What's the best way to get into Craft Fairs?

I make lots of different crafts and would like to eventually sell them in craft fairs. I know a lot goes into it, just to be approved. What have been your experiences getting into them, and selling a lot of stuff?

Does a lot of money go into it? What's the best way to make a profit? I live in CT if that helps.

Asked by amyt76 59 months ago Similar questions: Craft Fairs Arts > Sewing, Craft & Hobby.

Craft shows It depends on your area and what you make. Here in Michigan, the craft shows are really down. They were over run with cheap imported items masquerading as "handmade" (in China!), which caused less shoppers to come which resulted in less crafters to exhibit.

I still hear of some good shows before Christmas; that is the best selling season. Spring shows generally are lousy. If you are doing fine art, it's more difficult to get into them;they might require that you submit slides and pay a fee just to be juried in.

But for most regular craft shows, it's fairly easy to get in them--just pay the fee. Some ask for photos, some are now asking for a photo of you actually making whatever you make so they know that you aren't re-selling. There are a few shows still around that are so popular that there might be a waiting list to get in, but I think those days are over...most of my friends who still do shows say it's just not like it used to be.

With the economy down, people are buying less "decorative" stuff and are looking for more useful items. That was always something I tried to do--create decorative useful items! If they can use it, they can justify the expense-if it's new and different.

We generally sold almost everything at the shows we did. I like to have a variety of price points, so that people can pick something up for a few dollars or lots more. I prefer to have a wide variety of things, too, many one of a kinds, rather than doing dozens of the same items.

People like to think that they got your "last one", and that their friends and neighbors wont' have the same thing at their house. Your booth fee is probably your biggest expense, but it depends on what you are making to sell. You will need a canopy for outdoor shows, and ways to display your items.

Give it a try, at least once! It really is fun (other than the setting up and taking down!) and a great way to meet other crafters and find out about other area shows. *Poppet*'s Recommendations International E-Z Up SES12SLBL 12' Regency Portable Instant Shelter Amazon List Price: $219.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Make sure you get a white canopy so the light in your booth is white, not blue or green!

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I used to do craft fairs, and my sister currently does, here's some hints. Number one, start small! You don't need to do the big judged/invite only ones first.

Start with small local ones, churches, seasonal fairs (like we have alot of fall fairs around here), places that charge a small fee to set up. That way you can find what works and doesn't work, and what sells and what doesnt. You'll have a chance to see what kind of price points to go for.

And any equipment you might need to buy. It really depends on what kind of stuff you sell. I sold things that could be hung on a wall, so I had a very basic booth set up, we built it out of sheets of plywood, which allowed me to screw hooks into it to hang my items from.

I only had a couple things that needed a table, so I used a small card table for those. The only other thing that was a big (kinda) investment was a good Easy-Up type tent to put up in case of rain. But if you start in small indoor craft shows, you won't need that unless you want it more for 'show' It sets your booth apart from everyone else who just has tables.

Now if you need tables, Walmart has decently priced long tables that can be used. Get some material or sheets or large table cloths, and that's all you really need for that. If you're getting into things that need display cases...well...there's a big chunk of change.My very first craft show was a small weekend 'Train Days' festival in my home town.

I think it was 50 dollars (if that) to reserve a space. I sold out of my items on the first day and had to stay up half the night finishing more! So be prepared, even the smallest rinky-dink craft shows can be surprising.

Especially if you make something that isnt commonly found. I made children's items - They were 'fairy wings' and fairy wands, and fairy hairclips.So they were items that you don't normally find. The wings could be worn, or put on the wall as a decoration.

The little girls loved it, and since it was close to Halloween - they flew out of my booth! Make sure you have business cards (Vistaprint is a good place for that) so just in case you do run out of anything, you can give out your card and tell them to call and place a special order. I had quite a few people call weeks after the show to order things.

A basic website with your product info and contact info is nice too - it doesn't have to have everything on it, or have to be one where people can order online. Just something that you can put the address on your business card and then people can see what you have to offer in case they forget. Another good thing to do, is go to craft shows and talk to the vendors.

Ask them questions, ask if they know of any other shows coming up. Ask if they know of any newsletter of shows in your area. I was lucky enough to hook up with one vendor that gave me the information to recieve a newsletter of all the craft shows in my tri-state area!

Oh gosh, what else. Well, after you get a few small ones under your belt, that's when to start worring about the larger judged shows (thats the ones that you have to send in samples or pictures or whatever for a team of judges to decide if you can rent a space)Oh, I know, try to have a helper! Or at least someone that will come and relieve you ever couple hours for bathroom and eating breaks!

So, start small, get basic supplies and learn from there, be prepared with inventory, have a helper, have business cards, and try to corner an area of the market that doesn't have much in it.(like me with my girls fairy items, and my sister does special order gift baskets)Good luck! I hope that helps you out! Sources: my experience .

If you are wanting to sell crafts online that you make in arizona you should check out azcraze.com/. They allow you to sell up to 250 products (you can have as many in stock of an item as you want) for only $5 a month or $50 a year. Unlike etsy.Com you are just charged the low monthly/yearly rate.

They do not take any commission of the products you sell. You keep 100% of the purchase price. Your money from the sales gets paid directly your paypal account.

They never keep it! .

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