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]

Slow fairs till last weekend!! Wow, nearly £250!! woohoo. Ok ok I know thats small for for some peeps.


OnlyWants...have you any birthdays etc coming up, always good to sew for a project to focus the mind? Or there is a Pretty Dress Appeal that are asking for pillowcase dresses to be made.

Feel free to look see in my folksy shop and shout if you want me to explain how too...!

x

[SewCrafty]

Well done Kryshees.

I'm doing quite a bit of word-of-mouth stuff at the mo. Only one other craft fair booked for June, then I think I'll concentrate on pamper/shopping evenings at schools/halls, etc.

I'm also trying to get my sewcrafty email/paypal/bank account all linked and sorted. Changing links from other websites like ebay and folksy too. Few, I'm sure I've made a mistake somewhere!

I'm going to do a personalised birth embroidered picture for a friend and see if anyone wants them too, another line to add to my shop too.

[hambo]

£250 - not small for me - HUGE!!! well done - brilliant! It gives me hope!

I saw your embroidery on facebook, Sewcrafty, really nice, must take ages.

Have you guys applied for the blog on mumsnet?

[Kryshees]

Nope re the blog...I'm soo struggling to keep up with twitter, my own blog, facebook and folks, plus fairs and commissions, I don't know if I could find the time!

have you? I don't even knw what the deal is with it?? xx

[hambo]

I don't know really either but I think you get to keep your own blog and then can link to people through mumsnet? They (hello!) have to check out your current blog and need it to bw updated 4 times a month which I know you do - I am a slacker so have started to do it more...

I thought it might be a bit of competition for other blogging sites?

[FuppyGish]

£250 that sounds excellent!

Its been slow here, Ive been manic in my normal job so haven't really had time for etsy updates/fb/twitter etc. Oh and having 2 dd with one that never sleeps doesnt help!!

Had day off today so have been listing some brooches and fb'ing, feel free to join me if you haven't already, theres a code for 10% discount for mnetters

facebook here

Wish I could blog but don't see how I'd ever find the time.

I did have a sale of circa $100 the other day off etsy which was a nice surprise but no steady flow, all a bit up and down.

[hambo]

Hi Fuppy - I did see that you have a sale for MN etters - cool! I am waiting until nearer christmas then I will be purchasing some lovely things for my neices and cousins!

I am hoping that Father's day approaching will get some business moving! This is my fathers day pressie A funny phrase your child says immortalised in art for daddy!

I have a baby fair soon, (Saturday) so am hoping the weather is not too scorchio!

[FuppyGish]

I love that hambo! Will have a think for phrases then will order two for fathers day, when do i need to order by?

[hambo]

Hello Fuppy - thanks! I think fathers day is the 19th June this year, so as long as you get the order in by the 15th I can get it out....however the faster the better!!

[FuppyGish]

Excellent thank you Hambo, will try to do it tonight, if you havent heard from me in a couple of days give me a nudge

[hambo]

Will do! Exciting - it always gives me a laugh to see what the wee ones have been saying!

[hambo]

I put a picture on my profile of the Child's Quote block so that you can see it in the larger size - I have yet to update the website!

[hambo]

Anyone else obsessed with radio iplayer? I have listened to Agatha Christie, Sherlock Homes, Agatha Raisin, Lord Peter Whimsy....obsessed I am!!! I can draw at the same time, although sometimes I zone out...anyone else?

[Kryshees]

I do love your quote boards hambo, I was admiring them earlier. x

[Sewmuchtodo]

Applications are now being taken for the 'Newton Abbot Handmade Christmas Market' on Saturday 10th of December, 2011.

For further information or a copy of the application form please email: [email protected]

[hambo]

Thanks Kryshees....
Did you ever hear from Kirstie A?

[SewCrafty]

I've recently handed a stack of my stuff over to a town centre shop that sells locally handcrafted items, I tell them how much I'd like for them and then they double it! Bunting, keyrings and mirrors so far. We'll see how it goes month on month. They will also pass on my details to customers for commissions. Anyone else do this?

I'm doing a table at a school fair today, only 'cause it's local, i know quite a few people there and want to spread my net a bit wider. Although hubby now away on business and i need to take kids with me. Hopefully friends help out shepherding them around the fete a bit.

Ebay's been going quite well for me recently, better than //www.sewcrafty.folksy.com. Each time it's a free selling weekend I list a whole load of items with a starting price that I'd like to get, not dirt cheap, and I get a few sales each time, and some commissions of things in diff colours, etc.

Bought a 70's duvet cover from a charity sale a few weeks ago and just made it into bunting too, delish.

[hambo]

I just had a look at your folksy - it is gorgeous. I have a school fair soon, I did one last week and made more in 3 hrs than I sometimes do all day at bigger fairs...

I tried ebay but no one found me...might try again.

That shop sounds good, I am working my way to shops but it is a bit scary and they take all the money!!!

[Kryshees]

ooo @sewcrafty! Fantastic! I have still to break into shops...I haven't yet found a time when I can wander in with my products and have a sensible chat to the owners without my kids playing about my feet, hardly professional!

[hambo]

Kryshees - same here!
I had a few offers of sale or return but weirdly I never followed through...I think I fear not selling anything. Hmmmm. On another note, has anyone sold with NOTH? Ot gift wrapped and gorgeous?

[Kryshees]

£600 odd for NOTH if they accept you!!!

I'm on Wowthankyou since the relaunch too, but tbh, its soo timely trying to update one place let alone 3!! eeeeee

[hambo]

I've not heard of Wowthankyou - will go and investigate.....have you found it useful? Am a bit low cos someone has copied my idea - again.....gah!

[Kryshees]

Oh no!!! What happened? Can you send them a shitty email?

Tbh I've only been on WTU for a little bit and don't have loads on there, no sales yet but I tend to push folksy more. I you want to join up there is a small fee, email me and I think ihave a discount code Tracey gave me still. Xx

[hambo]

Thanks Mrs..I will join, I think I will sort this stuff out in August when I am 'off'!
It was more of an idea than a picture so I can't really prove much, but the description they give is so similar to my wording that I am sure they saw my idea and thought - I'll do that! Nevermind - onwards!

[hambo]

Kryshees - have you sold much on WowThankYou? I see they are always plugging things on facebook; not sure if it is another outlay for nowt!

Anyone done Groupon?