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

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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:

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hambo · 07/02/2011 13:23

Hello ColdComfort! I am based in Scotland and would actually enjoy to visit craft fairs about the place so the fair you were at could be a contendor! (sorry, been watching Steve and Deadly 60 with my son where he looks for deadly contendors!)
Could you let me know the name of it again?

I did think Feb would be a bit slow...but not that slow! I am hoping that some of the people who took cards from the table will visit the web site later...

Are you making more things to sell at the moment? i thinka once a year christmas table is a great idea and am planning my christmas theme already!

coldcomfortHeart · 07/02/2011 22:21

It was the Christmas craft fair at the Woodend Barn in Banchory, west of Aberdeen; they only do one fair a year and it's small but worth it.

It was over two days and it was £60 for one 6ft table for both days. But you got home made soup and bread and it was definitely worth it!

HalleLouja · 08/02/2011 09:40

Hambo what about dinosaurs. Doesn't need to be personalised just for DSs new room. Am looking at browns and greens. In his current room he has some hand painted pictures but loving yours for his new room. PM if you are interested and we can sort out quantities and pricing.

weblette · 09/02/2011 10:02

Hambo I'll be ordering from you today - those prints are gorgeous!!!

weblette · 09/02/2011 10:06

Just done it :)

CuppaTeaJanice · 09/02/2011 10:32

I used to do about 10 craft fairs a year before I had DS.

They have gradually gone downhill - in the late 1990s and early 2000s people bought loads, now there are so many fairs, and so much bought-in tat that it's difficult to return a profit so I'm now only doing a couple a year until the economy shows signs of picking up again.

The fairs I found to be best are those at stately homes and National Trust type properties that are well established and have been running for many years. Avoid the ones that cost hundreds of pounds cos you'll have to sell a hell of a lot of stuff to get your table money back, but some cost less than £100 but have thousands of visitors which make it wort doing. Also Christmas and summer fairs at local private schools can be good. They are usually just for a day, and have good attendance from the pupils and families, and are particularly good if your product is something that children or teens would like.

Avoid fairs that are mega expensive (some are £500+), fairs that allow bought-in goods, village hall fairs (unless established and popular) as often only one man and his dog will come along!

Try to make sure you have a good price range with your products too - from a couple of pounds to things that are amazing and a lot of money but worth it!

I'd also avoid any craft that lots of people do at home - for example it's very difficult to charge more than about £8 for a knitted scarf because people will compare it to what it would cost to knit it themselves and won't factor in your hours of labour.

CuppaTeaJanice · 09/02/2011 10:34

And I would link to my website but I've posted on too many embarrassing threads about episiotomies and dragonbutter so I don't want to be identified!!!

coldcomfortHeart · 09/02/2011 10:39

Thanks for that advice CuppaTeaJanice- good to hear from an experienced craft fair seller.

Am astonished at the prices some fairs charge- I baulked a bit at £60!

The fair I was at had a strict rule about bought in stuff, everything had to be made by the seller and no products just assembled from kits.

Agree about the private school fairs- I went to the local Waldorf school fair a couple of years ago and it was lovely (if lots of woven lentils for sale!)

hambo · 09/02/2011 13:52

Thanks ColdComfort to the link you sent - it looks like a lovely location and I am definately going to give it a try - will you be there?

Thanks Weblette!

CuppaTea - what brilliant advice. I have seen a couple of Statley home style fairs and I was wondering about them...I think I will try one near here where they have a gorgeous christmas fair. After that last dud one...:( I don't want to waste any money paying for a table...

School fairs is a brilliant idea - I now have a huge list of 'to do's.. But having good avice is invaluable - thanks.

Put in your web site!! (hee hee I never rememebr names so you would be safe!)

CuppaTeaJanice · 09/02/2011 20:33

Just for you hambo

Here is a website that sells my stuff without identifying me! (Hopes that none of my rl friends or customers are on this thread!!)

coldcomfortHeart · 09/02/2011 21:27

I certainly hope to be there again this year hambo- but I won't be doing much sewing once DC2 arrives in June so I have to get all my stock made before then

hambo · 10/02/2011 16:15

CuppaTea - do you make them all yourself? They are gorgeous! It must take you ages- You must have steady hands. What a great web site.

ColdComfort - eeek how exciting, DC2! Best of luck with that and I hope I do see you there...it looks lovely and am definately going to investigate further and book I hope. All that pre season sewing will be worth it when you get some extra cash!

Changeisagoodthing · 14/02/2011 09:53

My pictures from hanbo have just arrived

They are amazing. Fantastic value. The camel is already on my desk

You need to get them in a magazine

Thanks so much

coldcomfortHeart · 14/02/2011 11:06

Awww how nice! What a warm and fuzzy thread/place Arts and Crafts is!

redhappy · 14/02/2011 11:33

OOh I'd forgotten about this thread! Why don't things show in 'threads I'm on' if they were started over a certain length of time?!

Got my brand new overlocker out of the box this weekend- finally, bought it nearly a year ago..

Once I've worked out how to use it I'm planning to make some basic cotton shopping bags. Not sure about craft fairs fr those initially, going to try some local shops first.

I live in quite an 'alternative' town, so hoping they should sell quite well.

Lovely to see Hambo made a sale out of this thread

OP posts:

weblette · 14/02/2011 11:40

Actually she made two :)

Hambo - it arrived this am and is gorgeous. Thanks!!!

hambo · 15/02/2011 09:44

Red - I think thoses hsoppers would sell quite well at fairs . The one I did not long ago had lots of sales of bags ( you dont live in Totness do you??)

Change and Weblette - thankyou! for your kind words....I have no idea how to get them in magazine....it is on my list though!

Kryshees · 15/02/2011 14:20

Just found this tread...I'm not doing any fairs till March. I make kiddie stuff and I did fairs in jan and feb last year and it was poop!

So I'm holding out till March, then go full swing at it till xmas!!!

But you do have to try fairs out, cos a flop for one person might not be so for you.

Kryshees · 15/02/2011 14:23

@hambo the pics are wonderful!!!

redhappy · 15/02/2011 18:13

No, not as alternative as Totnes haven't they banned plastic bags altogether there?

I think to get them in a magazine you would need to send a press release? Which isn't as difficult as it sounds, but I think you could get a PR person to do that for you for quite a reasonable price. Maybe ask on self-employed/freelancers here ?

OP posts:

hambo · 15/02/2011 22:32

Hello Kryshees - had a look at your gorgeous stuff - really good value! I love the tidy up baskets and the retro dress too....

Redhappy - that is a good idea - will have a look. Not really making huge money (breaking even!) so not sure I can afford a professional but it is probably worth it.

My friend lives in Totnes and whenever I meet her I feel like a totally ungreen person although usually I am considered quite right on!

Kryshees · 16/02/2011 11:56

@hambo thanks darling!

theres a thread on the ukcraftforum about sending samples of work to famous people...might be worth considering?! Or up and coming celebs...thinking river cottage types!!?? Writers for papers in totnes areas, that kinda of thing?

Not that I've done it myself you understand, but might be worth a shot!

x

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coldcomfortHeart · 16/02/2011 12:31

Kryshees lovely things and liking your fabrics! I especially like the pinafore dresses but what about the laddies?! Bring on the dungarees!

hambo · 16/02/2011 13:07

Yes, Kryshees - I agree with coldcomfort - where are the dungerungers or trousers fot funky boys!

Kryshees · 16/02/2011 16:05

I know I know! sighs they are just a bit more tricky to sew and then if I price them right, everyone look at me like I have two heads charging that much...

Its on my todo list for this season!

Have list listed a load of bunting tho! A waiting for supplies from the states for a top secret project!

xx

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