why ill always do craft shows

i dont like doing craft shows, ill admit it. sure, its awesome to network…meet customers face to face, and get outside once in awhile, but craft shows are damn near terrifying. the uncertainty of having a successful show, the cost of going, the nervousness i get when people linger in my booth….Im not a sales person, I can’t schmooze people that come into my booth (so if you come to a show and see me, its nothing personal if im not super-conversational. Im just shy.), and ofcourse the fun “you vs. the elements” aspect.


but i think that aslong as I can keep getting into shows I will continue to do them. one of the hidden perks is the networking you get to do. The majority of my close friends were met (or the friendships cultivated) at craft shows. Through one of the, *cough*, more poorly run shows last year I actually met a seasoned jeweler, who by my standards, really has her shit together.


since it was slow we were able to talk. a lot. cause it was REALLY slow. And I told her how I have a part time job but want to run my company solely soon. She told me all about her sales reps, how awesome they are, and that I should contact them. I thought about it, but got wrapped up in the rest of the holiday season and guess I just put it out of my mind.


Then the decision came to go full time with the soap. And as magical as the dream is, I came to a harsh reality that Im going to have to make something happen much more quickly than how it would have come organically. I don’t have regular orders, or customers, or wholesale customers…how would I pay my debts and bills? With hopes and dreams? Nay, my friends!


So I contacted the sales reps and lo and behold they like what I do (coincedentally I like what THEY do, too!). Im in the beginning phases of creating a desirable wholesale packet, which hopefully I can catalog here. (um. no pun intended with that).


But my point is, though craft shows are such a shot in the dark I will always do them and always recommend people apply to shows because of the hidden possibilites it can provide. For all of the pompous ideas the word “networking” brings about it really is invaluable and may help me avoid waitressing ever again!

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