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Post by davejs on Jul 1, 2009 9:52:55 GMT -5
Hi. Here's your chance to tell a little about yourself. If ypu want to post, it's fine. If you prefer not to divulge anything, you do not have to do it. It's up to you. Just tell who you are, what you did, what you do, where you come from (I'm nosy,..huh?) and that kind of stuff.
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Post by susien on Jul 7, 2009 0:27:01 GMT -5
Hi Everyone! My name is Susie and I am a craft showaholic. I live in Central California and have just finished my first full year of doing craft shows. Hubby and I make all of the items that we sell but are thinking about expanding and adding some resale items. We have a trailer and usually take that when we go out of town to do shows. That gives a nice comfy place for our two teenage boys to hide in during the show! ;D So far we have traveled as far North as Manteca, done Bass Lake (love going there) gone East to Ridgecrest, West to Morro Bay and Southwest to Newbury Park. We also have done shows in between these towns. Some we will do again, some we will never ever do again!!!! Anyone else in Central or Southern California?
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Post by abaworld on Jul 22, 2009 15:33:53 GMT -5
Hello,
My name is Pete and I live on the beautiful Oregon Coast in Coos Bay. My wife and I have lived in Coos Bay for the last 6 1/2 years, after finally escaping the oven that is also known as Las Vegas.
I found the Starving Vendor website, yesterday (7/21/09), and read most of the wonderful information that Dave has provided.
I am brand-spanking-new at this vendor thing, having set up my local space in the Empire Flea Market just 6 weeks ago. I came across the Craftmaster News site, a few weeks ago, and have been "researching" the festivals and fairs, looking to take-my-show-on-the-road...
My wife and I "tested the waters" at a couple of small local events in the last 3 weeks. At the Empire Clamboree, we did quite well, despite not having much of a setup - banner support and wind break consisted of two 5-drawer file cabinets. Considering that all of the vendors who had canopies, took those canopies down, before closing, because of the wind -- maybe the file cabinets weren't such a bad idea after all...
The other event was the North Bend July Jubilee. The Clamboree winds were pretty serious, but.... nothing compared to Jubilee. Dave, you know those winds that you experienced at Ocean Fest? Jubilee was the same weekend --- and North Bend gets the same winds. I think that is why the airport is right there on the bay - great for takeoffs. Not so good for landings, though - I've seen some interesting ones... Anyway, my mistaken notion that over 200 pounds of gridwall would keep my new canopy stationary was a bit optimistic. And that light-weight table that I tied to the grid was most likely a bit optimistic, as well. Oh well, it did hold together and did not become airborne - although, it must have been pretty funny watching my wife cling to one side and me to the other, when the "lean" was becoming a bit scary.
I have always said that I am as "creative as a rock", so I had to approach this venture with the notion of finding a product that would be appealing and not need any creative genes. A long-time friend in Sacramento, told me about Personalized Art and after some serious research, I agreed with her that it could be a very marketable item. Purchase some great art backgrounds, add in some text in the form of surnames, first name meanings, poems, etc, and you have a real people pleaser. Thus far, it has proven to be true, but if anyone would like to provide some information or advice about my choice of product, please do - I am all ears.
Quickie info -- born in England too close to 60 years ago; met my dad essentially for the first time, 11 years ago; lived in cold and snowy Wisconsin; lived in the Oven; spent time in the Navy; have a son and grandkids in Rhode Island; have been with my wife for 21 years; and Dave -- I like everything about your web presence except....................................Go Yankees!!!
Another thing, Dave - give the forum time. It will grow. They will post. Hec, I am definitely a long, long time, non-poster on forums. Yet, here I am. So will there be others. Give it time.
Pete
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Post by abaworld on Jul 22, 2009 19:27:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, Paula - and the compliment... I can be encouraged out of my shell, once in a while...
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Post by susien on Jul 22, 2009 23:03:09 GMT -5
Pete, Wonderful post!!!! Welcome to you and your wife, please keep posting.
Susie
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Post by davejs on Jul 24, 2009 19:13:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Pete. Am across the state in Madras for the Jefferson County Fair and it's the worst one I have ever done. Hot, few people, vendors in a wickedly bad spot, etc. Read the website review on it.
Been going to Winchester Bay for 3 years and we are returning to the Coos Bay area on Sunday afternoon for the fair in Myrtle Point. What are you doing this coming week? Do you do any of the county fairs up here. Probably need one for this week next year. They pushed Coos County back a week and screwed up this year's plans. I was going to head up into Washington for the Thurston County Fair next week if Coos was this week. But they changed the dates and I ended up with this piece of #($*#. Instead I have to zig zag all over the place. Finish up with Tillamook.
Great to meet ya and hopefully you will help make this a great forum
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Post by twiggys on Aug 9, 2009 16:55:17 GMT -5
HELLO ALL. TWIGGYS HERE. NEW MEMBER. I LIVE IN SAN DIEGO. HAVE A HOT DOG CART JUST ABOUT READY TO GO. WANT TO VEND ANYWHERE ANYTIME. THANX FOR THIS FORUM. I HOPE IT WILL BE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO ALL.
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Post by susien on Aug 9, 2009 18:11:54 GMT -5
Twiggys, Welocme to the board. Will you be doing food or crafts?
Susie
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Post by abaworld on Aug 10, 2009 2:24:53 GMT -5
Welcome Twiggys. San Diego is a bit far for me to roam, but looking forward to reading about your adventures.
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Post by mehlinchan on Aug 13, 2009 11:40:17 GMT -5
Hi all, My name is Mehlin. Been married for 24 years and our kids are in college. We live in southern Calif and I recently quit my job as a catering manager that I loved to do but hated my area director. My back ground is restaurant management and catering. I have done the garlic festival and the Barrrett Jackson car show in Az. They had me flying all over to manage events. I was a salary employee and was being taken advantage of. I enjoyed all the catering, guests, and co-workers. I did'nt like the blackberry and laptop that was connected to my body 24-7. So I quit. So I decided I would work for myself. I purchased a concession trailer from Texas and is ready to do my first event this saturday. I am starting out with funnel cake because of the profit margin being so high. I figure I would try it out first and then purchase an ez up for another food item. I will be vending at the local farmers market. The management company does several in the Inland Empire and San Diego. Very busy events. I am in the process of researching different foods that will sell and that taste great and make a profit with. If anyone can help with suggestions, I would deeply appreciate it. I can cook anything. I am also not going to carry anything that would not hold well. Safe food at the right temp is very important to me. Of course the taste has to outstanding. My husbands airconditing company has completely slowed down and he had to lay off some of his employees which broke his heart. We are thinking perhaps this is a new road for us to take together. Dave you mention Oregon and It just got me excited because we go there every year. We have a condo in Gold Beach and would love to travel around and do events there. I am thankful for this site and will be coming on here daily. Mehlin
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Post by davejs on Aug 13, 2009 13:40:11 GMT -5
Hi Mehlin. Welcome to our Forum. Hope to hear from you frequently. This board is in it's early growing stages and expect it to be a good source of information for people as we all can share our knowledge and experiences.
Where are you located? Seems like you might be in SOCAL -someplace around San Diego.
Congratulations on starting your own 'funnel cake, etc.' business. How large is your trailer? I know this is going to be an exciting moment for you.....doing your first show. Quite often, my wife and I have wanted to get into food concessions, but I have a lot invested into my inventory and we shall stay in retail. If I could go back maybe 10-12 years, I would have gotten some kind of concession trailer and sold food. My wife is from the Philippines and she makes great lumpis, etc. and we would have sold that along with other products. However, there is a lot of preparations that go into the business and you always need to be acquiring fresh food and vegetables along the way. Add to the fact that you need to be constantly cooking at the shows.
Please let us know how you make out with your business and I really am anxious to hear how your weekend goes. I think that you would enjoy doing a bunch of county fairs in Oregon. The most consistent vendors up there tend to be CERTAIN one's that sell food. I can give you some insight into a number of great food businesses along with one's that just do not work out. Obviously you must be making some pretty decent funnel cakes and I hope that you have a good variety. Are there any other types of food items that you already make that are pretty good but you aren't selling them? If you can come up with an UNUSUAL and creative food item that a lot of people will like and buy, you can totally kick A$$$.
You have a condo in Gold Beach. Have you been to any events (county fairs, etc.) up in Oregon? What event are you doing this weekend? I hope that you subscribe to Craftmaster News, which I think is the best event publication around. Other's have their favorites.
Hope to hear from you often!!! Dave
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Post by marciadfox411 on Aug 13, 2009 14:39:38 GMT -5
Our family handcrafts the E-Z HOOK - a BBQ/cooking utensil out in Texas - Doug & Reaoma (Rodger's folks) have been doing shows - mostly in the mid-west for over 15 years - have pretty much found the shows that work for them- Canton, Houston Boat Show, Branson - right now they are in Amish Acres. Says it's mobbed!!! Rodger & I cover the west coast - Arizona, Nevada & California. However we did go across the country to do Christmas Village (GREAT SHOW) in Alabama, Affair of the Heart in OKC (ALSO FAB!!) and a few on the Riverwalk in San Antonio (Christmas show rocked!!) Mom & Dad tow a giant 5th wheel - Rodger & I had a 26 ft travel trailer that we just sold. We have been doing this area for a little over 2 years - Bass Lake & a few other shows with Mike Knapp, who is a super nice guy - very fair! - We started out at Hot August Nights & the Rib Cook Off (good show for us as we make a BBQ utensil- but seems a bit too pricey for us to continue - fee and commission leaves too little to make it work ) and we tried some of the Country Folk Shows - not really good ones for us. We have found that the Orange County Marketplace works for us - only about 1 hour drive so we can return each night home - fees are about $60.00 a day - it's on Sat & Sun each week except during the fair. We also have had a great time doing Bobby Sanford's Shows in Tahoe - He is a great guy and the shows are in a excellent spot for our products - the fees are reasonable - even though he charges commission too- it works for us! We are however hitting a rough spot and have been trying some local Farmer's Markets - the one in Scripps Ranch (San Diego) was good on Sat - but the other ones we have tried didn't work for us - so now we are looking for something part-time to do during the week (like a job!!!! : -and continue doing the OCMP on the weekends. Rodger & I expanded our product line besides the E-Z HOOK to grill cleaners, grill bricks, BBQ Sauces & condiments (also made in Texas) and a great line of Spice Rubs & Blends. We only sell items that are MADE IN THE USA - and try to support family owned and operated businesses when we add a line. If any one is interested in either the BBQ Sauce (they also have a whole BUNCH of other items they create - jams, jellies, salsas,hot sauce, relishes, olives, peppers, pickles-etc) or the Spice Blends - let me know and I can get you prices - you can make over 50% on 'em - We do. We live in Encinitas - Rodger has a beautiful 16 year old daughter and I have a 12 year old calico - Gidget. She has traveled all across this great country of ours with out complaint. I have lots of other shows and stories to share if any one has a question - feel free in contact me - Good Luck to all my band of brother gypsies!
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Post by davejs on Aug 13, 2009 15:31:29 GMT -5
Hi marciadfox411 and Roger. Welcome to our forum. Have we crossed paths? I was at Miller's Y last year over the Memorial Day Weekend (snow, rain, wind, cold, etc.) and I have done several of Mike's shows....Cambria, Bass Lake (2 + 3 years ago), Casa de Fruta. Have known Mike for over 15 years.
That must be so wonderful to travel all over the country with your products. I wished that we could go farther than Oregon and Arizona, but the gas prices are a killer and our sales are not high enough to really make it worthwhile. Bad economy.
Sounds like your things would sell really good at County Fairs. I can just picture you selling them at the one's I just went to up in Oregon. But I'm sure that you have enough good shows and don't need to sit around at the fairs 12 hours a day.
Please share some of your experiences with us. Anything goes, no holds barred!!! You've been all over the place and I am certain that all of us here would enjoy any info, etc., that you care to provide us with. Best of luck.
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Post by cortland on Aug 16, 2009 22:10:22 GMT -5
Name is Cortland Johnson and I signed on when Dave first started ths board. I have been in active as we shu tdown sales in March-Reason: We sell Alpaca wool related items and as the weather heats up sales decline. Good to see the new members but I miss the shows that I wold not do again section that use to be there but maybe I have missed it. Looks like a lot of new topics and am interested in your views on shows (Like Williams LLC). We do not do shows as a full time business just to market alpaca products and hope to sell an alpaca or two. I am gearing up for October and early November as we have a set venue from after Thanksgiving to Xmas eve that we do every year in Fresno (we lie in Oalhurst) Hope to hear from you all and hope the sales are better than last year for every one
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Post by susien on Aug 17, 2009 9:02:16 GMT -5
Welcome Cortland it is nice to see you posting. What Fresno shows do you do? I am in Bakersfield and have never done a show in Fresno but I would love to do some there. Hope to see you posting more.
Susie
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