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I just signed up to do 3 local craft shows for November and toying with the idea of signing up for a 4th one in December. I have done the 3 November ones the last 2 years with fairly good results and wondering if anyone has suggestions for turning fairly good results into great results.
not to hi-jack, but i've been thinking about doing the craft fair thing. it's such a daunting idea to make all those things? how do you start? what makes it easier?
I compiled a lengthy list of craft fair topics last year. There's everything from set-up to pricing to best seller and beyond listed for your reference:
Location: prolly in my 'rubber room'... in the mid-west
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Originally Posted by MadameCraftyPants
I compiled a lengthy list of craft fair topics last year. There's everything from set-up to pricing to best seller and beyond listed for your reference:
I just signed up to do 3 local craft shows for November and toying with the idea of signing up for a 4th one in December. I have done the 3 November ones the last 2 years with fairly good results and wondering if anyone has suggestions for turning fairly good results into great results.
I'm doing 3 shows this holiday season as well, thinking about doing a 4th. Not sure about the date on the 4th one yet.
It's hard to suggest something that will instantly skyrocket your sales! Alot has to do with the income in your area, the styles that are big(in your area), etc.
I think a couple of the biggies to focus on to bump sales are:
Presentation (people want a pretty, eye pleasing display)
Packaging (this is huge IMO)
Something else I've noticed for myself is to group like items together on your display. Don't spread out the same item all around your table, keep them together. I had these cute little snowman boxes and they didn't sell at all...I think it was because I had put them 'here & there' on my table. So, visually, to the eye you didn't see them because there weren't enough of them in one spot to catch your eye!
not to hi-jack, but i've been thinking about doing the craft fair thing. it's such a daunting idea to make all those things? how do you start? what makes it easier?
You do have to have a lot of stock for these shows!:-D I try and setup a mass-production line when I'm creating...do all of one thing first, then move on to the next step for that project. It really helps me.
I compiled a lengthy list of craft fair topics last year. There's everything from set-up to pricing to best seller and beyond listed for your reference:
Wow! Thank you all for all the great info! Those links took a long time to read! Yes I have alot of stock. I usually set up 3 6ft tables in a U shape, 1 1/2 tables of my handmade jewelry, one table for cards both hand stamped and photograghy ones and bookmarks and 1/2 table of scrapbooking items. All cards are in clear sealed bags and nicely arranged in baskets and grouped in Thanksgiving( best seller last year), Christmas( sold least of these) and all occasion(needed more Birthday and plan to add sympathy cards this year). I want to add more gift type items and I noticed on the threads that I was reading alot was from best seller in 2004 and 2006. Just wondered what was hot in the last two years and at what price points??
Amber - I think you are exactly right on with the Tote Purses and cards. I'm planning on doing some them for my craft fairs this fall. I've may also make a few with mini albums in them and/or those mini journals/comp books for a variety.
Now its off to look at that long list of resources...
I compiled a lengthy list of craft fair topics last year. There's everything from set-up to pricing to best seller and beyond listed for your reference:
Wow! Thank you all for all the great info! Those links took a long time to read! Yes I have alot of stock. I usually set up 3 6ft tables in a U shape, 1 1/2 tables of my handmade jewelry, one table for cards both hand stamped and photograghy ones and bookmarks and 1/2 table of scrapbooking items. All cards are in clear sealed bags and nicely arranged in baskets and grouped in Thanksgiving( best seller last year), Christmas( sold least of these) and all occasion(needed more Birthday and plan to add sympathy cards this year). I want to add more gift type items and I noticed on the threads that I was reading alot was from best seller in 2004 and 2006. Just wondered what was hot in the last two years and at what price points??
In the last couple years these have been VERY popular for me:
Altered journals (comp. book) $7.95
Tile Coasters (probably one of my biggest sellers) $3.50 each(I think that's what I have them priced at)
To do a local craft fair do you need a tax id and such? How does that work? Do you need a business name and all that or can anybody buy a table like a garage sale.
Little totes and cards, altered journals and tile coasters. These suggestions sound good. And yes I did get a transient vendors lisc which means it is good in all counties in Ohio instead of just choosing one county. I believe it was $25 one time fee with no expiration. Yes I did choose the name DHB & Co. as some of the shows I do did have a disclaimer on their application that it was the vendors responsibility to have the proper vendors lisc and such. With a vendors lisc I was also able to get a card to shop in our local flower factory store for supplies of all kinds. Yes you can buy supplies tax exempt. yes there is alittle paper work a couple times a year re: sales tax. I carry the vendor lisc to all my shows but have never been asked for it in the last two years. I price my items with the sales tax already figured in for faster transactions at shows esp if I am alone in my booth. I have a little sign on my table stating the business name and tax is already included in the price and all sales are final. I usually deal in cash only, but at the local shows with local checks I do except them. And yes I am one of those that do pay the sales tax. hope this helped
Holiday Craft Shows!
