My mother walked up to a vendor and expressed how beautiful she thought everything was at Renegade.
“I spent my entire paycheck before the fair opened.” she replied.
I believe it! Renegade Chicago was an absolutely fantastic experience. With so many beautiful minds, ideas, and handmade goods in one room – it was hard to keep myself from spending my entire paycheck, too.
You can check the entire booth roster here and be prepared to be amazed. I’d post photos of what I purchased, but then I might ruin some Christmas presents. Maybe later. 😉
What did I learn at Renegade? Many, many things. Here are some highlights!
We loved seeing Luft Balloons and learning all about her innovative product and ideas! If there is one thing I learned, it’s being unique and coming up with completely new, fresh ideas is the key to success in the handmade world. You have to be creative, even more creative than you think you can be. That will make all of the difference in the world. Luft Balloons created a backdrop of their project and encouraged people to take a photo and post it on instagram to be entered into a drawing to win her product. Brand awareness, my friends, can do wonderful things for your handmade business. Obviously, we took part in this fun contest!
Try something completely new at your next craft fair – you might be surprised at the results! Use those creative brains of yours and figure out a new way to engage with your potential customers.
Ms Anna Art was right in the middle of the fair doing what she does best – face painting! But, she also has written and illustrated books. She put these two talents together and created a mini and interactive booth. While kids (and adults!) were being painted, people would stop to watch and pick up some of her books to take a look. It was a brilliant way to showcase talent in many forms.
As we all know, displaying your products in interesting ways can lead to more sales. Renegade was full of so many amazing booths that I just wanted to practically live in them. You know what this means? It means that the displays + the products were effectively displayed. I wanted to spend time in each booth which is definitely a good thing. As you can see below, I wasn’t the only one enjoying myself in each booth.
Hey handmade businesses! Guess what? Most, if not all of these handmade artists have an online presence in some way, shape, or form. In a sea of big businesses and cheaply made products at large stores, people are craving the unique and the handmade. Get out there and start promoting your business. Develop a strategy, work on that online store of yours, and make, make, make it happen.
What have you learned at craft fairs this year?
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I’m planning on opening an etsy shop in January to sell knitted goods. I don’t know anyone who has a store so I’m not sure if this is the way for an unknown vendor to go. Also I can’t really tell if Etsy is expensive. I’ve heard different comments. Any thoughts, guidance you may have would be a great help.
Kindest Regards
Gail
Etsy is one of the best bargains around! $.20 to list an item for 4 months is hard to beat! There’s a 3.5% fee when the item sells and then you’ll pay a payment processing fee (either PayPal or Etsy’s own “Direct Checkout”).
Spend some time learning about SEO and be sure your photos are awesome and you will likely do well on Etsy!
2014 reminded me that, regardless of how hyped a craft fair may be, I still need to do the usual due diligence and use my common sense when deciding about participating in an event.
Yes, so very true Tanya, just because some shows cost more money doesn’t mean we will make back big bucks! I have a budget & stay within or below it.
I agree on that unique items have the best shot being sold & I think that we should always be expanding & growing, be at the top of our game!
Are you in Chicago? I live in Chicago but was not about to pay what they wanted to do this show, crazy expensive and not affordable at all for us small timers, this show is ofter people who sell expensive items and can get back their booth fee quickly. So many shows go on here year around way more affordable & just as much crown not disappointed to not do this one 🙂
Bought a x-mas present to myself this season a canopy/ gazebo for outdoor shows this summer, cannot wait to use it and have lots of decorating ideas I been jotting down since fall. To a great new year everyone! Cheers!
Thanks for sharing these great tips
The link to the roster didn’t work for me …nothing but one main picture,b and nothing else!?!