Hi, all,
About 5 years ago, my spouse suggested I start doing one art/craft show a year to give me reason to make 30-50 new pieces each year, and a place to be rid of them. I checked around, and found a juried show in the lakes country of Minnesota - Phelps Mill County park is in a little valley next to an historic flour mill. The summer cottages in the area are home to people from as far away as Florida, and it has a good reputation for art as well as crafts.
My first few years were disappointing. I make primarily lidded boxes, but take some bowls, hollow vessels, and vases. I'd sell a few, usually enough to cover the entry fees and the hotel for two nights, but no big deal. We've put up with thunder storms, mosquitos, and blistering sunshine. The Saturday crowd is usually the buyers - Sunday is mostly lookers.
This year was amazing. I brought about 50 pieces - a few more than previous years, but I always bring things home. (I know I could unload everything at some price, but I've been holding out for $25 -$30 for a nice lidded box) I sold more on Saturday than all the previous year, and by 3:00 on Sunday I was apologizing for having so little left. I sold all but one large bowl of my new stuff - brought home only 5 of the boxes, and all were previous year's stuff. Sundays sales were almost as good as Saturdays, and would have exceeded them if I'd had more stuff. I will next year!
I don't know what the change was. I'll admit, my spouse's advice has been working - I'm getting better at this. And I'd offer kudos to the inventors of the Beall buffer (no financial connection - just a VERY satisfied customer). People oohed and aahed over the finish. It also helped that we had two sunny days in the low to mid 80's with no mosquitos and a gentle cooling breeze.
Well, thanks for the chance to gloat. I'm still grinning, and ready to get back in the shop. My spouse has noted aloud that all our shelves are empty this year!
Ron Williams Minn-Dak Woodturners Moorhead, MN