First public event.

[NE Rocks]

Well, we checked for any local small events as a good starter.  And with a two week warning, we found an opening and they accepted us.  Wow, what a scramble to get things ready.  Nadara poured herself into some necklaces and rings.  I got help from a friend to polish up a batch of thunder eggs.  It all starts tomorrow in Dallas Oregon for the Art In The Park.  Wish I'd read a lot more of the posts here.  And some of those I read were not encouraging results wise, at least for newbies like us.
Oh well, it is still way exciting.

eddie.

[The Polished Pebble]

The best thing would be to look at your first show as a learning experience. Put your best foot forward & keep your eyes & ears open.

If you make some money - great, if not - use what you learned for next time.

Good Luck!

Connie

[Enchantra]

The best thing would be to look at your first show as a learning experience. Put your best foot forward & keep your eyes & ears open.

If you make some money - great, if not - use what you learned for next time.

Good Luck!

Connie

That's about the best advice to be given.

I view what happens at every show I attend as a learning experience - what sold, what didn't sell, why, and what was the clientele like at each show so I know for next time what to have available to cater to the crowd that comes to the show.

Take notes.  If you get a pause in the action write down observations.  What are customers and those who look and then walk away saying, what comments are they making.  Listen and then from there figure out what to change.

For example at the Art's festival a couple weeks ago it seemed that while I had something unique compared to the other jewelry vendors, and my prices were reasonable, people were seriously looking for things that fell into one of three categories:  dirt cheap, unique, or artistic.  People were shopping for gifts for others, and looking for that unique piece no one else had. 

Be prepared for the unexpected as well.  Bad weather being the most obvious thing to be prepared for. 

Be prepared to know the name of every stone you have as well.  I had one lady who was looking at my jewelry and would point to a stone and ask what it was.  In a few cases I was not wholly positive on the ID but knew it to be a Jasper so I just said "Jasper."  She must had eyed up and asked about half the pieces on my table.  She eventually bought a piece as well, but she took her time and asked a lot of questions.  Be prepared for the questions that might be odd or leave you going "huh?"

[hulagrub]

Just have fun! That is what it is all about!

[legendarygranite]

You have to stay positive. Your nerves will settle after your first sale. Good luck! Please post your results. I plan on starting at our local Farmers Market. 


Courtney and Jason

[jcinpc]

at my first show I did this year, back in Feb. I also brought some raw/rough to sell along with my cabs and jewlery. I sold around $1400 for a 3 day event.

I`ll tell ya what brought the people to my table, I brought a big plastic bin full off all the previous years tumbled rocks. I put a sign up 5 for $1 and let me tell you, ALL the kids came to my table followed by mommy or daddy and not one parent refused the kid a dollar for 5 pretty rocks, next group tovisit  the table were the wire wrap ladies who loves all the natural stone look and colors, they too all spent some $$ with me and of course I sold over 30 of my cabs that were done in an electroformed finish and only 3 that were done  in a sterling bezel

[ScarlettoSara]

Good Luck Eddie and Nadara:)
Sounds like an time:)  I wish I could go with you:)

[Taogem]

The best thing would be to look at your first show as a learning experience. Put your best foot forward & keep your eyes & ears open.

If you make some money - great, if not - use what you learned for next time.

Good Luck!

Connie

Ditto... , and good luck you two ! 

[MrsWTownsend]

WOO HOO!!!  Best of luck and much success at your show!!!  You'll have to be sure to tell us all about it afterward!  I haven't mustered up enough guts to register for and do a show; I got asked to participate in a juried show once that went on in California but the costs to get there and booth fee far outweighed any hope of profits so I didn't do it.

[jennjenn]

My wish for you is that you have wonderful weather and good crowds with pockets bulging with money! :)

I hope your show is very successful!

Jenn

[NE Jewelry]

Well, we did make a few dollars, but only because the show fee was $25.
Just a few sales, including a beautiful Holley Blue ring, couple of pairs of earrings, couple of polished thunder eggs and some cabs to another vendor.
Was a good learning experience.



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[Taogem]

Great looking dispaly and I really like the way you are packaging the earring pairs.

Looks great !

[deb193]

Its nice to see you being creative and developing a style with the pendant bails. I think more folks should pay more attention to the transition between the stone and the cord or chain.

[MrsWTownsend]

Looks like a great set up~ at least you made a little!  Your products and presentation look competitive and marketable to me.

[NE Rocks]

Thanks all.  Nadara was very please to have the encouragement and insights shared with her.
Next, we will be checking on the info for getting set up on-line.
What a great site . . . . made so by such wonderful info and quality people.