Will the current economic situation hurt fall craft shows?

[piedpipurr]

I have been sitting here crafting away for an upcoming craft festival. They advertise 30,000 attendees.

I'm also listening to the bad news on TV about the current economic situation. Do you think this will have a major impact on upcoming fall craft shows and festivals? It is sort of getting me down as this will be my first large festival.

Carole

[peebsmama]

I don't know about craft shows, but I can tell you that I attended a stamp convention this past weekend and there were as many people who attended this year as the previous 3 years I had gone. And no one seemed to be worried about how much they were spending. Good Luck!

[isewquilts2]

As a former craft show vendor, I can tell you that when the economy tanks like this, cradt/hobby spending is the first thing to get cut from a family's budget.

isewquilts2

[row4d]

Quote:

Originally Posted by isewquilts2

As a former craft show vendor, I can tell you that when the economy tanks like this, cradt/hobby spending is the first thing to get cut from a family's budget.

isewquilts2

On the flip side, I see a lot of bargain hunters who are always looking for a deal at craft shows around here. Drives me bonkers because I'm not charging exorbitant prices. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), many people equate handmade with "saving $$" and so that could work in your favor as a vendor.

[Melissa Hannant]

I think it all depends on where you live. I am in Los Angeles and we don't really depend on any one industry to float this city except the entertainment industry and even when someone goes on strike, it doesn't really have a huge impact like it would in a smaller city where say there was a main factory or industry that was struggling.

[godchick]

I also agree that it really depends on what part of the country you are in and also the local economic status.

Speaking of hobby spending, I believe that if people really want something they will find a way to fit it in the budget...or at least rationalize the purchase

[MadameCraftyPants]

Quote:

Originally Posted by row4d

On the flip side, I see a lot of bargain hunters who are always looking for a deal at craft shows around here. Drives me bonkers because I'm not charging exorbitant prices. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), many people equate handmade with "saving $$" and so that could work in your favor as a vendor.

And it could really work against you if you price your work above what the attendees are looking to spend. If they're looking for big bargains, they're sure to undervalue the work and effort that goes into creating handcrafted items. I've heard stuff at recent events like "$2.00 for a handmade card? Ridiculous!" in my area where local stationers sell handcrafted cards for $6.00 a pop in store.

Finding that balance between what your local market will pay versus what you need to make as a profit margin is sometimes really hard to gauge - especially in financially uncertain times. It's often trial and error unless you're the proud owner of a crystal ball.

FWIW: My sales are down quite a bit in the last year even though my area is still doing fairly well economically. I'm curious how this holiday season will shake out.

[armadillo]

Hope you aren't in the Atlanta area as they don't have gasoline.

[stampindamour]

Very good question...I wonder if overall Holiday spending will be way down this year too.

[palval77]

Holiday Spending in my house is going to be wayyyyyyyyyy down.

[Joan B]

Some folks may spend MORE at a craft fair, because it is cheaper than buying someone an iPod, KWIM?

[winnieu]

I am planning to do alot of holiday shopping at a craft fair they hold at our church..I find very clever ornaments and things that are personalized and very reasonable...They are the best gifts to give anyway as it shows thought.... I know I love getting ornaments with my name or my cats name or my hobbies shown in a creative way... Good luck!

[Jenmouer]

depends on your area...I have done craft fairs for the past few years and have learned...simple and fairly inexpensive is the way to go...most of what I have sold are to people looking for the small gifts...co-workers, neighbors, teachers, friends so if they spend $20-30 but walk away with gifts for 3-4 people...not as big of bite from the wallet

[ceramics]

I use to do craft fairs all the time (although I was bring functional Ceramic pieces for the home/kitchen) back in the 80's and 90's and I have to say they were sooooo much better back then. It always seemed that when the economy was at its worst - craft sales were up. People thought if it was homemade it was better.

I know over the years craft shows where you really have crafters making the items to sell have gotten far and in between. Mostly taken over by "vendor" fairs. I would make sure if you are doing it that it is a "Craft" fair if you are bring items you made to sell and if you are there to sell your business then participate in a "vendor" fair.
I guess it all depends on what you want to get out of the fair. Money from selling items you made or contacts for potential customers.

[sprtchick]

The rubber stamp expo here a few weeks ago was about 1/4 the normal size....my guess is that attendance will not be what anyone is used to seeing at these craft gatherings. I hope I am wrong but we were so shocked by the expo here. People just dont have the money to spend. There are still some silly people who think food and shelter are more important...imagine that.
Blessings.