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.

We might! You have mail.

Well, sort of think all the others here have left the building - but incase you return, I had a great day at my craft fair, sold lots and selling cheaper things like cards and magnets really worked! I even made a profit! So, thanks for all your ideas....come back and talk to me!

Hello! Off to bed in a minute but saw your post. Really pleased your craft fair went well and you made a profit, you'll probably see an increase in sales over the next few weeks too due to the publicity.

Will be back tomorrow x

I'm busy making items for this coming Saturday, my first main full on 100% all handcrafted items fair. Feel like I need lots of different things to suit all tastes and prices. Ahh panic.

Hello Sewcrafty - I see your stuff on facebook - it is lovely. The fair I did was the first one where I offered cheaper things like cards and magnets (45p!) as well as my childrens wall art stuff ...it was great as I made a bit through the cards and it felt less depressing as I sold more items (even though each item was not generating very much cash!)...Am sitting here thinking of other things I can sell for under 10! Good luck on Sat - will you come back to tell all?

Fuppy - was pleased to see you pop on yesterday! Thought I was talking to myself. Is ther another forum you guys go on too?

Thanks hambo.

There's a forum on craftsforum and folksy, but I haven't posted much there. Occasionally snooped around.

oooh well done hambo!!! I sold nothing at my last fair :( boohoo,

but loads booked in and things have been selling on my folksy, which is fabulous! (quite happy about that)

I'm on craftsforum too and folksy, but I tend to chat on facebook lots on the messenger thingy.

Hi Kryshees!
Yes, sometimes you sell nowt but later on the bookings come. 'Tis still a slow time of year I think...I have just started a Folksy page but only one item on it at the moment!

Did you hear from Channel4?

I got a callback, as I'm sure everyone else did. But haven't seen anything on any of the forums saing that peeps were getting 2nd callbacks....

fingers crossed!!

Did you do it too hambo? ooooo

My folksy is doing rather well combined with the fb page and commissions, so I shan't cry about fairs just yet....!!!

You are doing really well by the sounds of it! i am quiet but gaining momentum slowly...breaking even, which is my aim this year in the hope of making some spending money around christmas time....

No, I didn't do it (not sure what it was - did you have to apply to tv for Kirsties home show?) i think you would be perfect - if it does happen (fingers crossed) you will have to employ someone to help you out!

Keep me informed!

hiya hambo, yes it was the kirstie show, but even after the call back, I have no idea what they were looking for.

Someone to teach craft, or crafters learning new crafts...sighs and I'm pretty sure I come across like a moron on the phone, esp when fil was hovering in the background!!

Will of course keep you all posted if stardom hits! :) ha haa

Hello, How is it going Kryshees - any news???

I was wondering if any of you were stocked by internet shops? have been approached by someone and wondered what your experiences were like? If you thought it was worth it? (might start a new thread as this one might be deid?!)

Last Autumn I was approached by a lady from Strawberry Lemonade Boutique (I think), I sold a batch of corsages, but didn't hear anything else back from her, and at the price I sold them to her for I wasn't really keen to produce more. Much better to sell direct for me so far.

Craft fair at weekend was poorly advertised so only a handful of people came. Sold a few things, plus two commissioned embroidered pics being designed. First sale on Folksy for a long time. Next fair a school one in June. Holidays are calling this week so all quiet from me for a while now.

Hello!

I've been asked to supply quite a few bricks and mortar shops but always on sale or return (I think its called consignment in the US) and have always said no, there's quite a chance that your stock will go missing/not get paid for/not shown well etc if the shop isn;t actually having to buy it.

Quiet for me on Etsy at the moment, I havent had enough time to promote, add new items as Im manic at my regular job.

I could kick myself too, a magazine asked me to submit a piece on myself for a feature they were doing on etsy sellers and I just forgot (thought the magazine would be a tiny one). Turns out its made by the same people that make the cardmaking ones and is in prime position in WhSmiths etc! Will send them an article and beg

Hello SewCrafty

Yes, I might try it and see how I feel...might say I'll try it for 3 months...

Fuppy! You FORGOT! Aaargh!!!! Good luck with you trying to get an article!

I'm a busy woman Hambo Really could kick myself!

I thought of this thread yesterday when I was thinking about buying a slipware vase at a craft fair.

It was expensive - $280, which was way more than I had intended to spend, but I thought about you guys all putting so much effort and making such beautiful things and got out my wallet. And it is exquisite - lots of wonderful handpainted butterflies all over it.

I had the option of taking it home with me on the spot or returning after the fair finishes on Tuesday so the piece can continue to be voted for in the people's choice awards (don't worry, wasn't a bitch, I let it stay in the show!).

So a potter in Sydney owes you guys a sale.

That is a really lovely story Nine

That is so nice! I am sitting in my shed now wishing I could go inside for a cup of tea...so that has made me think it will be worth it, staying out for a bit longer!

I'll put a pic on my profile when I collect it! I'm in love with it.

As a buyer, I guess the problem you guys face is context. In a posh shop I wouldn't have blinked at $280 (about GBP180) but it felt like a lot of money at a tent full of trestle tables. Admittedly, I wouldn't have paid that for something from a factory like Spode, but I could quite imagine seeing that price tag on something factory-made. Which made me realise how ridiculous I was being, expecting artisan-made to be cheaper than something cast in a mould, transfer-printed in Thailand or China, and retailed through a giant international operation.

It was only because this thread always seems to be in active convos when I log on that I was thinking no, the artist deserves to make a living, and this must have taken him at least a couple of days to make.

Good luck to you all. I do buy from Etsy (mainly jewellery but the occasional print, piece of baby clothing etc) so we buyers are out there.

And a doorbell, a paperweight, a lamp and some cupboard knobs, actually - just thinking of the random things I've bought from Etsy in the past six months or so!

no news from me Hambo, apart from a few more folksy sales, a smatering of commissions and a non-eventful fair on the weekend. So a mixed bag from me!

If anyone wants to like my fb page, I'll love you forever! here!

Can any if you lovelies suggest some good crafty things for me to get making? I'm good on a sewing machine etc and I seen to have collected lots of lovely new tools but haven't actually made any thing.

Suggestions pleads!!!!!!

Kryshees - I have liked you already I think??
Ninedragons - you are spot on regarding paying more from a posh shop...

My craft fair was slow, too much sunshine! Too many peeps on theor long weekend holidays...never mind, onwards we go to the next one!

OnlyWants - can you start with something wee to see how it goes? A bib?? I am rubbish at sewing but Kryshees here is FAB!

Are you all having slow fairs? I have another two in May - eek!