After skipping last year, my sister and I decided to sell at the Art & Soul Virginia Beach 2013 retreat last weekend. In the past, it's been utter insanity—a 3-hour feeding frenzy of a show. Booths are expensive, but with a captive audience of attendees jacked up on creativity—and a cash bar(!), it's easy to make more money in those 3 hours than I might make in a month in the antique mall booth.
The key is figuring out what these crafters will want to buy. Apparently, this year, NOT rosaries and printers type blocks. Oh, sure, I can look through the schedule of classes and see what kinds of projects are offered and tailor to those. But, the reality is (and I keep forgetting this) that not many of these crafters are vintage aficionados per se.
Items that my sister and I brought—and especially at the prices we offered—would sell well at a regular vintage market, so we were a tad dismayed this year. I knew ephemera never sells well at this show, but thought other items would fly out. What we couldn't predict, however, was that this was at a new venue, with fewer of the big-name instructors. They also changed the hours to 7-10 pm, which is kinda late for some people. Even I don't like making purchasing decisions after 2 glasses of wine and after 9 p.m. And I'm a reckless shopper....
To compound matters (and I'm joking here), I suggested to my junky friend Justin (right) and his grasshopper Tom that they check out the show. OMG did he have amazing items. He was now the new "it" vendor!!! He always has amazing stuff—hell, I buy from him all the time. He's got 4 shows 4 weekends in a row this month, so he'll be depleted in no time. They had more horse-show ribbons than I've ever seen in one place at one time, and 8 of the most gorgeous ledgers I've ever laid eyes on. Before the show, I told him to jack the prices up on those ledgers, and sure enough they all sold before the show even started. The best buyers at A&S vendor night are always the instructors....
The good news is that Snister and I are doing the Lucketts Spring Market in 2 weeks, so all this vintage goodness is coming there. Lucketts is an AMAZING market and I strongly advise you to attend if you're with a few hundred miles. Loads of your fave bloggers will be there (more details later).
And, since no one was very interested in the bazillions of pieces of pocket watches, watch parts, clock faces (of which this photo is a fraction), I'll be opening up a big steampunk supplies section in my etsy shop after Lucketts!
I will admit, however, that I only made about half of what I normally make at A&S (and another vendor told me she only made 1/3), so that might have been our last year.
Plus, no one puts VRS in the corner. I just wish I could have Patrick Swayze say that for me.
Ah Sue, I'm sorry it wasn't as good as years' past! Maybe I'll actually try to get to Lucketts this year! =)
Posted by: Janet | 05 May 2013 at 09:08 AM
Just looking at the pictures, I thought "I bet she had nothing left -- its all good stuff!" What a bummer that it didn't sell.
I'll see you at Lucketts -- a few of us are coming out on Sunday for a girls vintage day.
Posted by: Kim @ Vintage Pretties | 05 May 2013 at 09:13 AM
It's funny you post this. I just helped a friend with a local art retreat and we had the same experience!
The difference this year was that we weren't actually in the same room as the bar! Last year the students could eat, drink and shop in the same room. This year they had to walk to the other end of the hotel for the bar. They came 15 minutes late, shopped for about an hour and that was it! My friend didn't even make 1/3 of last years sales!
I love what you brought! It will definitely sell at Lucketts! karen....
Posted by: karen | 05 May 2013 at 09:33 AM
Yay, you! Your booth would always be the first one I'd hit up, anytime, anywhere. XO
Posted by: Anne Lorys | 05 May 2013 at 10:36 AM
Sue, it was the same for me. I shave been attending Art and Soul VA for at least 7 years and this was the first year that sales were way down. I actually gave everything away as I probably met only my expenses for the booth fee, travel, hotel nights, and food. But, it is always good to see old friends! I will look for your booth at Lucketts. I really enjoy shopping at that event. There is always great stuff.
Posted by: Linda | 06 May 2013 at 03:47 PM
Wow guys -- this really is upsetting. You both always have such amazing "stuff". So to hear that sales were down is depressing. Does this mean that everyone has enough stuff??? NOT possible. So we need to make some adjustments. I would love to have you email me personally to discuss the future. thanks so much for being a part of the event in Virginia Beach!
Posted by: Glenny | 06 May 2013 at 05:02 PM
I have a questions about that tiered metal thing in one picture: what was that used for originally? I see them all the time, but never know!
Posted by: Karen | 23 June 2013 at 10:22 PM
FROM SUE: That is a repro item that a friend asked my sister to sell. I'm not 100% sure, but it looks to me like a mini version of the hardware bins that used to be in hardware stores (for nails, screws, etc.).
Posted by: Sue | 23 June 2013 at 11:10 PM