Secrets Of The Craft Show Business (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780977769018)

In 1980 we drove through Lake Placid, N.Y. to visit the Olympic sites. It was an enjoyable visit as well as breath taking. My wife and I always wanted to live year round in the Adirondack Mountains. Upstate New York has a lot to offer independent small business. One obstacle is the winters. They are cold and long. Some industries need winters. Lake Placid seemed ideal for a 3-season business. A year later we received a letter in the mail to visit a time-share at the Lake Placid Club. While up there visiting, there was a snowstorm and we got snowed in for the night. After dinner, while wandering around, we found a beautiful little shop that needed some TLC. The next thing we knew we were with an architect designing our craft store. By the summer of 1982 we were open full speed ahead. The main product line we decided to supply was weavings. Our shop had cones of yarn as well as working looms. The shop sold retail, and took custom orders. During the summer months we traveled locally and did a few craft shows. After five years of trying to make it in Lake Placid we had to leave. Most of our customers were from the Albany /Saratoga area, we decided to settle there. We now occupy a property that use to be a small engine repair shop with a house. At any one time we normally have 15 working looms as well as mountains of colorful yarn to wet the palette of any craft/artisan. The craft show income is supplemented by a few commercial accounts that send checks regularly. From June until December we travel the upstate craft show circuit selling our wares. This mobility enables us to enjoy the beauty of upstate New York while making some good friends. We are now in our 28th year and have plans for another 20 years. At times it has been hard. But when you get a smile or a sale from a special customer all the problems melt away. Finding something we both liked to do together have made us a happy family. Yes, we traveled with 2 children. We had to help each other as well as work. It can be done. Our kids are up early, ready to go. We always try to pick shows where kids can have some fun. One of us is always running the booth; the other is sightseeing, or swimming. Imagine a summer where part of your job is to lay around at a beach and drink spring water, while spending some time with your kids! Sounds kind of tough ah? "See you at the next jump"