Everything Cari said. When I'm invited to a show a few weeks before it takes place, my warning bells go off immediately! All of the fall/Christmas shows that I do are booked by June at the latest, and at least a deposit paid. The only exception is if a vendor cancels at the last minute on a show I had my eye on. That can sometimes happen.
You're smart to walk the shows before you decide, rather than mail out your money indiscriminately. Many people, when just starting, get so excited about just being invited, that they send out their money without checking out the show first year - then they're sorry after! You want to keep your hard earned money to pay for the shows that are worthwhile! Don't just watch for crowds - watch for crowds carrying purchases!! If it's a show that just gives people somewhere to go to kill time, that's no good either. When a small admission is charged, that often helps avoid that, and you are more likely to get people who are seriously interested in handcrafted items.
Welcome to the craft show world! I wish you every success! --and to answer your original question, I do one spring show and seven fall/Christmas shows, so that pretty well says it all!
