ManiacQuilter2

Yes, if you are working by yourself, you do need to bring a lunch and a chair. I always used a fanny pack. Keep small bills in front and to put the larger bills in back. Bring plenty of change. Good luck and HAVE FUN !!

pattypurple

I like to have most of my items priced with tags either tied or pinned on. If I have a large quantity of a certain item I'll make a sign with the price. When I'm at a craft show I hate to have to ask the vendor the price of an item.
Don't feel bad when someone says "nice work" and then walks away without buying.
make up some cards with your contact info. I've gotten some good customers from them picking up my card and contacting me later.

PlanoDebbie

All great tips! I used to do craft shows with my MIL many years ago. It was a fund-raiser event at her church and she always picked up the tab for the $20.00 table rental space. I didn't do quilting way back then. Most places where we live now charge a lot of money to rent a booth, and I'm getting too old for that stuff now.

In addition to all of the above tips which are great, here are a few of my own.

Have several in expensive items that will help to draw customers to your table. If you've got lots of scraps, you could make several pocket tissue holders to have in a basket. Here's the tutorial that I used. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...r-t107636.html
You can easily make 30-40 of them in an evening if you chain piece them. I work at three different schools each week and made about 40 of these for each of the ladies I work with as a small Christmas gift. You could sell them for $1.00 by themselves, or $2.00 with a package of tissues in them already. They are so easy to make and look adorable.

If you plan on selling any bigger ticket items, you may want to set up an account at https://squareup.com/?sro=1. If you set up an account online, they will send you a free square reader to use with your tablet or smart phone to accept credit cards. You can also get these at places like Best Buy, but you will have to pay $9.99 there. They charge a small processing fee only when you use it. If I was selling a $300.00 quilt, I would much rather pay a 3% fee and know that I don't have to worry about a customer's check bouncing on me. The customer uses their finger to sign for the charge on your touch screen. My daughter has one and it's worked out great for her. You just download their free app to your phone or table to use the device. Many folks carry only a limited amount of cash and may be willing to spend more money if they can use a credit card.

If you are going to use one of these credit card adaptors or would simply like to have access to an electrical outlet to add lights to your table or whatever, you may want to ask if you will have access to an outlet or if there's a charge for it. Be sure to bring one or two heavy duty extension cords and a power strip if you think you will want/need electricity. It also comes in handy for charging your cell phone during a long day.

Depending on how many things you can reasonably put on display at one time, you may want to consider taking pictures of each of the quilts or larger items you're selling and put them into a photo album or sheet protectors in a 3-ring binder. If your information includes prices, dimensions, etc, your customers can look through the binder to see if you have any other items they would like to take a closer look at.

Consider offering bundle prices such as choose one free hot pad with every table runner purchased. Get 3 free tissue holders with each baby quilt. Buy two table runners and save $5.00 off your total purchase. I think you get the picture.

If you have a very comfy lawn chair, you may want to bring it instead of using one of those uncomfortable metal folding chairs that are usually provided. If I have to sit in the same chair for 8 to 12 hours a day, it needs to be a comfortable chair.

A folding snack table always comes in handy to have next to your chair.

I hope you have a very successful sale!

Nammie to 7

I did it once -- had baby items for sale, burp cloths, receiving blankets, christening bonnets, etc. Every one said things would sell like hot cakes. Didn't sell a thing! Discovered I didn't like the process at all even before the sale -- didn't like having to work on those items instead of a quilt I really wanted to work on. Ended up giving most of the items as baby gifts for the next year.

Tink's Mom

I have many years of experience (27years) doing craft fairs...You need to figure out how much each item costs you to make. If it takes 1/2 yard of fabric, batting, thread...add it all up and at least dbl the cost...it should be a lot higher.
If you are only making enough to cover your booth cost, you are losing money. You need to earn plenty over the cost to actually make money at the craft fair.
A solid table cover that covers to the ground is ideal. This way your empty bins don't show.
Illinois requires you to collect sales tax...and report it. You would have to contact Springfield to find out the details.
(Yes, there are people that don't collect it or say that it is included in the cost...risky)
Good luck!! Remember to bring your best smile...the customers love to see it.

deedum

thanks everyone for the great advice, all this sounds like a lot of work for someone who just wanted to have fun. I decided against doing it this year afterall, although I will certainly keep this info handy for another time. I just don't have the time to put into it, to make everything and take the time to set up etc. Maybe someday when I retire perhaps...sure sounded like fun though. One thing about it, I will have much more appreciation for all those who do booths.

deedum

i have changed my mind, I just really want to try this. So I have taken the plunge. Just doing one show only for fun. I will print off all the great tips and suggestions here so I am better prepared. Thanks everyone for your help!!!

citruscountyquilter

If your expectation is to try it out and just have fun you'll be fine. If things don't sell well you won't be overly disappointed and if they do it will be great.

If there is any way to find out who else will be there that would be helpful too. If there are a lot of vendors selling potholders or burp cloths for example you will have a lot of competition and have to price accordingly and if you are not in an ideal location buyers will have already purchased potholders etc. before they get to you. Having something unique or being the only one or one of few with like products will really help.

Knowing who will be there will help with your pricing as well. If you are going to be surrounded by a lot of high end products (hand turned wooden bowls, metal sculptures, fine art etc) you can price things higher than if you are surrounded by more crafty items.

Quantity discount pricing can also boost sales such as $2 each or 3 for $5.

How you display your items will be key to getting people's attention. If you have Christmas ornaments try to have them on a small tree, have things at different levels. Try not to just have things on a table.

Other suggestions given here are good to follow.

GrammaNan

I was just invited to be a vendor at Western Welcome Week in Littleton, Colorado. Guess what? The invitation was late and totally unexpected. I don't have enough items ready to sell. If I worked day and night for the next three weeks I could probably have enough. I am too old to work that hard. So take heed; if you ever think you might, maybe, if only, want to do a booth in the near, or far future. For goodness sakes, have some inventory ready. Sigh...

deedum

Appreciate all the great advice, the things that don't sell I will gift at Christmas or donate to a local charity fundraiser. a win win. You got some great ideas and advice that will be very helpful. Thank you.