FN Community Forum: Working at Shows

Teak 22

Mileage Deductions

What do you use for recording mileage? I find the new auto mileage apps aren’t flexible enough to track all the miles over a few days from start to finish for each show. I had an app that let me manually record beginning mileage and ending mileage but it was recently discontinued. I’ve looked at several other apps but they aren’t good for people who go to shows, stay a few days and then return back from the show. I’m quite frustrated because I’ve actually started just recording mileage in my notes and calculating mileage myself. Time consuming to say the least! Any suggestions from any of you in the same situation? Thanks! 🙋‍♀️

• Latest reply 2 years ago by Big Bayou Cocktail Sauce

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FestivalNet

The Working at Shows Forum

This forum is a place to discuss the world of owrking at festivals and special events. Feel free to add a post, add a topic or suggest a new forum category.

• Latest reply 5 years ago by Festive Rock

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Angel Whip Skin Care

Credit card processing

Hi, Just starting out. Spoke with 1st national processing today. Like what the rep had to say. Has anyone used this company for credit card processing? If so, do you like the product and customer service? Blessings.

• Latest reply 5 years ago by B'Z Wood Works

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Paparazzi Jewelry by Krista

$5 Paparazzi Jewelry & Accessories

Best practices when you become a consultant with us is to always ask the event if there is going to be another consultant there. It is not in the best interest that our sisters are in competition with one another. - Love Independent Consultant 180858

• Posted 6 years ago by Paparazzi Jewelry by Krista

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Farrell & Associates, Inc.

Setting up a booth

We've been planning our first show for some time and feel like we're ready to experience the ups and downs, expected and unexpected and earn income. Our first question is: is it generally more profitable to display inside or outside? We have a 10' x 10' canopy to protect from sun and mild wet weather. Question #2: Do most or all shows allow you to drive up to your booth to load and unload? Our canopy weighs 65# and we have 2-3 tables and 4-6 chairs along with inventory. Our inventory is not the problem in transporting to the booth, it's the heavier and awkward set up items. Quetion #3: We made four 45# weights by partially filling up 5# buckets with concrete and setting an eyebolt in the middle. We can tether the canopy with tight bungee cords or rope. How often do you experience wind issues that could blow your canopy away? What are your experiences with this issue? We'll save Questions #4+ for later.

• Latest reply 6 years ago

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Crow and Dagger

Advice needed! Newbie! ♥

Hi, I set up at my first event yesterday and although turnout was low (bad weather) I did sell a lot of items and generated some interest but I need some advice please: I was shocked and angered that so many parents allowed their children to run into my booth, grab my items, and act like they were in a toy store! My items are fragile and very delicate. One woman even brought her dog in on a leash and he jumped up, put his front paws on my table, and the whole thing began to shake. I was terrified it was going to fall over! I didn't want to get angry and insult customers but I was fuming. How should I handle this for my next show? Should I make up signs? Thanks so much for your help and have a great day! :)

• Latest reply 7 years ago by Claire Cummings

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Judys Jewelry Basket

How much inventory do I take?

I make custom crafted jewelry and will be attending a two day Avant-Garde art and craft show soon. My question is if the traffic in this show is typically 15k or more, how many pieces shod I take? Each vendor is allocated to a 6' table for display. My thoughts are to set up my table and do a dry run at home and then pack an extra box of inventory of backup. Is 50 items on the table too much.....not enough?? All advice is appreciated.

• Latest reply 8 years ago by Judys Jewelry Basket

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Turned Wood Design

Lodging or camping

I am wondering what most folks do for multi day shows...stay in hotels or stay in a campground? I have a vw camper available and am used to living in small spaces after living on a boat for years? Thoughts? Thanks, Dave

• Latest reply 10 years ago by By the River Designs LLC

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Turned Wood Design

Does being the odd man out at a show work?

I happened to be at a large show on the 4rth of July today. Perhaps 140 "craft booths" though fully 1 in 4 were henna tattooists, lots of cheap asian stuff, maybe 2 booths of honest craft work. I was just walking it, not selling. I noticed although the craft booths were numerous and seemed to be doing brisk sales they had no bearing at all on what I do. Has anyone tried selling at a show like this where you were the odd man out? Did you find it worked because you were unique? Or did you get ignored because you were out of synch with the tone of the show? Dave

• Latest reply 10 years ago by Festivalnet.Com - Asheville

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Round2it Amusements LLC

Warning to Promoters

Large Amusement Company who steal We are a small 1 ride Amusement Company. Recently asked by Lazurus Fernandez owner of Spotlight Amusements of Florida to bring our ride to a Festival they had an exclusive on. We had to take Spotlights tickets which we were to turn in at the end of the show for our payment. Bottom line 3 weeks later we still have not been paid and either has the promoter. Spotlight Amusements has, according to the Better Business Bureau and Rip Off .com a habit of not paying Charities, Civic Organizations and promoters who hire them. Now he is not paying other Amusement companies who work for him. Please warn others before they learn a costly lesson.

• Latest reply 10 years ago by JCR Entertainment

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Round2it Amusements LLC

Large Amusement Company who steal

We are a small 1 ride Amusement Company. Recently asked by Lazurus Fernandez owner of Spotlight Amusements of Florida to bring our ride to a Festival they had an exclusive on. We had to take Spotlights tickets which we were to turn in at the end of the show for our payment. Bottom line 3 weeks later we still have not been paid and either has the promoter. Spotlight Amusements has, according to the Better Business Bureau and Rip Off .com a habit of not paying Charities, Civic Organizations and promoters who hire them. Now he is not paying other Amusement companies who work for him. Please warn others before they learn a costly lesson. Fernandez and Spotlight give everyone a bad name in this business.

• Posted 10 years ago by Round2it Amusements LLC

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Occasionography by Toni

Electricity at outside shows?

I am all new to this, I have done a few inside flea markets and electricity was available. However, before you know it, the spring will be here and I would like to do some outside flea markets. I would like to know when vendors do outside shows, where do you get electrcity to hook-up their machines or computers? Do they bring a generators? Thanking you all in advance for your helpful answers.

• Latest reply 10 years ago by Little Apple MT LLC

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CHEF ON 4 WHEELS

Concession Trailer or Booth

Hi Everyone , I am new food vendor in festivals and shows.After I reviewed the festivals or shows web site I saw that " booth for food vendor"but I bought 18ft trailer how can I attend the event with the trailer?I think they gave only booths for food vendors.Please any advice is thankful. All The Best , Ahmet

• Latest reply 10 years ago by Kandu Jos'

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Joni James Creations

Tents

I've been selling my products at fairs and festivals for about one year. I have recently started applying for juried shows, but I've noticed that many vendors at the juried shows have these large white fancy tents. If I need to purchase one of these tents down the road, where do I get them?

• Latest reply 10 years ago

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Sean McDevitt

Advice Needed

I'm new to FNO, and have a general question about being specific. Yes, you read that right. I'm a self-published author testing the arts & crafts festival waters; I'm finding the navigation of this site to be a bit of a challenge. How can I narrow my searches down to include results that only match festivals that are open to writers/authors? Thanks.

• Posted 11 years ago by Sean McDevitt

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Billerica

Do I belong here?

All I make and sell is crocheting items. Is this the place I should be? If not can anyone tell me where to find craft fairs in Ma?? Thank you, Vickik

• Latest reply 11 years ago by Reyerware Jewelry Designs

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Jill Newton

Orders vs on site products

Hey everyone. I am just starting out with Art/craft fairs. I make personalized gifts. My vinyl cutting machine takes power and I don't have a large supple of on hand blank mats. Would it be best for me to make the idea on site or to have order forms to order and I will stipple the next week? My first fair is coming up and it is a small local one. Please help.

• Latest reply 11 years ago by Festivalnet.Com - Asheville

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Vjmoore

Looking for a craftshow/festival buddy in Houston Tx

I just moved to Houston, Tx from out of state. I am looking for someone to share booth space with. email hscrystals@yahoo.com if you're interested.

• Posted 11 years ago by Vjmoore

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Lilla Rose Independent Consultant

Anyone Looking for a New Product to Sell?

Hi Everyone! I am an independent consultant for Lilla Rose, which sells patented hair clips. The products are great and I am looking to build my team. Here are some aspects of the opportunity. - No minimums - No monthly fees - Sell as much as you want - Your own replicated website - Sell in person or online (or both) - Start up packages from $49.95 - Build a team and earn a percentage of their sales Please check out my website for details: http://www.lillarose.biz/forgettheclaw

• Latest reply 11 years ago by Angela Standbridge

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[removed]

War Eagle Fair

Can anyone tell me if you get electricity with your booth at the War Eagle Fair?

• Posted 11 years ago

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Billerica

newbie

I am not sure if I belong here. After reading some posts, I see that there are a lot of venders that have stands and such. I only do crafts such as crocheting hats, hand towels, Christmas stockings. Therefore I was looking for some craft fairs around Ma. So my question is: Do I belong here? Vicki

• Latest reply 11 years ago by Suzie's Thing For Thing's

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Booktails

Sales Tax

If I am a company in Maryland(sole proprietership)and I want to do a craft show in PA or any state but Maryland how does collecting sales tax work