Editor's Note: This column originally published Sept. 29, 2015.
I have been participating in craft shows for about eight years now and am always amazed at what people come up with to sell. As trends come and go so do crafters but there are always the die-hards that have made crafting a living.
There are certain things you can always find at craft shows including jewelry, home decor and dip mixes. The jewelry ranges from unique stones and settings to personalized metal work and everything in between. As one of the most popular items to sell, jewelry vendors are often put on waiting lists to just get into shows.
Home decor is one of the more trendy items found at a show. Depending on what is new and now items can range from fun holiday signs to hang on the front door to personalized picture frames or pretty much anything you can stick a name on and sell as one-of-a-kind.
Long gone are the country blue and lace decorations that were once a mainstay at craft shows. Up until a couple years ago there was still a vendor selling vacuum covers made to look like different animals, but as times have changed, so has their ability to sell such an item.
A favorite of mine are the dip mixes. Both sweet and savory, everyone has their own version of a Southwest bacon or vegetable mix, each one a little different and all delicious, in my opinion. There are also the sweet dips in fruity flavors like strawberry cheesecake and orange creamcicle.
During the hours spent at the show, I am known to make a few rounds tasting different samples each time and seeking out the best deal for my dollar. Another special item I can only get at the show is a cherry or raspberry jalapeño jam. Paired with cream cheese spread on toast or dipped with crackers, the snack just doesn’t get any better with a slight kick of heat.
There are also many vendors you see come and go with trendy items that don’t seem to last more than a season. I often wonder how vendors who have such a specific specialty do at shows. The variety of work they present is so small, if you don’t have the right buyer, you won’t sell more than a few items per show.
I know how much it costs to enter craft shows, and when I see someone with only a single craft to sell, I hope they at least make enough to break even. It can be a hard lesson to learn if it is your first experience among veterans who have found their sweet spot to make money.
I have a rule when I am at craft shows I will not buy with the money that I am trying to make. There are so many awesome, creative things to buy, but since I am also a vendor, I don’t want to spend all of my money before it even makes it home.
That rule has only been bent a couple times for special, personalized Christmas ornaments or a snack here and there. For the most part, I am pretty good at just looking and maybe making a mental note for a future show or a craft I would like to try at home.
I am still amazed at work crafters do, especially those working with wood and the number of people that come out to shop. With stores able to offer cheaper, water-downed versions of specialty items found at shows, I greatly appreciate everyone who comes out to get truly handmade items and help support the local economies.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at jpierson@newtondailynews.com