When you set up a craft show display over and over again, it can be hard to see it in an objective way. You may be so used to seeing the same things, so you don’t really give any thought about how it could look better. Good news – it can always look better.
Here are a few things you might try:
- If you sell wearable goods, be sure to provide a mirror. Provide a full-length mirror if you sell clothing so potential buyers can see the overall look.
- Make it easy for customers to interact with your products. One of the reasons people like shopping in person is you can pick up an item and judge its weight or compare the color against your skin. Make sure shoppers have that ability in your booth.
- Make good lighting a top priority. This can be difficult when the craft fair is inside a poorly lit building but good lighting is important. Find small spotlights to focus on a few “WOW!” pieces or a flood light to focus on a whole wall. Just be sure the lights don’t get too hot or shine in shoppers’ eyes.
- Don’t make people ask for a price. Be sure it is visibly listed on every item and that it is easy to see. Customers want to know the price of items before they even pick them up – just to be sure it’s something in their budget.
- Get creative with props and displays. Many craft fair attendees have been to dozens of shows and “seen it all” (or so they think). Give them something new to look at, something that will catch their eye and make them wonder, “Is that made of what I think it’s made of?” Use recycled items and supplies that are meant for other purposes. Tree stumps, window screens, window shutters and old suitcases all come to mind. The dead tree holding Halloween-themed crafts (above) is still one of my all-time favorite displays I’ve ever seen.
- Utilize your space well. Having all of your goods laying on a table can make it hard for customers to see what you’ve got, especially if it is a busy show and they are looking between people. Go vertical if you can but just make sure all of the displays are secure so they won’t fall over.
- Be colorful. Being the bright spot in a sea of gray or white can help your booth stand out and get noticed. Choose backdrops that contrast or complement the other elements of your display. Everything within the booth is an important part of the bigger picture you are trying to create.
- Sell your brand. You are also selling your brand along with the goods you have at the show. Make sure all of your items are branded and that your overall display promotes your brand. You want shoppers to remember you long after the show is over.
- Announce your presence. Some repeat customers may be attending the show specifically to see you. Be sure to have a banner in a prominent place so people can find you. And don’t think you have to spend big bucks on a corporate-looking banner. Feel free to make one. After all, you are a handmade business.
Don’t feel that you have to make all of these changes or even half of them. Pick, choose and change one or two things at a time while still listening to customers comments and watching how they interact with your booth to see how your changes are received.
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
Do you love to create? Are you dying to turn your creativity into profits? You've come to the right place! Join our community of creative experts and learn how to sell your designs, how to get published in magazines, books or online, and pick up some great craft fair ideas and tips along the way.
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Thanks for these tips. I am considering stretching my wings into the craft fair world. Your suggestions are very timely for me.
I displayed my crafts at two yard sales I had. I had hand painted all of them on my own, seasonal items and cut out figures as well. I was asking $ 4.00 for most items and $ 10.00 dollars for a few that was more detailed and took longer. I didn’t sell any . My sister told me to quit painting. I used wire for some hanging, I also used pretty ribbon on some to bring out the color of the painting. I’m decent, by no means a professional. My heart is sad because my sister thinks I should quit. I don’t know how to post them, but I want to continue. I have about 180 paintings. I only paint on wood. I am 52 years old, and I thought I found my calling. Just don’t know where to go from here. Thank you for listening.
Don’t give up. You might think about raising your prices for starters. YOU took out your time (I try to figure how much I think I am worth===about 10.00 an hour) to do these paintings. Then add in the cost of your materials (even if you got it free, how much would it cost to replace it?). With having things at a yard sale you have the option of going down in price. Anyone yardsaleing is looking for a deal. If they think that they have talked you down in price they are happy. And you still get a decent price for your products. I hope that helps some.
Please don’t give up! if you enjoy doing it, keep doing it. Also, try selling your stuff online in stores like Etsy, I use FB and Instagram for promotion and free ad of my product and get sales from there too. Best of luck!
First of all do not give up painting. If this is something you love to do, keep doing it, regardless of what others may tell you. Also, in my opinion, stop selling at yard sales. People that go to yard sales are looking for cheap deals. In my experience, crafts and yard sales do not mix. Get in a local craft sale. There, people are looking to buy crafts, not used items. One way is to go to a craft sale with your product and ask who is in charge and see if they have any available spots. If they don’t, then put your name out there with other crafters and the organizer. Let them know that you are looking to get into the shows and most of the time they are willing to help out by letting you know when another show is coming up.
A few things to remember: As crafters we are not in this to get rich. The only ones who can truly appreciate how much we put into our crafts is another crafter: DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. You can never tell what the public is going to want. Not from day to day or from show to show. One show you may sell out and the next not one item moves. It even happens with the same show. One year you do great and the next year not so well and vice versa. (always give a show a second chance): Constantly re-invent yourself. Every year, I come up with a new product to sell that compliments the products I already have. (Example; I sell natural products. I started with hand lotion, then hand cream, then sugar scrubs, etc.).
I hope this helps. Anyone who is reading this, please feel free to contact me at allendmiller@frontiernet.net. I have been crafting and selling for roughly 8 years now and will gladly answer any questions I can. If I don’t know the answers I know several crafters in my area and they just might have an answer.
Hi Rhonda,
I completely agree with Naomi – raise your prices. Many craft shoppers equate price with quality. Pricing your items too low can work against you as many people will immediately think OH, this is so cheap, the product must also be cheap, not well-made, maybe even mass produced. Present your hard work with quality signage, attractive displays and always always attach a price tag to every item. No price tag, no sale. Some people won’t even take the time to ask you How Much? They will just walk away. Remember this: PRICE equals QUALITY. Don’t be afraid to double your prices, you may be surprised !
And if yard sales are your only option to sell your craft, don’t present your items in a ‘yard sale’ manner. Best to still put forth the best you can do in the way of display and talk your items up. Say Hello to everyone and then say 1 or 2 positive things about your art. “it’s weather-proof” or whatever. Good Luck!
I love your advice.
Have you thought of joining Etsy and opening a shop? It wil give you good exposure and you can as Naomi said raise your prices to cover some of your costs. Don’t give up! If you are happy with your work, that’s all that matters. Good luck.
Oh hon, Don’t give up! I’m almost 62 and gave up on my calling when I was younger, because of everyone all around me saying no, it would never fly…and searched unhappily for years for something else that would make me feel like I was doing something meaningful and satisfying. Just this past year I have returned to my original dreams and though not yet rich in pocketbook, I’m so rich in my spirit and filled with peace and joy just doing it for Me!
No, crafts/original art doesn’t go well in a Yard Sale. I have listed in the paper and made/put out signs as if for a yard sale for my own Craft Show/Art Faire set up in my yard and have sold some pieces…and definitely rethink your prices higher. What you set your prices at reflects of how you think of your Talent. You are Unique and so are your wares. Price them in pride of yourself and joy for that Talent that you exhibit to the world!
I found don’t sell at yard sales everyone wants a bargain, or they are looking for antiques and not handmade items. Either find a craft show to go to and see what is out their and try that.
You can also try local Flea Markets. The table prices are very cheap ($5-10) and it will give experience of learning how to set up your table and talk to people. Flea markets are usually a variety of new, used and recycled items. I started at a local Flea market, some days the only things I sold were to fellow vendors (I gave a 15% discount to them). Some days were very good. I am now in my third year of local arts/crafts shows and love it.
Sometimes it is just finding the best place to go. Try a local Farmers Market, or even a Flea Market. Good Luck, and … don’t give up!
Cheryl
To rhonda, i was a craft show “gypsi” for 20+ years and did reasonably well with it. I can tell you that the earlier advise about raising your prices is good. If you dont value yourself, no one else will either. Jack your prices Up. You can always come down if you choose- but you cant go up. Also when people go to garage sales, they expect garage sale prices- not art prices. If you have it in a garage sale, it’s “probably just some old unsold junk that your trying to get rid of.” Try some close craft show where people are looking for art- not garage sale stuff. You need the right market. Wishing you good luck and don’t give up
I agree that you need to up the prices. Also if you don’t want to do a craft show yet try your local farmers market. Close to me we have a Mart in the Park and it only costs $5 to set up. It has helped me learn better displays and if it is a bad day I am only out $5.
Of course you should not ‘give up’!!
I agree completely with other commenters, raise your prices. Many crafters use a formula of $10 per hour + 3 x Material Costs to figure out a base price for their goods. If you’re worried about pricing yourself out of the market, remember, you can always lower the prices later, if they aren’t moving. If a piece is priced at $50 and isn’t going anywhere, you can always put up a ‘10% off all sales’ sign and see how it goes. s.
I would also take the time and try to get into a craft show venue – I was scared to do this originally because I feared the upfront costs, but often I’ve found getting a table at a show can be as inexpensive as $25 per day! It all depends on the show. People who come to those shows are looking for art, not garage sale deals.
If you use Facebook, start a business page for your art, and post pictures – lots of pictures. Print up some business cards with the Facebook Address, so you can tell people about your art when you’re out and about. “I love your purse! I’m an artist, and I have a painting I’ve done that’s in a similar style – the picture is on my Facebook site, would you care for a card so you can look at your leisure?” (I’ve sold more of my stuffed animals this way!)
When you do a craft show, you *Need* three things. A way to display your art on a neutral background, a Business Name that sounds fun and quirky on a sign across the front of your table, and the business cards. (well, and change for the sales you’re going to make, and a way to wrap up purchases for customers)
I find the best thing is to keep it simple, make the focus about your art rather than too many clever displays.
Good luck! Keep at it! You’ll find the right venue. Also, some coffee houses and restaurants host local artists and let you hang your work on their walls for a small fee – check into it! Big exposure with moderate upfront costs.
All great tips and don’t quit because of what one person said. You can do what ever you like and just find a place to sale. But, NOT at a yard sale.
I did that done that.
Have a small showing at your home before the holidays. I did with my quilting business and show our other crafts that my daughter and I do. I got quilts to machine quilt for people and sold crafts. Find crafts shows. Go to them and just look around and if it looks good to you go for it. But, DO NOT quit.
I have been selling for about 10 years now and do very well. I sell some crafts however most of my inventory is hand-made, used, new and antique jewelery.
I need advise, I sell my stuff at really cheap prices becauseI get it for very cheap prices or free, would this be a no no at bazaars and craft sales. I am starting this method of selling this year and woyuld like to know if it is acceptable with the other dealers. I do not want to do anything that would upset anyone. Please let me at madpal242@hotmail.com as soon as possible my first sale is November 25, 2017
Madeleine
I am always looking for new ideas to improve my craft selling. Some of your tricks are already implemented, others will make a nice addition in a near future. We like to keep our customers interested in our booth and our new products.
Stuff doesn’t “lay” on a table: it “lies” on a table. Use correct grammar if you want readers to respect your post.