Here it is the first weekend in November, my home show is over, the house is somewhere near back to normal, and it is time to move again on projects that were put aside to make time and room for it. First, let's see some pictures from the show, I have to say that it is very strange to wake up in a store and I am pretty sure the kitties were not all that impressed either.
So now that the show is over and done with I can tell you what I learned.
First, never blindly say "I am going to host a show at my house." when you are not completely prepared. If your life is busy now, it probably isn't going to change to much in 6 or 9 months just because you said so.
Second, never commit to a show unless you have enough product already. It is an amazing amount of work to put on a show in your house and all those things you want to get done in your house get magnified. Things like no trim on the back door become a huge stressor, that is until you realize you are a quilter and can pin up a quilt over it! Then when the huge oversized chair won't fit down the hall - you realize you will love it in the kitchen in front of the pinned up quilt and of course that neat drop leaf table you found at Goodwill is perfect for the kitchen as well. WELL THEN...you make that happen too! Even if it is two days before the show and you have no place for the old table!
Third, you won't realize that you don't have enough signage until the day of the sale. Even if you make a great scarecrow out of a 1 x 10, he will seem tiny on a busy highway with a 55mph speed limit! Don't even get me started on how many pumpkins, bales of hay, and mums you realize you may need.
Fourth, there will be damage, a spill, a tear, a bang - this is reality and in my book no big deal! Just be prepared.
Fifth, remember your first show is just a test and you will probably learn more about hosting a show than you will be busy selling product. It is a huge commitment and I am still debating whether I will do it again. If I do it will be more and bigger and longer, with more advertising and hopefully more artists.
Sixth, enjoy the process and friendship, think of it as an open house party and enjoy the folks who come in. Serve some cookies and cider and enjoy the experience and they will come and share your craft. I gave more tours of my studio and sold much less product than I had hoped, but I did reconnect with many, many quilting buddies and old friends that I hadn't seen for a long time. That was a huge reward in its self!
Seventh, I am sure there are more unrealized lessons that I learned but for now I am focusing with these. So go have yourself a little show and enjoy, put your foot in it and take a chance that "It can be done and it will be so!" There is nothing you can't do!
Enjoy and take care, Joanne
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| This is what my hall looked like during the show. To tell you the truth I kind of like the display but where would I put all my family photos? |
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| This is where my TV usually is, missing my shows for a couple days was probably a good thing, besides I have another "boobtube" downstairs if I get despirit. |
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| This was our sign post, I wasn't sure if my neighbor's For Sale sign distracted people or not, but isn't Jake neat! |
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| These are the blanks from my last post partially painted and hanging from the rafters in my studio. |
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| This is the painting station I worked at for the Santas, I had forgotten how long painting projects take when you are making multiples. I still have several to finish! |
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| This is one of the large Santa's finished. |
First, never blindly say "I am going to host a show at my house." when you are not completely prepared. If your life is busy now, it probably isn't going to change to much in 6 or 9 months just because you said so.
Second, never commit to a show unless you have enough product already. It is an amazing amount of work to put on a show in your house and all those things you want to get done in your house get magnified. Things like no trim on the back door become a huge stressor, that is until you realize you are a quilter and can pin up a quilt over it! Then when the huge oversized chair won't fit down the hall - you realize you will love it in the kitchen in front of the pinned up quilt and of course that neat drop leaf table you found at Goodwill is perfect for the kitchen as well. WELL THEN...you make that happen too! Even if it is two days before the show and you have no place for the old table!
Third, you won't realize that you don't have enough signage until the day of the sale. Even if you make a great scarecrow out of a 1 x 10, he will seem tiny on a busy highway with a 55mph speed limit! Don't even get me started on how many pumpkins, bales of hay, and mums you realize you may need.
Fourth, there will be damage, a spill, a tear, a bang - this is reality and in my book no big deal! Just be prepared.
Fifth, remember your first show is just a test and you will probably learn more about hosting a show than you will be busy selling product. It is a huge commitment and I am still debating whether I will do it again. If I do it will be more and bigger and longer, with more advertising and hopefully more artists.
Sixth, enjoy the process and friendship, think of it as an open house party and enjoy the folks who come in. Serve some cookies and cider and enjoy the experience and they will come and share your craft. I gave more tours of my studio and sold much less product than I had hoped, but I did reconnect with many, many quilting buddies and old friends that I hadn't seen for a long time. That was a huge reward in its self!
Seventh, I am sure there are more unrealized lessons that I learned but for now I am focusing with these. So go have yourself a little show and enjoy, put your foot in it and take a chance that "It can be done and it will be so!" There is nothing you can't do!
Enjoy and take care, Joanne
Do you have any of these gorgous Santa's left, if so how much do you sell them for, and would you mail one to Florida. They are so cute.
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