My Booth's Humble Beginnings . . . my story continues

IMG_5059, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

Sometimes you see someone's Etsy Shop, craft booth stand, store, etc. and you don't even think about what their humble beginnings were. Probably, they don't really want you to. They probably don't even want to think about it themselves.

However, sometimes it is helpful to at least think about your own beginnings in whatever it is you do, and how far you have come and what obstacles you overcame to achieve what you do have. I wrote about my beginnings in jewelry making last week. Now I'm going to write about my beginnings at Building Character.

A few, maybe even 4 years ago, I really wanted to open my own store for my jewelry and bath and body products (which I still made at the time.) I even looked at a couple spaces that I could afford (which were very small and not in downtown Lancaster like I imagined) and tried to work out some sort of schedule so that I could keep working full-time while having a store, with the intention, of course, of eventually leaving my full-time job. Nothing worked out at the time.

Skip ahead to just a couple years ago when I met the owners of Building Character at a show. At the time, they had an architectural salvage store and were holding a Sunday Market in their parking lot to give people something to do on Sundays. They invited me to participate and I jumped right in and started setting up every Sunday.

Sunday market eventually transformed into what Building Character is now - a place for different vendors (artists, crafters, antiques, etc.) to each have their own spaces inside the expanded Building Character.

My booth has changed considerably from the time we first opened. The photo above shows my first set up. I had just 1/2 a stand. I don't hate the set up for what it was. It does look like my craft show stand did at the time. Now I have a full booth, better lighting and I think it looks so much better. It doesn't stop there, though, because I have more plans on how to transform my booth even more in the future and make it even better.

Since opening up at Building Character, I have gotten much more confident. I used to be worried that people wouldn't like what I make or people will somehow make fun of me or tell me how much they hate my work. In case you are wondering, these things seldom happen. While not everyone likes my work, people are generally nice. You do get a comment here and there, but I am much more well equipped to handle it emotionally now. I think that the more time you spend in the public trying to sell your work and the more you actually see happy customers, the easier it is when the not-so-nice-people come around.

So, while my booth at Building Character isn't exactly the store that I originally thought that I would be opening, it turns out to be so much better in so many ways. Building Character has made it possible for me to have my own retail space in downtown Lancaster, while not having to do it all by myself.

(For more photos of my booth at Building Character, click on the first photo and you can see the transformation from a blank warehouse to what it is now.) 

Craft Shows and In-Person Selling

Lancaster PrideFest 6-21-08, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

Some of you may be surprised (or maybe not!) that I used to be scared to death of selling in person. I started selling online quite a while ago, even before Etsy was around I sold in my shop on eBay. I would sell something, send it off and then wait to see the response in my feedback. I would brace myself and then be relieved that they received what I sent and even liked it!

I lacked self-confidence, really. I also hate confrontation. I don't know what I thought would happen selling in-person. I guess I thought a person would come up to me and say "Hey I hate your stuff." By the way, I have NEVER had that happen and can't imagine that would ever happen. Even if someone doesn't like what you make, they aren't going to come up to you and tell you that they hate it.

When I first started doing shows, I would get so nervous. I have actually been so nervous that I have thrown up. I have also been so scared that I decided not to do a show after pulling up at the venue at the beginning.

It's difficult to believe that I am that same person. Now I love to do shows. I must say, I still do get a little jittery, but it's more about getting set up and hoping that customers come to the show then about people hating my handmade jewelry. I love meeting my customers and hearing their comments.

The only difference is now I have confidence. I am more confident because I have really honed in on what I am making and my skills, but I am also more confident in myself. I know that everyone isn't going to like what I make. A lot of people aren't even going to understand why I would take an old scrabble game and make jewelry out of it. It's okay and I understand that.

I also think that the more shows you get under your belt, the more relaxed and confident you are going to feel. And the more you realize that everyone isn't going to come to your stand and say "I hate your stuff." (Or insert whatever your fear is here!)

So, if you are selling online and scared to give in-person selling a shot, I encourage to try it! It's very rewarding. Try something inexpensive and small to start and move on from there!

Please share your craft show fears below. If you overcame them, let us all know how. If you are scared, maybe we can help you!