Craft Shows | Useful Tips
Written By Carol Blakeley
Summer and warm weather brings outdoor craft shows, fairs, festivals & farmer’s markets.
Below are tips for craft shows shared during Kristen’s Facebook Q & A Live Broadcast (June 19/17) as well as some I learned while selling hand crafted jewelry at craft fairs.
PLAN
Research: visit craft shows to find the right one for you
- Do they supply table & tent
- Cost for different locations & booth sizes
- Do they require vendor permit &/or liability insurance
- Take the time to chat with other vendors to get their opinion of how the event is organized & run.
- What sells in your area
Booth Location & Display
- Location – study the location of booths try get next to a booth that will attract business. Avoid areas were people may congregate (i.e. food area & entertainment (I found people don’t buy when they are hungry or watching free entertainment).
- An eye catching booth contributes to 80% of your success.
- Create an interesting booth, colorful, & attractive layout.
- Don’t overcrowd the table
- Create different levels for displays
- Put your eye catching color items at eye level to attract people to your booth
- Search popular Etsy shops for display ideas
- Create an interesting booth, colorful, & attractive layout.
- Personality: Create a welcoming environment, make potential buyers feel welcome, interact with them (but don’t be pushy or over eager). Keep your body language approachable.
Organize & Prepare
Booth Display: don’t leave it to the day of the event to figure out your display.
- Few days before try different layouts for you items.
- Take photos of each display
- Choose the one that is the most appealing and works for the space you have
- Have sand bags to secure the tent & table in high winds
- Secure displays stands
Pricing: Don’t under valuate your work.
- Price your items according to the cost of your materials, fees, & your time.
- Make sure tags are attached securely & the price is clearly written (hint if sharing a booth use different color tags or ink for each individual
- Make up pre packaged deals (i.e. 1 for $3.00 or 2 for $5.00)
Take care of you: Look after your needs so you are comfortable during the craft shows
Clothing: dress appropriately for the weather be prepared for cooler mornings, hot afternoons, cooler nights & rain
- Food: prepare food, snacks & lots of water to stay hydrated.
- Freeze bottles of water, or make your own type of air conditioning – fill a bowl with water put small towels in it & cover with ice. Wrap around your neck to cool you down
Items to sell
Make & sell what people want
- Google search what the trends are
- Are you prepared to take custom orders, have a note book handy to take down information
- If selling echo friendly items make a list for your display of the pros why they are a good buy Dryer balls – save on drying time & hydro, reusable
- Crochet/ loom knit water balloons – latex free, reusable, washable & unbreakable.
- Handmade soaps list items in case of allergies
Popular craft sale items
- Dish cloths, dish scrubbies,
- Wash cloths, face scrubbies
- Dryer balls
- Soap bags, handmade soaps or bath salts/bombs
We at GoodKnit Kisses think the Crochet/Loom Knit Water Balloons are going to be a big hit at this year’s craft shows!
Water Balloons
Here is the link for the loom knit version:
https://www.goodknitkisses.com/diy-water-balloons/
Here is the link for the original crochet version by Left in Knots
http://www.leftinknots.com/home/2016/7/12/crochet-water-balloons
I know there are more tips out there for having a successful craft show experience. Help new craft booth vendors by sharing or tips big seller items in the comments below.
One last thing: HAVE FUN!