saturday of Black Friday weekend through the following Tuesday. I set up in our home and it has run for a few hours each day. Once it is set up it stays set up till it's over. I have products in the living/dining room, den, and last year I had some set up in the enclosed patio.
I generally do not make up extra product for this event. The only time I do is if some of my best sellers are sold out. This event is meant to help move out product left over from the year. I had one table with mark downs. The rest was regular prices for craft shows. Besides my travertine coasters, trivets, and plaques I had some home décor that I had painted. This year was the first time I have offered the home décor.
I have our home decorated for Christmas. This means that we get our tree on Thanksgiving day and get it and our home decorated by Friday evening. I also have to get product set up as well. It makes for a packed couple of days. As far as time goes I am considering getting our tree on Wednesday if I continue to do this. It will allow me a little breathing room as far as decorating.
Hours for the Trunk Sale
Saturday, 10:00-2:00
Sunday, 4:00-6:00
Monday & Tuesday, 5:00-8:00
On Sunday I work the hours around the New Orleans Saints because so many people watch the game. This year they played at noon local time so that is why I set the hours later. I had it in the evening on Monday and Tuesday to allow people to come by straight from work.
I usually serve light refreshments. It is usually something that our family would eat in case it is not eaten up by the customers.
Advertisement has usually been email and Facebook announcements, and word of mouth. Since I am doing this in my home I am not to the point yet of just inviting total strangers. Now if a friend I've invited brings a friend of hers that I don't know that is okay.
This year I added an incentive to my invitations. I told invitees that if they brought a friend they would get a free gift valued at $5.00. It cost me about $1.00-$1,50 in materials to make it. It is junior legal pad that I cover with double sided heavy card stock that is printed on both sides. I can get the junior legal pads in bundles and the same for the cardstock from the scrapbooking dept. at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. If invitees RSVP for a certain day and attend on that day they were offered a 10% discount.
Though I did allow RSVP's that garnered a discount for the customers, it was really set up as a come and go thing. No appointment or RSVP required.
I did a little better last year than this year as far a $$. The economy is harder hit this year more than last. I believe that had something to do with it. I made as much last year as I do in some shows but did not have to pay a booth fee, hotel, or meals out! This year was not as good but still made $$ so I was happy.
I find it easier to set up because I don't have to travel. I also don't have to tear down while tired. I can save tearing down till Wednesday morning. Due to having a retail store that we cannot leave at this time of year, it gives me the opportunity to have something similar to a show without the travel by myself.
In all honesty the shopping was sporadic, a few here or there. I am considering condensing it down to one day. I am thinking about having it on Saturday only next year like from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Possibly I might have it on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM. I am also thinking that next year I may have it the first weekend of December. It would allow them to get paid on December 1st, and for payroll on Friday. I am thinking that by condensing it down to one day that it gives the impression of scarcity ... that they don't have the option to shop another day. I feel like I could help me concentrate better on a better experience.
A friend of mine is having one on December 19. She is a canvas artist. I am probably going to attend and try to support her. I also want to see if I can learn anything for next year's trunk sale.
If any of this is not clear or you have questions about things I tried or did, please feel free to ask or make comments.
Comments
Thank you. I don't know what I'd do if I had no place to store my back stock. I understand wanting it to look a certain way but for some, it does not work. :(
It does look very clean and neat. I currently use skirted tables, too, but got the feedback that the promoters want it to look like a little boutique with no tables, no skirts, just pedestals where you can display. Ah me!
Kathleen,
Thanks for the clarification. I am in the deep south, along the gulf coast. Whether those in high end shows will like it or not, I don't know. But I have gotten lots of compliments on it. I do need the table covers, which go to the floor BTW. I use the underside of the tables to house my backstock. There is not enough room behind my check out table to do this. In fact, in quite a few applications and informational sheets applicants are encouraged to keep the booth clean and neat without extra backstock showing.
I am including a photo here. It is a mock up that I use for apps when a booth shot is required. This arrangement has never been rejected with one exception and that organizer was an outlier. All the other artists and crafters loved my booth. I did not take it down completely. I just took out the first 5 feet of pipe and drape on each side. The other artists and crafters were aghast that the organizer wanted ALL taken down. She was a real piece of work. Needless to say we are not doing her show again.
Hi Cindy,
I haven't seen your booth picture. Do you have a website where I can look? I have discovered that many of the higher end juries here in the mid-west do not like table covers or drapey things. I am in the process of making new displays myself that don't use table covers, and I have been swagging curtains across the back and sides of my tent. Don't know yet if that will be an issue, too. It's hard to manage all of the expectations. I wasn't trying to criticize your booth display in any way, but because of my own experience was suggesting that it may not be your artwork that's inhibiting.
Kathleen, thank you for your input. I have read about high end shows here at AFI. None of them are close to where we live. We can travel up to about 2 hours one way for shows. I have not read of any high end shows that close. We live about an hour southwest of New Orleans along the gulf of Mexico. I have found a few good shows (I know that is a relative term) that I am happy with. I am applying to a new one for the spring. Will see how it goes. Hoping I get in because it does seem like a good show with quality artists and crafters.
You mentioned possibly my booth is keeping me out. Have you seen photos of my current booth? The one using black table covers and honey colored drapes
Thanks again for your input.
Thanks Sandra.
Hi Cindy. I make jewelry, specifically wire-wrap, and metal clay. My husband and his best buddy are lapidaries and cut beautiful stones. His buddy's wife does enameling, beading and cold connections. We do home shows each year, one in our part of town and one in his. We have done this for 8 years or so, and we have always made some money, some years more than others. This year was really nice, lots of orders. I think you have a great thing going. I agree with you that you could compact your show/hours, and I think it's really smart to keep an eye on the football game times. We have to be careful about Colts games, too. We started out serving more complicated food items, and have settled on hot cider and apples, and pumpkin bread! Those were consistently the only things we offered that were eaten!
As far as being a crafter vs artist, I have come to the conclusion that I am an artisan. Even though I only use precious metals, my jewelry is never going to be viewed in the same way as people look at the jewelry made with saws and solder. I feel the rub, especially when it comes to jurying into more famous shows. I have to be careful where we go. Most times we don't do well at jury by check shows, or church sales, but I'm proud to have offer a more affordable piece of jewelry. I take pride in the quality of my work. I think that you can, too. It may be that your booth design is holding you back from the higher end shows, not your work. Sorry for running on.
Re: artists v. craftsmen. I am both a fine craftswoman (collage art clothing) and a painter (photorealism as well as intricate design). I believe than a fine artist must be a good craftsman and that a fine craftsman must have an artistic spirit to create beautiful work. I take great pride in being part of a tradition that stretches back 4000 years. Good work done well brings great joy to both the creator and the person who possesses the art. Pat yourself on the back, Cindy.
Tina, sounds like a fun event.
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