Prepping for Craft fairs

Status: Bouncy

Music: Switch Foot “Only Hope”

Mood: Crafty

Over the past several months I’ve been working on creating enough products for both display and restock to participate in the local Maine Craft fairs. As most crafters and vendors are aware, creating a good number of items can talk a lot of time and effort. But if you DO willingly spend this time to prepare, not only in making your products, but doing the research and applying what you’ve learned,  the results will almost always end up in your favor.

Tips to fallow;

~Bring plenty of Inventory ~ It’s always important to have not only enough to fill your space but enough to restock. You never want to have empty space on your table.  Once something is sold you’ll want to fill that hole back up with something new, Remember; you are at the fair to sell not to show. So expect to make sales!

~Have a variety of items~ No matter what type of craft you are involved in It’s a great idea to have a variety of items/types/ styles/ designs. The more you have, the bigger your clientele.

For example; I work mostly with beads. So I do multiple types of jewelry. Like Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. But I also make other beaded items like barrettes, hair sticks, and key chain/ charms, and lanyards  

Another great idea: Kids are always around at craft fairs, with their parents. Most of the time, they feel then need or want to get something pretty when mommy does. It's always great to have a few kid friendly (allowance friendly) products so a kid can go away happy and not try to throw a tantrum when Mom can afford to get them something.

~Bring a helper~ This is very important. Fairs are not short engagements, and if you don't have anyone with you then you won't be able to leave your booth even to go to the bathroom; If you do, there will be no one to keep an eye on things. AND just think of how much easier it would be to set up and cart items back and forth from the car with an extra pair of hands. 

~Inventory list~ Have a list of everything you have brought to sell. And if possible mark your items with some sort of code that way you can just jot down on a list, so your not trying to rush through your inventory list to mark it as sold while you have other customers waiting. It is also a good idea to bring a receipt book to make it a little easier for you for booking later, and for the customer to keep track of how much money they spent, what they gave you in cash and what they received in change. This can also help keep track of custom orders or items that need to be shipped. 

~Don’t forget change! ~ Everyone I’ve spoken to could not seem to stress enough how important it is for you to have change, and lots of it. You never realize how many people go to craft fairs with big bills, expecting to have them broken on their first purchase. And when that first purchase is with you they’ll probably pay for a $1-$5 item with a $20 dollar bill, wiping out all or most of your change.

A good rule of thumb is to have $30-$40 worth of each, $1, $5 and $10 dollar bills.

~Practice your booth set up~ Whenever you get the chance (before the show or fair) try a few layouts to display your items. You don’t want to get to the fair and realize you’ve missed something or don’t have something you need. Determine what exactly we need to bring and see where there might be holes in your display.  You could also use this as an opportunity to price everything beforehand... (It is also a good idea to have all prices visible with out having to pick the item up. )

It is also helpful to do this so that you can find out if you need something new for displays. I have done a lot of searching for good display tips, finding that it tends to be a lot less expensive if you can make your own displays. This one that I came across on YouTube is from user, Meiiris, with a tutorial on how to make a Jewelry display using felt and a picture frame. The cost to make was less than $5! And similar displays can run anywhere between $20 and $40!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ58KNkuMco&list=LLRJRrKOQKIheIoEtGv2JzDQ

I plan to make a few of these for my displays. 

~Checklist~

-Pen/pencil
-paper (for receipts or notes)

-Stapler

-Cash for change,(and a box to keep it in)

-Bags or tissue for packaging.

-Calculator

-Table & Chairs (if not provided)

-Signage

-Table cloth (usually the tables are not very pretty. and you'll want to hide all the stuff your storing under there.)

-Business cards and holder

-Forms to collect contact information.
-Snacks (most of the time you get hungry before you can take off to find lunch. )

-Camera-

~What is currently residing in the Treasure Box/ Goal to have for craft fair.~ 
44/50 Earring pairs
24/30 Bracelets
9/20 rings
9/15 keychain charms
8/15 Necklaces
3/10 hair stick pairs
2/10 Barrettes
2/10 ID lanyards.

I hope these tips were informative. If you have any other ideas or tips to add on having a successful craft fair, leave a comment to share it! 


Thank you so much for joining the Treasure Box for another crafty experience! I hope that you have enjoyed your time here. Don't forget to fallow and Share with your friends, on Facebook.

Stay crafty my friends.  ^__^

 ~Favorite Weekly Etsy Finds ~

For more great baby boy finds check out this Treasury on Etsy. ~*~ For the Baby!~*~