Thread: Workshop - worth it?

I am a belly dance artist. I make good sales online, enough to cover website, ad costs and pay for my equipment (maybe enough to pay our phone bill too) People have said I should set up shop at a workshop sometime, but I don't know if what I would sell - would sell at these. It would be some original artworks, and some of my belly dancing gifts - probably my "belly bags" and some prints. I would have to make sure I could at least make up the fees for setting up shop and, the "gifts" I would sell, would first be bought by me through cafepress. My estimate would be at least a 200.00 investment that I would have to make back.

ANyway my question is do you think these things would sell? Here is my website - The Belly Dancer, Goddess, and Fairy art of Lacy Chenault the "Belly" and "Zodiac Dancer" galleries would be the artworks I would be selling - possibly some originals. Also here is my shop - The fantasy artwork of Lacy Chenault : CafePress.com These would be the "gifts" I would sell, like I said - the bags, prints, maybe some notecards and greeting cards.

I like your stuff. I bet your t-shirts and bags would sell at workshops.

Very nice work. I'd definitely buy a T-shirt or bag if you were vending at a workshop.

I definitely think the bags would sell. You could consider trying some other more specilized bag items such as glitzy yoga mat carry-cases, or some sturdy zippered costume carry bags with matching make-up bags for performers who want something attractive to cart their costumes and gear around in (soccer duffles are great for that but are so freaking ugly...). The cute kitchy stuff like magnets and notepads and whatnot could also do pretty well.

I think it could certainly be worth the 200$ to use the venue to try out new merchandise and as personal promotion. Those who see your items and really like them but don't purchase at the workshop itself could very well end up going to your website a week or a month later and purchasing some of your items from CafePress. Have lots of business cards with your websites listed on them. Even if you don't sell $200 worth of merchandise at the workshop, you could generate $500 worth of sales at a later date thanks to the exposure you'll get at the workshop.

As someone who already owns some of Lacy's work... I'd say go for it!
The drawings are amazing!!!

You could always set up a vendor table that has a portfolio book of designs on display - along with with with a handful of samples (t-shirts, bags, etc) for custom ordering right there. Make sure there are are lots of the postcards, calendars, etc to whet their taste buds for more.

Thanks everyone - I'll have to save up for a show this fall. The portfolio book is a good idea. It seems the bags would sell well, then I'll just get the cards, magnets and such for filler. Also I'll be sure to have plenty of business cards. Thanks again!

I second the "bring lots of business cards". I often don't bring extra $ with me to workshops. But I'll collect business cards and buy online from home later.