Just to respond to that broadside Mary - when, upon your advice I applied to exhibit at your festival I was not invited... Although there are LOADS of builders in the UK (how many we just don't know) there are few who only build ukulele, who I could discuss the fine points of cellulose spray finishing with or sourcing suitable materials or design developments but more important, who make a principal living from building and selling ukulele. You have only recently entered the arena as a festival organiser and now after just a few brief years are an expert publicly chastising me and giving me advice? My horse is not that high that I need steps to climb on it. I was not boasting a position but stating a fact. After 21 years of doing it I have by circumstance been put in my place by my clients - I haven't sought it and certainly don't revel in it or hold it over anyone trying to make it in this niche industry. I have much to learn and there are those new to this business who can teach me. However my experience as a builder is different from yours as a player and organiser. I spent last year at 'my' festival struggling on several occasions to find the right thing to say to 'builders' who were visiting my table. I would much rather be looking at a piece wishing I could do that and when this happens I am delighted - I wished it happened more often. I personally don't know who will be at the Festival next week but I hope to be surprised and challenged so I can up my game. It doesn't alter the fact that I will be meeting 'my people' who looks forward to talking to me, seeing my new work and planning their next purchase. I'm not going to attend a festival where my work will be ignored, criticised for its price tag or ridiculed by those old enough to know better. This is the principal lesson for anyone exhibitnig - know your market and concentrate on that. Tempting though it might be, I know that showing at any US festival or Japanese for that matter would be uneconomical. It might be exciting and informative but little money would come my way....
As far as it goes Michael, expect to sell everything and don't be disappointed if you don't. Talk to the other makers there and find out what they do and how they do it. More important, find out who supplies them with wood and materials. Smile a lot and take any praise with a pinch of salt. Treat your sales much more seriously - if your work is good enough you always build more than one ukulele for your serious clients. Watch carefully who sells the most and if its not you find out why they were successful. If you can't demonstrate your instruments well, find someone who can and have a quick repair kit for those who out of a lack of care or pure ignorance scuff up the front of your instruments - happened to me one year and I had to take the uke off display and swallow my anger at my own stupidity (I saw him coming and did nothing) at not packing an emergency polishing kit.
All the best. Sell well and make friends.