Hey all. While I usually am doing the Craft Artist Blog Series I thought I should actually do a review of at least one of the shows I have done this Fall/Winter. The one that was the most intersesting was the one I did last weekend - Black Friday Weekend. It was the Ocean City (MD) Holiday Shoppers Fair. As you notice the name doesn't say "Art and Craft Show" - I knew that going into it. I know it is safe to assume that more re-sale would out number true handcrafted art work - and it was true. Not upset though - it wasn't miss represented. Despite that I had to say the show was well run - in its 28th year. What I liked about it was it was $275 per 10x10 space (included electric) indoors at the convention center for 3 days. Loading and unloading from various points of the convention center were good with the only exception being the "idoit" vendors who don't understand common cureosity things like not blocking aisles and such. But the heart of the matter is the crowds came in droves maxing out the parking spaces at the convention center where some customers ended up coming the following day as they couldn't move around and actually shop. Sales were good, but mornings were very slow - at least until they made it to the middle and farther ends of the event. I couldn't help but see some that only came for the "street vendor" types with some booths carrying - everything just $2. But it seemed some others had sales, but as a whole not everyone had a pleasureable experience. Some of that was due to theft and what they sold - not for everybody if you know what I mean.

My shoplifter tale was fun. A notorious "potential" shoplifter made her way to my booth and actually made a great sale from her yet some of my neighbors were warning me about her and one thought they saw her stole something from one of my shelves and put it in her bag. I alerted security and they acted fast. I did have to say I would press charges in order to nab her and search her bags. Someone else came forward and said "she" stole $100 necklace - this is from a Slipada person however decided it wasn't worth pressing charges as she didn't want to have to drive there again. This has been the pattern for 5 years - shoplifter is thought to have stolen something, no one wants to press charges, then she gets away. This time she actually didn't steal anything - the thing she put in her purse was a free sample that I encouraged her to take. So, she and her friend was left to go. I do plan on doing a topic on the blog series about this when it comes to spotting a shoplifter and what you should and shouldn't do when you suspect someone of shoplifting. So the good news was nothing was stolen and perhaps she might think twice before coming to that show again.

Of course I have been getting a lot of questions from friends, family and even customers if I would be back and Imost likely not, IF I can get into a better show. I love the handmade shows - everything I do is handmade by myself and more high end than traditional crafts/country crafts which is where my target marketing audience is. A nice added plus is that I did get to talk to a local store owner who most likely will be a new wholesale client of mine, I think more will happen once the holiday rush is over and after narrowing down some fragrance specific ideas for her area geared for tourists in the area. All in all nothing horrible to sneeze at. I also am starting to get orders from the sample tea light candles that are of some of the fragrances my larger candles and past repeat customers. Tis the Season right!

Well, I have to run - I have an order to fill for another wholesale client that is due Friday. Not enough time to find the photos from the show, but hopefully will post it via the Facebook page or something like that... Thank God my shows are over for the year now.... Ahhhh! - Michelle, By the Bay Botanicals






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  • Great to hear from you again, Michelle. I was afraid you hadn't returned from Duluth ;-)

    Always a fair and balanced perspective in your posts..
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