You've got great ideas; unique products and a lot of energy...So off you go to the local craft shows! Everyone loves your so you come up with more great ideas, fun and fashionable works of art! You move on to juried craft shows in your area and then bigger shows, bigger sales.  Life is great! You are doing something you love and everyone loves your work!

Sales are coming in and you can hardly keep up with your orders. You have to find ways to save time...you never have enough time before the next show.  Eureka, you've found the answer and now it's easier to keep up with orders, sales and traveling to all the best shows. But you're starting to get tired of running here and there, setting up, tearing down... and the sun... and the rain...and the wind...

Below are some pointers that we learned the hard way along the way in our Handmade Jewelry Business.  Some of the advice might seem simple but most mistakes are simple as well!

Outdoor craft shows and festivals are wonderful and fun to do and a great opportunity to showcase your handcrafted artisan jewelry, when the weather is nice that is.  Unfortunately the weather doesn't always co-operate with the show schedule.  Always remember the Boy Scout motto: BE PREPARED!  These are just a few suggestions to keep everything going well:

1.  Always have materials available to weigh down your canopy.  We always had weights like paint cans filled with concrete, cinder blocks, empty jugs to fill with water for extra protection from the wind lifting your tent to OZ.  Sometimes you will have to hang on as well!  This is especially important if you are in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Art Festival; the canopy was being lifted right into the air!  What goes up must be held down!

2.  Always carry hammer, nails, wire, small pieces of wood, string, rope and the like.  We liked to make sure all our display boards were securely hammered to the tables so they wouldn't tip over on a customer's head when the wind blew.

3.  Make sure to have all extra stock in watertight containers, especially for jewelry that is on cards or can be damaged by water.  If the cards get wet or dirty it can really be a mess.  You will appreciate this more when you are up to your knees in water, mud and sawdust!

4.  Try if possible to put earrings on display boards or frames.  This makes it much easier and quicker to pack up just in case of a storm or tornado.

These are just a few suggestions to those starting out on the craft show circuit.  It may not sound like a lot of fun but I sure miss those "good old days"!  It was a wonderful way to spend the summer and make some money besides!

Next step on the road to success- !  Not as many shows and bigger sales.  You focus on your craft and can actually enjoy a long weekend!