I got accepted to my first juried show!

[Char Ouellette]

Well I applied for my first show...a juried show at the Sister's Harvest Festival Oct. 11-12. I got accepted!

Wow now what?... I am a little scared because it has an average attendance of 15,000.

I just purchased my canopy, folding six foot tables, some displays ( I am going to use my plastic carrying boxes for risers), I am checking into a vinyl banner for the valance of the canopy etc. and table cloths. I think I will have posters made of some of my best sellers too.

I need to do some research on credit card facilitators. I have heard ProPay is good (any suggestions are welcome).

So much to think of! I would love any tips, guidance or advice from all of you seasoned show pros!

Here is some info on Oregon events:

[Char Ouellette]

Oh...I forgot to wish you luck with your show!

[Char Ouellette]

Artsfarm you are awesome! Thanks for taking the time to note all of this info for me. You are very kind and I really appreciate the help. You should write a book!

This is my very first show...and a juried show. I feel honored to be accepted and want to make a good showing. I bought a King Canopy and two six foot tables from Costco. Layout is still something I am worried about so your suggestions make me realize I should pick up one or two 4 ft. tables as well. I plan on using some of my plastic tubs that I carry things in as risers to get different levels and some height, (duct taped down). I think I will use black tableclothes (I love black with silver) and maybe table runners for interest.

How do you store your cash? I have been told to keep it on your body if possible. I was thinking if I could keep prices at even dollars I might be able to avoid change. Maybe price at say 14.50 and tell the customer I will round it to 14.00 for you. They are getting a deal and I do not have to make small change.

I need to get banners made and cannot find the height of my valance on the canopy I bought. (Do not want to take it out again. I want one across the front on the outside valance that says "STERLING SILVER JEWELRY". Then I want one of my Etsy banner with my web address for the back wall. I am going to make posters of some of my jewelry for the walls so those people standing back can see what I have and maybe then approach.

Well off to make some jewelry! Thanks again!!!!!

I had thought about bringing my small torch and doing lampwork demos but that may be too much for my first show. I will however have my silver and be making chainmaille. (I need to be busy anyway). I purchased "Ultimate guide to your profitable jewelry booth" by Rena Klingenberg, and it is a big help.

[artsfarm]

Is it your first show, or your first juried one, Char?
No sweat, really. I've been doing them for many years, and never tire of them, the outdoor ones at least. The indoor ones can be boring sometimes, unless they're big established ones.

I'm doing one on Saturday, the 'Monroe Cheese Festival'. An annual thing, and averages about 30,000 people. The great thing about large shows is your day goes fast, and you will make most of your money in the first 2 hours, and then again toward the end of the day. On Sundays, you will get a bit of a rush from those getting out of church and also people who are cruising around, especially if it's nice out.

Some things to remember that may seem obvious, but still worth keeping in mind are:

-Don't forget a chair (I've done this twice, and it's not fun!)

-Bring lots of drinks & snacks. You won't be able to leave your spot and if you don't have a helper, it stinks.

-Don't be afraid to ask people to keep their food/drinks away from the table, as well as their kids. Just do it politely. I've seen way too many things get broken by unattended children and 90% of the time, the parents just grab them and walk away.

-Wear comfortable clothing, and in layers as it will get warmer as the day goes on. Also, comfortable shoes.

-Bring lots of change, $1, $5, $10. You won't need it so much as the day goes on, but in the morning, it's a must.

-If there's something you can work on while you're there, it attracts attention and gets conversation going.

-Try to set up your area with a natural walkway, so people will come in one direction, pass everything and leave on the opposite side. It's easier to keep an eye on things, and also it feels 'comfortable' for them because stores are set up that way. Right=in, left=out. A "U" shape works well, with the opening of the "U" at the entrance and you at the back of it.

-Also, if you have a 10'x10' space, place one smaller table at the front of the square with inexpensive, but attractive items, anything to grab their attention as they walk by. With that many customers you'll also have a lot of vendors and you want to stand out as much as possible.

-Check where the most traffic will be coming from, and angle your displays toward that direction. It will enable people to see your things before they're right in front of your booth.

-I haven't used ProPay yet, but did check into it a while back, and it's what I'll be using when the time comes. It's cheaper than most of them out there, and I've heard good things from people who use it. I also really like the portable processing unit they have where you can enter the card info over the phone and everything's done on the spot as opposed to waiting until you get home.

-If there's no live music, bring a portable CD player or radio. It creates a mood, and entertains you at the same time :-)

-Use props, maybe tree branches, artificial flowers, large shells, anything nice. I have realistic looking grapevines that I pin to the edges of the tables at this time of year, with dark green tablecloths. It looks great and it attracts attention which gets people looking at the merchandise.

-Oh! Very important: have a mirror for them to see how the jewelry looks on. Another thing I've forgotten once in a while.

-Bring an 'emergency kit'--Pins, string, scissors, extra price tags, ruler, pen, your sales book, extra business cards, tape, bags, whatever else you think you may need and keep it handy.

-Get an inexpensive journal or small notebook and make a little sign telling people to sign up for your mailing list so you can tell them about where you'll be next, sales, new items, etc. You can also ask them to jot down their preferences in color, style, or if they're looking for something in particular.

I know there's more, but that's all I can think of right now. I'll update if I come up with anything else. You'll be fine, these things can be great fun and you make money at the same time :-)