How much for craft fairs?

[Former_Member]

I feel like I have almost everything down for the upcoming craft fair (my first!) at the end of november..I have signed planned, my boyfriend made me some displays to hang the necklaces from, I am going to be ordering actual business cards with a space on the back for me to write a coupon code (to try and get them back to the shop later), etc etc.

..The one thing I don't have down is how many pieces of each (necklaces, coasters, keychains) I should be trying to make by then? I have a charity promo the second week of November, so I need enough stock for that..and should I run out, enough still for the November craft fair.

I have a total of 100 cards between the designs, so I'm not worried about running out of those, but I am a little worried about the other products...

I have half of a 10x10 table, so a decent amount of space..but I don't want it to be too full or not full enough. I am there for two days as well.

Suggestions??

[Former_Member]

Make as much as you possibly can. I always favor booths which look like they have too much inventory over those who look sparse or picked over.

Plus if you don't sell it at one show you'll have it ready for the next.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

This is a great team that has helped me a lot that concentrates on craft fairs.
http://www.etsy.com/teams/8070/craft-fairs-its-a-living

As far as products, a clean, uncluttered table works best. Pieces should have a smooth flow from one item or type of item to the next. There is no magic number.
And I always bring supplies to make more on the spot. If things get slow you can work.
I agree with Joanna though, make and bring as much as you can and find a balance on your table between too much and not enough. Just make sure it flows visually for easy browsing.

[CrystalShadePottery]

You can never have to much.
you dont have to put it all out, but keep it for backup.
I dont mention to customers that i have a back up unless i hear them say they want something that I know I have.
if you keep similar items as back up you will be safe.
i dont have all my stuff on etsy. Yet. I do make rings and necklaces.
if someone wants something in a different color etc I will custom make it but I take a 50% deposit that day.
a bird in the hand....
i do really well at craft shows
and remember always keep a bowl with free candy in it....it really gets people to stop!

[Former_Member]

Remember: just because you brought it doesn't mean it has to go on the table. Make as much as you can, brin it and keep it behind the table. As you sell down, you can restock.

Crystal: What a great idea with the candy! (Just remember, a lot of people are allergic to nuts, so avoid those items if possible.)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I've been having some panic moments the last couple days, thinking about how much I need to get done haha.

@ Crystal - I was thinking of doing a bowl of goodies, great idea! =) I'll probably do werthers cuz I know everyone loves those! haha :)

[Former_Member]

I'm doing my first one in one week! So excited, and kind of nervous. I'll have lots of last-minute prepping to do this week. Inventory is my biggest concern right now, too. I can easily print off higher quantities beforehand, and I have plenty of envelopes and packaging, but I would hate to print off too much holiday stuff and then have it not sell. Eek!

[potterybynoelle]

I selling in a craft fair november 12 2011 at the york middle school in maine

i am bring ing alot but only putting a little out

i am bringing bussnes cards i ordered here on etsy and they have my etsy shops name onthem

good luck

[HullStreetStudio]

be careful with bringing little treats.. most places don't care but some have rules about any seller other than the actual food people having food at their tables. just so you're prepared :)

[Former_Member]

good tip. I'll check with my friend's mom before I do that as she's done this craft fair for a long time (she's giving me half of one of her tables cuz I can't afford a table this year!)

I've been thinking about it and I think I'm going to host a night at my place with food and stuff..and bribe my friends to come over to help me make the signage and organize the items, wrap things, etc.

[photosbynoelle]

dont crowd your table keep exta stuff under your table

[michellemach]

It helps to have a range of prices for your items. Sometimes people will be drawn in by the inexpensive items and end up buying something more expensive.

Doing an in-person craft show is so valuable! Remember that, even if it doesn't go well. You'll learn a ton about what people like and don't like just by listening to the comments. And that will help you sell more in the long term. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I'm hoping to learn lots..but also make sales haha.

I have items that will range from $6 to $25, so that should help. I'm also thinking of doing a deal of like two pendants for $40 so they get like a $5 on each pendant when they buy two. I know I personally like a deal haha.

I'll also be setting up "Virtual Terminal" via PayPal on my laptop (probably gotta use my iphone for internet tho) so people can pay by credit card.

[Former_Member]

Letting them pay by credit card really helps!

[Former_Member]

wow this question was just what i wanted to ask! all the responses were so helpful... thanks everyone!

[PrairiePrimitives]

I highly recommend Square for credit card transactions! I've been using it for a little over a month and I love it! PayPal charges $30/month for their credit card services as I recall (+ a percentage too, I'm sure!). Square is just 2.75% of the amount charged! The money is in my bank account within a couple of days! www.squareup.com (NOTE: it only works with iPhone/iPad and Droid at this time ... yep, I had to go buy a new phone (Droid) but it's been worth it!!!)

I've done craft fairs for YEARS (umm, like 40 years ... I started very young!), but this is the first time I've ever been set up to take credit cards. It has REALLY helped sales!!! Especially with the current economic situation and people not wanting to spend money ... one sale I remembeer well was going to be a $45 sale; the couple was expressing interest in another set of dolls and I told them I'd take $150 for them if they bought both (had been priced at $85 each); I don't often do discounts, but since I'm laid off, all money is good money! Anyway, they ended up spending $205 by the time they were done! At another sale a couple weeks ago, one customer spent nearly $400, also because she was able to charge her purchases ... she came back to my booth 3 times and found more to buy each time!

And yes, as for how much to take, take everything you have done! If things start selling like hotcakes, you could always take a few things OFF the table since it sounds like you need quite a bit of stuff for another obligation in the near future. But don't crowd the table to start with! And I hope you meant a 10x10 booth, not a table. That would be one huge table (and how would shoppers reach to the middle of it?). LOL!

[Former_Member]

Well the obligation is at the start of November (7-14) haha but yeah Im crafting as much as I can!

I can't use Square, it's an American service ONLY, so even though I have an iPhone, I don't have the option because I'm in Canada. I think PayPal is a better alternative anyways, as more people know the name than Square, since obviously no one uses it here. I don't mind paying the $30. It's worth the experiment to see if it helps and one sale will pretty much pay the monthly fee.

[Former_Member]

oh and yeah sorry i meant booth. she's giving me half her table, but its a 10ft x 10ft space we're in (she has TWO spaces!)

[Untwistedsister]

good luck Natalie. I always sold more in 2 days at a craft show than what I've been selling for a month here on Etsy but it's hard work setting up the tent and securing merchandise each night and redecorating each morning.

Another 'trick' I used was to set up a 'man chair' for husband's to sit while she browses.

also, when you set up your dislays, make sure everything is not on one level. Stagger the heights with risers.

[Former_Member]

So much helpful info! I'll be doing my very 1st craft fair next month as well. I downloaded Square and should be getting my free credit card reader in a few days. I've heard good things about it so I hope it helps. I'm on my way now to check out that craft fair thread. Great tips everyone and good luck Natalie!

[Former_Member]

@Teri - A husband chair, that's an awesome idea haha! I got my boyfriend to make each display a different height and them I'll also have a couple of boxes with items as well :)

@Erika - Thanks! You too! :)

[Former_Member]

I usually take all that I have to sell to the fair and then choose what I'm going to offer based on space and the other sellers, particularly the sellers around me.