do you attend craft fairs?

[taytotayto]

I have signed up to attend my first craft fair in july. as its my first one I have no idea what to expect.
so any advice would be much appreciated. im going on my own....is this a mistake or should I talk someone into coming with me?
who do I decide how much stock to take with me? is it better to have too much rather than not enough.
im excited but scared at the same time.

[yegodsandlittlefishes]

I haven't done any recently, but am gearing up to. If it is a regular craft fair, go along and ask other stall holders what they think about having someone with you, as it does vary. Some will mind your stall while you have a quick look around/grab a drink/go to the loo, so if you can manage to set up alone you would be fine on your own. Others are very impersonal and so big you won't know if you will be put next to someone you feel you can trust on the day.

If you have to set your stall up a certain way, by a certain time, with scaffold and covers, it might be wise to have some help to get that done and the stock all unloaded (and packed/cleared up at the end of the day) as it can be a struggle, especially the first couple of times.

Always take too much! Keep more in reserve in plastic boxes under the table, so if it isn't used, it hasn't been damaged. If you don't have enough stock there there and you sell out, you have wasted an opportunity you might not get back for a long time.

[KnitStitchSewBlog]

Hiya, I attend quite a lot of craft fairs (I don't sell but am a blogger, so go for research and to find new brands etc) and am just about to blog about 'the dissapointment of craft fairs'! Check it out this week knitstitchsew.wordpress.com
I'd take too much, better to be prepared and nothing worse than an empty stall! Also how about a photo album of larger items like blankets for things that can be ordered and take longer to make, or are bespoke? i.e. with names on etc?
Enjoy!

[SarahAndFuck]

I just read your blog.

I love (and miss) the Antiques fairs at The B&W Showground at Shepton Mallet but we live far too far away for me to go now.

But I share your pain at disappointing craft fairs. I went to one last year that was billed as having crafts for everyone but in reality was just stall after stall of paper craft stuff, magazines on paper craft and the odd stall of beads or ribbons.

I was really hoping for fabric and wool and a bit of advice for novice crafters but there wasn't a single stall in the place selling either and nobody to ask about getting started with sewing or crochet.

I won't be going again this year.

OP sorry for hijacking and not helping