Maresan

Well I'll be interested in seeing what happens when I participate in a craft fair at the beginning of June. It's one that is a regular one in another town and it will be interesting to see if anything sells. I enjoy making my things anyway and can always give them away as gifts if the venue doesn't work out.

ptquilts

It's a good idea to ask the organizers how they will be promoting the craft fair. Are they spending any money on ads?

Sadiemae

I think part of the problem with the craft fairs in our area is that the items are the same year after year. Another part of the problem at this time is the economy. People simply don't have the extra money to spend.

works4me

Don't lose heart. I etch glass for sale at craft fairs. I am still doing quite well but some shows are a bust, despite a lot of advertising. A lot of times it depends on how close the nearest holiday/event is. I did well at a show just before Valentine's Day but everyone did poorly at a show in the same location a month later. But, I have had calls from the March show so got custom work out of the bad show.

I have another craft fair on Saturday, the day before Mother's Day, and hope it will be busy. It is an established show in a busy shopping mall so should do well.

Over the years you will figure out which shows do well for you and which don't. Also, ask other vendors which shows they do well at. Vendors are happy to share, as a rule.

This is my third year at this but the first year I am doing a lot of events. I am to the point that show organizers are coming to me. But, yes, there are still shows at which I wonder why I bother.

mrs. fitz

I do one craft show a year, local, indoors in a building mall where there are restaurants and few shops open. The show is held on Sunday with the advantage of people having brunch are likely to walk around and see what's for sale. It's in the fall and people are thinking holidays. I usually do pretty well, at least enough to satisfy me and make some money for more fabric (of course). You'd think Mother's Day season would be good but I've heard that isn't the case. Plus there has to be advertising - local newspapers, flyers, word of mouth. Notices on public bulletin boards like the supermarket. Hope your show happens again with better results.

A friend said in her experience the people who look and say "you do beautiful work" don't buy and son of a gun, I noticed she was right. So just smile, answer questions, and hope for better. Wish you good luck for next time; try it at least once more.

jcrow

I know at crafts fairs, people want to buy handmade things at low prices. So if you try to sell a big quilt, you probably won't. Wall hangings, table runners, pot holders, baby quilts, etc., all things under $30 do pretty well. The better the prices, the more you will sell. I know this from other people selling at all the crafts fairs. I was going to try and sell some quilts but they told me to forget it and explained why and I'm glad I didn't. When I go to craft fairs, I love to buy handmade items, but don't want to spend too much money. Also, now they have an app and a clip on slide that you put on your cell phone and you can take debit cards on your cell phone. My DIL uses her phone at her place of business for this purpose and it works great. You can buy stylist pens now that write on iphones so customers can sign their names on your phone. They sell them on ebay. I use them so I don't fat finger my phone all the time. They're great. It's off the subject, but noteworthy.

alisonquilts

Not off topic at all, and the app is called Square (go to square.com), in case anybody is planning a craft fair outing in the near future. A lady near me (also not sellling anything) had it and showed it to the rest of us in the room. Very cool, and free. (I think they charge 2.75% of purchase, but free other than that.)

About the pricing thing: Yeah, I did a fair bit of research and prep before I went. I had lots of coasters and ornaments ($5-20.00), some placemats and tablerunners ($35-65) and a couple of crib-sized quilts, the most expensive of which was $125. I also sell photo notecards (priced at $3.25), which were the only things I did sell...I was mostly hoping to get my name out there as a custom quilt maker, and maker of fine photcards, and maybe sell some odds and ends, but people weren't even picking up business cards!

I had a set up that included a frame with a (very tidy) line that crossed over the top of the table, so I had a bunch more vertical display than most of the other vendors (idea courtesy of http://mermaidscloset.blogspot.com/2...d-to-know.html), with ornaments hanging pretty much at eye level, and not lying inertly on my table... I am fairly confident that the issue was the traffic volume (low) and the purchasing intent (also low).

Alison

seamstome

All these types of things appear to be on the down hill side. Most business fairs are the pits also.

Pam B

I used to like to go to craft fairs but I rarely go anymore. The craft fairs in our area tend to be more flea markety than anything lately. Plus, I am getting even more picky about how I spend my 'discretionary' income. Why spend on stuff that I will cart home and then most likely send to Goodwill in a few months. I am sure your items were lovely but I think people just don't spend like they used to. Like some other posters, I also wonder about the time of the year.

burchquilts

Ditto because then people don't have time to "borrow" your ideas & make the things themselves.