My stall at the craft fair!
Well I had a stall yesterday at a local craft fair. It’s been a while because of ill health and I was really looking forward to it! So what happened? The usual of course! Intermittant trickle of visitors admiring and in some cases buying – but usually only for the cheapest item I was selling. Not a lot of change from when I started a couple of years ago!
Yesterday I was selling my goddess/fairy/angel/chakra gifts and jewellery hoping to clear these out as I am now making handmade fabric creations using my sewing and knitting skills and it’s these I hope to start selling in the future. Will I ever make a profit from selling hand made goods? not by going to craft fairs I think….. I’d love to know if anyone has any tips or insights to make it more profitable. One thing I do love about these fairs though is meeting the other stall holders (usually!) and seeing all the amazing creations that are on offer. I think it’s this which keeps me going.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading of other blogs, facebook etc and craft publications as I love my sewing and knitting and crochet and it would be wonderful to turn it into a profitable business instead of hobby – if only to fund the purchase of more fabric or beautiful paper or wool! I have all of these in large quantities which I look at and stroke frequently…I just need the energy and health to make more things with them all!
You can see the sort of things I am now selling in my previous post here
So today I thought I’d add a link to the Handmade Harbour – after all – meeting other crafters and perusing their creations is my favourite thing!
I empathise with your situation, i lost in the world of internet stores, as i dont have eonough time to do the marketing side, i dont drive but i still made the effort to get to craft fair, which i found a total let down 🙁 so it is hard to keep motivated to keep going, but its purely the love of making that makes me continue as i cant imagine not doing it!
Hi, yes I agree internet selling is hard too as you need to do so much online marketing. IYour blog looks interesting – I am going to soend a happy hour perusing all the blogs now!
I love the look of your stall,it looks very tempting .I’m not a seller so I can’t really give you any advice but if it’s any consolation I went to a craft fair at the weekend and the trend there seemed to be people buying small inexpensive things.I didn’t see anyone buy any of the more expensive items.for me it’s a matter of cash flow-lack of-that prevents me buying more at the moment.
Thanks – yes I think it’s partly the economic times where people are actually spending less. In the room I was in 3 of the stalls near me appeared to sell nothing!
Your stall looks lovely and it’s a shame there weren’t more visitors. Selling at fairs is a long and difficult learning curve, but you probably won’t ever earn a living that way! They are great for meeting other crafters and for market research though. Selling online is also a long and difficult learning curve but probably more lucrative. Also, you never have to suffer muddy fields, wet socks or smelly portaloos at 4pm on a hot day! The biggest key to sales, I think, is to make things which are different to anyone else’s. Not always easy to get to that stage though! Good luck xx
Thanks Wendy – and yes I agree with everything you have said- I have lots of ideas so will just have to keep at it until I find my niche! You have really worked hard at your business since we met in Whitchurch 2 or 3 years ago and I always enjoy reading your blog.
I gave up on fairs last year. To be honest I only tried 4. But after 4 days i’d sold nothing! So i figured craft fairs weren’t for me. I now focus my efforts on line and Facebook seems to work really well for me. I think you just have to try different stuff until you find something which works for you.
Thanks Helen – may be I do have to decide to put my energies into one outlet and just work at that. So far whenever I have posted on FB I haven’t had any sales at all. But your handbags are very good!
I have yet to make that leap but do intend to one day….(if that day ever comes. I think it may be like having children you are never totally ready) Meantime I am learning lots from others. I wish you all the best in the future.
Thank you and best of luck to you too, if you decide to make the leap!!
Thanks.
I have done 2 fairs lately, and although the first went fairly well, the second was a bit demoralising. I think it is best to prepare yourself by having very low expectations, and think of each one also as an exercise in market research.
Lol! yes have low expectation and it can only be good – I like it! I think I will concentrate on the perks next time such as nice day chatting and presence of yummy cupcakes as someone always has a cake stall!
Sorry to hear the fair didn’t go well. I’m just starting out and I do wonder if fairs are worth a go.
Ali x
Thank you, well I will be interested to know how it goes for you! x another Ali!