First ever craft fair - advice please!

C_J

Thank you! There is so much really good advice on this thread, I'm very grateful. A colleague suggested packing my stock into two suitcases with wheels on to get it from the car to the table, which seemed like a sensible idea. I'm worried about how safe my items will be if I leave a few boxes in the venue and have to return to the car for more, but at least with suitcases I can lock them and place them under my table if I need to get more thing brought in before I start unpacking.

I like the idea of battery powered lights. I agree that a well lit stand is much more attractive than a gloomy one, so that will be something I look into for the future.

I'm worried now that I won't have enough stock for two craft fairs so have been working on the sewing machine late into the night to make extra. I probably won't sell a single thing now I have done that This is such a learning curve.

Ilona

Lamps are a good idea, it makes your stall more noticeable. Sometimes power is provided, but that will be on the form at the time of booking. There is usually a charge for it, but as yours is a small event they may provide electricity free. Ask the organiser. If you are on a wall side, you may find a socket close to you, so plug in there. Take a desk lamp and extension cable, also adapter if other people are using the socket. If no electricity a battery lamp might do the job but it will be an extra expense.

You need to bring in all your stock before you set up. Suitcases are ok, under your table should be safe. On arrival locate your table put your covering on it straight away to claim your spot. You will probably have to go backwards and forwards a few times until you have everything inside the hall. There may be loading restrictions at the outside door so you will have to move your car to the car park to let other traders unload. Go to the toilet before you start setting up, then you might last until it finishes.

If you are on a side wall and there is plenty of depth, a trick I used to do was take my own paste table and put it behind the one I was given, so doubling the depth. It was a bit squashed at the back, but the more display area you can get the better. Watch for your neighbours spreading sideways, they add a small table beside the big one. You need to get to the front and back of your table so to narrow the gangway between you is not fair. Make a point of fussing and re arranging your stock at the side, so they know you need access. Don't fall out with them about it.

Practice laying out a table at home. Group similar items together.

If you are lucky, the person next to you might not turn up, yippeee, then you have extra space. If it is obvious that they are not coming, the event has started and there's no sign of them, speak with the person on the other side of the empty table and ask if they'd like to put a few of their items out, and you will do the same on your side. Better that the table is full. I always took an extra cloth in case this happened.

Anything else, just ask. I think you'll be alright. Think of it as a fun thing to do.

Ilona

C_J

One more quick question before my first craft fair on Saturday (Dec 2) :

The fair is at a local primary school, and I think I may be able to choose the location of my table within the main hall. From your experience, is there a space which is better to have? Near the entrance? Further in? I assume that one against a wall rather than in the middle of a room is good, and therefore would a corner spot be even better?

Or am I over-thinking this?

luxor4t

Against a wall is best I think, try and get where you won't be boxed in a corner as, in my experience, school based events tend to be busy but people stop and chat ... usually in front of your stall!

I once had a stall right in front of the school stage - think front row of the audience - and when the choir and then the orchestra came onstage to perform, the parents stood with their backs to me to watch. An hour's selling time gone - and a lot of squeaky recorders to listen to. On the plus side, we all had a good sing.

I am trying to word this carefully, but in my experience of primary schools, small children love to pick things up, might be sticky from the refreshments and like to explore... it was startling to find a small child hiding under the cloth covered table!

The worst that ever happened at a school was one darling ran across a handsewn quilt displayed on a low table as he was "playing"! On the plus side, parents turn out to support the school, so there is a busy atmosphere.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!

C_J

Thank you luxor4t, that's really helpful! I have packaged most of what I sell into those crystal clear cellophane bags to try and make everything look smarter (and keep it cleaner). I have been working on the theory that when I visit a craft fair as a customer, I like things to look well presented!

I was hoping my daughter was going to come along and help but now something has come up and she can't make it so I will be running the stall alone. Primary school children with mucky hands did make me smile - it's been so long since my children were that age that's I'd forgotten how grubby they get I must admit that I am more worried about 'sticky fingers' of a different type as it will be impossible to keep my eyes on everything, and I guess it is inevitable that I will lose a few things. Maybe I should keep the silver jewellery near the back of the table and put the less expensive items at the front.

luxor4t

That sounds a sensible precaution.

I did fabrics, so any muck and it was unsaleable - a school summer craft fair where they were selling candyfloss reduced me to a quivering wreck!

Ilona

Hi CJ. I would say against a wall on a long straight stretch is the best place. Steady flow of traffic passing by. If you are in a corner and it gets busy some people won't want to push through the bodies to see your table. Notice where the speakers are if they have entertainment, try not to get too close to them because you want to be able to chat to your customers.

Expensive items central on the table, nearer to the back, right under your nose. Should be alright.

I am looking after our Chat and Craft stall at our Village Hall on Saturday. I've made a few things to sell. Lets hope we both have a good day.

Ilona

C_J

Thank you Ilona - I hope you have a very good day on Saturday.

Because my first fair on Saturday is at a primary school, I have hit upon the idea to have a 50p lucky dip bucket for the children as a way to entice people over to my stall. I'll only make a few pence on each one sold but I'm hoping that if I can encourage the little ones to bring their parents over to have a look at my other things, I might get greater footfall and interest.

I've been working hard to get things made - I work full time so have only got evenings and weekends - but I think at last I have sufficent stock. It's mostly stocking filler type things at around the £2-£5 mark so hopefully that's about right for this demographic. The second fair I have in another week's time is on the business park where I work so it should attract people willing to spend a little more, perhaps.

I've stopped being terrified, and am just excited now

Thank you all for your advice, it's been so helpful.

luxor4t

I hope it went well, C J. I'd love to hear your adventures today.

C_J

Hello everyone - sorry for the delay in reporting by back, it's been a busy day and I am quite exhausted!

Thanks you all for your sage advice upthread, it really helped me. I got to the venue in plenty of time to set up and as we were able to choose our own spot, I had first pick. I chose wisely, getting a table along the right hand wall and even managed to expand outwards and sideways a little. It took me an hour to set up, but I was pleased with how it all looked in the end. There were some drawbacks : it was a primary school fete so there were lots of small children running around on a sugar rush from too many sweeties, and the organisers had put all the craft stalls in one large room upstairs (three flights, no lift!!) while the main school events such as Santa and face painting was going on downstairs. They also had a system for the school stalls whereby parents and children bought tokens to spend on things, so a lot of children came up to the craft fair without actual money. I did manage to get the organisers to agree to me accepting tokens to purchase things and then for me to swap them back for cash at the end. A bit of a faff, but it meant I was able to sell some of the less expensive things which otherwise I might not have been able to do.

It wasn't terribly busy, but I was pleased with how I did. I made a profit of around £75 after all my costs so whilst not brilliant, it wasn't bad at all and I have learned so much from being there and talking to the other stall holders. I got lovely feedback from customers and browsers so at least I know they liked the things I had made, and I have new ideas too as a result. I sold a little bit of just about everything I had made, so I think I am on the right track. I'm looking forward to my next one on Tuesday 12th at work now!

Thank you again for all your hints and tips, they really really helped me.