Craft shows

Well it is that time of year again.
Crafts show will be popping up everywhere again, some are small and some are large. So here are some pointers for shopping at a craft show and setting up at a show.

If you are attending a show.
1. Wear comfortable shoes you are going to do a lot of walking.
2.Take plenty of change a lot of vendors can't break anything over a 20.00.
They don’t take credit cards or checks. A few well you just have to ask.
3.Take something to carry your packages in if it is a large show.
4.Ask for a business card in case you would like to purchase at a later date
5. Ask questions about what you are interested in the vendor doesn’t mind telling you about it.
6. This is a great way to find one of a kind gifts and support your local artists and home based business.

If you are one of those people that sets up a booth at craft shows or would like to, here are some pointers for you. Decide where you want to go and how far you are willing to travel to a show.
Make sure that the craft show you are wanting to attend will work for what you have to sell.
Find out when the show is and when you need to send in your application. Some of the shows you have to send in your application several months in advance in order to get in. Some shows you are so full you are actually put on a waiting list and have to wait till they have room. I know some people have waited up to two years to get in. Once you are in you can come back the next year but if you don’t come back you lose your spot. Other shows you send in your application just a couple of weeks in advance. These shows can range from 10.00 a table to several hundred dollars a booth. Some shows are juried where you have to send in pictures with your application and be approved. Some show require that everything is handmade others don’t so be sure you know this.
If you don’t know how to find these shows call the local Chamber of Commerce of where you want to go, many of these have their own web pages now. They should be able to tell you of the main shows in their town and then ask that person if they know of any more.
Attend a few shows before actually showing and get an idea how they are set up.
Go in walk around see what people are selling. Look at how they display and watch what people are buying. What sells well at one show may not sell well at another.
In the way you display is very important, a good display that is eye catching will draw customers. Take pictures of your display, look at it, change what you don’t like about it. Your table coverings keep simple so they don’t draw away from your display. Most shows require your table to be covered and the front so you can’t see underneath. Practice setting up at home so you can get your display the way you want it. Have some height to your display don’t lay everything flat on the table, things sell better at eye level. Don’t leave your storage tubes laying in your booth get them out of sight, a neat looking booth is important. Put them under your tables.
Be friendly greet your customers but don’t be pushy. Have plenty of business cards to hand out in case they want to get back in touch with you. Put a card in every package so they will remember where they got it. Be sure to smile and don’t cross your arms or just set behind your table reading. Stand up and greet your customers let them know it is ok to touch, if they are looking at something pick it up and hand it to them so they can see it better. People buy better if they can touch and handle a item. Thank them whether they bought something or not. If you have a store let them know they can come by your store and purchase something at a later date.
Some things you need are covers for your tables, some shows you have to have your own tables and chairs, Plenty of change, a ticket book, some people require a receipt with there purchase, Be sure to thank each person for their purchase and to have a nice day, Some shows you have to have a city sales tax license, just ask the show coordinator they will know and know where you can purchase it They don‘t cost much and are usually good for a year. Bags to put the purchase in (and not used bags that you got something in) you can get bags at my whole sale products, go on line, bags come in all kinds of price ranges, styles and sizes so just look around. Plan on staying till the end of the show and don’t rush your customers away, leave your space clean, and thank the show coordinator for all their hard work.
Don’t leave kids in charge of your booth and keep your booth attended at all times. Leave small children with a sitter if possible, they get fuzzy and that makes it very hard for you to run your booth.
Dress nice but comfortable and be sure to wear comfortable shoes you will be on your feet most of the day. Be sure to have a jacket some shows can be chilly. Find out if you need to bring a lunch or if they will have a concession. Most of all get a good night rest so you will be ready for the show. Don’t wait to get every thing ready the last minute or you will be up late and be tried for the show. If you have to get a motel room reserve it ahead of time so you don’t get there and there are no rooms.

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Antique Wooden Boxes

The brown wooden box is an old tool box I think. But would make a nice box for sewing supplies or alittle storage box.This box is in real good shape. The coke box is in real good shape and the lettering on it is still in good shape. Both boxes can be found in my shop.You can contact me at carolcountrytreasure@hotmail.com.

Primitive Witch Doll

Gwendlyn is made from a Ragg Bagg Baby pattern.Gwendlyn is a primitive doll she is made from muslin and has been tea dyed.She is wearing a black dress with yellow, orange, and white stars on it. Her shoes and stocking have been painted on.She wears bloomers that are a rust and black check. Her slip is navy blue with a tiny white dot on them.Her cat is coffee stained and made from muslin. the cat and the pumpkin she is holding are both made from muslin and painted. The cat has bright yellow eyes that have been painted on. Gwendlyn is already for Halloween or Thanksgiving. She is 36" tall. Her face is painted on and she wears violet blue eye shadow. She is for sale. For questions or price

www.carolcountrytreasure@hotmail.com

Harvest Festival Door prizes

These are some of the door prizes from the Harvest Festivl October 24.We collected quitw abit of foof for the food, pantry

Elks Lodge Craft show

This quilt was at the Lamar Elks craft show. It is handmade and hand quilted the design is hand embroidery on by the ladies from Powers Medical Center Axillary.These Ladies have spent hours on this quilt. They have all volunteered their time to do this. The money they raise from the raffle will go to buy things for the hospital. You can see the quilt at The Harvest Festival in Wiley Colorado on October 24 and at the Lamar College Craft Show on November 14. You can also stop by the gift shop at the hospital

in the afternoons to purchase a ticket. So come on out and purchase your tickets they are a 1.oo each or 6 for 5.oo. IT goes to a good cause.

Elks Lodge Craft Show

The hats and scarves are crocheted by Virgina Hernandez. Virgina will be at the Harvest Festival October 24 at Country Treasures in Wiley Colorado and the Lamar College craft show November 14.


Sheryl Dechant with her Celebrating Home Display. Sheryl does home parties and will be at the Lamar College craft show November14.

Wooden banks by Wood Crafts By Stumps out of LasAnimas Colorado

Prairie Jewels from Country Treasures will be available October 24 for the Harvest Festival in Wiley Colorado. You will also find Prairie Jewels at the Lamar College craft show on November 14.

The angels in the bottom picture where made by Daniell Simone. They are made from a hand dish towel with the pot holder as the wings makes a real nice useable gift. You will find Daniell and her angels at the Harvest Festival at Country Treasures in Wiley Co on October 24.

Vintage Fire King Bowl

This is a fire king bowl with pears painted on the front. The lid came with it so I just left the lid on the bowl, it fits like it was made for it. This bowl was originally sold without a lid. The paint is still good and there are no chips or cracks a very nice piece. Would be a nice piece to add to any vintage decorated kitchen or fill with fruit and use as a center pieces set on top of a table runner.

for more information contact www.carolcountrytreasure@hotmail.com stop by mycountrytreasures.blogspot.com to see Prairie Jewels Collection. Thank you for stopping by