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Thanks that is a single sized black and white one...but I can work with that and try to resize for the small bar....just probably not for tomorrows show!
Well, my first show on Saturday is over and I made some money I had a lot of fun too! It was very small and not many people came, but I'm glad we got the experience. It was kind of a dress rehearsal for us since we've never done one before. I learned a couple important things, like not to get the display too crowded, and that keeping money in my apron pocket would work better for me than in a metal money box. Also, I found that a regular size clip board will work better for keeping track of sales and the price list.
Our next show will be as large as this one was small - totally opposite!! My friend and I came up with a good idea for signage too. We want to make a "North Pole" out of pvc pipe: wind red tape or crepe paper around it, ball at the top. We will clamp it to the back of a table and attach a couple signs to it "Stocking Stuffers" "Gifts for Teachers" Gifts for Co-workers, Hair Dresser" etc. I'm excited about that, I think it will look cool and give us a wow factor.
share a picture with us of the north pole. my little booth had a vintage feel, so i mad these very cute tent cards suggesting much the same thing, but i really feel they were lost on people. the north pole would grab their attention better.
share a picture with us of the north pole. my little booth had a vintage feel, so i mad these very cute tent cards suggesting much the same thing, but i really feel they were lost on people. the north pole would grab their attention better.
Right now the picture is in my head, but when I get it made, I'll take a picture of it.
Well, my first show on Saturday is over and I made some money I had a lot of fun too! It was very small and not many people came, but I'm glad we got the experience. It was kind of a dress rehearsal for us since we've never done one before. I learned a couple important things, like not to get the display too crowded, and that keeping money in my apron pocket would work better for me than in a metal money box. Also, I found that a regular size clip board will work better for keeping track of sales and the price list.
Our next show will be as large as this one was small - totally opposite!! My friend and I came up with a good idea for signage too. We want to make a "North Pole" out of pvc pipe: wind red tape or crepe paper around it, ball at the top. We will clamp it to the back of a table and attach a couple signs to it "Stocking Stuffers" "Gifts for Teachers" Gifts for Co-workers, Hair Dresser" etc. I'm excited about that, I think it will look cool and give us a wow factor.
I did this: craft fair set up 2010 by tat2girl - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers a few years ago. My spinner rack had no top and looked plain. I added this feather ball to the top of it, on a dowel, so it stood up higher. You could see it all over the room. I think it made more people wonder "what is that booth?" and come over to check it out.
Love your North Pole idea!
__________________ Ink on Skin, Ink on Paper...
...It's all the same smell!
I did this: craft fair set up 2010 by tat2girl - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers a few years ago. My spinner rack had no top and looked plain. I added this feather ball to the top of it, on a dowel, so it stood up higher. You could see it all over the room. I think it made more people wonder "what is that booth?" and come over to check it out.
Love your North Pole idea!
Our next show will be as large as this one was small - totally opposite!! My friend and I came up with a good idea for signage too. We want to make a "North Pole" out of pvc pipe: wind red tape or crepe paper around it, ball at the top. We will clamp it to the back of a table and attach a couple signs to it "Stocking Stuffers" "Gifts for Teachers" Gifts for Co-workers, Hair Dresser" etc. I'm excited about that, I think it will look cool and give us a wow factor.
Carole, you always have such creative ideas for your display! I too can imagine it in my head and I think it would look lovely!!
I did this: craft fair set up 2010 by tat2girl - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers a few years ago. My spinner rack had no top and looked plain. I added this feather ball to the top of it, on a dowel, so it stood up higher. You could see it all over the room. I think it made more people wonder "what is that booth?" and come over to check it out.
Love your North Pole idea!
Anybody has fair this weekend? I've mine - replenished my stock for snowman popcorn, composition books, reindeer Hershey bars and thanksgiving banners. This is a new fair I added this year so not sure what to expect.
My next show is the 30th of this month. I'm creating like mad, trying desperately to figure out how many things to make!
In 2005 there was an estimated 5,000 people in attendance.
So based on that:
I'm thinking 30 tea bag and cookie holders may not be enough. I think I should make more.
Then there's the candy sticks you fill with M&Ms and decorate with punch art on the top. I have 30 of those, and I have 40 more bags, I could do more of those too.
We have 120 Hershey bars disguised as snowmen and angry birds.
My next show is the 30th of this month. I'm creating like mad, trying desperately to figure out how many things to make!
In 2005 there was an estimated 5,000 people in attendance.
So based on that:
I'm thinking 30 tea bag and cookie holders may not be enough. I think I should make more.
Then there's the candy sticks you fill with M&Ms and decorate with punch art on the top. I have 30 of those, and I have 40 more bags, I could do more of those too.
We have 120 Hershey bars disguised as snowmen and angry birds.
Ooohh, would love to see your Angry Bird candy bars
I did some bookmarks like these and sold at least 10 at my craft show last week....I did bag them up in the little cello bags, so that they wouldn't get bent and be ready for little giftables.
Thanks for showing me the candybars...may need to add those to my list!
I did some bookmarks like these and sold at least 10 at my craft show last week....I did bag them up in the little cello bags, so that they wouldn't get bent and be ready for little giftables.
Thanks for showing me the candybars...may need to add those to my list!
Oh I didn't think of cello bags for them! Where did you get yours?
Oh I didn't think of cello bags for them! Where did you get yours?
I used the little ones from Stampin' Up and put bag toppers on them...simple ones. I am trying to bag most everything this year, unless it is too big or the little candy bars and such. That way they won't get beat up and pack up nicer.
If your bookmarks arent wider than 2" then you can use the pretzel bags and put a cute topper on it. Those are 2 1/4" wide. I use my Michaels 40% off coupon to get the bag of 75 for about $3.
I am having my first craft fair in December. I am super excited. I am sort of on a test run to see what sells.
Does anyone have a template for the Apron that holds tea bags?
Also, has anyone ever sold Altered Mailboxes?
Where do you get your post-it notes at a good price?
Do you include pens with your decorated composition books? Are they holiday themed or Generic Themed? How much do you sell these for?
If anyone will help out a newbie, I would appreciate it!
Hi Ginger! Good luck to you!! I do love doing the craft fairs. I like to meet people, talk and sell stuff!
The apron template is on here pretty sure. Just search it under the templates and patterns. I know I got one in a swap one time so that one became my template.
I have bought the red mailboxes and then never did a thing with them, so I keep meaning to decorate them up but never get around to it. LOL Lots of people have though so maybe someone else can weigh in.
Post its at a good price....that's a tough one. I usually just watch for sales at Staples or Office Max or wherever but if in a pinch, I just pick them up at Walmart or Sams Club. Sales watching is key to getting those babies affordable!
I dont do composition books but yes, I would include a pen. Any of my post it note holders or mini books always have one of the mini pens with them. I think people like pens as much as anything else. The RSVP pens are good and they can also be decorated to match by opening them up and putting in a rolled up piece of coordinating paper. I would say mostly on those types of items, I make generic vs. holiday. Because they last well beyond christmas I think most people would want one to go all year long. But you could make some mini comp books with the Christmas theme for lists and things like that. Those are always cute! Someone who makes those can weigh in on pricing.
Just remember, have fun!
*Bring a comfy folding chair because a lot of times you are only offered a metal folding chair that can get hard to sit in all day.
*Bring plenty of change....ones and fives especially.
*Bring a book to read or something else to do, like crocheting, that is easy to pick up and put down.
*Bring water and other drinks so you can save money. Lunch too if you dont want to buy from the place you are set up at. We usually buy lunch there at least one of the days to support the cause but bring our own drinks.
Displays
*Make sure your display is clean and interesting looking. Uncluttered is important.
*Use matching tableclothes or if using non-matching, make sure they are fun and interesting. I like to use some of my vintage ones where an area might need a bit of color, but on my main tables, I always just use white. I then use wood bowls and bright green plastic bins I picked up at the $ store to put my items in, or just set them out on the tablescloths.
* Go for different heights. This keeps people's interest and makes your display look more dimensional.
*You don't have to put it all out at once if you have made a lot of one item, but remember, you have to be able to get to it easily if you need to grab more. I always put my extra boxes under the tables (make sure your tablecloth is long enough to cover the front of your display so you can do this) and have the extra items right close so I can grab them and not have to dig thru 100 boxes in front of people.
*If you're like me and like to know how something sells, then make an inventory sheet. Do this either when setting up, or well before that. There isn't much time the day of the show to keep inventory. I like to tally after each day if its a 2 day show so I can get an idea of #s for next year.
These are just some of the things I have learned over the years, selling different products at craft shows. It applies to Pampered Chef, tupperware, whatever, as well as papercrafty stuff.
I forgot to say in my earlier post....I used my Square at my craft show and it was really cool! It worked well and the lowest transaction was $7 and the highest was $80. I did nearly $270 in cc transactions and the money is in my account today, so I am happy. I had several other vendors ask about it and I told them I loved it and it was worth it for me. I think people were willing to spend more knowing the could run their card vs using up all their cash in my booth.
I forgot to say in my earlier post....I used my Square at my craft show and it was really cool! It worked well and the lowest transaction was $7 and the highest was $80. I did nearly $270 in cc transactions and the money is in my account today, so I am happy. I had several other vendors ask about it and I told them I loved it and it was worth it for me. I think people were willing to spend more knowing the could run their card vs using up all their cash in my booth.
Thank you so much for the helpful hints!!! I really appreciate it!! I did get a Square. One of my friends who sells Tupperware brags about the Square. I was thinking of covering some boxes with white wrapping paper for height on my table. My budget is tight this year, so I am trying my best. Just have to figure out how to display my cards!
I appreciate all the great advice! I have been crafting for many years, but never thought about selling it until September. Now, I am trying hard to get all the items together and ready! I am going to start out small, and work my way up!
When I figure out what are good selling items, I plan to do this again next year! I will make a note of what I am selling, that inventory list is awesome idea!!! Then I am going to make those items for next year, plus add new ones!
Thank you so much for the helpful hints!!! I really appreciate it!! I did get a Square. One of my friends who sells Tupperware brags about the Square. I was thinking of covering some boxes with white wrapping paper for height on my table. My budget is tight this year, so I am trying my best. Just have to figure out how to display my cards!
I appreciate all the great advice! I have been crafting for many years, but never thought about selling it until September. Now, I am trying hard to get all the items together and ready! I am going to start out small, and work my way up!
When I figure out what are good selling items, I plan to do this again next year! I will make a note of what I am selling, that inventory list is awesome idea!!! Then I am going to make those items for next year, plus add new ones!
Thanks for being so helpful!!!
Great idea on covering the boxes! How about adding some bright ribbon to them to make them look like presents? Then, display your cards by leaning them up against the "presents". Make sure that the boxes are sturdy enough to hold whatever you display on them.
Good luck!
__________________ Ink on Skin, Ink on Paper...
...It's all the same smell!
Great idea on covering the boxes! How about adding some bright ribbon to them to make them look like presents? Then, display your cards by leaning them up against the "presents". Make sure that the boxes are sturdy enough to hold whatever you display on them.
Good luck!
What a marvelous idea! I will have to see if I have some ribbon in my stash!
Also, if you dont want to bother wrapping boxes, just tuck them under your tablecloth or use another tablecloth or napkins to cover up that box. I'm the queen of cheap and easy! LOL
Also, try to pack some of your things in the smaller boxes you want to use for height. That way you are not just taking empty boxes around with you. (Ask me how I know this?!) Also, get boxes that are sturdy and are truly going to fit in the area you want. I almost always stage out some ideas before a show....bring in a folding table, put on the tablecloth, play with the boxes and arrangements of items, etc. This helps a lot when you are setting up....I even take pics on my phone if I remember so I can just pull up the pic to look at.
Card displays are tricky....I bought a postcard spinning floor rack online for $29. It has like 64 slots on it for postcards (or cards). Since I dont make big cards, this works out well. I never make 5x7 cards.
BUT...its kind of a pain to haul around and takes up space. So many times I just put my cards in a box and have separators for each section with the kind of card in that section. I also picked up a shallow tray at Hobby Lobby one time for like $2 and I use that sometimes too...I never worry about my cards at these things because I rarely sell any cards anyway. The $ Tree has some bins that I was thinking would be good for cards. they are kind of open on the front, but have sides and back, so people could just kind of thumb thru the cards.
Also, if you dont want to bother wrapping boxes, just tuck them under your tablecloth or use another tablecloth or napkins to cover up that box. I'm the queen of cheap and easy! LOL
Also, try to pack some of your things in the smaller boxes you want to use for height. That way you are not just taking empty boxes around with you. (Ask me how I know this?!) Also, get boxes that are sturdy and are truly going to fit in the area you want. I almost always stage out some ideas before a show....bring in a folding table, put on the tablecloth, play with the boxes and arrangements of items, etc. This helps a lot when you are setting up....I even take pics on my phone if I remember so I can just pull up the pic to look at.
I moved my nephew and his family two hours away one year, and my car was FULL of EMPTY coolers - with the stuff from the fridge in BAGS in another car. What the WHAT!! I just shook my head at that boy.
I have a card rack too but never bring it - sometimes there isn't room and sometimes I'm just tired of lugging things around.
I did buy a display at Pier One last year on sale - a cute reindeer with bit crazy antlers where you put your cards in the slots. I brought that this year to show off gift cards and tags - that worked nicely.
But baskets work just as well for cards and things. As long as it isn't too deep and too full of cards so they can look through easily.
I moved my nephew and his family two hours away one year, and my car was FULL of EMPTY coolers - with the stuff from the fridge in BAGS in another car. What the WHAT!! I just shook my head at that boy.
I have a card rack too but never bring it - sometimes there isn't room and sometimes I'm just tired of lugging things around.
I did buy a display at Pier One last year on sale - a cute reindeer with bit crazy antlers where you put your cards in the slots. I brought that this year to show off gift cards and tags - that worked nicely.
But baskets work just as well for cards and things. As long as it isn't too deep and too full of cards so they can look through easily.
Haha!! Oh my?! but yes, I have learned the hard way by doing dumb stuff like that....live and learn. =)
Also, if you dont want to bother wrapping boxes, just tuck them under your tablecloth or use another tablecloth or napkins to cover up that box. I'm the queen of cheap and easy! LOL
Also, try to pack some of your things in the smaller boxes you want to use for height. That way you are not just taking empty boxes around with you. (Ask me how I know this?!) Also, get boxes that are sturdy and are truly going to fit in the area you want. I almost always stage out some ideas before a show....bring in a folding table, put on the tablecloth, play with the boxes and arrangements of items, etc. This helps a lot when you are setting up....I even take pics on my phone if I remember so I can just pull up the pic to look at.
I had thought about putting up the display in my basement and trying to figure out what works. These are some great ideas! Thanks you so much! You have been so helpful!!!
Card displays are tricky....I bought a postcard spinning floor rack online for $29. It has like 64 slots on it for postcards (or cards). Since I dont make big cards, this works out well. I never make 5x7 cards.
BUT...its kind of a pain to haul around and takes up space. So many times I just put my cards in a box and have separators for each section with the kind of card in that section. I also picked up a shallow tray at Hobby Lobby one time for like $2 and I use that sometimes too...I never worry about my cards at these things because I rarely sell any cards anyway. The $ Tree has some bins that I was thinking would be good for cards. they are kind of open on the front, but have sides and back, so people could just kind of thumb thru the cards.
I will check out the dollar store. I have a picture holder. It has those wire things sticking up so you can put pictures on it. I thought about inserted my cards in there with the bins underneath to attract attention to the cards.
I moved my nephew and his family two hours away one year, and my car was FULL of EMPTY coolers - with the stuff from the fridge in BAGS in another car. What the WHAT!! I just shook my head at that boy.
I have a card rack too but never bring it - sometimes there isn't room and sometimes I'm just tired of lugging things around.
I did buy a display at Pier One last year on sale - a cute reindeer with bit crazy antlers where you put your cards in the slots. I brought that this year to show off gift cards and tags - that worked nicely.
But baskets work just as well for cards and things. As long as it isn't too deep and too full of cards so they can look through easily.
Great to know! I think I should have made less cards and more altered items.
I made these Snowman Peppermint Patties . There are 3 of the small peppermint patties in a bag. How much would you charge for these? I am also going to have regular size Reese cup penguins, and Hershey bars too. I really like the idea of mix and match. However, I do not know if this would be a good item since it is small peppermint patties compared to regular Reese cup packages and Hershey Bars.
The peppermint patties I use are smaller, probably what you used here. I think I had four in my bags and sold them for $1.50. But I was going to put only three in mine too and still sell for that price too. I just ended up putting more in at the last minute.
Is the Reese Cup penguin wrapped then? Like the snowman candy bars. Cute idea to use them (cause I LOVE them!).
When you set up your table, look around your house and you will be surprised what you will find to use. I found a little shelf that I use, tiered food things (like cookie tiers or cake plate). Those things add some height and you can put things no them to display and sell. I had a snowman tray that I never use and brought that and put my snowman candy bars in it all lined up ready to go. Fun Christmas bowls and plates too. Baskets, whatever you have.
And I used boxes under the sheet/table cloth for height too one year. Worked fine. But wrapping it separate works good too (and less pulling on the table cloth).
