craft sale best sellers? Let's make a listing! Please

[joleneelektra625]

I am calling them the M&M Christmas Story

[ldumont999]

Originally Posted by kbgirl

What is everyone calling the cello baggies with m&m's and the Christmas love story poem on them? I am making up the sign for them and don't know what to call them? Thanks ladies.....
Leslie

I called it "An M&M Christmas"

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...&ppuser=231864
~Louise

[kaitysmom]

Does anyone have the m&m poem in a word document before I start creating my own?


Thanks in advance!
Beth

[AmyDearie]

Originally Posted by kbgirl

What is everyone calling the cello baggies with m&m's and the Christmas love story poem on them? I am making up the sign for them and don't know what to call them? Thanks ladies.....
Leslie

I just called them "Christmas M & M Story". I sold mine for $1.50.

[craftymomto2]

Here is a cute, easy and inexpensive idea:
http://www.dawnsstampingthoughts.net...pop-video.html

[CraftyValerie]

Sure is quiet here tonight! Guess everyone is getting ready for the big shows tomorrow! I have the car all packed and am looking forward to tomorrow! Wishing everyone lots of GREEN tomorrow! $$ Can't wait to hear how everyone made out!

[DianeCraft]

I am so excited... I made up 20 of the bead pens tonight and they are sooo cute!
I found black gel pens at my local dollar store. They look just like the RSVP ones people use on the internet pages I have seen. They were 4 pens for $1.
(I don't think they sell those RSVP pens here in Canada).

I didn't think they were very cute when I was making them, but now I am admiring them. LOL

I think sometimes when we make something ourself, and we know it was easy or cheap, we devalue how nice the item really is. I have starting saying to my husband.."would you buy this in a store?" ..and "how much would you pay?" before I tell him how much it cost for me to make the item.

[DianeCraft]

OOOPS! I forgot to ask... what do people sell their bead pens for? I am goin to attach a mini "tis the season" tag with ribbon, and thought $3 would be reasonable?

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by DianeCraft

I am so excited... I made up 20 of the bead pens tonight and they are sooo cute!
I found black gel pens at my local dollar store. They look just like the RSVP ones people use on the internet pages I have seen. They were 4 pens for $1.
(I don't think they sell those RSVP pens here in Canada).

I didn't think they were very cute when I was making them, but now I am admiring them. LOL

I think sometimes when we make something ourself, and we know it was easy or cheap, we devalue how nice the item really is. I have starting saying to my husband.."would you buy this in a store?" ..and "how much would you pay?" before I tell him how much it cost for me to make the item.

Diane, your pens sound great. I haven't made the beaded ones, but have admired them in folks' pictures. Glad you were able to find some that look like RSVP, and yea that they were so inexpensive. I am always so thrilled when I can find a look-a-like to use for crafting.

Your hubby sounds like mine. He is so patient to look at everything I make. I know sometimes he doesn't "get it" because he is a guy, but he tries so hard to help me and be supportive of what I'm doing.

My favorite thing he's said is "Well, that's beautiful, darling. What is it?" Ya gotta love 'em.

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by CraftyValerie

Sure is quiet here tonight! Guess everyone is getting ready for the big shows tomorrow! I have the car all packed and am looking forward to tomorrow! Wishing everyone lots of GREEN tomorrow! $$ Can't wait to hear how everyone made out!

Good luck on your show Valerie! I have one tomorrow at an elementary school from 9 to 4. They let us come in tonight from 5 to 7 to set up. I love to set up the night before and then just get show up in the morning with everything all ready to go.

This is the first year they have had the holiday bazaar, but it is a very well attended grade school in a district where the parents are quite involved in everything and really support the school. They have advertised it pretty well, and it is on a high-traffic street. We should have lots of people who just see it as they drive by - I hope.....

I put up lots of signs on my stuff saying "Great for Teacher's Gifts". That should work pretty well at a school bazaar, doncha think?

[hearts2u]

Good luck to all those with craft fairs tomorrow - wishing you lots of $$$. Can't wait to hear the feedback.

[hearts2u]

Originally Posted by craftymomto2

Here is a cute, easy and inexpensive idea:
http://www.dawnsstampingthoughts.net...pop-video.html

Thanks Mary. That was a cute candle pop idea!

[ldumont999]

Originally Posted by hearts2u

Thanks Mary. That was a cute candle pop idea!

Yes, I agree it was adorable. One question though. How does the person use the candle if the pop stick is hot glued the bottom of the candle? Does it come off of there easily?

[shayks]

I had a very small event - no charge and at my friend's house. All word-of-mouth advertising and no one I invited came, but I sold $54 & so did my friend (yep, same amount). There were two more ladies w/ a lot fewer items and they did not do as well.

I think I will have an open house in my home, too.

[craftsrlb]

I did a home show for 7 years in my home..but keep in mind i did things like night gowns, wreaths,larger decorative things before i got into stamping etc.
it started out slow but about the 4th year i was making about 1,000 per weekend, with just family and friends..word of mouth. I stopped doing it because it wasnt fun anymore, and i was running out of new ideas. I may start up again next year with all my paper stuff, but have fewer people to invite as people have moved, passed away , lost my job etc. but I would say give it a try on your own or with another person who doesnt sell the same things you do

[MonicaR]

Originally Posted by DianeCraft

I am so excited... I made up 20 of the bead pens tonight and they are sooo cute!
I found black gel pens at my local dollar store. They look just like the RSVP ones people use on the internet pages I have seen. They were 4 pens for $1.
(I don't think they sell those RSVP pens here in Canada).

I didn't think they were very cute when I was making them, but now I am admiring them. LOL

I think sometimes when we make something ourself, and we know it was easy or cheap, we devalue how nice the item really is. I have starting saying to my husband.."would you buy this in a store?" ..and "how much would you pay?" before I tell him how much it cost for me to make the item.

Diane,

Yes they sell the RSVP pens in Canada...I have bags full...I got them at Wal-Mart!

[Pipergirl]

Just got done doing my first craft show! It was a very small venue with only about 6 other sellers and this was a first time show at a small location (A "Curves" which had gone belly up!). I only decied to do this 2 weeks ago so I rushed to put alot of things together last minute. I did it more as a test run to see what would sell and what wouldn't. The space was free for me It was advertised well, but the next town over (about 8 miles away) was having several BIG craft shows so I wasn't really expecting much business. I ended up selling about $85 worth of stuff (mostly to the other vendors).

The hot items were the $1 jumbo paperclip bookmarks, my post it note holders ($3), hot chocolate cones in the Wiltons frosting ($5), a few of the "Grinch pills" ($2.50), and some quick and easy business size fridge magnets I made using just patterned paper and stamping a sentiment on it. I made a few of the wrapped up Hershey chocolate bars (Santa suit style) last minute and all of them sold fast! I charged $1.25 each for these. I made about 40 gift card holders (wallet style) and only sold 3 of these....

I did not sell a single card- but I really didn't expect too. My cousin did the show/fair with me and she made a bunch of cute gift tags using her Nestabilties dies and they were selling fast, and she also brought along about 200 rubber stamps to sell and they were selling too! She sold several retired SU sets and other single stamps (I bought a few too). She made some beautiful small gift bags out of very expensive handmade papers and really wide decorative ribbon, and she sold a couple of them at $5 each. Not one of her cards sold either....

I'm not terribly disappointed as I did not really give myself much time to really get a good variety of things made......and the stuff that is made is going to get used for another craft show that is much larger and more popular in my area in 3 weeks. I think most people were looking for inexpensive stocking stuffers, so I was wishing I had made more $1 and $2 items (like snowman soup and wrapped hershey bars, etc....)

The really hot vendor at my small show which was a total shocker to me was and older grandma who had a bunch of knitted/crocheted, quilted/hand sewed items and these the fabric "potatoe bags"- which you use to cook potatoes in the microwave- she was selling tons of them!! They were just simple square and rectangular fabric bags with a drawstring closure. I think they were sold at $4 to $8 each, she had several sizes to choose from.

For the next show I'm going to try to make some more inexpensive but quick items that I don't need to spend much $ on supplies, or things that too much time to create.

Thanks to all of you who posted your creations on here- you inspired me to give this craft show thing a try!!

Here are a few pictures of our table set up too- remember this was a very small show in a small building...and our first time. We had other things set up along the wall too- just didn't take a picture......forgot.

Anne

[MichelleBowley]

I finished up a craft fair today and made $4. I know, not too good huh. I sold 4 packages of dog treats. Towards the end of the fair I had a blast. We started bartering with the tables around us. I came home with a beautiful wreath, two floral arrangements, earrings, a necklace, a dish towel, an apron and a couple of cloths to clean the inside of my car. Score! I totally recommend all vendors do it, the worse you can hear is no thanks.

[craftymomto2]

Originally Posted by ldumont999

Yes, I agree it was adorable. One question though. How does the person use the candle if the pop stick is hot glued the bottom of the candle? Does it come off of there easily?

Good question, you'd have to e-mail Dawn at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts to get the answer!

[buggainok]

Pipergirl, sounds like you had a good first time craft fair. Your table just looks wonderful. Love, love your red tablecloth. So festive and Christmasy! Good luck at your next show, too.

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by MichelleBowley

I finished up a craft fair today and made $4. I know, not too good huh. I sold 4 packages of dog treats. Towards the end of the fair I had a blast. We started bartering with the tables around us. I came home with a beautiful wreath, two floral arrangements, earrings, a necklace, a dish towel, an apron and a couple of cloths to clean the inside of my car. Score! I totally recommend all vendors do it, the worse you can hear is no thanks.

Michelle,

If I didn't know better, I'd say you and I were at the same craft fair! I did a little bit better than you - but not much.

Mine was at an elementary school on a busy street, and they did not even have a sign out front. My DIL drove right past it trying to come to the show, and had to call for directions, lol.

It was their first time doing a show, and they weren't too well organized. We just didn't have many people at the show at all. No matter how good your stuff is, they can't buy it if they aren't there! It was also a dreary overcast misty day, which tends to keep people at home. Plus, OU football is a big deal in Oklahoma. They were playing early in the day, instead of at night, so maybe people were at home watching the game.

Everyone was trying to find reasons for the low turnout, but who knows?

The fair was from 9 to 4, and several vendors just packed up and left at noon after no sales and hardly any lookers.

I stayed to the bitter end, and made a few sales of candy items - gift packs of York peppermint patties, Ghirardelli squares, nuggets, etc. I also sold several post it note holders. So funny what people will buy. My last show I sold 10 purse gift card holders at $4 each. People were lined up to buy them. At this show, I couldn't get anyone to even look at them. Go figure.

Oh, and my $40 booth fee did include a free sack lunch from Chik-Filet for all the vendors, which was nice, so it wasn't a total loss.

Onward and upward to the next show on December 5th. The silver lining, if there is one, is that I don't have to make a lot of stuff to fill my inventory back up.

[CraftyValerie]

Pipergirl - your table & your items look beautiful!

I had my first (attended) show today. It was at a Senior Living Center and they did practically NO advertising. The sign they put out front said "Lemonade and Hot Dogs this way..." cause I guess the paper they put over it that said "Craft Sale" had blown off. There was a well advertised craft sale right next door though, and I think the traffic we did get was from there.

All in all I think I did better than I had expected to.

I sold:

1 Dog Bandana
5 Dog Placemats
31 (indivual) Dog Treats
1 Boxed Dog Treats
3 Boxes of "White Trash"
1 Fleece Neck warmer
5 Acrylic Post-it note holders
3 Chocolate lollipops
1 Snowman Soup

Plus I had $40 in orders for personalized dog placemats

On the bright side, I have so much left over for my 12/4 show that I don't have to kill myself to prepare for it!

After my $25 table fee I made around $140. I was selling dog treats to other vendors before I was even set up!

I also met some very nice people and even traded emails with the lady in the booth next to me, who will probably be doing the next 2 fairs that I'm doing. And a very nice older gentleman who helped me load up my car. The people were so nice! Christmas music was playing all day so it was hard not to feel the Christmas spirit!

I'll try to post pics!

[CraftyValerie]

Ok, I *think* I just successfully added my first album in my gallery!

Here's the link: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga....php?cat=18533

If it doesn't work please let me know!

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by CraftyValerie

Ok, I *think* I just successfully added my first album in my gallery!

Here's the link: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga....php?cat=18533

If it doesn't work please let me know!

Valerie, I just strolled through your gallery. Your link works great. Loved seeing your display. Thanks for posting it.

[Pipergirl]

Buggainok I just took a stroll through your gallery and all of your items for your craft fairs are beautiful- I really love your purse gift card holders!! So cute and stylish!! Of course I love all the Halloween items too (my fave holiday). I wish you better luck on your next sale!

I picked up the red tablecloth on my table just 2 weeks ago at Joanne's on clearance for $5- what a deal!

Anne

[Pipergirl]

Originally Posted by CraftyValerie

Ok, I *think* I just successfully added my first album in my gallery!

Here's the link: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga....php?cat=18533

If it doesn't work please let me know!

I just took a stroll through your gallery too and all your stuff is divine! I love the handmade chocolates (yummy) and the cute doggie items!

Anne

[DianeCraft]

I have a question about the dog treats people make.
Do you actually make the dog treats ... in the oven?? Or do you buy treats in a box and decorate them?

[CraftyValerie]

Originally Posted by DianeCraft

I have a question about the dog treats people make.
Do you actually make the dog treats ... in the oven?? Or do you buy treats in a box and decorate them?

I bought Milkbones (3 different sizes) and just decorated them with white chocolate. My time was very limited so I needed something easy and quick!

[majicbead]

Congrats! You did so much better than I did! I'm sure it helped to have another show next door. Your table looked great!

[MuseMyWorld]

Well, I'm a little bummed. I only made $37.00 all day! My biggest seller was my .50 cent paperclip bookmarks that I wasn't even going to make, but added at the last minute. Glad I did! Anyways, I can't complain too much, because I made my booth fee back, but it is disappointing. I learned today when I got to the fair to set up, that the woman who was organizing it had a sickness in the family and had to move out of state quickly to take care of the family member. This was last month, and the lady who took over only had one month to plan and organize the whole thing. There was no advertising at all! So, all in all, I should be lucky I made my booth fee back. This is a two day event, so maybe tomorrow will be better. However, next year I do plan to do a couple of shows, so I will have all year to research and figure it out. Hope the next one goes better! Good luck to everyone else who had shows. I will post pictures sometime soon. Thanks to everyone for all of the info and encouragement while I was preparing for this. It has been much appreciated!

[DK]

Just found out the craft show I'm doing in 2 weeks is providing round tables. What suggestions do you have for round table set up?

Diana

[CAmomof2]

Originally Posted by DK

Just found out the craft show I'm doing in 2 weeks is providing round tables. What suggestions do you have for round table set up?

Diana

Diana,

I would have the table able to be walked around, if possible. And put a box under your tablecloth in the middle of the table to lift up some items. Does that make any sense?

[chelsea1cakes]

has anyone got the link to a xmas label for tin soup please i'm sure i've seen one on here but can't find it
tia
sue

[dhb1281]

Just catching up on this thread. Congrats to all that had a show this past weekend!Joleneelektra625 Nice setup! All your items were cute and nicely packaged and displayed great! Pipergirl cute post it notes! Loved your red table clothes, your display looks wonderful! Would have loved to see your friends 200 stamps! Amy Dearie $156 in 90 minutes! WOW!! That is great! CraftyValerie Great doggie placemates and and treats. Loved your doggie lamp! I bet that drew people over to see what you were selling. Nice idea!
I had my second show yesterday. I didn't take any new pics as my setup was identical to last weeks show and the pics are in my gallery. I had the same two hopes for this show. Break 200. in sales and sell coasters. I sold 209.50 (.50 less than last weeks show) and sold 7 single coasters and one set of 4 in a Christmas basket. Singles 4. ea or 4/15 (mix or match) and set of 4 in a basket for 20. I will definately continue to make coasters as they are one of my best sellers. A BIG THANKYOU TO ALL that shared their coaster making tips! Handstamped 3 candle votive candle holders with snowman had 5 sold 5 for 6 each. Sold 24. worth of various priced cards. I really believe the card rack has increased my card sales. Sold 7 postit notes. 9 bookmarks 2.50 ea only sold one last week. Changed sign to 2.50 ea or 2 for 4- and sold 9 yesterday. Also changed the sign on the 12 mo monthly planners for 6ea or 2 for 10- and sold 2. Only have one more show to do and need to move them.
What is the M&M Christmas story? And do you have a pic of thses? I have a bunch of fun size packs of M&Ms and have one more show and wanted to do something differant to add to the ones I have sold the past couple years.

[dancincz]

hi ladies - it's such fun to read about the ups and downs of our craft fairs - it seems no matter where we are, no one can predict what's going to sell (or not) - my show was at an assisted living campus (5 buildings) - it was beautifully organized...they gave each vendor an insulated lunch tote full of snacks and bottled water, a free lunch and drink and had people helping load and unload...all I can say is WOW !! - it was well advertised, lots of people and I brought home almost 300. (happy dance) - I left many items home as I only had one table...biggest seller - DECORATED CLIPBOARDS...go figure, I have been carting them around for weeks - next was post-its, poop and soup, book thongs, badge holders (hey, made them the night before, it's a hospital setting and it worked) - now I have a big fair the 29th and all the guns come out, esp. the layered ornaments - will post some more pics soon
morale of this story...you never know what is going to sell
gotta get busy...carole

[CraftyValerie]

Originally Posted by dancincz

hi ladies - it's such fun to read about the ups and downs of our craft fairs - it seems no matter where we are, no one can predict what's going to sell (or not) - my show was at an assisted living campus (5 buildings) - it was beautifully organized...they gave each vendor an insulated lunch tote full of snacks and bottled water, a free lunch and drink and had people helping load and unload...all I can say is WOW !! - it was well advertised, lots of people and I brought home almost 300. (happy dance) - I left many items home as I only had one table...biggest seller - DECORATED CLIPBOARDS...go figure, I have been carting them around for weeks - next was post-its, poop and soup, book thongs, badge holders (hey, made them the night before, it's a hospital setting and it worked) - now I have a big fair the 29th and all the guns come out, esp. the layered ornaments - will post some more pics soon
morale of this story...you never know what is going to sell
gotta get busy...carole

Wow Carole, I'd be doing a happy dance with that too! How nice to have someone there to help load & unload - that was the worst part for me yesterday. I'm hurting so much today it hurts to move! I'm aching in places I didn't know could ache Although if I brought home $300 I think that would have taken a little of the pain away, lol.

I've been looking all over for those clipboards and can't find the ones that have the clip part that screws off. All the ones I have found the clips can't come off, so I haven't been able to try doing the clipboards. Glad they worked out so well for you though! Can't wait to see the pics!

[stampinrealtor]

Hello All, I have been following this thread for months and have not had a craft fair yet. So I have nothing to report. I have the opportunity to do one Sat after Thanksgiving but Im not quite sure if I want to but probably will. I would like to make the decorated dog bones but I thought chocolate was bad for dogs??? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Maria

[CraftyValerie]

Originally Posted by stampinrealtor

Hello All, I have been following this thread for months and have not had a craft fair yet. So I have nothing to report. I have the opportunity to do one Sat after Thanksgiving but Im not quite sure if I want to but probably will. I would like to make the decorated dog bones but I thought chocolate was bad for dogs??? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Maria

Hi Maria, white chocolate is not toxic to dogs, only chocolate with cocoa in it is. White chocolate does not contain cocoa. The darker the chocolate the more toxic it is. Actually, white chocolate isn't really "chocolate". The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory near me also sells these bones for dogs! Good luck on your fair Sat. if you decide to do it!

[nsruss]

Boy am I a moron. I was going to do a fair on December 12th and thought the deadline for registration was November 27th. It was the 17th. At least I'll have lots of things ready for next year. The 12th is probably too close to Christmas anyway, right?? lol

[CraftyValerie]

Originally Posted by nsruss

Boy am I a moron. I was going to do a fair on December 12th and thought the deadline for registration was November 27th. It was the 17th. At least I'll have lots of things ready for next year. The 12th is probably too close to Christmas anyway, right?? lol

If they still have space, they may be willing to still accept your registration. You should contact them anyways! I just signed up last week for one on the 12th.