I was accepted into a local craft show! Thanks!
My crafts and the seller (ME) have been accepted into a local craft show. This is a juried show with about 120 booths. The show is in Wheeling, IL on Nov 11th. The promoter does a bunch of the bigger shows in our area and there are a bunch of rules to follow, i.e. 75% of what you sell must be handmade, I have to keep certain pictures at my booth, parking permits...Because I'm humble, I have to say I was probably accepted because they still had 15 booths left to fill and I paid my application fee. I hope strangers like my stuff. I'm very excited and nervous. Steve has been given the task of figuring out my display tables and booth set up. I'm sure he's really looking forward to it  (NOT!) I have a lot of crafting to do before then. Let's hope I sell everything otherwise all of you and my family members will be receiving clipboards and covered cans for many years to come 
Here's the website for the promoter if anyone is interested: http://www.stepbystepcraftshows.com |
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| Yeah! Good luck! |
| Congradulations Stacy! Your things are going to sell great! At the time of your craft show, people are in the mood to spend and you have great products to sell. A friend of my son's mother sells painted cans like yours at craft shows and e bay and does very well. You are very talented and your ideas are great! Best of luck, I'll be looking forward to hearing about how successful your booth was. GOOD LUCK! |
| Good job Stacy! I'm excited for you! |
| Good job taking the plunge, Stacy!! Your stuff is cute, and it's the right time of year for shoppers. |
Congrats! 
Have you chosen a business name yet? |
WOO HOO Well done stacy, you will do well I am sure of that, your craft is just lovely. 
Very exciting launching a new venture  |
| Good luck Stacy!!
That's really cool. I'm sure your stuff will be really popular. I'm very impressed with your diving right in. There's no time like the present. Have fun!! |
Congrats! 
How exciting!!! Good luck and I hope you sell everything. |
| Thanks everyone!
Willowsprite wrote: Congrats!
Have you chosen a business name yet? Yes, the name is Altered Art by Stacy with a subtext line of "Embellishing the Ordinary into Extraordinary for all Occassions". I'm even ordering business cards this week |
| Oooh business cards! Very exciting!
Good luck with your booth, Stacy. Your stuff is beautiful - you have a good eye for colour. I'm sure your stuff will be very popular at the show. |
| Congrats, Stacy!! Best of luck to you!! |
Way to go, Stacy!!  Congratulations! And how exciting - your first show!!  Good luck, but I'm sure you won't need it!! |
| Oooh, business cards make it official. Be sure to check the spelling, hint, hint. And Stacy, if your stuff doesn't sell at the show, I'm sure there are willing buyers here, especially if it's sheepie stuff. |
| Good for you! (so proud of you!)
For the display, think interior design. Presentation is 1/2 the battle at one of these shows. Use some very nice fabric for under and behind your items, something that highlites your work. I don't know what constraints you have for your setup, but I suggest doing a section with height where you can hang some items. Maybe a tall piece of lattice with hooks. Maybe stacked or layers of boxes in different sizes under your fabric to give your table some dimension and showcase items you can't hang. Also, practice setting up at home a couple times so you see how it goes and if there are any things you want to take along -just in case. I don't mean to bust in and tell you what to do - sorry if it sounded that way. Just passing on experience, trying to help. I am so excited for you!! Don't be discouraged at your first show, no matter what happens. Just make notes the day of so you have something for your next show. (you lose nothing by making notes and it may give you ideas for future shows/crafts.) Shellie |
| Thank you all for the vote of confidence. Shellie, your ideas are SO HELPFUL! I like the idea of draping extra fabric around the display. The booth is 8 feet x 6 feet.
My initial plan is to find nice tablecloths (WHERE?) I've asked Steve to purchase some white peg board and to hinge them together so they stand upright. We'll use some sort of hooks to hang the clipboards from the boards. Some nice fabric craped on top of the boards might look pretty. I need to find some boxes I can turn over to make different heights for the cans to sit on. I'll have some sample items to show what the items can be used for (candy, flowers, pictures, notepads...) Next, I'll need my own store! |
| You can go to places like Linens and Things or Bed Bath and Beyond, or even JC Penny and they have sales on some pretty cheap, but nice-looking, tableclothes and sheets and that sort of thing. |
| Congratulations. I really like your stuff! I tend to buy practical things. Any chance you'll be branching out into maybe trash cans with Sheepies? I might be in the market for that since I could use it in my office. So I guess I'm asking if you do custom orders and what kind of prices?
I'm sure you'll do well at the craft show. |
| I dont know if you have something like this in Chicago, but we have a fabric store here that sells fabric by weight. It ends up being way cheaper than by the yard........
By the way, Congrats!! |
| Just wanted to add here - I think doing a few trash cans is a
FAB idea. Something everyone can use - I'd buy one! Shellie |
| I wish I was that talented!!! Congrats! |
| What may help , also, is a small photo albums with some things that are not on display...showing how they can be used.
And really push the "gift for any occasion" angle, and who would be a good person to get something that you offer. P.S. Any chance of branching into some tin cans that can hold pens/pencils on a desk beside the computer so they don't roll off onto the floor so a certain sheepie name Bosley can't get them and chew them all up? |
| YES, YES, and YES!!!!!
Quote: What may help , also, is a small photo albums with some things that are not on display...showing how they can be used. And really push the "gift for any occasion" angle, and who would be a good person to get something that you offer. P.S. Any chance of branching into some tin cans that can hold pens/pencils on a desk beside the computer so they don't roll off onto the floor so a certain sheepie name Bosley can't get them and chew them all up? Thanks, Nicole. I was actually putting all my pictures together and an idea page. Lo and behold, our new computer's trial membership of Microsoft Office expired  I have to get something this weekend to finish up.You are in luck! I already have been decorating tin cans that you can put on a desk. I use the small empty paint cans. Send me an email and we can discuss offline. Quote: Congratulations. I really like your stuff! I tend to buy practical things. Any chance you'll be branching out into maybe trash cans with Sheepies? I might be in the market for that since I could use it in my office. So I guess I'm asking if you do custom orders and what kind of prices? I actually would prefer custom orders or a certain theme! If a can is tin or aluminum I'd be able to do anything on it. I can put a picture of your pups or something from an OES calendar that I have. Email me and we can talk offline. Quote: Just wanted to add here - I think doing a few trash cans is a FAB idea. Something everyone can use - I'd buy one! Shellie, thank you so much for offering up some of your Mom's tablecloths. I hope I can do her proud If there's a picture or paper out there for anything, I can use it. There are a zillion scrapbook papers. I've been trying to make a little of something for everyone since I have no idea what people will want at the show. I need to make some holiday stuff too. Quote: |
| The small paint cans filled with homemade dog treats (like Susan's liver biscotti) would be a great idea for Christmas. We all know sheepie's who love presents |
| A big thanks to Shellie for sending me some lovely tablecloths and lace napkins |
| No problem! Glad to do it.
Have you designed your setup yet? Have you done a run-through? When you do, take pics and let us see what you've done. Can't wait to see it! Shellie |
Shellie wrote: No problem! Glad to do it.
Have you designed your setup yet? Have you done a run-through? When you do, take pics and let us see what you've done. Can't wait to see it! Shellie Nope, not yet. My cousin, the art therapist, offered to help me figure out my set up. Of course, I'll take her up on it in another week. I'm so touched by everyone who has offered help and their time for me. Not sure what to do to repay them. |
Stacy wrote: I'm so touched by everyone who has offered help and their time for me. Not sure what to do to repay them.
If only there were someplace you could get a cute, useful, decorated object of some sort -- that would be the perfect gift. 
Wait, I think I just heard about a place just like that! |
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I know my darling Stacy doesn't want my help. cuz I'm the least creative person in the world  BUT! I get to go the show and support her that way.Stacy, your stuff is great!!!!! And I'm so glad you stayed with Altered Art. I love that!!!! |
| Thanks, Deb! I'm sure you're more creative than you think you are...
You're support has been wonderful for me! Without all of my forum friends, I probably wouldn't have done this. |
| Stacy, that's a really cute picture of the Foz-man!!!!! |
| Stacy... when is the show? As someone who has sat through MANY MANY craft shows as a vendor don't forget your:
comfy folding chair comfy folding chair for your assistant (if any), you'll need someone at least for lunch and potty breaks change drawer (you'll need this, and about 25-50$ in change of all denominations) sales tax table a good book Lighting (not sure if anyone's told you about that, but you SHOULD have at least some basic lighting to display and set off your goods. My mom used clippy spot lamps) Your want list! One fun thing about craft shows is often vendors are willing to barter their goods for yours! Don't be afraid to look at the other vendors booths for more ideas on how to setup and display your goods. As you do more shows (and you will, I'm sure!) you'll finesse your setup. Watch out for people with notebooks though. Unfortunately, some crafters like to steal each other's ideas. Not too much you can do besides shoot them evil glances. Best of luck, and hope your show is a successful one!!! |
| "Sales tax table" is a good thing, and reminded me that here in Massachusetts at a number of "flea markets" and "craft shows" Department of Revenue agents actually somethimes walk around and check out each vendor and shut them down if they have no Sales Tax ID number!!!! I've heard about it twice frmo a vendor I know.
Another thing would be something cushy to stand on. Depending on the arrangement of your booth... Something soft and springy will makle all the difference in the world. If you can't be sitting, you'll be standing on your mat if possible. Flea Markets!  Flea Markets! |
| Thanks for the advice! I need to charge sales tax??? |
| Oh my, yes. Unfortunately.
You may have to get a business license, too... I don't know your state. Contact the organizers of the craft show (if they aer local) and ask if they know who to contact, or better yet, hopefully someone on the forum here can direct you to the proper authorities. |
| Actually you have to COLLECT and PAY the taxes, you can always build in the taxes into the sales price, but if you do that, I'd post that "the sales price includes XX% Illinois State sales tax" with a little sign near your worktable.
If you do that you can figure the actual sales price: Take the final price and divide by (1 + sales tax rate) : If the item sells for $40 and the sales tax is 6% divide $40 by 1.06: $40/1.06 = $37.74 , the rest is tax. Big caveat... I realize that I'm making a huge assumption that Illinois tax and business laws are similar to Massachusetts. It may not be legal in Illinois to include the tax in the price of the product; it might not be necessary to charge taxes at all. I don't know. Ask someone who knows! |
| Thanks, Ron. I called the show's promoter and she said that I should charge tax and she would let people know how much the morning of the show. I'll give the town a call to find out what it will be. She also suggested I get a tax ID number ; however, she said that her experience is that if an auditor comes to her show, he/she will give people forms to complete in the event that they don't have a tax ID. She said noone has been removed from any of her shows in the 17 years of promoting it.
My Dad will call me tomorrow with a phone# of his accountant so I can ask questions. I had no idea this was going to be such a big deal. I think I should have just stuck with ebay and friends. Ugh! |
| Awwww, it's a minor hurdle, kind of a hassle, but you'll get it done! |
Between this and the Everlasting Treat Ball fiasco, I think I'm blowing more money than I make  |
| Stacy - If IL is anything like NC, the fastest way to get a sales tax number is to go to your local Department of Revenue. They will give you a form to fill out. Fill it out there and hand it back to them. They can give you a number in 15 minutes vs the 4-6 weeks it takes if you mail it to the state office.
Good luck!! |
| Stacy, It really isn't a biggie dealie. My mom did it for years. You can probably check the IL state web site for info on the sales tax and getting a tax id number. They may even have a chart right on the state site somewhere!!! As for collecting the sales tax, just have your chart handy, and keep your calculator at your side. You'll be fine!!!! The ONLY time it gets tricky is if the city happens to have a special additional tax. |
Ron wrote: "Sales tax table" is a good thing, and reminded me that here in Massachusetts at a number of "flea markets" and "craft shows" Department of Revenue agents actually somethimes walk around and check out each vendor and shut them down if they have no Sales Tax ID number!!!! I've heard about it twice frmo a vendor I know.!
I saw this happen to someone at an antique market after they didn't charge us sales tax on something. They were standing right over our shoulder. I felt really bad. Hopefully they just gave them a warning. Stacey, I'm not sure how it works in IL but in NJ I had to register my business at our local county courthouse. Then basically your tax I.D. # is your SS# for being a sole proprietor. It was painless filling out the forms. Maybe you can do it online these days. Happy Crafting! I hope you can quit your job someday!  |
| Thanks everyone! I did register online last night for a tax id. Painless, just time consuming but hopefully worth it.
I hope I can quit someday too! |
| Down to the wire! The show is this Saturday, Nov 11 from 9am-3pm. I have a ton of last minute things to do, but I think we're under control. My cousin came over last night and helped to set up a wonderful table! Now, if we can just recreate it on Saturday.
Shellie's tablecloths and lacy napkins look terrific! I'll post pictures this week before or after the show so everyone can sort of see how it looks. Steve isn't happy about the confetti chips that make the table kind of shiny and it looks like snow. We'll see... I hope we can get everything else done on Friday as I took the day off. I'm not stressed out yet, but I will be. I hope to see some of you Chicago folks there! XOXO |
| Best wishes for the craft show this weekend, I am sure it will go well
Relax, don't stress, just enjoy the day. |
| Stacey: Good Luck this weekend. I am looking forward to the pictures of your tables! I know you are going to do really well. Go Girl! |
| Good luck Stacy! I hope you sell everything you bring to the show! |
| Stacy...Melissa and I are going to try to stop by in the morning. Good luck!!! |
Amanda P wrote: Stacy...Melissa and I are going to try to stop by in the morning. Good luck!!!
Yea! I believe Deborah will be there as well! |
| Can't wait to see the pics! You will do great, I know it.
I am going (not doing, but going )to a show this weekend.. I'll be thinking of you. Keeping my eyes open on your behalf. Shellie |
| MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! Phew! We are pooped! I'm not quite sure how I feel about today's show. I had several people comment on the cute name "Altered Art by Stacy" and a lot of lookers. I did sell enough to cover the price of my booth and just a few extra bucks. So, I earned way less than minimum wage; however, now more of my items, cards and flyers are out there. I'm thinking I may just consider finding places to do home shows and online to sell.
Steve schlepped so much stuff for me and manned the table a lot. He has been such a wonderful patient husband for the most part. Yesterday he was really crabby and mean during all of the last minute stuff I asked him to help me with. I had several friends and former coworkers come to see me at the show. Amanda (Amanda P), Melissa (her twin), and Deborah (debcram) even drove to see me and it's not like they are just around the block! That was so nice and thoughtful! You ladies really made me feel good and happy to know what wonderful friends I've made during my year as a member on the forum (I'm teary eyed now).
I'll post pictures tomorrow of the actual table. I think it looked really good thank to the help of my cousin earlier this week and again to Shellie for the great tablecloths! |
| So that was a great success, not only did you break even in a brand new venture but made a profit too. You should be very very proud of yourself. And overall it sounds like it was a great experience. Hope to get to see the pics. Maybe you could post pics too of your items you still have left so we could see, you never know you may already have some interested customers here. |
| Stacy! You're just tired. You were a huge sucess!!! I got there early and found something I wanted that you made...walked away for, ah...5 minutes...and it was gone!!! You're a doll, and I feel as though you and Steve are family. And! I was very proud of you yesterday. Good goin' girl!  (Go Stacy, Go Stacy, Go Stacy!) |
debcram wrote: Stacy! You're just tired.
Maybe she's just DOG tired!  |
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debcram wrote: Stacy! You're just tired. You were a huge sucess!!! I got there early and found something I wanted that you made...walked away for, ah...5 minutes...and it was gone!!!
You're a doll, and I feel as though you and Steve are family. And! I was very proud of you yesterday. Good goin' girl! (Go Stacy, Go Stacy, Go Stacy!) You're so sweet! What item did you want? I can make it again. Let me know! |
| Good for you!!!!!!!!!! I love your items and you're right - as your name and image gets out there more people will come to you. Especially in the sheepie community. Can't wait to see pics! |
| I think you did very well for your first time out.
My Mom's first time she didn't even make enough to cover the table rental fee. I wish you tons of success!!! |
| I just uploaded pictures from the craft show. Please take a look, if you'd like! Thanks! |
| Great pics! Looks like you did a great job on the set up and
your items look great too. First shows are often not as great as we hope, but there will be return customers. People will have time now to think about what they saw at the show and will probably be looking for you at the next one. From what others have said here, you probably did better than you think. We are harsh judges of ourselves. Glad you have one show under your belt! The next time will be a little easier and you will likely sell more too. BIG CONGRATS!!! Shellie |
Stacy congratulations on your first Craft Show!!!!!!!! This is your first big step in your new business adventure. Enjoy the moment!!!! I love the name you chose for your business. Best wishes and just enjoy it!!!!!!!!!  |
| Congrats stacy!!!! I'm so happy for you. The booth looked great. Craft business is TOUGH and breaking even is no small acomplishment, especially for your first show. With internet shopping so much more prevalent then it was when my mom was crafting, I think that'd be a great way to expand. Don't hesitate to offer mail order brochures and web info if you go that route. Glad you had a good time! |
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