‘Tis the season of arts and crafts shows. You need to know how a certain marketplace rates in being the place to be to make sales? As always, it’s not an easy answer. It depends on the show. I just attended an annual local festival and was very disappointed to find only a handful of vendors who were selling honest-to-goodness handmade art and craft. The majority were selling cheap imports or part of franchises that sell cosmetics or storage containers. I came to the event specifically to buy handmade crafts and was almost instantly turned off when I saw tables and tables of imports.
When I spotted a booth selling beautiful fabric and ribbon rose jewelry, I asked how sales were going and the artist responded “Slow, yet steady”. At one time, this was one of the best seasonal arts and crafts shows in the area, and now it was not the place I wanted to be. The same jewelry artist said she was happy to have the opportunity to hand out her business cards with her Esty shop web address on it, hoping for future sales.
It is important that you do some research when selecting what arts and crafts shows you want to invest in for sales. Here are some questions you should ask:
- Is it an annual event? Usually this is a good sign, as people in the local area will be aware that it is always held a specific month or specific weekend.
- Do all the exhibitors sell handmade crafts? If imports are allowed, ask what the ratio is between handmade, imports, and food vendors. As a handmade crafter or artist, you will have better sales when the event organizers jury for handmade. No one can compete against imports.
- And finally, ask other artists and crafters what shows they enjoy doing. Peer feedback will be honest and insightful.
Seasonal arts and crafts shows can be a real money maker, if organized and advertised. You need to do your share of promotion too, letting all your customers know about the event – if they are fans of yours, it will be very likely that they will buy something from you. Maybe you can even offer them incentive, such as a percentage off of their sale to make up for the admission fee. And even if the show isn’t a great seller for you, make sure you’re getting the word out about your business by handing out those business cards for customers who might decide to order after the show. Make sure they know what other shows you’re doing this season, so they can come back and buy that item they should have bought but didn’t!
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Boy,did you hit the nail on the head! Yesterday I was a vendor at what was billed as a “craft fair.” Of all the vendors,there were only a handful of actual crafters,myself included. The rest of the booths featured Tupperware,Lia Sophia,a couple of make-up companies,Scentsy,etc.etc.
To me,and the other crafters,selling for a corporation that you order goods from is not “crafting.” This particular fair was sponsered by a church. The other problem was that it was not advertised widely (i.e. newspaper,radio or tv ad,etc.)This is the second timeI’ve dealt with this situation and it will be the last. I think that church sponsered events want to be inclusive of their congregants that sell the corporate stuff. Fine,but don’t bill it as a “craft fair.” People that go to craft fairs expect handcrafted items with a certain level of creativity,not people trying to book “parties” or recruit them as sellers. A word to the wise, avoid these types of events and go for stuff where you will be competing with other crafters,not corporate shills.
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I was to put in a place that they made it out to be a craft show. Will it turn out to be both. But, more of business then crafts.
So, when I heard that they was going to have this again. The people that was not going to be the head of it anymore. I went in and told them that I will do it. I made it PTO craft and business show. Then when the shoot down the car show they had. I put on the billing Tractor show. We are off with a bang so far. So if anyone is interested in doing the show in MO. At a little school by Sedalia MO. Let me know. cthomas@northwest.k12.mo.us
Carol