Intro: Paula - Purse Stuff

[davejs]

Hi Paula. I have been to Sedona many times and it's one of my favorite places. The red rocks, etc., totally energize me and I love the sights. I have never done a show there and unfortunately never will since I do not have enough hand-made A&C to make it worthwhile. Have you ever done a show there?

I have done shows in Tyson Wells, Lake Havasu, Parker, Yuma, Chandler and Tucson. Have you done any shows in any of those locations? I believe you mentioned an event near Phoenix and Prescott. I recall one year passing through Prescott and seeing an Arts & Crafts event there in the square.

[davejs]

Thanks Paula. I've done the Tuson 4th Avenue Street Fair, but I have had to get spaces in the parking lots. I did several shows in The Parking Lot located just off 5th St. (I think that's it) I did a show in another dusty, muddy lot and that wasn't good at all.

I was in The Parking Lot for 4-5 shows, both spring and winter and did fairly decent. You'd be surprised at how many people meander off the main street into the lots. I had a corner space toward the back and had a good display. However, my sales declined when I decided to do the other lot. I couldn't decide whether to do the show and waited too long for a space (Dec 2007) That was a terrible weekend. Problems getting around Tucson because of the I-10 construction, noisy motel and it rained and it was actually cold. Matter of fact, I believe that every time we do a show in Tucson we have to deal with a bit of rain and winds also.

I am unable to get a space out there on the avenue because we sell a lot of commercial items and I've heard mixed stories about it. I've walked up and down dozens of times and a huge amount of people are just out for a stroll and don't even look at the booths. It's a really nice show but I just don't want to travel 800 miles to a weekend event anymore and I am trying to cut costs every which way I can. Also, they keep raising the booth fees in the lots.

I think that you'll probably enjoy Lake Havasu. We did the Winterfest there in February perhaps 5-6 times. Booth fees are reasonable and we always got a double space. We did pretty good the first several times and 2008 was the last year we did it. Sales were dropping 20-30 percent a year and the trip wasn't worth it (only 600 miles). If your booth is facing one way, you get the sun most of the day and you can wear shorts and a t-shirt or whatever. However, if you are facing the other way. you need a heavy coat because you'll be freezing when the wind blows. Odd. It's a good show, but the last times we did it, the people just walked nonchalantly up and down the street and not many people buying. This past year, we decided to do an added event in Tyson Wells (Arts and Craft Show) and that ended on the first Sunday of February. I gave some thought to doing Havasu, but we would have had to bring out motor home back to Hayward and pack our things into the van and drive back. I don't dare bring my motor home to Winterfest because they will not allow you to unload motor homes on the street and you would have to find a place (if you are luck) to unload a couple blocks away and haul it in. There are places around there where you can park your RV for the night but we have too many issues working against us on that one.

Anyhow, Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama can be tough if you are selling hand-made items. They want good, cheap deals. Mostly RVers out there and you should have the things that they are interested. There's around 800 vendors for the show. Booth Fees are reasonable, but I don't get a space in that show for my motor home because it costs something like $560. For that one, I'd rather stay out in the BLM for $40 to stay 11 nights. I did the Arts and Crafts show there following that one and spaces were much cheaper and we stayed there with our motor home. Very nice, but everybody had a poor show this year.

You are right. Patience is not my strongest virtue. But you know, we all have our faults and weeknesses. Over a period of time, I am sure that this board is going to be great. I am throwing some topics around that I think will spur interest in our readers and hopefully they will find some threads that they want to be a part of. I myself do read a number of boards and do not post and running this board is something completely new to me and is a continuing learning experience.

[traveler]

I just clicked here after answering your post on the intro page.
YES, I WOULD LOVE INFORMATION ON MN PROMOTERS AND SHOWS! I am 75 miles from Fargo right now in ND. I just sent my application for the tractor show April 16, the MN State Fair, The car show at the state fair grounds, etc. not even 3 days ago. I am a bit overwhelmed with where is good, where is muck, where is worth it for me to take the RV out at 8-10 mpg.
Thanks! If you ever want to now about SO Cal, I grew up at swap meets and used to go just to hunt. I can tell you what I remembered them to be.

[traveler]

Metal nostalgic signs and licensed home decor items. IE John Deere Farmall, Coke, Elvis, John Wayne ETC.... Salt & pepper shakers, lunch boxes, coffee pots, wind chimes, magnets, picture frames, serving trays... Mainly metal signs, but in this day and age, you have to branch out into things that collectors might buy because they are on the hunt for items they don't have yet.

[traveler]

Thanks, Paula.
I might be over booking, but decided to submit my apps, and get my name on the list for now until I CAN get in. MN is as hard to get in as Texas, I've heard. I have applied at IA and MN, but could go to SD right away. (less days, exact same time.) We'll see who I hear back from.
SD, & ND I can get in. I have a MN tractor show next week, and Wheel Jam SD in June. I've been asked to go do a "grape Stomp Fest" up here.... (?) We'll see.
Thanks again! Really appreciate the insite!