Craft fairs are the bread and butter of many small craft businesses, especially if you’re just starting out. And even if you’ve been working on your business and your online presence for a while, craft fairs can still be a wonderful investment. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been attending craft events for a while or are just starting out, you can never have too many craft fair tips or reminders before you head out to your next (or first) one!
Now, I’ve put up a lot of craft fair tips on this blog already, but I love finding craft show tips from successful designers and bloggers. Why? Because it means that these super busy and successful women still make time for showing up at craft fairs and selling their wares. You know what else that means? That attending craft fairs is worth it!
Anyway, I was super excited to find this article full of craft fair tips from the Crafty Chica!
Kathy Cano-Murillo is not only a successful blogger, but also an author, craft company spokesperson, and a craft product line designer. As you can see the Crafty Chica has a lot on her plate and still her roots are in making product for and selling at craft fairs!
Check out her article with her personal tips for crafty vendors.
What tips can you add to this list?
- How to Make Money Blogging - November 30, 2017
- Real Life Sales: Getting Your Crafts Into a Shop - November 11, 2017
- Facebook: Friend or Foe? - February 17, 2014
Dress nicely and wear what it is that you are selling. Smile and look happy.
And don’t forget to wear a SMILE!!!! If you’re not happy with your product and display, customers won’t buy!!!
Don’t be to pushy.
Be excited about what you are selling and be willing to talk to your customers about any questions they may have.
Great tips. I have been doing craft shows for a few years and some tips I have learned are: Present yourself and your product with pride, smile and be happy, don’t get complacent or bored with your set up, keep it fresh and updated.
I try to be different at each show. I set up the table different, I work the room as they say. I talk to other vendors and try to make them feel that their products are as good or even better then my our. And belive me they sometimes are. I try to bring the old crafts back. Like chicken scatch emborderey. It is something that the older ladys hasnt seen sent child hood. I start up talking to them about this and that how they remember when they did it. I make small things as will, and before you know it . I sold something. It may not be big but it brought happiness to someone. But, found out I just made a friend and belive me that means alot as saling something. And they do come back. Now I got followers and good friends that tell me more about other shows. So, BE HAPPY even if you dont feel like it.
Smile and world will smile with you. Or as my husband say. Smile and the world will worry about what you are up to….lol
Carol
hi
we are having our fist ever stall at Christmas eeeek!!!!!! all your tips are really helpful thankyou.
That’s so exciting Lorraine! So glad you’ve found useful advice and inspiration here in Creative Income.
I sell many repurposed items along with new things. I make a lot of glass garden art, windchimes, etc. Many walk into my booth and exclaim, “What a great idea”, ” I would’ve never thought of that”, “Oh what a great way to use those things again”. Then after complimenting my creativity, they go on to ask what kind of glue I use, what is it connected with, how do you make it a certain way.
At first I thought they were asking to see how durable the glue was, or how durable does it handle, etc. Until…..one day I overheard a couple of ladies say……”go ask her (me) what she uses and we can make these”.
Thing is……I’ve spent a lot of time and $$$ refining and perfecting my craft. Is it rude to nicely decline their request? I’ve started to reply, “Sorry, it’s a trade secret, but it’s industrial strength glue, etc etc”.
How do others handle these inquiries??
Sadly, this article just came my way (2017), and the Crafty Chica moved her blog in 2015 so the links don’t work anymore. Haven’t found them on her new site yet either but will look again when I’m on my PC.
I’ve also encountered inquisitive vendors and customers. I share tips with them, and they give me ideas for improving existing designs and displays or suggest new projects. (That’s how I found out about the messy bun hat trend–I don’t wear them personally so never would’ve thought to make them otherwise).
What ticks me off is when a “customer” brings another crafter (often a colleague/friend) over to my booth, points at an item and within my earshot, asks her to make a copy of my design. I can ignore the shopper, but should I tell my fellow vendor that I was hurt by her participation in such rude behavior, especially if she agrees to the shopper’s request? Anyone have witty comebacks to call out, and hopefully shame, inconsiderate customers like that?
well my thoughts are if someone copies me …. I think well guess I had a great idea …. and I have found most people who ask how or what I use want to know for their own personal use to make one for a friend or relative…. remember as crafter’s s somewhere someone out there in the world has already or still making something like our if not the same…. don’t get insulted … it’s not worth ruining the rest of the show for you