August 17th craft show

[dehrlich]

Thought I would post a few photos of my booth I had at a craft show last weekend. Lots of new stuff I haven't posted pics of. Wish it had been a better day sales wise, but it was good practice setting up the booth.

One of the examples
Overall shot


Pattern I created for boot jacks. Used to take your cowboy boots off for those who don't know.
A mini blanket chest made from QS white oak, pattern of my own design, with some help from a few here on the forum.
It came out pretty nice, thinking of putting it in the state fair next month.
Mail and key caddy I designed. Works great by the front door, put your out-going mail in the box and you won't forget it.

[TerryT]

Some really nice stuff! Craft show sales should pick up in a couple of months.

[unitedcases]

That blanket chest is something else. Very nice displays all around.

[RogerB]

Very Nice work. Like the boot jacks

[Digitalwoodshop]

Excellent collection and fantastic craftsmanship....

AL

[Proctorw]

Great looking products. My wife and I are getting ready for the "Fall Craft Season" and I don't seem to have enough hours on the weekend to build up inventory. Your inventory is impressive, lots of different type of products. I have been concentrating on a couple of items. I am still struggling with the painting of Plaques, but should get better over time. I am definitely not in your league when it comes to painting. One last question, how are you pricing? That is something else we are struggling with. Well, good luck with your craft season.

[dehrlich]

Thanks! Yes, I struggle with getting enough inventory together as well. I work by myself and together with being disabled which only allows me to work a few hours a day most times, it can be difficult. As for pricing, I try to make a good range of products. From $5 oven sticks (with my website address carved in by the way) to $20 for the boot jacks... there are some simple $30 carved plaques. I had $150 on the blanket chest, which I thought was cheap considering the time I put in to it... as most of you know sanding white oak can be a chore, and it took a good deal of time just to cut all those box joint fingers! I had almost everyone that came by look at the chest but walk away when they saw the price like it was too high. Pricing is tough, I usually consider how much trouble it was to create, i.e. building, painting etc and come up with what I think is a fair price. If people say something about it being too high or want me to discount it, I explain what was required to create the piece and generally they understand.

[aokweld101]

I have the same problem with the pricing, I must be awful proud of what I make, When you buy bits wood and time you would think it be worth something, they think u should just give it away I think what we make are specialty items lets see then go to wall-mart or walgreen's and see what they would pay if they made them!!

[rossclark]

IN Montana and Wyoming craft shows, you need some items under $20.00 . That's all they bring to spend .so build it out of lower priced wood . Key boards for $8.00 or $9.00. That's what pays the booth rent. I have been doing craft shows since 1979 . You need to only do juried shows, they seem to pay more for your products. Ross

[dehrlich]

I have the same problem with the pricing, I must be awful proud of what I make, When you buy bits wood and time you would think it be worth something, they think u should just give it away I think what we make are specialty items lets see then go to wall-mart or walgreen's and see what they would pay if they made them!!

Amen to that brother!