craft fairs - a good idea?

Sid_Wolf

Sorry im not sure of the best section to post this in!

I have started a small business, which is mainly online at the moment, making and selling dog collars and stuff. I sell through my website, facebook and a couple of pet forums

I do ok through this, its not my main source of income, but it brings in enough to buy the dogs food usually

Today I ran a stall at a local table top sale thingy at the old folks home in my village, I wasnt expecting much, as I had done car boots before and not sold any even with knocking my prices in half! (usually around £6 for the items i'd taken, so I was charging £3)

but i actually done ok, I made £30 in under 2 hours :j I priced everything at £5, and not a single person questioned the price or tried to bargin, and everyone who asked the price, bought one!

I dont know if it was because people knew me (i work literally 2 minutes away from the home) or what, but i'm pleased either way. I will be able to sell the spares at the dog park tomorrow or online

So I was thinging of getting a spot at one of the local craft markets coming up, but I'm not sure if thats the right 'scene', I've never been to a craft market, so dont really know what is sold there.

The ones that are coming up in the next month are xmas ones, and I can make some xmas themed collars, but will I be completely out of place selling dog stuff? Or do you think it would go down well?

Sorry for the rambling post!

jakes-mum

You should come over to the yuletide thread as we talk about all things crafty including craft fairs one thing that alot of stall holders have said is the dog/cat boiscuit bags they make go down really well, it seems we are a nation of animal lovers. I suppose it depends on how much the stall is going to cost, if its £10 - £15 its worth a punt, if your talking £100 then its really a case of can you afford to lose that money

But do come to the yuletide board and talk to all the crafters there as they will be able to give you lots of advice (and ask for pics as we do love homemade )

Sid_Wolf

jakes-mum wrote: »

You should come over to the yuletide thread as we talk about all things crafty including craft fairs one thing that alot of stall holders have said is the dog/cat boiscuit bags they make go down really well, it seems we are a nation of animal lovers. I suppose it depends on how much the stall is going to cost, if its £10 - £15 its worth a punt, if your talking £100 then its really a case of can you afford to lose that money

But do come to the yuletide board and talk to all the crafters there as they will be able to give you lots of advice (and ask for pics as we do love homemade )

thankyou i will head over there now! Not sure i can post piccys tho as some may take it as advertising :huh:

RFW

I'd think most craft fairs would charge a decent fee for having a stall. If you have confidence in your pricing, product and profit-margins then go ahead.

Quality pet products will always sell, people are often much fussier about spending on their pets than they are on their children. Pet supplies is one of the industries that is the least affected by recession, pet owners are often happier to reduce their spending on their own family's food than their dog's, strange but true.

Sid_Wolf

RFW wrote: »

I'd think most craft fairs would charge a decent fee for having a stall. If you have confidence in your pricing, product and profit-margins then go ahead.

Quality pet products will always sell, people are often much fussier about spending on their pets than they are on their children. Pet supplies is one of the industries that is the least affected by recession, pet owners are often happier to reduce their spending on their own family's food than their dog's, strange but true.

tis true in this house!

well i've found one in felixstowe, about 20 minutes drive away next sunday, £15 a stall, and for guide dogs! :jfingers crossed me mums about next sunday as i dont drive!

I'm fairly confident, i have huskies, and i obviously use my own stuff, so they're well made and strong (mine are working dogs and dont do heel!), but they're affordable too :T