Craft Fairs / Events Northern Ireland 2009

bead_mad

will do Rach. I think its great to meet someone new in this way and it makes you feel as if you are not there on your own. I think my neice is coming to help me.:j She is tall and slim with blond hair. im not going to try to describe myself!!!:rotfl:

Rach39

This was a bit weird actually - i was there last year and there were stalls right round the hall - this year there were just 3! Probably had something to do with £45 table fee!! Everything was spread out in a different way too which meant people were constantly passing by and not staying in one place but this wasn't a bad thing and I did ok after all (though not brilliant when deduct said table fee!!) Just to whinge a bit more - the event was supposed to be 5.30 - 9.30 but there was a parade through the village first which must have been running late and there was no-one about at all until about 6.45. The fireworks were lit at around 8.00 and everyone went home after that so we only really got around 1hr 15 mins of actual selling time for our money!! When are people going to wise up and charge a fair and decent fee? My son's school always ask for a percentage of your profit and this seems far fairer to me.

harvsl

Rach39 wrote: »

The Diwali event at City Hall was a bit of a mixed bag. Lots of people but as usual badly advertised and loads of food stalls outside but no signs to let people know there were craft stalls inside in the foyer! Only about 10 stalls and lovely setting. Was doing ok until the shoplifters arrived. I've just added some Pandora - style beads to my stock and had displayed around 30 of them threaded on a silver chain. Some scumbag lifted the whole chain beads and all - around £70 worth of stock in one go!! I felt completely sick but at that time it was really crowded and there were around 6 people around my stall - someone was talking to me about tiaras and I was distracted for what could have only been a matter of seconds. I noticed a security camera directly above me so called security and asked if they could look at the tapes. Surprise surprise I was told that camera only recorded when the council members were there and it was not used for the general public. They obviously feel the councillors are more dodgy than joe public!! Will have to put it down to experience but left a really bad taste

Rach39 - that is terrible! Poor you! Im not surprised it left a bad taste. There are some real low lifes around and I just feel so bad for you. It is a nightmare, especially when there is a crowd of ppl around your stall - its just impossible to keep your eye on everything. Really hope it hasn't put you off. Hope to see you around. L

harvsl

I went to the Ballyclare AutumnFest on Fri and Sat and met Belle - turns out she is my sisters friend and I didn't even realise! Small world. The Fri was a complete washout, the weather on Sat was better but as per usual it looked like it was thrown together at the last minute. There was absolutely no atmosphere to speak of. No decor, no music, no lights. It was in the car park at the back of the townhall which was still open for ppl to park in?! It just seemed crazy. Id say I was lucky if I got 10 visitors to my stall. I know the rest of the stallholders didn't do well either. Ah well I suppose you live and learn - I suppose it just all depends on the circumstances - weather, advertising, organizing etc. We should set up our own event - at least we would know what not to do

Rach39

harvsl wrote: »

Rach39 - that is terrible! Poor you! Im not surprised it left a bad taste. There are some real low lifes around and I just feel so bad for you. It is a nightmare, especially when there is a crowd of ppl around your stall - its just impossible to keep your eye on everything. Really hope it hasn't put you off. Hope to see you around. L

Thanks - I have kind of got over it now, first time this has happened in 2 years but certainly made me more vigilant!! No more will I go off and get a coffee/ have a fag unless someone is keeping watch. I hope this isn't going to get to be a real problem at events - we all quite happily 'keep an eye' out for other stallholders but wouln't it be awful if something happened at your neighbours stall while you were watching it? At Hillsborough yesterday a guy doing cartoon sketches beside me asked if he could leave his money box with me while he went to the loo - I almost said no, then watched it like a hawk for the whole 2 mins he was away! Sorry Ballyclare was not great - it's been a long time since I've been at an event that was great to be honest, the organisation usually leaves plenty to be desired and of course you cannot force people to come out in bad weather, no one has much cash to spend etc. Roll on Christmas fairs - the season of impulse buying!:beer:

confuddle

irishgirl62 wrote: »

Is anyone going to st marks craft fair? or have done one there before?

Hiya

Met Bettie yesterday by complete fluke at something else (small world), and she said she already has 13 crafters for the event so far. Hope this helps.

irishgirl62

thanks confuddle.. never done one before.. would like to try this one to kick start me into doing craft fairs

confuddle

irishgirl62 wrote: »

thanks confuddle.. never done one before.. would like to try this one to kick start me into doing craft fairs

Hi

I haven't done any either (is there a nail biting smiley)? Came across this doing a car boot sale. I'm attracted by being inside, warm, and a customer base that hopefully are happy to pay more lol and appreciate the effort put into things. Car boot clientelle certainly do not!! They do have a lovely hall - have been in it previously.

I only have Christmas crafts - how about you?

irishgirl62

confuddle i do a variety of things whatever the mood takes me few of the things i make can be seen on my blog yesterday i made pencil boxes today i made bracelets tomorrow i dont know until i wake up and see what mood I am in!

confuddle

irishgirl62 wrote: »

confuddle i do a variety of things whatever the mood takes me few of the things i make can be seen on my blog yesterday i made pencil boxes today i made bracelets tomorrow i dont know until i wake up and see what mood I am in!

Holy Moo Irishgirl - what don't you make - I've just looked at your blog :eek:

I can't show up at the same craft fair as you - I only have one craft item lol

You have some great things there - get yourself to a fair - you'll do great :T