{"id":209,"date":"2015-09-29T15:09:45","date_gmt":"2015-09-29T15:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/?p=209"},"modified":"2015-09-29T15:09:45","modified_gmt":"2015-09-29T15:09:45","slug":"fall-occoquan-arts-and-craft-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/fall-occoquan-arts-and-craft-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Occoquan Arts and Craft Show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Well, it was a whirlwind, but we had a phenomenal time at the Fall Occoquan Arts and Craft Show!  Everything clicked into place so we could relax and enjoy the show.  We had steady enough sales that we didn&#8217;t have to worry about not selling anything&#8230;. but the sales paced in a way that we didn&#8217;t have to worry about running out of everything on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>When I step back, it is crazy we accomplished in just eight weeks.  Eight weeks ago, I may have had some designs up on Shapeways, but for all practical purposes I was just a girl with a 3D Printer.  I had NO inventory.  NO tent.  NO tables.  Nothing!  So in eight weeks, we (I say we, because from my husband to my mother to my brother to my sister-in-law to a battery of friends&#8211; it was a big group effort) pulled off a little business.  <\/p>\n<p>19 new designs, over 400 prints, a business license, tax IDs, a logo and signage, infrastructure for display and credit cards reading.  <\/p>\n<p>Whew! No wonder I&#8217;m so tired. <\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21625007349\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"3D Printing - Occoquan Craft Show - Vicky and Booth\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5625\/21625007349_e4c43984d3.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"3D Printing - Occoquan Craft Show - Vicky and Booth\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<em>This All Did Not Exist Eight Weeks Ago!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Surprise Strong Sellers<\/strong><br \/>\nThe most surprising seller was the Glowing Cthulhu Coaster.  The Glowing Cthulhu Coaster was actually our first sale, a mere minute after the bells rung to start the show.  We ended up selling out of Cthulhu Coasters the very first day.  The second morning, we printed more&#8230;which was good because in the afternoon we sold another one!<\/p>\n<p><a \"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/243565572\/glowing-cthulhu-coaster?ref=shop_home_active_4\"\" title=\"3D Printing - Glowing Cthulhu Coaster (Lit Up)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/452\/20182648891_646d1bbf3a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" alt=\"3D Printing - Glowing Cthulhu Coaster (Lit Up)\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The other great surprise was my Mamie Davis Gazebo Christmas Ornament.  I didn&#8217;t blog about it yet.  That was my very last design for the show- done in a marathon 16 hour design session and then printing the very last week before the show.  After a handful of gazebos, I was thinking of switching back to other products.  My husband convinced me to print more gazebos and I&#8217;m glad I did.  By the end of the show, they were <em>all<\/em> spoken for!<\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21164423123\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"3D Printing - Mamie Davis Park Gazebo Ornament\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/603\/21164423123_f6b548ac00.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"3D Printing - Mamie Davis Park Gazebo Ornament\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>I was also pleased to sell a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/product\/LFKAKC42R\/schrodinger-s-cat-and-box\" target=\"_blank\">Schrodinger&#8217;s Cat and Box<\/a>!  He is definitely a niche product.<\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/16705925431\/\" title=\"Schrodinger Cat - Two in Boxes\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm9.staticflickr.com\/8593\/16705925431_0bd8362f27.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" alt=\"Schrodinger Cat - Two in Boxes\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Surprise Slow Sellers<\/strong><br \/>\nOn the other hand, the bird magnets and wreaths did not do as well as I had anticipated.  Possible variables- I had that in the back of the booth.  I also suspect I mucked up the pricing and made them too high (More on that below).  <\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21504334399\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"3D Printing - Blue Jay Wreath\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5692\/21504334399_7865f87659.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"3D Printing - Blue Jay Wreath\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Leads!<\/strong><br \/>\nI left the show with a half dozen custom design requests to follow-up on.  In <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/hazzdesign\/wtfff-3d-printing-podcast\/e\/wtfff-89-are-event-costs-worth-it-40267397\" target=\"_blank\">Episode 89 of the WTFFF Podcast<\/a>, Tom and Tracy Hazzard said for them, if they left a tradeshow with just one lead, the show was worth it.  I left with multiple leads plus SALES.  So yeah, totally worth it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Beyond Sales<\/strong><br \/>\nWe had a best case scenario.  Even if we missed a sale, we still got our egos stroked with compliments to the designs and then the best part- we got to introduce 3D printing to the masses!  Visitor after visitor came in and told us, &#8220;This is the first time I&#8217;ve laid eyes on a 3D Printer.  I&#8217;ve read about it, but I&#8217;ve never seen one.&#8221; They would call others over to mob around the printer.  That was very satisfying.  <\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21581129618\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"Occoquan Fall Arts and Craft Show\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5618\/21581129618_25902031bf.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"Occoquan Fall Arts and Craft Show\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21812001515\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"Occoquan Craft Show 2015 - Dyson Plays with Hot End\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/636\/21812001515_64c484f5ef.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" alt=\"Occoquan Craft Show 2015 - Dyson Plays with Hot End\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>One lady admired all my birds and said, &#8220;I heard about 3D Printing, but I had no idea you could use it to make beautiful art work.&#8221;  Beautiful art work!  That&#8217;s the term she used!<\/p>\n<p>And I got to do something I really do revel in&#8211; talking about 3D Printing and showing people how it is within their grasp right now.  They can start designing and printing right now! <\/p>\n<p><strong>Surprising Another 3D Printer<\/strong><br \/>\nOkay&#8230; so yeah, maybe it is easy to wow the layman with 3D Printing.  But what about people who have 3D printers of their own?  Sunday, a local man with a 3D Printer stopped by my booth.  We talked about nozzles and NinjaFlex and slicing.  All of a sudden his wife interrupted, pointing to one of my glowing fireflies and asking how I did the different colors.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/248934491\/firefly-photinus-pyralis-magnet\" title=\"3D Printing - Firefly Magnet\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5658\/21603797272_82e444d634.jpg\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" alt=\"3D Printing - Firefly Magnet\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s painted, baby.&#8221; the man quickly said.<\/p>\n<p>And I got to correct him, \u201cNo, it\u2019s different color filaments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He looked at the firefly again.  \u201cOoooh, I see.  You print the different filaments and glue them together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And I got to correct him and explain how I use <a href=\"http:\/\/www.simplify3d.com\" target=\"_blank\">Simplify3D<\/a> to do the multiple processes and start the different colors that their designated heights.   <\/p>\n<p>Out of all the visitors that past weekend, I think it was only he who could really fully appreciate the technique. <\/p>\n<p><strong>To Learn: Pricing<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen learning 3D Printing, you do a lot of experimentation.  Ooh your overhangs are messy, let&#8217;s try a print with lower temperatures.  Still not perfect?  Let&#8217;s try a print with slower speeds.  You tweak and make adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>I do believe it&#8217;s going to be the same kind of thing with sales.  Right now, I believe I priced the Cork Puppies and Cork Kitties too high.  I was pricing it, thinking the end users were adults (using them as d\u00e9cor, place set holders, and entr\u00e9e labels).  It was very clear at the show, I should have been pricing it for KIDS.  The end users are KIDS!  They love them.<\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tgaw\/21793804881\/in\/dateposted\/\" title=\"Occoquan Craft Show - Eight Black Cork Kitties\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5652\/21793804881_9e5efc659d.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"Occoquan Craft Show - Eight Black Cork Kitties\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>I also believe I priced the birds too high.  <\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the spectrum, it is possible I priced the Mamie Davis Gazebo Ornament too low.  Why do I say that?  My Mom accidently quoted a lady TWICE the price and she still agreed to buy THREE.  (I only charged her the real price).  So go figure.  hehe<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s just another thing for me to learn and master.  It may take me a while to master, but I&#8217;ll keep working at it.  : )<\/p>\n<p><strong>Next Up<\/strong><br \/>\nNext up&#8211; a little bit of rest, getting my remaining inventory up on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/VickyTGAW?ref=hdr_shop_menu\" target=\"_blank\">Etsy<\/a>, doing these custom orders&#8230; and then prepping for more shows!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Well, it was a whirlwind, but we had a phenomenal time at the Fall Occoquan Arts and Craft Show! Everything clicked into place so we could relax and enjoy the show. We had steady enough sales that we didn&#8217;t have to worry about not selling anything&#8230;. but the sales paced in a way that we &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/fall-occoquan-arts-and-craft-show\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Fall Occoquan Arts and Craft Show<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[23,39,41,51,97],"class_list":["post-209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-3d-printing","category-business","tag-birds","tag-craftshow","tag-cthulhu","tag-firefly","tag-simplify3d"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tgaw.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}