How much inventory do I need for a craft sale?
 

Hello. I am participating in a craft sale sponsored by my husband's company. I don't want to make too many of each thing, but how do you know you have enough? I am planning to sell lunch tins, cards, magnets, covered notebooks, target tins for little girls, matching pens and post it note holders. I don't want to end up with too much left over. It is a sale only for employees and their families but it could have hundreds of people attend. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I would suggest 4 or 5 of each type of items that you are planning on selling.
And more if you want.

I would have to agree, I have done a couple of crafts and 4 to 5 of one item is good. Also, if you want you can always take special orders. My sister-in-law have done that, and we have required 50 % down and the rest due upon completion. It was worked out well. We have done thank you cards, baby shower invites, and baby shower table favors.

The rule of thumb I use, and I've been doing craft sales for over 9 years, is to decide how much money you want to make. If you want to have $500 in sales at the end of the day, you need at least double that in inventory, so $1000. If the sale cost you $25 to enter, a good sale would have you selling at least 10 times that amount, $250. This doesn't include your time, supplies, advertising, etc. Which when you take that into effect, you might make $5! LOL.

Kelli

Thank you so much. I have 4-5 of each item made now. I never thought of taking orders. Thanks for the view of figuring out how much I want to make too. That really helps!