Craft Show Tips and Tricks

In this week's episode I talk with the Wooden Fox (my Wife) about selling our crafts at handmade events and fairs.
///// Videos \\\\\
Beer Totes: • How to Make a Beer Tot...
Wine Display: • How to Make a Wine Dis...
Magnetic Bangle Bracelet: • How to Make a Magnetic...
Cactus Planters: • How to Make Succulent ...
TV Remote Box: • How to Make a TV Remot...
Wine Boxes: • How To Make a Wine Box...
Serving Tray: • How to Make a Serving ...
Bandsaw Box: • How to Make a Bandsaw ...
Cutting Board: • Making a Cutting Board...
Beer Flights: • Woodworking: How to Ma...
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PayPal: www.paypal.com
Square Payments: squareup.com
Maker’s Mart: handmadetoledo.com
Manly Mart: www.craftymart.com/manly-mart/
8’ Table Cloth: amzn.to/1qH50dy
Anti-Fatigue Mat: amzn.to/1vwhHtD
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David Picciuto
PO Box 2499
Toledo, OH 43606
© Picciuto, LTD

[@jesbendova5284]

Lol... Cool vid. Enjoying the wine and helping get the fun word out.

[@johnmartin9090]

Absolutely love your channel. So much helpful tips and skills.

[@dpw9475]

Have fun at the show... can't wait for the money bathing video to follow!

[@MakeSomething]

It's going to be my best video yet!

[@JayBates]

The bandsaw box offcut pencil holders are brilliant!

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks Jay!

[@CallMeBalls]

This is a great segment. As someone who is aspiring to sell wood and leather items this is incredibly helpful. It's always interesting to see people's buying habits at different events. $19-$30 seems to be the magical impulse buy price point.

[@michaelhudak9695]

Very nice video, and it's cool to see the stuff your wife makes too!

[@dpmakestuff]

Adorbs... Damn this guy cracks me up.

[@charlesholland6851]

Love your wife's baskets. Very talented. And yes that bullet hole is sweet!

[@JayBates]

That was a good conversation. You both have great camera presence.

[@CharlesDearingScroller]

Loved seeing you include your beautiful new bride in the video as well as her great baskets. Very fun and informative video David!

[@ZacHiggins]

You guys look like you're ready to brave the masses, great products, great personality, wine! You'll do great. Sell out fast and hit the food trucks! Thanks for the great tips too!

[@jimcoogan1529]

Great job you guys. Best of luck at the show. You both have great products.

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks Jim!

[@pedroarratia6647]

Saludos cordiales a ambos muy bonita artesania, gracias por compatir.

[@MakeSomething]

Gracias!

[@TheJimsock]

Cool operation. Have fun.

[@TheOomgosh]

Awesome stuff, if Toledo wasn't so far away from Seattle, I would be there. Good luck, love to hear you you guys did.

[@robshamel3210]

Phew! Still got my conga fix...best of luck to the both of ya!

[@MakeSomething]

Rob Shamel Thanks!!

[@MRrwmac]

It was very nice to see you both and the interaction while describing the products! Would like to see more. Good luck at the craft sales!

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks!

[@GuysShop]

Nice tips David. Good luck at the show!

[@edwardduhamel7535]

As far as signing your work (both of you) my theory is if you are proud enough to make something then be proud enough to sign it. Good luck to you both.

[@Regnarrussell]

"So you like kids" I almost fell out of the chair laughing. Good luck at the show.

[@MakeSomething]

Joshua Russell Ha!!

[@AccurateProperty]

Great videos, and good luck at the Fair.

[@thegunguymartin]

Sweet video..Thanks y'all !

[@pigsty-productions]

Dave, at 15:30, did Lindsay drop you a hint?... "do you like kids"? Good luck at the show!

[@woodturningjohn]

Wow, you both have some really great stuff and good ideas for selling. Thanks for all the info and you are right about putting stuff out as you go it also keeps the table looking nice, I have noticed that when you start to sell out and your table gets low on product people will just walk by and not even look. Have a good one and with I could make it to that show, John.

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks John!

[@HopeStreetWoodworks]

I feel that if you incorporated her wine bottle basket carrier with your wine bottle/wine glass holder into one item, it would be a huge hit. Down here in Florida people want to grab a bottle of wine a couple of glasses and head to hte beach to watch sunset. That would be a great item to have.

[@russwebster3302]

Great video. Interesting information about monetizing on a hobby. Also funny to see your wife finally talk in a video, I was waiting for her to just give you looks and shrugs.

[@MakeSomething]

Haha! We talked about just doing looks and shrugs!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Lots of great information, thanks for sharing. And good luck at the show.

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks!

[@fillg]

I totally agree with what you said about people being overwhelmed with choice, I thought it was just me though. I was looking for some running shoes a while back and thought I should go to a place that just sells shoes and has every shoe known to man. I went in, was immediately overwhelmed, walked a lap around the store and left. I bought my shoes at a place that only had a few choices instead.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I am glad to see you and your wife going to a good craft show and selling your stuff for a fair price, so many people give their stuff away at the craft fairs I sell at, it makes it hard for others to charge a fair price. Good luck guys! The pencil holders came out really well!

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks Lindsay! I think much of our items are worth more than what we sell them for but with past experience they just don't sell. It's a game to find that happy medium.

[@VanessaAngelroseDesings]

Great tips.

[@danvalleskey]

Nice selection, I appreciate the tips, as I will be doing my 2nd show in a couple weeks. I have a lot of beer carriers, 22 Oz. carriers, 2,3,4 bottle wine carriers, and my very cool bottle openers. Hey- I think I might do well with my growler carriers! Pens, I dunno, they are sort of fun, but ya, I bust a few along the way while making them. And I have had trouble with them getting 'loose', or the mechanisms crap out.

[@Shopbuilt]

Good stuff, should be a great table.

[@MickMontgomery]

You really make great vids Jimmy. I was in a store here in L.A. a few months ago. They were selling cutting boards, didn't look HALF as nice as yours, and they were charging 175.00.

[@datadev1]

Very creative guys. I hope you did well yesterday.

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Great tips. Thanks

[@MatthewHaas]

Great vid. Great tips. Good luck at the show!

[@MakeSomething]

Matthew Haas Thanks!

[@BackyardWoodworking]

Good Luck at the show. Thanks for sharing.

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks!

[@nickbeat5141]

how awesome, I've enjoyed your video's. As I continued to watch i would notice Ohio adds, and then your video about legal advise made me realize how close you are. I think what you do is great, and gives me the confidence that it's possible to do what you love to do.

[@RussellRay]

I would say it's good to be overwhelmed with choices. I always buy more product when I have more choices.

[@skinlessfrog]

I think my girlfriend and I are going to take a trip from Detroit to check this out. Good stuff you two...

[@MakeSomething]

skinlessfrog Right on!!

[@JimFancherDIY]

I love those baskets! Kelly does a kickass job on those. Good luck to both of you this weekend. Consider doing a short segment on your use of Paypal and the bookkeeping software you use. That card swiper looks pretty slick.

[@MakeSomething]

Ohhh, I should! Thanks!!

[@johnconklin9039]

Great info you two! Best of luck tomorrow... keep hoping someday to join the ranks. Love the creel, bet that's a quick seller. Would look awesome in a man cave.

[@MakeSomething]

John Conklin Thanks John!

[@charliewood4158]

Need more Kelly you guys are great together thanks

[@johngilson7085]

Have fun and good luck!

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks John!

[@tamaselkan8902]

You should be co-hosting more often, it was a fun show!

[@johnturner5753]

Good luck on your craft show sales.... good stuff you got there

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks John!

[@clydehunt4405]

Great video David!!! Good stuff

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks Clyde!!

[@boomfiziks]

If you get a chance, can you talk more about the business end of your work? Such as tax forms, other paper work, accepting credit cards, etc? By the way, congratulations on your marriage. The two of you look like a great match. Perhaps Chuck can start helping her out in making her basket making channel.

[@MakeSomething]

Chuck wouldn't be of much help. ;) That's a good topic! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@MakerInTraining]

Oh my! Just watched this because of the pencil holder video. Love this!!! You should do another video with your wife! The chemistry is awesome!

[@MrDhandley]

A really lovely couple. I hope life is kind to you.

[@MakeSomething]

+David Handley Thank you! Life is good!

[@harnesshouse]

"Don't clutter" seems like a good idea. I do leather items, and I've always put all my stuff on the table. But it makes sense that that would overwhelm the people, so I think the next time I do a craft show, I'll only put out one (or maybe two) of each type of item.

[@horseblinderson4747]

Glen Harness Organise by types of items on trays under the table. They show interest show them the tray they're looking for.

[@markschofield576]

Just remember "if you confuse them, you'll lose them" keep it simple.

[@dannyoktim9628]

like your stile of editing. . .smart. . .

[@PaulDesmondimakewoodthings]

Be sure to post some pics of your table at the show. I'd like to see how your stuff looks when it's spaced out. Hope you do well.

[@MakeSomething]

You bet!

[@TeeGiang]

very cools! good luck selling all your goods :)

[@theopiner402]

I just dropped some product off for my first craft show, hoping it goes well! The most difficult thing is deciding a price. I also made different types of things to try and figure out what works and what doesn't.

[@CheekyMonkey1776]

Great video. I'd always wondered how you "crafty" people went about doing sales. I'm curious, how do you decide on what new products to add to your table? Do you watch to see what others are selling or is it more of a gut feel? BTW. You and your wife make a great couple. You two have the chemistry.

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

Love the tips! I love the bicycle basket as well and it makes me want to find that classic cruiser bike to go behind it! Simply Charming! Good info and I wish you all success with you show. Do you have any suggestion as to web sources for local shows? I would love to go to "manly Mart if there was a local version. :) Chris

[@MakeSomething]

It's best to find juried shows. Try Googling "Handmade City name". For example "handmade toledo". Also check on your local arts commission website. Hope that helps!

[@johnnyskinner7945]

mr. david, i enjoy your vids alot, but a quick question for you. i have just recently started doing alot of woodworking since being put on disability to try to make ends meet. i have no idea of what to ask for my things down here in south texas. if i send you a couple of pics could you please give me an idea of what maybe to charge. thank you and keep the vids coming

[@44oxford]

I also use the PayPal here card swipes too. Great company good choice.

[@Joellivin]

Looks like your well prepared. Unfortunately in my area I missed the deadline to get in alot of the local craft fairs (wichita area). Poor planning on my part. Love your line talking about your name "not gonna be the drunken woodworker forever". Maybe you'll be the recovering alcoholic woodworker ;-) and join us aa's. Thanks for all the tips. I went ahead and bought your wine caddie plan, not because I couldn't do it, but wanted to do right by you brother if I'm selling these things. Keep up the great content.

[@MakeSomething]

Joellivin Thanks man! Totally appreciate it!

[@traci7721]

How do the garlic baskets keep garlic fresh? Just wondering. They look cool.

[@FreeRange1234]

So where do you get the items you sell with your product, like the glasses, pencils, etc?

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

11:09 Going back and watching old videos. Good call.

[@thatFellowTraveler]

Are you going to make a product line of the bullet shot wood? You could set up blocks of wood at the far end of a firing lane to gather pieces.

[@Ack5100]

I was once told that if something doesn't sell well. Instead of lowering the price..... RAISE the price. Sometimes it makes ppl think it's more unique or special. Maybe give that a shot.

[@MakeSomething]

Andrew Ackley That is great advice! I'll have to try that.

[@GunnySGT1911]

Here's a thought, next show, try selling the wine gift boxes and the wine glass holder as a set. Maybe knock of 5 bucks.

[@mikeymac0]

wish I were close enough to go to it and see both of your items

[@iCONAN1]

You two are funny together:)

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks!

[@101smallface]

You should try making and selling those wine bottle balancer things. Something that is pretty simple to make and you can batch out quite a few in a short amount of time.

[@MakeSomething]

I should! Haven't tried them yet.

[@danpaddles2]

Drunken Woodworker make the balancer match the glass holder.

[@shoey64]

Can u give me more information on that Jig that u made those boxes. Where 2 buy and how much and its name. Thx.

[@fredlafnear4874]

lol I thought there was something missing from this video right up until the end..Conga's !!!!!

[@MakeSomething]

fred lafnear Congas!!

[@TechMojos]

Bring some shirts to Manly Mart please. I'm going to try and get up there that Saturday.

[@MakeSomething]

I was this past Saturday. :(

[@ilanmagen]

Love your stuff, where can I get the lady baskets ?

[@MakeSomething]

Thanks! We're working on setting up an Etsy shop for her.

[@jdmeek4898]

sorry for late comment...just got around to watching this video -- what is the average price to get into these craft markets? I'm assuming you pay a booth rental or something equivalent??

[@josephkirkby3146]

Good tips

[@mtgpandoraalters8594]

how do you make the pencil holders?

[@amycrafts2012]

I just have to comment...I have always had a great respect for power tools. Thank goodness my Dad taught me that by example and never had any injuries. The thought of a "drunken woodworker" gives me chills. I guess if you are drunk when you cut your hand off it might not hurt as bad???

[@ronaldjohnson7905]

He does not drink until after he is finished working. Still a good reminder.

[@ronaldjohnson7905]

He does not drink until after he is finished working. Still a good reminder.

[@ronaldjohnson7905]

He does not drink until after he is finished working. Still a good reminder.

[@cmerek1]

You guys are so cute.

[@SterlingsWoodcrafts]

You Tube without the The Drunken Woodworker would be like Christmas without Santa, It Just ain't right, Lot of cool stuff from you both, good luck at the show

[@MakeSomething]

HA! Thanks Sterling!

[@just.some.dud3]

I'm gonna show up and hang out in the booth for like 7hrs.

[@MakeSomething]

;)

[@just.some.dud3]

If I drove all the way from Texas you better let me, hah! :D

[@rippling2795]

lol 8:20 now I see what you were telling me.

[@CoolJaden617]

love the channel, you should have included the spouse sooner, she seems cool. I am north of Detroit and thinking of driving to your show! were you to bring a xl t shirt to sell it would motivate me to make the trip!

[@MakeSomething]

Oh man! I'm all out of XLs. My t-shirt printer will be there. I should just have him make some on the spot. ;)

[@CoolJaden617]

Drunken Woodworker I was planning to come, fell flat on my backside in my frozen driveway! freezing rain up here this morn. see you next time

[@MakeSomething]

Hope you're ok! Everything was covered in here this morning as well.

[@davebowers9526]

Hello there! what kind of finish is on your 20 minute cutting board? it seems to have a good shine to it

[@MakeSomething]

General Finish Salad Bowl Finish.

[@jasonmorgan75]

When you sell the beer totes, do you sell them with beer in them? Do you have to worry about liquor laws or restrictions?

[@shoey64]

I'm new 2 your channel. Is that your wife? Great videos keep them coming. You new friend 👟 Shoey 👟

[@alanrodriguez3172]

thanks David

[@sofiadragon1979]

Can you give me some tips on pricing basketry 'cause I'm thinking about getting into it & selling them but I have no idea what to set for pricing ranges.

[@kellyjohns7704]

Pricing basketry is tough! I think a lot of makers struggle with it. I don't have any consistent formula but my advice is to look for similar items on a site like etsy.com and find a price you're comfortable with. The most common pricing formula I've found is [(time x $per hour) + 2(cost of materials)] x 1.1 = wholesale price wholesale price x 2 = retail price I always find that formula gives me an unrealistic number though. Weaving is awesome, hope you decide to give it a go!

[@sofiadragon1979]

Kelly Johns thank you for the assist, I can't wait to get into it.

[@travisskelton9500]

Random question. I've been out of woodwork for some time until recently and have considered doing some craft shows at local fairs gatherings what have you. How far do you tend to travel for your shows pay for space on average expense wise before its not worth going. I know that may be hard to answer as I know not all shows are the same but I was just looking for some insight. This video was a good topic. Not much information is running around out there pertaining to it. Thank you for any response.

[@MakeSomething]

This year I'm traveling to Cleveland about 2.5 hours away. That's about as far as I'll go with one exception. Next spring we're hoping to get accepted into a huge craft show in Nashville. We have friends there so we'll be happy to travel the 8 hours. Most of these fairs have a $50-100 booth fee. There's one in Ann Arbor, MI that has a $500 booth fee but there are thousands and thousands of people that travel to visit that craft fair.

[@travisskelton9500]

I live in the middle nowhere Illinois nearly dead center so I know there are several more than just the few I've been to at this point but I haven't really went looking around for them or set up at one either. Is it basically a word of mouth finding the places to hit or is there an online venue I might look into or both I'd imagine? I don't mean to hound you obviously your busy so I'll leave it with that but I appreciate your taking the time to respond and not that you haven't heard it before but you make some awesome yet simple projects and awesome videos

[@davester84]

thanks for sharing! what is the online bookkeeping software that you use? i am sure it is better than my current setup of entering everything in excel.

[@MakeSomething]

davester84 GoDaddy Bookkeeping

[@SwitchAndLever]

If you're going to start drinking wine in your videos you better start selling wine koozies in your store! What do you mean there is no such thing as wine koozie? Preposterous! Good luck with the craft show, happy to see the beard coming back in full force too! Maybe you should get one for Kelly as well? Beards = profit!

[@MakeSomething]

Switch & Lever Ha! There's only room in this house for 1 beard!

[@illustrations.byozge]

I really like Wooden Fox stuffs and I don't know if she has youtube channel but I think she should have. The baskets are really great and videos may help her to promote. Maybe in your channel she can publish her video i don't know. They are just great! :)

[@MakeSomething]

She has no desire to start her own KZbin channel. We will be working on a project together in the near future.

[@illustrations.byozge]

+Make Something That is nice to hear!

[@SpencerBelanger207]

I'd love to see a video of a basket being made?

[@williamnixon11]

All thw stuff is nice but Kelly is to cute how did you get her

[@MakeSomething]

I tricked her!

[@jasonmccabe5915]

That's how my family is with some of the stuff I make. Some one always hopes that certain item I make don't sell so they can keep them.

[@DirkMitchell]

What online accounting software do you use that works with PayPal? I am just getting started and I am terrible at organization so anything that streamlines that is a plus!

[@MakeSomething]

+Dirk Mitchell GoDaddy Bookkeeping.

[@DirkMitchell]

Really i have not looked at that one i will check it out. Thanks

[@marklumley619]

Two things I hate about selling crafts; people that come by and see an interesting item, grab it, look at it, talk about how great the idea is and how it would be so nice to have but then walk away without buying it. The second thing is when someone comes by and grabs an item and makes a comment along the lines of "anyone could make this", well no kidding! yes it's easy to make BUT will you make it or go without?

[@codecfur-303]

i was so anxious about where she put her wine glass.

[@bleachfarms]

Can you recommend your bookkeeping software.

[@MakeSomething]

I'm using GoDaddy Bookkeeping.

[@mathewtes]

Are there any videos by Kelly Piccuto??

[@MakeSomething]

I've tried but unfortunately not. :(

[@Shadoglare]

Every time you mention in one of your vids how much you sell stuff for... I must be a cheapskate or something because my heart skips a beat in disbelief. Shortly followed by thoughts of "Wait, are there actually people who pay that much for this stuff? Holy crap, I need to start making stuff."

[@Huckleberry500]

Of course they do, handmade stuff sells very well especially at craft shows. Just think of all the cheap crap from China that people pay a fortune for only to throw away a month later.

[@bluecollarmoneymatters8246]

Too many people have become accustomed to the cheap goods we pay for people in other countries that are willing to submit to (essentially) slave labor making just a buck an hour or so. 1) The quality of well-made handcrafted items far outweigh the cheap stuff you get at the big-box stores in styles you can't get anywhere else. 2) People who would sell their products for cheap are what ruin the marketplace for the rest of us. If it's one thing I can't stand it's someone who works for an hour making something, has $7 worth of materials in it and then sells it for $12. By the time these people pay taxes (if they do at all) and expenses to sell (transportation, packaging, advertising etc.) they make virtually no money at all. These people outsell the rest of us (because of their price point) and then eventually get burned out because, what started out as a fun idea (and they thought they would make some easy money) quickly becomes something they no longer enjoy. In the mean time the rest of us see these people come and go, cycling through the handcrafted business community, barely selling our product. A word of advice: if you make something, make a quality item. If it's a quality item, then don't be afraid to charge for your work. If you want to work all week making items to sell so you can make a $5 profit, move to India or China and work in a swear shop. Let the rest of us turn a profit!

[@3jdni]

Michel Mahler The people who sell things cheap are doing 1 of 2 things. They're either selling cheap so they can undercut everyone else and know that people are cheap OR they're hobbyists and therefore just want to make back the money they spent on materials. I tried making a business out of crocheting items at one point but found there was no point because of all the old or disabled people who did it as a hobby in their free time and sold it at cost just so they could buy more yarn for more hobby projects... I'm not defending it at all, if my comment was unclear. It's bloody annoying when you're passionate about your crafts and you end up deflated day one because someone else is willing to do it for free...I would say good on them but I actually think it's selfish and I'm bitter haha

[@paulfreegard1271]

way over the top,but wood is' from the scrap box' suprised he dont say its organic

[@carterharris4944]

Link to the button maker?