What's been your craft fair best-seller?

[chanteuse]

I'm interested in hearing what has sold well for those who've done craft fairs fairly recently. Please feel free to explain your vote!

[twyant]

My biggest seller is coasters, with altered notebooks and tins as a close second and Tooth Fairy boxes in third. I never have much luck with cards or sets of them. It really depends on your audience what will sell though. Good luck!

[Marymy7]

I voted for the goody bag as my best seller as I sell Amaretto Cocoa Mix, Triple-Chocolate Cocoa Mix and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Mix in bags that I designed and decorated myself. I have made felt ornaments and wood items and other assorted holiday things, but the food mixes are by far the best sellers!! Good luck with whatever you choose to sell!

[twyant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marymy7

I voted for the goody bag as my best seller as I sell Amaretto Cocoa Mix, Triple-Chocolate Cocoa Mix and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Mix in bags that I designed and decorated myself. I have made felt ornaments and wood items and other assorted holiday things, but the food mixes are by far the best sellers!! Good luck with whatever you choose to sell!

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find the recipes to create these yummy sounding mixes?

[stampin8mom]

Here's a long thread on craft fairs. It was started late in 2004, but has hung around for the last couple of years. It might have some info that you are looking for.

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

Kathy

[chanteuse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampin8mom

Here's a long thread on craft fairs. It was started late in 2004, but has hung around for the last couple of years. It might have some info that you are looking for.

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

Kathy

Wow, thanks - I missed that one in my searching somehow.

[wendykins]

Those nugget boxes---seem to fly like hot cakes!! Also, have received orders for weddings and showers from the fairs i have done.

[mrs_hawkins]

Stamped dominoes turned ornaments are my best seller. I've never sold candles before, but I made one recently for a group of ladies who all suggested I made a bunch of them to sell at our holiday bazaar.

[Art Declassified]

Post it Note holders. I've gone through over 150 in one show! (then I had to go home and quickly make a lot more!!)

[vsbndr]

Karen,
what kind of post it note holders do you sell? Do you do the desk top ones made from acrylic frames...or the magnetic ones?
Thanks

[Art Declassified]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsbndr

Karen,
what kind of post it note holders do you sell? Do you do the desk top ones made from acrylic frames...or the magnetic ones?
Thanks

When you make so many of something you assume everyone knows what you are talking about!!

I create a cardstock 'cover' for the pad of post it notes. I use a strip of cardstock a little over 3 inches wide and about 7 inches long and fold it around the top and bottom edge of the pad...so the two ends meet in the front of the pad. I use velcro to adhere the two ends shut. I stamp these covers/decorate them, I will even add a ribbon 'handle' to the top and create post it note 'purses'.

[twyant]

Karen - how much do you charge for your post it note holders? Thanks!

[Lavafrogg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twyant

Karen - how much do you charge for your post it note holders? Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing.

[Art Declassified]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twyant

Karen - how much do you charge for your post it note holders? Thanks!

I charge $3 or 2/$5. I don't sell many for $3..for the most part, customers buy 2! I actually think I may raise my price to $3.50 each or 2/$6.

I buy the large packages of post it notes (16-18 pads) from Office Max. (The Office Max brand is just as good as the real Post It brand). They go on sale quite often.

[TJStamper]

I have been told by a couple of my friends who do craft fairs on a regular basis that food items sell the best. So like a decorative tin with candy inside or something like that. Good luck!

[dogstampede]

As far as volume, I sell more cards than anything else. I usually sell over 100 cards at a two day fair. I sell them for $2.50 ea. or 5 for $10.00. As for making money, it would be paint cans. I buy the cans for $2.00 ea. decorate them and stuff them for a movie night. I put in 2 cans of soda, 2 microwave popcorns, and 2 movie boxes of candy. I sell the cans for $15.00 ea. and sell 12 (which is how many I make) I think it takes the same amount of time to make a paint can as it does a card. I also sell a four pack of asian style cards (which can be seen in my gallery) and sell out of those each year. There are 4 cards in a holder and sell for $12.00

Lynn

[amyb66]

subscribing :-)

[babitoons]

I have found that coaster or notebooks or post-it notes are my best sellers....plus I also sell chocolate lollipops, makes people stop!

[godchick]

Coasters have been a big hit for me. I've also had success with kid's color me card kits.

[godchick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twyant

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find the recipes to create these yummy sounding mixes?

I recently picked up Paula Deen's Holiday Baking magazine and inside are some recipes for "make your own food gift" ideas. There are some recipes for the dry chip dip mixes and other yummy stuff as well!

[Shadow]

I sell a lot of the Snowman Soup in different containers. I put in 2 hot chocolate packets, little marshmallows and two candy canes to stir. There is a cute poem I put on a tag and tie it on. If you search for "Snowman Soup" I'm sure you can find it. If not, PM me and I'll look for it in my file.

[bjacobs150]

subscribing

[Marymy7]

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find the recipes to create these yummy sounding mixes?
__________________
Tracy *Angel #3877*
TAC Swap Mix and Match Bella Swap

I really wish I could share these recipes, but I have been selling them for about 10 years now, and I haven't given them to anyone (except my sister!) I hope you understand, but thanks for asking!
I do have some other great recipes that I will try and post soon!

Thanks, ladies, for all of these wonderful ideas!! I am really enjoying this thread!!

[twyant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marymy7

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find the recipes to create these yummy sounding mixes?
__________________
Tracy *Angel #3877*
TAC Swap Mix and Match Bella Swap

I really wish I could share these recipes, but I have been selling them for about 10 years now, and I haven't given them to anyone (except my sister!) I hope you understand, but thanks for asking!
I do have some other great recipes that I will try and post soon!

Thanks, ladies, for all of these wonderful ideas!! I am really enjoying this thread!!

Ok, ok, I understand! I look forward to seeing your other recipes!

[troopersma]

I have a question about food and craft fairs...do you need some sort of license or anything when you are selling food items? Seems like food would have more restrictions for health reasons. Just curious. I'm not sure I'd buy something from someone I didn't know (other than something in it's original packaging just dressed up (like a candy bar where I can still see it wrapped in silver)).

Jane

[phunkymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troopersma

I have a question about food and craft fairs...do you need some sort of license or anything when you are selling food items? Seems like food would have more restrictions for health reasons. Just curious. I'm not sure I'd buy something from someone I didn't know (other than something in it's original packaging just dressed up (like a candy bar where I can still see it wrapped in silver)).

Good point. I've sold Snowman Soup and PMS Prescriptions, but they were just dressed up/repackaged. In PA, you are supposed to be licensed if you're selling food. And many craft fairs, especially the ones in churches, restrict the sale of food so they don't compete with their own concession stands.

[rah4mu]

subscribing

[soos]

I've heard of Snowman Soup but, if you don't mind sharing, what is PMS Prescription?

Thanks!

[Scraphappily]

This is great- subscribing!

[phunkymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soos

I've heard of Snowman Soup but, if you don't mind sharing, what is PMS Prescription?

Poem to package with Halloween size packets of m&ms:

PMS PRESCRIPTION
M & M's and more M & M's
Each color is a different cure, of this fact we're sure.
When you're feeling grouchy and mean, we recommend the green.
For times when you're down, the best choice is brown.
The ache in your head is cured by the red.
To help you be mellow, take a dose of the yellow.
If agitated too, eat a handful of blue.
If your whole life's a drag, just eat the whole bag.
Should weight gain be included as part of a warning?
Forget that! Your diet starts Monday morning!

[jkstampin]

Tiles are my #1 - I have never had any luck with individual cards, but last year I had good luck selling christmas cards made from the SS kits in one of the card stock purses, as well as a Husband Survival pack I put together with a Bday, Anniversary, Valentines and I'm sorry card.

[BasketMom]

What are the most popular stamps to put on the coasters?

And I suppose I could stop at the local Lowe's and look - but could anyone just quickly tell me how much a coaster costs to buy?

[jkstampin]

I don't remember what the tiles cost, but I think it was less then $1 each when I bought them in a box. The ones that sold the best for me last year were stamped with flowers or grapes.

[dianerh]

Hey, Joan! I LOVE the idea of the Husband Survival Kit with all the major cards in it!!! Too cute! ;-)

[jkstampin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianerh

Hey, Joan! I LOVE the idea of the Husband Survival Kit with all the major cards in it!!! Too cute! ;-)

Yes, they got a good laugh at the fair too! But I can't really take total credit - got the idea through one of the threads on craft fairs last year where everyone was throwing out ideas. That's why I love this site!

[doxiegal]

The Husband Survival Kit is such a cute idea! I may make some of these for my married male relatives!

[jude1040]

subscribe

[Scraphappily]

Okay- I am going to try and revive this by posing a couple questions for you seasoned craft showers (is that a word? well it is now)

1. Tag pouches: a pouch with say 10 little tags for gifts- have you sold these? do you think they would sell well? How much? Or do I have a basket of them and sell them individually?

2. Clear pails- I am going to embellish and fill one with bath stuff to show it off- do you think that these will sell better already made up or empty (for the purchaser to fill themselves?)

3. Candles- I am not going to stamp on them but make the little belly bands. Wondering if these will sell and how to price them to make a little money off them.

4. I have chapstick holders and little gum holders (pic in gallery)- not sure how to price them- any thoughts?

[rah4mu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scraphappily

Okay- I am going to try and revive this by posing a couple questions for you seasoned craft showers (is that a word? well it is now)

1. Tag pouches: a pouch with say 10 little tags for gifts- have you sold these? do you think they would sell well? How much? Or do I have a basket of them and sell them individually?

2. Clear pails- I am going to embellish and fill one with bath stuff to show it off- do you think that these will sell better already made up or empty (for the purchaser to fill themselves?)

3. Candles- I am not going to stamp on them but make the little belly bands. Wondering if these will sell and how to price them to make a little money off them.

4. I have chapstick holders and little gum holders (pic in gallery)- not sure how to price them- any thoughts?

The only one of these I can answer is the tag one....I have sold them in sets of 10 for 2.50 and I can't keep them in stock. They aren't embellished a lot, just mainly colored in and stuff.

[Heather Ales]

Great information! Subscribing!