We want to know! Share with the community how your business did in 2009 and if you are making changes for 2010 based on that.
0
0
0
0
0
Innovations Studio
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 05:36 pm EST
I do a limited number of shows each year but in a variety of venues. A surprising number of bigger events did not do well for me while some new ones did far better than expected. However, my traditional shows maintained their stability, though numbers were down. One notable remark I received over and again: "You are practically the only REALLY original craft here". I take this as an important message to promoters. As for 2010...I'm continuing with the stable venues and adding some in a slightly different different geographic area...also not necessarily going with the biggest available. There will be more fine art in my booth (I design and paint illustrated barnwood signs & mobiles and do polymer clay sculpture including hand-built music boxes, figures and marbles) in the form of Art Trading Cards, smallWORKS and table-top paintings and drawings. And, without exception I will demonstrate.
0
0
0
0
0
[removed]
Friday, February 5, 2010 12:06 pm EST
Last year my sales were good til the end of September. After that they took a nose dive and didn't get any better with the Christmas season. This year I am dropping most of my small shows and investing in bigger shows. What I pay for four small shows (since the prices seem to be going up this year) I can invest in larger shows where there are more people. No guarantee I'll do any better but getting older has a tendency to slow a person down!
I'm also doing more established flea markets this year. The fees are smaller and its a more relaxed atmosphere for my nerves! I'm working toward a less stressful year so I can get back to painting. My jewelry business is doing well considering so many are making jewelry now but, I have the itch to do something more for myself. It just seems like a good time to expand my horizons!
0
0
0
0
0
Poetic Earth Designs
Monday, February 8, 2010 02:56 am EST
I had possibly the best year of my life in 2009 ! I design and copyright my items but I also have several people working under me . I kept prices low and expanded into new areas and new shows (REN Fair's for the 1st time) that paid handsome dividends . I avoided areas that had a bad economy / high unemployment or recent mass layoff's . I did my "homework" and made sure I picked events in very well to do wealthy states with a highly edjucated upwardly mobile community . No disrespect intended but its impossible to make a living at the shows that draw welfare mothers and unemployed with the promise of free music and other perks that don't require money or some previous university studies. -At least for what I sell .
I do over 38 shows per year (10 years and still going) and spend at least 8 months of every year on the road. I have stuck with shows that had few or no competing sellers of my items(in most cases I am the only seller). I have stuck with extra large well established events with a superior track record nad management . Half of my handmade stuff sells for around $30.00 - $60.00 so its easy to sell many of them as so long as the QUALITY of the promoter remains top-notch. I am planning on expanding for 2010 . STICK WITH THE TOP END SHOWS . THERE IS A REASON WHY THEY COST MORE,YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR(Most of the time) .
0
0
0
0
0
Kpughdesigns
Monday, February 8, 2010 10:06 pm EST
I truly handmake my entire line, I don't have help, other than my husband that is my rodie. We are seriously rethinking how we do shows. We ususally do over 50 shows per year, but our sales were not what they should have been last year. Shows that have been good inthe past were flat and not good enough to carry all the bad shows that we encountered. I have not done a show since Christmas, and do not have anything scheduled until March. I am hopeful that new products and a more select group of shows will be better for 2010
0
0
0
0
0
CJ's Southern BBQ Catering
Friday, February 26, 2010 08:51 pm EST
We are still roughly new to the market and did not do as well as we should have, due to the fact we didn't have anyone to give us any advice on how and where to provide our services
0
0
0
0
0
Moving Grounds Cafe
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 07:57 am EDT
I'm a mobile coffee vendor - weekdays at a commuter rail station 4:30 am - 9:30 am. That part of my business is MUCH less than anticipated. With less people working, more people tele-working, and discretionary spending at an all time low, I'm hurting big time. Fall had some good weekend festivals, but the harsh winter had none. Hoping for a BIG spring 2010!
