Most Recent Show !

[Willy]

Well all I can say is the most recent show was a total bust.  There were 11 vendors doing jewelry, of which 8 of us are at most of the shows in the area so know each other, exchange ideas and results of various things we try. This particular show was by invite only.  Our daughter-in-law who goes under the name Timeless Designs Studio and is the only one in the group that does individual wire-wrapping of pendants that can then be exchanged on almost any necklace did the best of the jewelry group with 12 sales for the day.  My wife who goes by Jewelry by CnC was next with 7 sales, but only bracelets, earrings and an antique piece she had reworked.  One of the other ladies sold nothing but did get 5 sign-ups for Home Shows.  The rest of the jewelry vendors didn't sell an item and the one guy who ihas been a San Antonio stalwarth for over 12 years at most shows and usually does $1500 to $2000 at every show, also didn't sell a single piece.  Lots of people looking and trying on and then just walk away.  Even giving out special Sales Items cards and discounts for purchases over a certain amount, didn't help any,  Many said they came because they saw the BLOGs and web-site advertisement for the show that several of us had on, or from the e-mail announcement we sent out a few days before, but still no sales.  At least we know the e-mails are getting read and the BLOGs and web-sites visited, which I guess is good.

A couple of vendors selling cosmetics and one with Tupperware did great, but candle and crafts didn't do any better than us.

Starting to get real expensive, let alone discourging, putting out $50 to $500 for a space and then not even cover space cost.  Couple pictures of the set-ups, as the show hosts would only let us take pictures of our own booths.

Willy

[Bluesssman]

Willy your news is sad. We have our biggest show coming up at the end of September and I hope we won't be facing what has happened to you...


Gary

[Taogem]

Sorry to hear no sales !

I don't get the invite only though..

I can see how the event would have been able to contact online businesses to show up, but how do they invite only a potential customer ?

[Willy]

George - Invite only to the Vendors,  several like that in this area along with more and more Juried Entry Shows.  But no restrictions on who atteneded except they had to pay $5 to get in.  Next show is a closed luncheon show for group members only, and only about 5-6 vendors allowed in.  San Antonio has a lot of conventions and the hotels invite various vendors to come in and set up in the hallways during the convention.  Once you get on the list and get to several it can be fairly good, but is usually during the week and if one has a regular job, kinda puts a crimp on doing, or if on weekends have to choose between them or a bigger show (if right time of year).

Our first big show of the Holiday Season is Oct 3rd and 4th.  If that doesn't go well, then I am worried about the others we have scheduled up to Christmas.

Willy

[mirkaba]

Willy...........Sorry to hear about the show. Was the attendance down/low? I've done OK at the 2 shows I've set up for but the rocks, slabs and cabs have been outselling the jewelry. Last outdoor show coming up next weekend. Plan on selling Fri. and Sat. DeeAnn has actually made a few wire wraps. They always sell. Good luck on the shows leading into the holidays! We are doing 3 this year..........Bob

[stonesthatrock]

ralph and i have a couple shows coming up but we don't do jewerly.... its just to competative.  We bring our rough, slabs and a some cabs and do fairly well. it seems no one else wants to carry all that heavy   stuff....  lol
  Sorry to hear your show didn't go well, keep you chin up...theres more coming.
mary ann

[Willy]

Hi -  thanks much for theupbeat words.  The shows have been well attended, just no one buying, or I should say,  some buying the "cheap junk" and a few buying the real good and expensive stuff, but no luck on the good and expensive last two shows.

Going to try some new items at the next few shows, wire-wrapped fossils, geodes and unfinished stones.  Some pictures under new items from the board.

Willy

[Willy]

Well after the disaster, mostly due to our first major rain in two years a week ago, this weekends first big Holiday Season Show for 2009 was a booming success.  Crowds were down but those that were out were in a spending mood.  We almost made in 1 day what we made the whole year in 2008, and most of those shows were 2 and a few 3 days.  Big and Bold and Colorful was the name of the game for jewelry especially necklaces with large pendants on them (greys, browns, oranges and yellows seemed to be the attention getters), large pendants of unusual named stones for the cut, polished and drilled items and anything that was in shades of brown and red for slabs.  If it had Turquoise, coral or onyx as the main stones, it also went quickly.  Picture of the setup this past weekend.

I am just hoping can now get enough new made for the next big show the first weekend of Nov.

Willy

[Taogem]

Whoooo hoooo !!!

Congrats !!  ;D

[Bluesssman]

Congrats, you have added a ray of sunshine to use jewelry sellers!!


Gary

[Steel and Stone]

Congrats big time. I am happy to hear that as we have our first show in less than two weeks and it has a yearly attendance of 40 -- 50,000 people so I hope some of them are in a buying mood.  :)