My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

Arts and crafts

Selling things you make at craft fairs?

228 replies

redhappy · 20/01/2011 10:12

Considering this as a way of making a bit of extra money. Not expecting it to pay the rent!

Anyone dp this? How successful is it? What sort of things sell best?

I can knit, sew, and we have just bought an electric jigsaw which I am thinking about using to make some wooden dolls.

OP posts:
Report
redhappy · 20/01/2011 10:12

sorry, anyone do this!

OP posts:
Report
wigglybeezer · 20/01/2011 10:15

I sold christmas decorations last year, it was a lot of work for about £250 but i enjoyed it!

Report
redhappy · 20/01/2011 10:20

Well done! £250 would have almost paid for xmas in this house, worth the effort, and like you say- enjoyable!

I wanted to do decorations to sell, but there was a lot going on here and I couldn't find the time.

However, it's a new year, new start etc.

Dp is at home today, both kids at playschool til 12 so think we'll be getting the jigsaw out. I'm excited!

OP posts:
Report
Colleen84 · 20/01/2011 11:46

I've always wanted to do that stuff, might try and make it my mission this year!

Report
KurriKurri · 20/01/2011 14:50

I used to do this (I made bags of many different varieties.)

If you costed everything up, including your time at so much an hour - you don't really make anything, but if you ignore the labour aspect (and I think most people do!) you can make a reasonable profit on how much the materials cost you.

It's quite fun (you meet loads of other crafters). Try to think of interesting ways to decorate and display things on your stall - it can make a big difference to how many customers you attract. Good luck Smile

Report
soccerwidow · 20/01/2011 15:14

I have never done this (I would love to but not sure if my workmanship is good enough quality for anyone to want to buy lol) but I follow a few threads on another forum.

The tips that I have got from there are

To have a small "lucky dip" to entice the children over - the parent will then follow.

The low cost novelty items tend to go really well on the day as people don't mind spending only a pound or two on impulse items

make it clear that you can take orders so that you don't lose the customer who was thinking "shame that she doesn't do that in red"

some battery operated fairy lights or small table lamp as the lighting can be bad in some locations.

hth

Report
redhappy · 20/01/2011 20:32

brilliant tips soccerwidow , thankyou.

Will making things in the evneings, and whilst the dcs are at playschool in the morning. I need to be at home this year for various reasons, so anything I can make extra is a good thing, however low the hourly rate works out!

OP posts:
Report
hambo · 20/01/2011 20:34

I make pictures for
children ...but sometimes you make money, sometimes you don't! Good luck!

Report
redhappy · 20/01/2011 20:40

Oh I like those hambo. My dd would love them Russian dolls, and the flowery owls!

I think you've got the pricing right too.

OP posts:
Report
teenyweenytadpole · 20/01/2011 20:41

Those are lovely Hambo! Our local garden centre would snap those up for the children's dept...

Report
hambo · 20/01/2011 20:55

Oh crikey! Thanks! I always get embarassed showing people! I have a poncy web site which no one knows about!! (whispers - what is the garden centre called??)

Report
teenyweenytadpole · 20/01/2011 21:30

Burford Garden Company....don't know who their buyers are though...

Report
coldcomfortHeart · 21/01/2011 18:06

I did my first fair last november, it was great fun and I sold almost everything. A lot of work- don't think about hourly rates, it's depressing! But worth it in terms of skill, experience and money I found.

Going to do it again this year plus commissions garnered from the fair. Have business cards out- this book is ace, bit american but very useful.

Report
hambo · 21/01/2011 21:32

Cold comfort - what gorgeous stuff! No wonder you sold it all...

Report
coldcomfortHeart · 22/01/2011 14:00

Oh, thank you hambo! Blush

My house is devoid of crafts though, and there is no quilt for DS or anything coming for the next DC in June- you know that saying 'cobblers' children go barefoot'!

Report
hambo · 22/01/2011 20:41

hee hee same here - my boys have only one picture on their walls! Oh well...

(PS good luck with next DC!)

Report
Flutterbye · 23/01/2011 23:14

I'm just thinking about doing this, I've sold items to friends and through Folksy. I had one table at a craft fair about 10 yrs ago whilst working full time and no-one bought anything, all just kept walking past. Beware of your audience is what I would say. That was a horse trials, no-one wanted hand appliquéd cushions, perhaps I was ahead of my time! I'm trying to build stock up now, without spending silly money. Fingers crossed. Good Luck.

Report
hambo · 24/01/2011 10:31

I love your stuff too Flutterbye. My mum would really like the caravan (files away in memory for her birthday!) I think you are right, I did two craft fairs so far and the first had no one come to it - maybe 30 people all over 80, none of whom neede art for their nursery!!! Even their grandkids would have been grown...

Report
MissLolita · 28/01/2011 11:43

Hi, I have done a couple of fairs for charity and made varying amounts - everything from £20 to over £200.

My advice would be to have a range of prices - I try and ensure I have plenty of little things for £1 as well as other more pricey things. People can often be tempted by 'pocketmoney' items.

I do knitted and crocheted cakes and decorations. Not sure if this Flickr link will work - www.flickr.com/photos/13529433@N06/collections/72157609339624122/

I think people like the charity bit too even if you are donating a percentae of profits.
Also, ensure you take decorations for your stall otherwise it can look bland.

Good luck!

Report
coldcomfortHeart · 30/01/2011 17:13

Just had the chance to have a proper look at your stuff hambo- it's lovely!

Report
hambo · 06/02/2011 21:47

Gad...thought Id let you all know that I did a fair at the weekend and only sold two things! So am 21 pounds down, (not including my time!)...I am hoping Feb is just a rubbish time but there were heaps of people there....am now suffering from loss of confidence.. :(

Report
Changeisagoodthing · 06/02/2011 21:57

They are lovely. I am ordering some- could you do a sixteen with suitable s words for a girl like the 40 one

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

hambo · 06/02/2011 22:29

Hello Change! yes I would love to do a 16 one, and would be very careful with the words - infact if you want to suggest any words I can incorporate them for you! The blocks come with a card of the same design, and in a gift box too.

Oh, you have cheered me up!

Report
coldcomfortHeart · 07/02/2011 12:16

Oh that's a shame hambo-Feb's not going to be the best time though, is it. Where was it? Could have been the wrong 'audience' for lack of a better phrase.

Report
coldcomfortHeart · 07/02/2011 12:20

Meant to add hambo the Christmas fair I was at in Nov. would definitely be a good one for you in terms of market. There were only two other artists there- watercolours of local areas and a chap who painted moonlit landscapes. Both sold a lot.

Tons of young families with expendable incomes! (Seem to recall seeing on your site you were based in Scotland, so drive to North East might be worth your while. Apologies if you are in Poole or somewhere!)

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.