Your handmade business is up and running. You’ve got your handmade products, you’ve got your craft booth display down pat, and your craft fair emergency kit is packed and ready to go! There’s just one more fork in the road to consider: whether to consider a juried or non-juried craft fair. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but there are a few things to think over before choosing where to set up your craft fair booth.
Juried Shows: Helpful Facts
When a show is “juried,” it means that you must apply to participate, and that the quality of your products as well as your level of experience will be taken into consideration by a panel of judges. You will be required send in a resume, photos/samples of your products, and a jurying fee. The jury is looking to determine whether or not the quality and marketability of your products align with those of the craft fair. They will also make sure that a variety of products is being offered so that each seller has a good chance of making valuable sales.
It is worth keeping in mind that the craft booth fee will be higher at a juried show, but there will typically be more customers on any given day. This means more money for your business, and more exposure to the public!
Non-Juried Shows: Equally-as-Helpful Facts
“Non-Juried” does not mean poor-quality, nor does it necessarily mean amateur. Often, sellers prefer non-juried shows because they are less expensive and they draw in more local buyers with whom you can build relationships with.
These shows give out spots on a first-come-first-serve basis. This isn’t bad news, but it does mean you should do some research before signing up. For example, if you visit a craft fair, and the majority of the sellers are offering handmade pottery, it may not be a great idea to sign up next year if you also sell handmade pottery.
A Final Word…
Whether you are hoping to sell at a juried or non-juried show, doing research beforehand is imperative. A craft show may be high profile, but if your products do not have the same aesthetic as the products typically sold there, signing up will be a waste of time and money. By the same token, you don’t want to sign up for a less expensive show filled with vendors who sell items that are very similar to yours. You’ll risk your craft booth getting lost in the shuffle.
What’s most important is weighing your options and finding a craft fair that will be worth your time and money. Find out how to plan for the perfect craft fair site visit here!
Do you have any insight on selling at juried shows you would like to share? Comment below!
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For shows that are non juried make sure you do your homework. Avoid shows that have direct sale vendors (origami owl, paparazzi, etc). Many of the smaller craft fairs that are held in churches & halls often prohibit these direct sales vendors and thus might be a very viable option where you thought they might not be due to the venue.
If, at the same show, I should choose either a juried booth for $X or a non-juried booth for less.
Am I to assume the juried booths are prime?