Anyone had any luck selling at craft fairs?

usignuolo

My sister and I are keen crafters, knitting, patchwork, making general sewn domestic items. Last year we decided to try our hand at selling some of the stuff at craft fairs. It was pretty much a waste of time.

I know it wasn't overpriced. I knitted some pretty neat headbands in nice wool, and to test the market priced them the same as you would get in the High Street. Sold a few but not many. I also make patchwork and tried selling some really nice patchwork cushions I had made, again priced to match the High Street. Again no takers.

I don't think it was our stuff which was the problem more that in the UK there is not a lot of interest in hand made items and also that most people go to craft fairs, if at all, to browse rather than buy. What is anyone else's experience?

Dark_Star

You need to pick the right craft fair.....go & visit a lot & see the types of stalls then figure out what would work for you.


There's often more around autumn/Christmas when the schools/town halls do them & they often allow people to pay for a stall.


There's a lot of monthly village ones around us BUT the people that attend seem to be over a certain age, only interested in buying a few eggs/home made cake/home made jams/ home grown veggies. The pottery/knitting/jewellery/arty crafty stalls get passed by because the stuff is not needed by them & the visitors won't pay out for it as they don't need it nor do their adult kids & they won't buy it cos the grand kids are too fussy. Or they're a bunch of tightwad MSE'ers......who knows... :rotfl:

It's trial & error but don't be put off !

VintageBelle

Hi

I agree that you need to find the right craft fair. Try to find fairs that people have to make the effort to go to not ones that people pass by on their way to the shops, as people that make the effort to go to them, go their with money to spend.

I have done many craft fairs and have noticed that knitting and fabric stalls etc don't tend to do as well as others as a lot of people make similar stuff, especially if the styles are very traditional. You need to look at what the trends are at the moment and try and fit in with that and make something a bit quirky and different too. The colours you choose are also very important. I sell jewellery and accessories as well as vintage clothing and my target audience at the moment is young females between the ages of 13 and 23ish. They seem to like very 80's/90's ghetto/urban styles which as a crafter can be very hard to accommodate.

I agree with Dark Star, go and visit fairs first and look at what people are selling as well as what people appear to be buying more of. Have a look at similar stalls to your own and see how could improve on what they are selling. Display is important, I try not to have things too flat, different levels work well. Trends also change so quickly so I have learnt not to have a huge stock as quite often I'm left with stuff that people are no longer into.

Good luck, I hope you have more successful fairs, you really do win some and lose some. It's heartbreaking when you put your heart and soul into something but it's worth persevering

The_Cre8tor

I agree with the posters above in that you have to choose the right craft fair, and do a craft fair at the right time for the types of things you're making. If you're making gift type things, then a Christmas fair in October or very beginning of November would be ideal.But I'd also add: Plan ahead. Don't try to do a craft fair in three months time, if you haven't already got nearly almost all your stuff made already. You really don't want a panic in the last couple of weeks when you realise you haven't made nearly enough stuff and you haven't enough time to make more.

Very good luck with your next fair. I hope you make such a success that you decide to continue to do them!

feclmum

Hi
Could any of you recommend a public liability insurance for craft fayres please?

VintageBelle

feclmum wrote: »

Hi
Could any of you recommend a public liability insurance for craft fayres please?

I went with my premium credit but have now cancelled it as I know I can get it cheaper. Have a look at some comparison websites or give them a call

Ilona

I used to do craft fairs, I joined the Market Traders Association. Public liability insurance was included in the membership fee. Can't remember how much it was though.
Ilona

glynisrose

Tried a few, failed miserably!!

whitesatin

I don't do craft fairs but I am in the middle of making some things for my granddaughter's school Christmas fair but, to be honest, I am getting a bit anxious when I read about regulations etc. I have crocheted some little things to hang on trees, made some knitted hearts, made some felt gingerbread men, all decorative, not toys. I was thinking that I wouldn't have to do anything except put up a sign that they were not being sold as toys but the more I read, the more worried I am getting about regulations for fabrics even if not sold as toys.

I am not trying to make any money for myself, will most likely be out of pocket and, right now, I am considering just making a donation to the school instead. Didn't realise it was all so complicated.

I know I am just a worrier but, even so...