Canandaigua Arts Festival

[Enchantra]

Day One....

I arrived at our spot at my friend's shop at 10:15, a good 15 minutes later than I intended.  Missed one of my friends stopping by to see my jewelry.

I got my table set up, realized I have about $3K in finished jewelry sitting on that table.  Not bad for covering one table.

The show started at noon and I finished laying in place the last piece of jewelry at literally 11:58.  So I sat down as did Dad and we started watching the people that were filtering down the sidewalk.  There are some pretty fascinating people out there.  Dad commented it was almost as amusing as watching the weirdos that come into the ER at the odd hours of the night.  It was also blazing hot out.  One woman commented she thought she heard it had hit 90.  Yuck.  Thank Heavens I was under the store awning - it's the only thing saving me from roasting like a pig.

Most of the afternoon went by and I sold nothing.  I was getting a bit discouraged.  Then my shop friends mentioned that traditionally with this three day show the first day people just "look" scoping out the place to see what is available and then they come back and actually shop on Saturday and Sunday.  I hope she's right about that.

Last three hours of the day I finally did some sales.  Sold a keychain, a pair of earrings, a necklace set, and I have a pending sale that if the woman comes back for the item it's another $40.  The earrings sold to this young girl, maybe 9 years old.  I swear this child handed me her allowance bag because it was mainly quarters and dimes inside.  She was hellbent on using her money to get her that pair of earrings.  The earrings were marked $5.  So I counted out her change.  She was short by about $0.30.  I looked at the baggie and decided $4 was enough, handed her back her spare change and her earrings and told her she had enough there, and the little girl smiled as wide as ever and practically skipped away.  Her Mom I don't think realized what I had done, but her Mom is the one coming back for the $40 set I put on hold for her.

Then came two different women - they didn't buy anything but their comments made me feel good about what I was doing.  The first woman I had seen walking up and down over and over on both sides of the busy street so I know she was scoping out the show to see what was available.  Finally she walked up to me after having glanced at my table a few times over a couple hours.  What she said caught me off guard and left me amazed and stunned but also grateful and happy.  Basically, "I've just counted 40 jewelry vendors at this show, several woodworkers, and several clothing artists and potters.  Out of all the jewelry vendors, most of them have stuff that looks similar, most are high priced or have items that don't have a lot of substance to them.  Your stuff is stunning, it's different, and it's beautiful.  Your display is great as well.  It's to bad your associated with a shop and not an actual vendor with a registered spot because you deserve the award for best in show."  I thanked her, and then as fast as she had appeared, she left...

The second woman came up about a half hour later with a couple friends and she was admiring my bead embroidered pieces along with some of the other wire wrapped pieces I've done and she looked at me, "Have you entered anything into any magazines or contests?"  "No, why?" "You should, you deserve to have your work published, it's better than what I see in a lot of magazines and better than most of what is out here in the other vendor's stalls."  "You're kidding right?" "No, you really need to look into getting yourself published, you'll do great."  She reached over and grasped "Rhapsody in Blue," and then said to me, "And this here needs to be entered into the Firemountain Gems contest.  I'm serious."  I think my jaw hit the pavement.  She smiled at me, "Goodluck with the show, see you soon."  I thanked her and she left.

After these episodes Dad turned and looked at me, "I keep telling you that you need to broaden your horizons dear girl.  I don't know why you hold back."

Tomorrow a woman should be showing up with a stone for me to look at, she asked me today if I would be there tomorrow and I said yes and she is going to bring me a stone to examine - for what reason I'm not sure, perhaps she wants me to make something for her?

So in the morning I'll repack the cooler with food and drink, and make my way back to the show.  It's thankfully only about 8 miles away.

[jennjenn]

Congratulations Amanda!  Sounds like great feedback to me!  I think you should do what they suggest and enter your stuff in those contests.  Sounds like you'd do very well!  Good luck at the show tomorrow!

[Taogem]

That is so great to hear all the positive comments Amanda ! I have always known your jewelry was extra special. Many of us have commented, but it sure is extra nice to hear it from folks at the shows..

Congrats.. !

Your story about the little girl being 30 cents short reminds me of when our local club sets up at the fair. Club members spend some time making key chains with tumbled rocks attached. We place them on a spinning/pegged wheel. For .25 what ever the kid lands on is what they get.  I know it upset a couple of the elder members when I would let kids spin for free 

Your pieces are way good enough for any jewerly contest like the one lade mentioned.

I can't remember.. Your planning to set up shop online too ? Seems like you said something about it.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

[thewrightthings]

See, we all said that you should enter your pieces in a contest or two.  It's beautiful.

[Enchantra]

Thanks everyone.  Right now Dad is making up our picnic lunches for the show.  Leaving in about 15 minutes or so to head down there. 

I guess I'm in a bit of shock still though.  All my life I've had people tell me negative things, so to hear positive just kind of floors me for a bit.  To this day I cannot have someone standing watching me work.  Dad used to do it when I was growing up and would then decide he had to tell me how I should do something to "make it look better."  Often it was to fit his idea of "better."  It left quite the negative effect on both my sister and I.  We both can't stand people watching over our shoulders now.  We like to be alone when we create.  It's probably why I went into freak out there briefly when I have the muse/spirit visit me in the basement. 

Alright I need to go pack the cooler, Dad's got the sandwiches almost done!

[Enchantra]

Well considering a lot of the vendors I talk to are not doing well at the show, I think selling about $400 worth today was pretty good.  The guy across from me typically clears $4K every year at this show, as of today he had only done $500.

So observing what sold today - pieces that were highly artistic and unique and the wire wrapped chokers, and chokers in general.  That's what was popular.  Charlotte one of your so-called unloved Amethyst cabs that I had made into a choker sold today with the earrings.    This one lady saw it and had to have it.  Another lady came up and saw a piece I had that was constructed to look like grape vines and she had to have that as well.    So different, and artistically unique were the selling points.

Tomorrow is the last day of the show and I'm going to be there are 11AM for setup.  The show goes till 6PM tomorrow.  I have one possible custom order out of things so far and possible classes to teach, so this has been an overall productive experience.

I've attached a couple photos of my setup, you'll see Dad off in the back lefthand corner of the one picture.

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[thewrightthings]

So, is that Dad sitting there?
Glad you had a good day.  If you come out with the bills paid and a bit of profit, that's great.  Congrats.

[Enchantra]

Yes that is Dad.  You can see my reflection in the store front window.

At this point I've made enough to pay for all the stones I ordered from George and to put a couple hundred back into beads for my business and then have a bit to pay down a credit card.  So that's good.  Whatever I make tomorrow is just a bit extra towards the last two items on that list.  I always try to make sure part of what I make at a show goes back into making more jewelry.

[ScarlettoSara]

This is cool looking display table:)
And its great you sold some of your designs. I got  a feeling this is just the beginning:)
Thanks for taking us along:)

[Enchantra]

This is cool looking display table:)
And its great you sold some of your designs. I got  a feeling this is just the beginning:)
Thanks for taking us along:)

It's funny you say that Sara.
The lady who owns the shop was talking with me and my Parents last night over coffee because her boyfriend is a friend of my Parents so we were all sitting down shooting the crap last night and got to talking about my jewelry...
Well....

She wants to have my stuff in her shop.
She has an Ebay store she wants to post my stuff on for sale.  She thinks that she could easily sell my pieces online.

I believe this may have been the break I needed.

[thewrightthings]

Amanda, your stuff is so beautiful that I have no doubt you will do well.  Glad you're developing a network.

[legendarygranite]

I love that post. It made me feel warm inside. Thank you for sharing. I must agree with your body guard. Smiles. Good luck in the contest.

[Enchantra]

So I have the money going in the bank tomorrow.  Only sold about $100 today.
Out of that I already paid the rent for the week to my Parents ahead of time, plus I took cash out of there to pay for some small things - food mostly.

Things went well.  While not a huge amount sold, it gained me exposure and outlets to sell my jewelry.

The shop owner wants me to bring in stuff for consignment, and also stuff for her Ebay store. I'll be taking that over to her this coming Saturday.   So that's two places to sell with just one person.  Another shop owner who is opening a shop down the way took my card because she was looking for local artists to have items in her shop on consignment.

I passed out cards to numerous people looking to possibly take classes which means more potential income. 

Another shop owner gave me a piece to work up for her on a custom order.  That will be another $60 in my pocket when I'm done.

In all a good overall show.  Sales may not have been great for anyone, but I gained the outlets I needed to make this take off.

[thewrightthings]

Amanda, I'm not surprised that you did well.  You stuff is so pretty that it was bound to get lots of positive attention.
So, kid, you're on your way.  Keep up the great work.

[Enchantra]

Thanks Paula.  I'm still in a bit of shock at the comments I got.
I had a couple people who were thrilled that I offer classes.

Now I just need to advertise in the local paper for the classes.

[Taogem]

What a beautiful set up and of course the jewelry is looking real nice on it !

I'm not sure about the giving of items to someone to sell on their eBay store.. Just my two cents, but you could do the same on your own if you like eBay..

Can't tell you enough how well I think you would do with an Etsy shop. Just to get a start with getting your jewelry online.. 

The consignment thing can be a neat thing to do..

Congrats on the day ! 

[Enchantra]

George - I honestly don't want an Ebay store.  I've heard so many horror stories about Ebay.  If this woman is willing to take the chance for me I'll let her do it.  She takes the hit, not me if she sells an item and the person decides they want the item for free and they cancel the credit card payment after they get the item - because she still has to pay me for it.

As for Etsy...Before I take that leap I want to get some better pictures of what is going up there.  Also if I have to have Paypal to accept credit cards *shudders* I'm going to need to open up another bank account to have with it, and since it's for a business my bank will want to see a DBA and tax ID# - both of which cost some $$ to get.  Since $$ is still at a premium despite the show sales, I'm going to have to hold off till I get another influx of cash.  

With the show sales I am paying a small chunk of my business credit card and I am making a small Firemountain order for supplies I am low on that I require to continue making jewelry - pewter accent beads, earwires, crimp beads, tigertail, glass beads and a few more strands of gemstone beads.  I have a friend going in on the order with me so we will at least get a good discount.

[Alvin]

the fact that you did good when competeing with seasoned vendors means you had desirable products. word of mouth from happy customers will really help your business in the future. I liked the way you set up the necklaces from long to short on each display card. very good idea. it forces a customer to look over more than one item while they are examining the peice that first caught their eye. wish you the best and thanks for the day to day story.

[Enchantra]

Thanks Alvin.  I try very hard to keep it so every necklace has it's own display area, and won't interfere with another one.  Sometimes it take a bit of moving around to get them to look right.