Experience of craft fairs

Moonpixie

**posted in another forum but was directed here.

I wondered if anyone has experience with craft or vintage type fairs or general fairs (that are not necessarily craft/vintage, but market place types)?

I really fancy attending events and fairs and I would be selling wholesale lotions & potions that I would be handcrafting the packaging for.

The only event I have ever done was a hospital fundraiser about 6yrs ago. I'd not long trained in holistic therapies and was doing massage tasters and selling oils/creams and I really enjoyed having my own little stall.

Then a while later, I had lots of bits left over, so I made some of the above and took them into work for people to help themselves to, but I made everything look very pretty by handcrafting the packaging and people loved them and left generous donations.

I've kept meaning to do this and sell at fairs and now I have the time to do so. I would buy wholesale products but make the giftbags/boxes myself.

However, it would be nice to sell a few aroma oil products that I have mixed myself.

I've read a few articles and blog posts that have been interesting but thought it would be good to reach out on a forum as there are a few things I'm unsure of.

The wholesale products are covered by product liability and you are allowed to re-brand, but I was told on the other forum I would also need PLI to cover the packaging I make. Now, as I also want to mix oils, I would need PLI for that, too. Would the same insurance cover both?

I also know I would need public liability. Is there such a thing as combined product and public insurance.

I used to run a dance group a few years ago, but the public liability I was using was actually much more expensive than another group leader used, even though I was told what I had was the cheapest possible for what I was doing. I think I went though a comparison site. Any good options I should look at or avoid?

I've also contacted the Aromatherapy Trade Council. On their website they mention about various parts of legislation you need to adhere to for labeling purposes, but then go on to say this is very difficult to find. It might be a long shot but can anyone point me in the right direction where to start researching this? Also, does anyone sell products like this?

Finally, any general tips? For example, would it be better to just do this seasonal (i.e leading up to the Christmas period)?

Thanks.

Savvy_Sue

We have someone who sometimes runs craft fairs so hopefully she'll be along soon.

For insurance, I often suggest using a broker because they generally know what you need and how to get it.

coz_d

Hi Moonpixie,
I'm after public liability insurance for craft fairs too.
I've been on the Money Supermarket site and the best I've found is £80 for a year.
I phoned my home insurer (Sainsbury's Bank), who state that it only covers issues in/around the home)
I'll still shop around and post on here what I find
I'll even try A Plan - a local broker

Moonpixie

Hi coz_d

Have you looked into product liability, too? I haven't researched this yet.

I imagined 80 quid would be around the average.

I'm trying to think of what I used to find that dance insurance. It possibly was a broker, but I couldn't believe what a cheaper deal the other lady had got (but this was specifically for dance).

jamesperrett

Are their any associations that you could join that would offer insurance deals? I know that there are organisations for therapists that can offer both public liability and product liability insurance at a good rate - presumably aimed at aromatherapists and similar therapists who include products as part of the therapy.

Moonpixie

Hi James

Thank you for the suggestion. You can join associations as a therapist but I don't actually practice anymore, so I'm thinking to join up just for doing a few craft fairs is rather too expensive, but I think would be a valid option otherwise.

The Aromatherapy Trade Council replied to me with loads of really useful information. From that, I've decided to forego making any products myself as the rules & regs are far too much for what I would be making (really simple products that would literally take seconds to blend). I've been in touch with a wholesaler who gave me all the info I needed about re-branding their products and labeling myself which is far simpler. I'll look into others to see if they sell products similar to what I wanted to make and see if the same rules apply.

They also gave me some insurance links that I will look into.

Moonpixie

Thanks, as mentioned in my last post, I will not now be making the products myself but getting them wholesale and decanting into my own jars/bottles with correct labeling as per what I have been informed from the manufacturers and Aroma Council. I'm going to contact some suitable fairs in the near future as I will likely only do this Oct-Dec.

I won't be going down the selling online route, though. Thanks for the offer.