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Original poster

Should I ???????

63 replies

Whizzz · 13/10/2005 19:25

I have seen in our local paper an ad for a local small craft fair next month not too far away. Its £15 a stall & I am just working out if I have enough confidence (& cards !) to give it a go. Has anyone done anything like this, how much did it cost v how much did you sell ?

It's all a bit scary !

OP posts:
HausOfHorrors · 13/10/2005 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ulysees · 13/10/2005 19:38

A mate of mine did a craft fair and sold all her cards. She made quite simple designs and didn't charge too much whereas others were more expensive. I make cards too and sold a few through church for charity and they went well.

pootlepod · 13/10/2005 19:45

How many cards have you got now- and would be able to do (bearing in mind Christmas is coming).

What would you sell them for?

Would it be good advertising/experience?

I think I should do something like this but know what you mean about the confidence. I think £15 is relatively easily achieved though and if you think of it as an experience to learn 'what sells' rather than 'how much sells' you will be a winner.

Ulysees · 13/10/2005 19:50

Is there anyone you could pal up with and share a stall?

Original poster
Whizzz · 13/10/2005 19:52

I have around 40 cards made - priced from £1 to £2. In amongst those I have some jewellery cards that I thought of £4 for earrings & £6-7 for necklaces on a card. I also have some jewlellery not yet mounted.
If I put my mids to it I could rattle off quite a few more I think.

My knightmare is turning up with my little stash & being next to someone with a huge display or goregous cards & no one buys anything off me !

OP posts:
Original poster
Whizzz · 13/10/2005 19:52

thats 'mind' not mids !

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Original poster
Whizzz · 13/10/2005 19:53

Ulysees - not really, I don't know anyone local enough that makes cards

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pepsi · 13/10/2005 19:57

Pluck up the courage and go for it...if not could you not speak to a few local schools and get a stall at the christmas fair and split the profits or pay a sum up front for stall hire. good luck anyway.

Ulysees · 13/10/2005 19:58

I think this is the way us creative ones think to be honest. We're always comparing ourselves to others and critising our own work. Daft eh?

If you're next to someone with more elaborate cards they'll be charging accordingly and people like a bargain IMO.

layla · 13/10/2005 20:28

My friend does a craft stall every year and her cards sell very well.I don't think she charges an awful lot for them i'll have to ask her.She says what does always sell well is a little bag made up of a few crafty bits and maybe a blank card or 2 which she sells for 50p she co ordinates the colours of all the bits.

I'm doing a stall at my school soon with a friend who makes cards too.We're going to sell our cards at about 3 different prices depending on how long they took to make so the cross stitch ones will be £2.50 I think.Other ones will be £1.80 or £1.50 each.Then I'm making up some bags of tags too,xmas and all other occasion ones.And I wondered about doing a pack of about 5 notelets which would work out cheaper.

I'm sure your jewellery ones will sell really well.It's such a good idea especially with xmas being close.

We're paying the school 10% of what we make.

Jayzmummy · 13/10/2005 20:53

Go for it!

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 10:50

Hmmm I'm now very tempted ! How many cards do you think I need as stock though...Oh Experienced Crafters !

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undercovermum · 14/10/2005 16:37

I would have about 10 birthday cards, all different. 20 Christmas Cards.5 new baby cards. And other occasions ie wedding, thank you etc (1 or 2 cards each). But with every card give a business card or leaflet telling people all about you.

Don't know if this is right but it's what I plan to do at my first fayre.

If anyone has anything to add..............?

undercovermum · 14/10/2005 16:41

Oh forgot, this doesn't seem like a lot I suppose, but better to dip toe in water IYSWIM. If they all go you know your hot. I am going to put some of my nicer designs out on my stall and hope for the best. I reckon you'll do fabulously anyway. Also don't know about doing it with a mate. What if all of her cards sold and yours didn't! I would be pleased for her, but feel like a plum.

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 19:14

I phoned up to get more details - you get a 6' table (that seems huge !!) and a chair .
The guy said that there was a couple of other card stalls but I mentioned jewellery cards & he seemed quite excited & said he hadn't seen those before. Its for a childrens hospice & they seem to do quite a few fayres in various places in the NW.

I'm a bit scared now....but hes sending me some info. I better get beading in case I feel brave !

OP posts:
undercovermum · 14/10/2005 20:08

you go and do it. at least you have the experience. the fact that your cards have the jewellry on them will make them soooooo different.

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 20:41

But I think I need to mount them better - JM suggested eyelets but I haven't done them before & I'd have to work out the right size....Argh !

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Dior · 14/10/2005 20:43

Message withdrawn

Jayzmummy · 14/10/2005 20:54

Whizz....eyelets are easy to use....grab yourself a pck and a setter and you'll never look back.

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 20:58

But a 6' table is so big ! Do you think I need a display stand sort of thing or just spread wares on table ??? I'm just a big chicken!! People might not like it....and go Bluergh....

I have drafted out a little 'Handcrafted by' Logo type thing though !!
It does sort of refer to the website I just haven't got round to doing though.

OP posts:
Dior · 14/10/2005 20:59

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 21:01

Its on Nov 5th so I have some time to

a) chicken out
b) make beady jewellery stuff like mad !

Thanks for your encouragement all - I still feel like a novice !

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pootlepod · 14/10/2005 21:54

I have no experience of this but this has got me thinking into stalls I have seen and display ideas. I would find a similar space at home (or 'mark' it on the floor) and work from that. Use a tablecloth/sheet and vary the display level i.e. do some cards vertically and some on the table. Can you borrow a card holder display, or place books under the cloth to create small platforms for individual cards? Also, I have seen tree like holders that are used to display postcards/Christmas cards- again this gives a 3d effect. You could use sprinkles/glass beads on the table, very effective and would make the cards seem more sparkely IYSWIM. Perhaps lighting too, though this depends on power.

I always admire shop displays, my local card shop has 3 baby cards on show with a few streamers, nappies etc, very simple but effective.

I really think that your cards will be very different and agree that you need lots of leaflets/business cards to hand out.

Original poster
Whizzz · 14/10/2005 22:04

Thanks Pootlepod that sounds good. I think I'd just have to make my table look a bit different to the competition! I'll see what the info says when it arrives & how professional it looks !

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coral · 14/10/2005 22:16

No personal experience of selling at a fayre but definitely reckon your cards will sell easily.

I look around these places a lot (mostly looking at the cards for inspiration) and am always tempted by special offers. As everyone likes the idea of a bargain why not offer your more expensive items at a set price for 1 and less if 2 are purchased - eg £5.50 each or two for £10. Might encourage more purchases especially for Christmas pressies.

I hope it goes really well for you.