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Well I am bad!
I forgot to post about my craft fair experience! I was invited to participate in a craft fair at a Alpaca Farm ... Afriend of a friend owns it and this was the second year.There was a fee of $50.00, door prize donation,and food, which I found out about after making most of my items. I actually declined as I didn't think I would make enough to cover the fee. Boy was I wrong . Most of the vendors were artisans(wool ,knitted products) most of their items were over $30.00! So little ol me felt very out of place.Well it actually was great as I sold some items the first day,second day I had to work but my friend let me keep my items there. When I got my items back there was not much left. I waited and waited for about a week before I opened my mail to a cheque for $180.00!!!!!! Yes to say the least I was shocked. I now know what to make!
Snow man soup barely sold! All of my altered post it note holders sold and I only had 8 cards come back out of about 60. I priced them at $4 or 4 for $12.
Each vendor had a receipt book that was at the cashier so whatever was sold was written down. So I have a record now of it too! The prices changed on some of the items as my friends said I was under priced.
Congratulations on a successful sale! Your items look great. I like how you used the woven placemats to separate items.
I didn't understand what you said about food.
Here is a picture of my version of Maria's candle lollipops. I only have time to make 10 before my craft fair yesterday but I sold 4 out of the 10 for $3 or 2 for $5. Thanks for the inspiration Maria!!
My big sellers were altered altoid tins ($3 or 4 for 10), Elf Poop for $1 and paperclip bookmarks for $1. I made $163 which I was happy with considering it was a very slow show and alot of vendors packed up 1/2 way through and left because they weren't selling anything. Anyways I have my last two this up coming weekend.
I just finished reading this entire thread, it took me over a week, but I spent every waking moment reading it. I love all of the ideas and love all of your stuff, you all are so talented. I did my first craft show every on Dec. 12. I was a little disappointed that I only sold $100.00 minus my $30.00 table fee, but I have received calls this week from two other vendors that were there, asking me to make items for them. I found this thread after the fact, but plan on using some of these ideas for my next fair.
I do have some questions for all of you. I have a sales tax license for New York and New Jersey (I flip flop living in both states) I do not think I am allowed to sell items that are food related because of regulations. How do you get away with that? or is this just not a big deal where you live? I would like to do some of the "poop" and other items, but I don't want to get flagged for it either.
Most of the fairs over here are $30.00 and up per table, I have never seen one cheaper, some of you are so lucky!
Also, does anyone purchase items wholesale to make your crafts? I am new at the craft show thing, but have been making items for family, friends, etc. for over 10 years, so I always purchased retail. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any wholesale suppliers that sell some of these items, where I could purchase in bulk.
Also, I have the opportunity to do a fair in March, but it is a "first" for this venue and was wondering what your take was on "first" fairs and also spring fairs. thanks for any help you can give me. Your stuff is all awesome!
check out our thread. under get it together
cny/something. we have had many
we get together a few times a year. planned. or on small groups at each other houses just for fun.
feel free to jump in and chat. we love newbies.
we are spread out all over.
I know, lol, I saw your posts a while back. Are you in Franklin? I remember reading that you did a craft show in Franklin a while back. I'm new to the area, so I'm still getting to know where everything is. I'm in Lafayette.
I was hunted down after the craft fair I was in and got a order for christmas items to go into a company's gift baskets. They had to be done by today and I just finished them. Boy that was too much like work! I had a assembly line going. But the really nice thing is that she bought them for twice as much as I sold them at the arts fair!!! That art fair turned out to be really profitable.
I was hunted down after the craft fair I was in and got a order for christmas items to go into a company's gift baskets. They had to be done by today and I just finished them. Boy that was too much like work! I had a assembly line going. But the really nice thing is that she bought them for twice as much as I sold them at the arts fair!!! That art fair turned out to be really profitable.
New to SCS and posting, I just ran across it last Saturday night. I read this entire thread first. So, you guys get together? I love road trips!
There are "get togethers" often posted in the forum section of split coast, you can also do a search or post for others who may be in your area, great way to meet new people and stamp!
There are "get togethers" often posted in the forum section of split coast, you can also do a search or post for others who may be in your area, great way to meet new people and stamp!
Thanks... I found some last night and chatted a bit.
I was hunted down after the craft fair I was in and got a order for christmas items to go into a company's gift baskets. They had to be done by today and I just finished them. Boy that was too much like work! I had a assembly line going. But the really nice thing is that she bought them for twice as much as I sold them at the arts fair!!! That art fair turned out to be really profitable.
I was hunted down after the craft fair I was in and got a order for christmas items to go into a company's gift baskets. They had to be done by today and I just finished them. Boy that was too much like work! I had a assembly line going. But the really nice thing is that she bought them for twice as much as I sold them at the arts fair!!! That art fair turned out to be really profitable.
Someone who saw my cards at a craft fair (only did my first two this year) just asked me to do 50 Valentine invitations for a Christian School event. Any suggestions on what I should charge for this sort of thing?
~Louise
__________________ Louise Bergmann DuMontAuthor, Speaker, Serious About Her Coffee, Lover of all that is Chocolate...Worshiper of El Shaddai (The All Sufficient One)
I know, lol, I saw your posts a while back. Are you in Franklin? I remember reading that you did a craft show in Franklin a while back. I'm new to the area, so I'm still getting to know where everything is. I'm in Lafayette.
I actually live in Hardyston-the craft fair I did in Franklin was at my church. You live in Lafayette? We are neighbors! Would love to get together some time-maybe to stamp? (after the holidays)
I actually live in Hardyston-the craft fair I did in Franklin was at my church. You live in Lafayette? We are neighbors! Would love to get together some time-maybe to stamp? (after the holidays)
That would be great! I was thru Hardyston over the weekend, not far at all. Merry Christmas
I put the grinch pills and such at the end of the table. They attracted a lot of attention and drew people in. I wish I had more as the basket was empty within a hour and a half. I made a few more for the second day after filling a few orders I got for them.
I love the Grinch face on the pill package! How did you make it if you don't mind sharing??
I haven't posted in ages and wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate all the great ideas everyone has shared. This was also my first year doing craft shows and I found pretty much the same as others...some were good, some were not. Overall, it was a ton of work and I spent WAY too much on supplies, but I have no regrets doing it. I'm doing what I absolutely love to do - create things with my hands! I've been having awesome feedback from people - even little ones at my son's school telling me how much they love my tile coasters. I spent a lot of time packaging things up and I think it really made a difference. I so appreciate the feedback everyone gave me on how to package things up. I also made a bunch of simple gift tags just stamped, punched out, and tied with string. I put those in a basket and had everyone pick one out for each gift they bought - for free! This was a huge hit! It's something real simple to do, I even had my sons (8 &10) help me with this which they loved to do too.
I still have tons of pictures to post in my gallery and as soon as the holidays are done, I'll get those in there. Maybe it will help someone for next year. I really wanted to get them on there earlier, but it's a lot of info to enter all the details.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy some rest. I know I will. Thanks for all your help!
Kathy
__________________ Let your light so shine before men...glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16 My blogMyGallery
Merry Christmas, my dear friends. The thread has slowed to a trickle with the end of craft sale season, but I wanted to let you all know how much I have enjoyed sharing our ideas triumphs, disasters, joy and disappointments. Thank you all for sharing, and I'm sure we will pick back up in time to get ready for spring craft sale time. Until then...
Merry Christmas, my dear friends. The thread has slowed to a trickle with the end of craft sale season, but I wanted to let you all know how much I have enjoyed sharing our ideas triumphs, disasters, joy and disappointments. Thank you all for sharing, and I'm sure we will pick back up in time to get ready for spring craft sale time. Until then...
I started looking forward to spring not long after my dismal show earlier this month, LOL! I tried backtracking through this thread to see what folks were making this past season, but gave up trying to find the right pages. Maybe if I get going now, I'll have a much more substantial inventory than I did with only six weeks of preparation.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
Merry Christmas everyone...just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a great holiday and a wonderful, healthy new year - my last show was at the hospital I work at the monday before Christmas - it was the best, almost 300.00 - now I can be a bit more generous with the presents for the family...at the moment, I'm cleaning up the disaster area formerly known as my crafting table...and, as usual, I found some of the items I was desperately looking for when I was trying to finish stuff at the last minute (Murphy's law, right??)
warmest wishes to all and thank you for all the wonderful ideas you have shared
carole
__________________ sometimes you have to choose between what's right and what's easy...choose wisely my friend
Merry Christmas to all,...in the New Year,...this week even is a great time to pick up a lot of the holiday "what nots" for decoration on crafts as things go on sale. Gotta get started on next year.
Merry Christmas everyone...just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a great holiday and a wonderful, healthy new year - my last show was at the hospital I work at the monday before Christmas - it was the best, almost 300.00 - now I can be a bit more generous with the presents for the family...at the moment, I'm cleaning up the disaster area formerly known as my crafting table...and, as usual, I found some of the items I was desperately looking for when I was trying to finish stuff at the last minute (Murphy's law, right??)
warmest wishes to all and thank you for all the wonderful ideas you have shared
carole
Congratulations on a successful show! Ha Ha! I had to laugh reading this, because my craft tables sound just like yours, and I too am finding things now that I couldn't when frantically getting ready for that last show! I have been sick and with Christmas preparations there has been no time to post about my shows and what I sold. As soon as things settle down a bit, I'll try to do a post as well. Thanks so much to everyone who has freely shared wonderful ideas, results from shows and provided encouragement to all!
Enjoy the rest of the holidays everyone!
II have tried to go to some shows, but only could afford one. Most are between $250 and $500 to enter!
Nancy in Ajax
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarolineInToronto
I sold out of my tile/coasters in under 2 hours this weekend, at my local craft fair! Sold about half the cards I brought too...sold almost $300 in total, with the table rental costing $25.
II have tried to go to some shows, but only could afford one. Most are between $250 and $500 to enter!
Nancy in Ajax
Those are usually the huge, multi-day juried shows that get held at the local civic center or similar venue -- try calling around to your area schools, parks and rec departments, or chambers of commerce. The vast majority of craft fairs have entry fees of $50 or less, with the average being $25-$35.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
Hi there! Just wanted to add my best sellers. I had two sales this year, one in November, and one December 6th.
At the November sale my best sellers were Cards ($2 or 6/$10. I wasn't sure this was a good price so glad a few of you said they were!) I also sold a number of Tic Tac holders and Post it note holders at this sale.
At the December sale, it was a lot busier, tripled the sales. At this one I only sold 6 cards, and at that it was another vendor who was looking at them all day. I used little plate stands to prop them up to attract sales. Most people had said they already sent out their cards for the year. So my big sellers were TicTac Holders ($1.50), Hershey Kiss Triangle holders ($1), Post it Note holders ($3) and Snowman soup ($1.50)! I also sold all of my Candy Purses and ended up with a special order for three more!
In my 2010 Goal Book (a coil bound book with goals to achieve not resolutions to break!) I have written that I want to be PREPARED for this year's craft sale season. I have some new spring opportunities that have appeared and I am looking forward to them! I am thankful to everyone on this board who has posted an idea, a success or unsuccess and a simple sharing of their lives! Here is to a beginning of a new year of crafting!
Location: Wollongong, just south of Sydney, Australia
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Happy New Year!
My darling husband has been strongly encouraging me to start selling at stalls. He is really impressed as are the recipients of the exploding boxes I made for a friend and 2 family members this Christmas. He thinks this is well worth making them and being different to what is normally available, he feels there is good potential for good sales. We actually will be traveling for 6 months around the country starting in about 7 weeks time and so I will be concentrating on making these on the road. I have never known him to be so enthusiastic about my craft before (considering I have been teaching off & on & making cards for the past 16 years). So if for no other reason I will do this for him. (He even bought me a pop up marque to take with us. Not sure what we will do about tables yet, but I will leave that up to him to work out. I too wish to thank everyone for their ideas and support. All the gifts I made this Christmas came off this forum: Reindeer Poop bags, Reindeer spares, magnetic peg photo clips, mote pad holders. I will make more as I go around. I will not have daily access to the internet (we will be in some very remote areas of Australia) but I will check in now again and let you know how things go. Happy New Year. May 2010 be the best year yet!
Happy New Year! I am currently trying to reorganize and decide on what crafts to get started on. I have regular size hersey milk chocolate bars and fun size m&ms that I have to do something with before the 2010 fall craft shows. Any ideas?? I bought to many this year and didn't use them all and the expiration date is July 2010. Help please. Does anyone do shows in the Dayton, Ohio area in the Spring??
I used a square of pretty card folded it in half, rounded all the corners so it looked finished, and just used household d/s tape to seal a bag below holding muchy goodies.
Yes i got multi-packs of chocolate biscuits and all the other pre-wrap sweet stuff that was on offer, filled the card protector bags as I had them already so didn't need to spend. I made 50 and sold that many as the kids were buying, charged about $5 each.
Could you not do this, there must be a load of stickers for spring in your stash, it really was a simple easy thing to make and make a nice thank you gift.
I love the Grinch face on the pill package! How did you make it if you don't mind sharing??
Thanks!
Sorry, I have been on vacation. I got the punched face from someone on SCS. All the punches are SU! The main face is Scallop Circle. The hat is actually the Photo Corner. The white fluff is Trio Flower. The eyes are an old 1/4" circle. I drew the grin and eyebrows on with markers. I used a two way glue pen to assemble it all.
Sorry, I have been on vacation. I got the punched face from someone on SCS. All the punches are SU! The main face is Scallop Circle. The hat is actually the Photo Corner. The white fluff is Trio Flower. The eyes are an old 1/4" circle. I drew the grin and eyebrows on with markers. I used a two way glue pen to assemble it all.
