Craft Fairs and Show Advice

Crafting has been a part of my life for 40 years and that’s a long long time. I started crafting in my twenties with macrame. I didn’t make your usually plant hangers that everyone was into but concentrated on wall hangings. Yes, huge wall hangings. I sold my creations to co-workers, friends and through word of mouth. I also made macrame owls that I sold in the college book store back in the 1970’s. I remember those being a big hit.

After that craze was over, I started selling my other wares in craft shows. I’ve been participating off and on in fairs for over 30 years and I would like to share my experiences and give some advice. If you are a weekend warrior craft enthusiast, stay tune…here we go:

Here are a few tips:

1. Before vesting money and time doing a craft fair, take the time to walk around a few shows. See what people are selling and especially how big the crowds are. Take special interest in what booth or vendors, attract people and draws them in. You don’t want to make something that every else is also selling.

2. If you are lucky to know someone who has already done fairs ask for advice. Find out which shows are the best in your area or purchase a trade show vendor guide that list all the shows in and around your area. The best one I found is http://www.bobslists.com

3. Regarding your product…see what’s out there. I found that people who buy at craft fairs are looking for a bargain. So, your product shouldn’t be too expensive to make or you will be going home with most of it. The best deal is to make something for less and sale for more. This is tricky. I think most crafters don’t come out ahead and lucky if we break even. So shop around for your best supply houses and use coupons from the Sunday ads and shop at Goodwill for supplies (if you can).

4. Your booth is what sells your items and draws the people in. The first thing you need is a canopy. Its always a good plan to learn how to set it up, just encase you are doing shows by yourself. Make your booth inviting. Don’t have a table and throw your items on it …display with care and use your imagination. Make shelves, paint a ladder…get creative. Above are some links that might spark some interest.

5. The decision to participate alone or with friends is of course up to you. When I first started in craft shows, I worked alone and preferred that. I did well with just selling one item. Then I involved myself with other friends who were crafting too. My advice would be this. Before you decide to invest in a vendor booth with others, check out their crafts. Would you buy their item? If your answer is no, then that’s your answer. Not every crafter does quality work or a product that will sell well with yours.

6. On the other hand…vendor booths can be expensive. Sharing a booth cuts the cost, makes your day more fun by having someone to chat with and also gives you a chance to walk around. But you need to weigh this. I have shared booths with friends and my products were not displayed properly and I lost sales.

7. Remember, that most shows have no rain date. I have done shows in the rain, in the cold and in the heat. Having a canopy provides shelter for your items and you.

8. Selling craft items on the Internet has never worked for me but could work for you. The latest site I tried was Etsy.com , a very popular site for selling crafts. Wasn’t expensive and only charge per picture.

9. Don’t forget your business cards. Even if your doing a show with others make sure your cards is just for your crafts. You never know when you will being doing shows on your own and its to expensive to keep redoing your cards.

For me crafting is a fun and a enjoyable hobby. I still love it after all these years. Two years ago I started making Christmas Trees and decided to give boutique stores a try. Although this is a seasonal craft, I’m having a blast making them and I’m forgoing craft shows for now in lieu of boutiques stores.

This year I plan on securing five boutique stores to sell my product. I have one down and only four to go. I’m positive this can work. I like the idea of boutique stores because there is no work involved. The only problem is I have to share my profit but in the long run I think I’m ahead.

The down side of craft shows is that they can be expensive and it makes for a long day. If the weather is bad, your either freezing or sweating. But if you’re selling a product that everyone wants, then craft shows are the cheapest why to get your craft noticed by a sufficient number of people.

I hope my hub has been helpful in some way. I learned the hard way what shows draws the most people and what products sale. I’ve made some blunders along the way but that is called learning and experience.

So….Keep crafting and let me know how you are doing out there….Any questions…give me a holler.