Anybody sell at craft fairs?

[fuzzypicklehead]

We're desperate for feedback. Our community group has spent months building up stock for spring and summer craft fairs, but we have no idea what to charge!

Do you have a system, i.e. cost of supplies + hours spent?

If you fancy a having a look, I've written a blog post here

It's really tricky! I used to try and work out a formula of cost of labour (at £7/hr) + materials, and then would take a look at the final cost and adjust it up or down a bit if it looked too expensive or too cheap (for what I'd personally be happy to pay for it).

On the whole, I think I've priced things about right, but every now and then I know I've got it wrong (in either direction), and so have adjusted it for the next time.

Oh, and be brave and ask a few friends & family what they'd be willing to pay (and don't be too disheartened when they say, "I dunno, a couple of quid?" on something you've spent hours over :o ). My DH is always on the low side and my sister is on the high side, so asking them and then getting the average works about right too.

Whatever you do, cover your materials cost.

It is so tough! I feel egomaniacal if I ask too much, but at the same time I get so excited about everything I make that maybe I think it's worth more than it really is...

But your work is more arty than simply crafts, and you can't put a price on art. Have your prices at the upper end for your first stall, and if they're not shifting but you're getting interest, it'll probably be because of the price. You can always reduce prices as the fair goes on, but you can't very well raise them :)

It is kind of arty, and the "upcycling" thing is a bit new to the UK market, so people can be a bit dubious about wearing stuff that essentially is made from rubbish! But we're hoping it catches on...

I saw some similar bicycle chain stuff at a shop in the centre of Brighton last week. It was quite pricey but lovely. Could you charge £25 for the clock?