Selling things you make at craft fairs?

[redhappy]

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.

[Kryshees]

also has everyone found stallfinder.com or co.uk I can't quite remeber. You can search by month or postcode.

You can register too, so fair oranisers can find you!

@fuppygish, love your etsy shop! I need to pull my finger out and get mine off the ground!

[FuppyGish]

Thank you for your lovely comments

Its a little difficult at the moment, I've started making embroidered pictures as well but now I'm back at work (was on maternity leave when I started my etsy shop) its difficult to find the time to list.

If anyone wants any tips on etsy or wants me to critique their shop for them please feel free to send me a pm.

[hambo]

Hello you all! I have started a blog, due to all your advice. (thecreativeshed.blogspot.com/) Not got an etsy shop yet...on the case
I am slowly starting to follow/find you all but not too sure about twitter. What does #ff mean ?? I did start to read the chat here on twitter but it confused me. Bear of small brain...

Just be aware that if a starnge person, professing to be in a shed, tries to say hello on twitter or your blog, than it is probably me!

[FuppyGish]

hello!

#ff means 'follow friday' its a thing where people put their favourite twitterers names out on a friday to suggest others should follow them.

I've spent the weekend sewing so have been listing lots on etsy, am shattered now

come say hello on twitter hambo, im mollymoodesign

[Kryshees]

or folksy friday!!! :D

Well now I just set up a fb page too.. very exciting!

Mollymoo, off to find you on twitter! x

[Kryshees]

and do you think we should have a seperate thread for folksy/twitter/fb crafty peeps??
x

[FuppyGish]

we certainly could Kryshees - you can start it

[FuppyGish]

I'll link my facebook, I'm still a bit rubbish on twitter:

www.facebook.com/#!/mollymoodesign

[Kryshees]

done! :D

[purplepidjin]

Big public thank you to FuppyGish/MollyMoo for helping me sort out my Folksy mess shop! //www.folksy.com/shops/mimapants and //www.facebook.com/mimapants

[Kryshees]

Well done purplepidjin!

[purplepidjin]

Thank you! Now I just have to actually sell something...

[FuppyGish]

I'll have another look later tonight Purple and see what other words of wisdom I can add

[coldcomfortHeart]

Oh, twitter

I have only just got my head around a blog... all those # and @ confuse me utterly!

Just been on your blog hambo, looks good! Hope it gets lots of hits and followers, and hope that translates into SALES!

[Kryshees]

hear hear! Or here here!? You get the idea anyhow.

x

[hambo]

Hello

I have just followed all the links above, all the blogs and facebook links, so hello! to you all. Thanks for the blog-up CCH...it is strange, to blog, but could eb addictive! I was just on Cold CH blog - what amazing quilts! Quite brilliant. I am amazed at all the talent on this one little forum chatter! I am really enjoying our chats as not many people in RL know what I am on about.

MY NCT fair on Saturday...will let you know how it goes...

[coldcomfortHeart]

Oh thanks hambo, very kind. I know what you mean, the crafting community is so diverse and there's so much talent out there. I am also finding it very supportive too! Best of luck with your fair.

I was chatting to a basket weaver at the Christmas fair I did and she participates in this thing called NEOS, Northeast Open Studios. You pay them a (quite hefty, I think it's £200) fee and you get put in their very glossy and beautiful brochure.

The brochures are all over the northeast of Scotland and everyone involved does promotion/leafleting/posters etc as well so you all help to publicize the week- it's a week where people come to your studio/workshop/house (at times specified by you!). It's huge apparently and really worthwhile. Not sure if such a thing exists elsewhere in the UK but thought it was worth mentioning. The woman I spoke to said it was fantastic and well worth it. Unfortunately with new baby there's no way I can make enough stuff to warrant people coming to my living room studio!

[FuppyGish]

Definitely interested in how the NCT one goes Hambo, good luck for it x

[Kryshees]

Good luck Hambo! Fingers crossed

[ruralmum1]

Hello fellow crafters. I too have been selling hand made greetings cards, decorated photo frames, gift boxes, small chocolate gift boxes (home made choccies inside of course), table decorations etc at craft fairs and W.I. markets.

I really enjoy it and when I have the time (christmas was a bit hectic), I find it works really well as a bit of extra pocket money around my job. But I would like to expand and maybe start a business based around this. Any advice?

I have just received my subscription copy of Country Living through the door today and see they have launched 'Kitchen Table Talent Awards', where you can enter your talent - such as cooking, sewing etc to win courses and advice to help you grow your business. There's even another category where, if you win you will be mentored by a business advisor to get your business off the ground.

Take a look - www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Kitchen-Table-Talent-Awards-categories-and-prizes/v1

What do you think? Think I'm definitely going to enter in the few categories, it's only a fiver for the entry fee!

[coldcomfortHeart]

ooh intriguing ruralmum1, will be taking a look at that link, thanks!

[Kryshees]

ooo very interesting!!! Thanks for sharing!

[hambo]

Thanks Rural mum!
I developed the flu/cold/weird sore throut thing which prevented me from going to the NCT fair today. I am so annoyed my DH is putting up with a very very grumpy hambo. GAH! I was hoping to 'break even' this month but doesn't look like it now....I just hope the NCT man is understanding - he wasn't answering any of his emails....

Sorry for ranting!

[Kryshees]

Oh no! :o( poor hambo, thats poop!