I decided to participate in my first craft show in November of 2016. It was a school show, and I enjoyed myself. That being said, I didn’t have any ready-made items, and I never did receive any orders. I was already full on Christmas orders, and I didn’t have time to take on any more. I figured I would get my orders from that school once graduation season came around.
Nope.
But it was so much fun I decided to try again in the Spring at a craft fair that was much closer to home. I did have ready-made items this time - the stadium quilts. Well, it turns out folks don’t want to buy flannel-backed quilts in weather that is in the upper 80’s F. I ended up getting only one order from that show - many months later.
But the fairs themselves were awesome! It’s an ego boost because I get to hear people gush over my work and talk about my love of quilting for a whole day! This in mind, I decided to give it one more go. There was a huge show in the fall, and I decided to try it. I would use this show as the gauge on whether or not I would keep on doing these. As fun as they were, they weren’t paying off.
Well the fall one was a completely different experience. People bought stuff! I sold three quilts along with wallets and casserole carriers! I. Was. Stoked. I’d also squeezed in another smaller show that fall, and I managed to sell the Braves quilt! So yeah, I was pretty jazzed that the fall ones had paid off after all. And the BEST part was that for both of the fall shows I had a t-shirt quilt order placed within 24 hours of the show.
This past weekend I tried another spring show, and I was floored at how well I did, especially considering the crowd was mostly my fellow church members. I wanted to cry I was so happy and honored and flattered.
Next weekend I’m going to give a craft fair another try - the same one that was so hot the year before. I have new items and am hoping that I do well. Wish me luck!
Related blogs and posts:
Craft Shows - Mi casita; Mi ranchito
Stories from a Day at a Craft Show!
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Quest Quilts 
Thank you for the link. I’ve had the vey same experience. Yesterday, I had a show at at luncheon and was quite pleased with the result. Craft shows are a little unpredictable, but I love being out there and talking to different people and crafters, and you’re right, it makes you feel so good when they compliment your work and of course it’s really nice when they buy your items.
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It’s funny isn’t it? I’ve learned I just cannot predict what will be a good and show what won’t.
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