story from a craft fair
yep, that’s what I been busy doing, and lots of other stuff too, but I’m glad I didn’t kill myself over it, as I sold £9.95 worth in 5 hours!!!!!!!!! However it has done one thing, it has confirmed my ideas about what fairs I will do and what ones I will now turn down.
So if there is anyone reading this who would like to invite me to any fairs, I’m available for the following, evening events, such as pamper evening and shopping evenings, and I’ll also carry on do local events that last 3 hours of less. I think to be tempted to do anyone that that I’d have to do it only on a percentage booking, because today I didn’t even cover the cost of the table : (
Talking of my table, it looked lovely,
You can see my new range really clearly on the end of my table, it is my ‘Saturday Shopper’ bags. Nicely displayed on the device my father in law made for me, thanks Jim!
So the moral from today is, no more all day fairs!
13th May 2007 @ 7:08 am
your stall does look beautiful – it is hard though to find the right craft fair. I am doing South Hill Park with 3 friends this November and doing with mates always makes it better! (but obviously you need work that works together) because you are in a better frame of mind.
13th May 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Poor you. Hope it picks up again soon. HOw could nobody be tempted by any of the beautiful stock you have? Better luck next time.
13th May 2007 @ 7:05 pm
I love the posts that your bags are dispayed on. Clever!
13th May 2007 @ 7:22 pm
Your stock looks lovely, it’s not your stock it’s craft fairs. I have now given up doing craft fairs because I found them so demoralising…very hard to find people who appreciate the time involved in making handmade items and who are willing to spend their cash. Have you considered an Etsy shop?
13th May 2007 @ 8:51 pm
You know I completely understand the problem – just think yourself luck you were not at the Aldeshot Show on Bank Holiday. I have sworn never to go anywhere near a stall in a tent again. Thank goodness I got my work safely into the car without it getting ruined. Even though I was seriously out of pocket. Really, just as your stall , it looked great and I had some appreciative comments, but …
13th May 2007 @ 10:19 pm
Craft fairs are fairly brutal aren’t they? Your stall looked great. And Saturday shopper bags look very good – you haven’t shown us them before – c’mon, share the good stuff!
14th May 2007 @ 2:37 am
How disappointing for you. I had a similar experience in April, where I made a loss as I did not even cover the cost of the pitch rental. Your stock is beautiful and your stall looks terrific…don’t get disheartened with it, as I feel sure that your products will sell at the right venue.
Marie
Wild Rose
15th May 2007 @ 8:40 am
Thise shoppers look great, as does your stall. It’s really disappointing to sit there for hours and not make sales, people just don’t seem to buy at craft fairs these days. Don’t loose heart, your work is lovely.
15th May 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Here in Ireland the Crafts Council did a survey and found that people attending a craft fair would not normally expect to spend more than a max of 10 pound on an item. From going to fairs I see things less than a tenner flying out the door. Now for the hard part … to be able to design and make a hand crafted product that you can afford to sell for 10 after taking into account materials and time, and overheads. I’m still working on it! Once they have bought from you once or twice, they then tend to think of you for larger gifts later on.
31st May 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Completly agree with you that the evening fairs are much better, in atmostphere, enjoyment. and sales. It’s so disheartening sitting at a stall all day and taking very little as people are really only after low cost items or bargains. Having said that we have met some lovely people at the smaller craft fairs who have appreciated our work and have become regular customers.. but yes they are a rarer breed.
Have you tried any of the larger shows?, although they are pricy and there is more competition, people do go to buy and it’s a good way of reaching a wider audience. Also i think Etsy as mentioned by a prior comment sounds good.. the idea of not lugging stock here there and everywhere is really appealing. good luck with it all….your work is beautiful and your stall looks lovely.