Ever wonder which, of the tons of items that you make, products you should bring with you to a craft fair? It can be a challenge to bring everything in your inventory if you make something that is large and difficult to transport or even if you make something small, how do you guess how much of it to bring? If you’ve been doing craft shows for a while, you can probably guess pretty well about what color scarves you’ll need more of and which earrings you’ll need to make more of before the big show. For those of you just starting to sell at shows (like me), it can be much more difficult to keep these things in mind when gathering together product for the craft show.
I’ve been selling on Etsy for a while now, but I know that the items that sell well on my Etsy shop are not necessarily going to be the same items that sell well to the people visiting the craft show. Luckily, the internet is always full of fun advice and information from people that have been/are selling at craft shows! From what I’ve noticed so far, small take-away items do great! People love buying little trinkets and gifts from craft shows because it’s a cute and unique gift they can give to anyone — even someone they don’t know very well! You don’t want to give someone the same box of chocolates you do every year, but what about some delicious chocolates that come in a handmade paper box with a little birthday message inside?
Here are some ideas to consider when building your inventory for a craft fair:
- Holidays – think stocking stuffers, teacher’s gifts, neighbors gifts, gift card holders
- Thanks – everyone has someone they want to say thanks to
- Shiny – this may sound trite, but get something that attracts people’s eyes to your booth right away
What have you seen to be some of your best selling items?
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Never seen shoulder-throws to protect office suits and cocktail dresses from babies throwing up… Bibs all over the place, but mommie-bibs are just as necessary :-)). Stiff, thick pads to be foreseen for the shoulders, with Velcro strips to take soiled parts off easily for washing. Maybe an idea for craftsters ? The commercial circuit doesn’t offer anything for that…
Hello ! Could you give me a bit more detailed description of how this looks and fabrics possibly used to make. Like perhaps, how thick, and are these attached in layers to place soiled ones in a small plastic lined bag ? A nice dark fabric to blend in with office suits or cocktail dresses? With a bit more to create on, I could draw up some ideas…sounds interesting. Holly
brilliant!
there are.. they are called burp clothes.
LOL. Love your answer. I guess I just don’t understand why everything has to be SO difficult – not to mention an unnecessary expense. Just throw a cloth diaper (or other cloth) over your shoulder and you’re done. No need to pay for a specially made “mommie-bib”.
I agree with you, I used the diapers for burping clothes and then when the babies were all grown up I used them for dusting and cleaning the house with, I used them until they fell apart, which was for years….
In my day they were called “burp cloths” and that’s been many years ago. A quilted rectanble that lay on your shoulder.
I have been researching burp rags. Most I’ve seen are made and decorated with the new baby in mind, even going to the trouble of dyeing the cloth diaper pink or blue, etc. Seems to me, the burp rags should be appropriate for whoever is trying the protect their clothing. So dye the cloth diapers brown, black, or navy. Decorate with team fabic that Dad will appreciate. Or old deconstructed suit ties, lining from an old suit jacket, even pieces cut from an outdated suit. I’ve seen one shaped like a peanut–I think you’d put the narrow part at your neck with wider down the back and front. But I think the right half of the top of a suit without the collar for lefties, and the left half of the suit for righties would be perfect for anyone who takes the new baby out while dressed up. And if you are cutting down an old suit, putting bias binding around the edges, it could become a fashion statement: a messy one, but quite possibly trendy.
I make baby’s clutch balls and have found that they only sell at craft sales. People have to pick them up and squeeze them to make up their mind to buy them. I tried selling them on ebay, but got no bids at all. My dad made wooden scroll saw pictures and had the same problem. People seem to have to see them up close to pick one. Both the balls and wooden pictures sell great at craft shows.
I have been considering attending craft shows for my crocheted items and other
items. I really appreciate your efforts in providing information for all the newbie’s
Thank you.
Minta,
I’m no expert however, I’ve been to many craft fairs. I’ve found most people avoid the “crochet items” assuming they will be too pricey. And most the time they are. I’d suggest displaying a few smaller items up front with a noticable price and sign stating “handmade crocheted “(bibs etc) $2.oo. If people already assume the items will be high, they hesitate stopping to ask prices.
I don’t think people avoid crochet booths because they think it will be too expensive. I think it’s because SO many crochet booths aren’t visually inviting. I do craft shows all the time, and from my experience, most of the crochet booths consist of a bunch of stuff just laid out on a table. I’ll pass by those booths every time.
I also think that many young people see a pile of crochet and immediately think “old people”. Make sure you have some items that appeal to a younger crowd (ie: long scarves and definitely infinity scarves). MOST IMPORTANT: Don’t just lay them on a table. People walking by won’t be able to tell what you have. Give your display some height and visual interest. Spend a little bit of money on busts to drape an infinity scarf or a “ladder-type” display to hang scarves on.
People have a real tendency to walk by booths where nothing immediately grabs their eye. They really don’t want to have to come “in” your booth or poke among stuff piled on a table to see if anything interests them. Make your booth inviting . . . you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.
I have a friend that crochets everything and has done it for years, she sells at the craft fairs and does very well, right now the hats with the hole for pony tails is the best seller…..You have to have that right price for people to buy and display nicely, not just putting a cloth on a table and saying there you go, you have to work at it……don’t sit all the time, stand up and face the people, you are there to sell and to be personable and that is how sales fly……Good Luck…..
A good way to “feel out” what might sell is to check out what things/colors are trending in the clothing stores, and I have several shopping sites like Bryanlane Home, Lands End, and One Kings Way to name a few to keep up on what’s “hot”. Observing fashions and jewelry trends on popular shows (even newscaster and tv hosts) are a good resource. I find by the time something gets to a crafts magazine, it’s almost too late.
I have been a jewelry designer 30 years and it seems every other exhibitor sells jewelry whether its hand made or the direct sales reps like premier or cookie lee. Its almost impossible to avoid the competition. I used to have 600-800 days and now Im lucky if I break even on the space rent at shows.
The trick is being as unique as you can.
Wow! You really nailed it with your comment. I have been making jewelry for just 3 years and I’ve even noticed a big difference in sales from when I first started. The economy is really tough right now. Your suggestion to be as unique as you can is right on target. My issue is how to be different but also how to attract customers to your specific style. Jewelry making is becoming more and more of a niche craft. There’s so much jewelry everywhere. The market is saturated. You can buy jewelry in drugstores, super markets, book stores, you name it!
For people who want to sell jewelry but don’t have the time to make, One great idea is to go on eBay. I buy a lot of jewelry from china and you can’t beat the prices. Type in say 14-18K gold filled rings, or what ever you want to sell. You will get a lot of sellers from China. Click on free shipping. They are very willing to sell in bulk. I have bought rings that are just beautiful and I pay about 1-3 dollars for them. I use the Auction site, free shipping. You can email the sellers for ordering bulk items and get a great price. I would say if I pay 1.25 for a ring or necklace I can easily sell it for 12.to 18.00 each. You can buy lots of 10- 50 or more rings, and it takes about 7-10 days to get in the mail. I have seen necklaces at Kmart that sell for $ 99.00 that I paid $ 5.00 for. There are so many great deals to buy online that you will surely make a profit. I always buy gold filled, never gold plated.
Do you sell this jewelry you buy on ebay at craft shows or etsy? Where else might you sell besides these places?
I remember this 12 year old girl that made jewelry and her sales were great, she knew her stones, her display was beautiful, in all shades of purple with different heights and she was dressed well and talked to everyone that came into her booth……right approach and knowledge is the key to success…..
I used to attend craft fairs and sold homemade soy candles and advertised special non-lead wicks in a variety of containers and fancy glassware, even took special orders for wedding/baby shower favors and then boom, nothing really for the last couple years. Is the candle phase out?
I think soy is out of fad. Candles sell better in colder months
I don’t think (at least I hope not!) soy candles are out. I buy them all the time. They burn long and clean, much better than regular wax candles. It’s just that I can get them at the grocery store for much less than an individual can make them.
I make jewelry to sell at craft shows. One thing I don’t do anymore is the local “school” craft shows. It seems most vendors invite their friends to buy at these types of events rather than have a show in their own home. Also, I try to distinguish myself from other artists because the field is so over-saturated with people making jewelry. by making unique designs that are not seen in the malls and that other jewelry people aren’t making has been pretty successful for me. One thing I have noticed in terms of candles is that there are so many people selling candles. Particularly people selling “Scentsy”, they’re everywhere!!
I do too. 30 years designing. Its so competitive now with almost everyone at craft shows making jewelry. hey its fun, I get that but you have no chance of making big bucks with all that competition. When I produced shows, I would make sure there is no more than 4 jewelry people per 50 vendors.
People love interesting scented candles. And the glass they go into.
I live in Canada and have hosted 3 Christmas craft shows in my home.This year we are branching out to a hall and making it bigger. I make cookie Christmas trees and breads and loaves such as banana bread and pumpkin bread. I’ve tried other Christmas cookies and fudge without much success. Does anyone know of anything else in the baking line that sells well ? I admire anyone who can make all that beautiful jewelry.
Debbie, have you tried making dog treats? Mine sell out every week at our spring/summer/fall Farmer’s Market.
Have you also tried doing cookies, cupcakes and cakes. I have a cousin that is a cake baker and she is doing amazing with her business.
Hi What do you make the dog treats out of
Gingerbread houses were a huge success for me, for years. I would donate a LARGE one usually lighted to be raffled off for whatever charity was connected to the show. This would immediately draw attention to my creations, since a card was placed by this house along with tickets to be filled out for the drawing, I would then sell gingerbread houses in various sizes wrapped in shrink wrap bags tied with boys. Make some tiny ones with small indention on bottom side that fits on the edge of a mug as cute teacher gits, etc. I always had a disclaimer tag that explained that the items were created for decorative purpose only. Even though my items were great to eat this got me pass the health codes requiring kitchen inspection etc. etc. You can buy small hammers to include with cute cards for individual children’s gifts. I no longer make these items and now make custom sewed items so I hope someone can use these ideas and continue a great income builder.
I know keychain fobs may have been around for some years and may have ran it’s course in other parts of the US, but I make out like a bandit every single show with these. I have expanded my product line to include at least 300 different designs and styles. I even started selling tons of pillows with characters. What has helped me out the most is my display catches buyers attentions because each one stands about 2 feet tall and expands almost 5 1/2 feet long; mind you I have 6 of them.
I have never heard this term. What is a FOB?
“Fob” is the fancy thing on the end of a key ring. It’s just another term for keychain. Could also refer to the chain attached to a pocket watch but so few people carry pocket watches now days that I doubt anyone would mean this.
I make diaper cakes. Is a craft show a good display venue.
does anyone think fidget blankets would sell at arts and craft shows ?
How would you display homemade stamped cards at a craft show?
I sell out of my aprons and door latch covers , scarves, roll and go chalkboard fabric..
What is a door latch cover? I am currently a baker – have been for years but I am finding there are too many baked tables and it is hard to compete with people who package throw together items and I put so much time into the baking and packaging. I do keep prices down though and that helps. I need to find something that is more profitable.
I’m trying to sell Deco Mesh Wreaths and wood door hangers. I just started last fall and only sold 2 wreaths and a few door hangers. I’m going to try this year again but do you think deco mesh wreaths are out of style or just not for the young millenials. Getting discouraged.
I do wood burning custom art do u think it will go over well at a festival
I do think it depends on the actual craft show and wht area it is in… also again you could sell anything at a craft show/fair, but only if your display is great and a visual wonderland that it will attract everyone to it . Also display price’s, the lowest ones more so people see u have cheaper prices as well as mid ranged and more expensive ones too. If you only display expensive prices people tend to walk straight by.
We just started selling sand art bottles at shows. I remember several vendors at every show when I was growing up, now it’s just us. We have been the only sand art vendor at our last 7 shows. One thing we learned from our supplier, coloredsand.com, that was true, display your stuff at eye level for your customers. Our are kids so we made really low tables that they could see and work at. That made a 30% increase in our sales from the 1st 2 shows we did with higher tables. TAKE PLASTIC! Nobody carries cash anymore.
It is great go through all the crafters comments. I have a friend that want to participate in craft shows. All of these comments will be past on to my friend. I’m sure it will help her. Right now she is lost trying to get started and what to charge for her items.