What does it take to go to a craft show?

[Former_Member]

Im really considering going to a craft show this summer, but only problem is: I have NO idea what to expect.
How much stuff do you bring? Do you get a lot of sales? What are the age ranges? Help! :)

[Former_Member]

Go as a visitor first so you can get a feel for the market. Talk to other vendors while there and tell them you are thinking about signing up and if they have any advice.

I do craft fairs during the spring/summer/fall and up until Christmas. I LOVE THEM! It provides me with lots of cash sales!

The people that come really just depend on the market. I highly suggest going to a few in your area as a visitor first.

[Former_Member]

I agree with Jacque. They are all different.

The goal is to sell at one where your target audience will be, and that gets lots of shoppers.

You'll also want to find out the reputation of the show if it's an annual thing.

[Former_Member]

I say just pick one and try it. Even if it isn't a raging success, you can learn a lot about how you want to set up and what you want to do next time. You can visit it first, but then you'll have to wait until next year (waiting has never really been my thing, lol). Even a flop would be a learning experience and once you've got one under your belt, you won't be as anxious about it. Then, as you do more, you can decide which shows are more your style (or are any good, some just aren't!)

I try to bring as much stuff as possible and offer different price levels. Also, and as a mom, I hate to say this, but if you can offer impulse things for kids, they sell well, too. (I sell key fobs at shows because they are inexpensive, kids dig em and parents will buy it for them because of the low price point). Set yourself up to accept credit cards, take tons of business cards and just talk talk talk up your business. I always receive orders later from people I've met and chatted with at the shows.
Good luck. :)

[LamplighterJewelry]

Craft shows are great because you've got a captured audience with an intent to spend. That said, your sales will depend on type of audience, your booth, salesmanship and quantity of goods you have to sell. The more product you have, the more you are likely to sell. Think 80/20 rule. If the show you are thinking about has a web site, check it out, look at pics if they have any, see if there's a vendor list so you know the types of vendors that attend, that will give you an idea if this show is right for you.

Whether you do this show or not, I'd definitely recommend selling at art and craft shows.

[TheRogueBaby]

this is probably a dumb question... but how do you find out about upcoming craft shows in your area? I've been wanting to get involved in some, but don't know the best place to start.

[LamplighterJewelry]

There's lots of free info online, plus, you can check the Etsy teams to see if there's a team in your area that lists shows. I subscribe to "Where the Shows are" (you can google them). Cost is $50 year and they send out catalogs about 8 times a year with shows up and down the east coast. More info is available online as new shows are added. I find out about others from friends and media. Think about the shows you attend as a consumer...strawberry fairs, watermelon festivals, xmas shows, fall shows. Sping, Fall and Xmas are the busiest.

Good luck

[ParkPlaceHandcrafted]

Look on websites of specialty craft guilds/groups in your area (I.e. for me a potter's guild or weaver's guild) to see if they list any. Sometimes weird places like the Pennysaver newspaper, or maybe Craigslist, or even a utility bill, might list local shows/fairs/bazaars. If you're a bit intimidated by the craft show scene, especially in a bigger city, you might try doing a booth at a farmer's market or other smaller venue first. Make a list of what to bring and finetune it the more times you go. Don't forget signage, price tags, tables, chairs for you and a friend, a calculator, a bag of every office supply you can think of, cash, bags to put your sales in, lots of food and beverages (for you), sunscreen, shade, umbrella, dress in layers, business cards, something to entertain you for slow times, and, of course, your awesome products. It's great fun. If you have a tent, anchor it well in a windstorm...I didn't...

[Former_Member]

Hi Kelsey,

This is a great question. I'm going to give you advice from my one year of markets.

Last year, I did several markets, one of which was a long summer continuous market at a concert. I learned that stationery does not sell well at a concert venue. While I didn't make much money at that particular market, I gained a ton of insight, learned that my products are funny and liked by customers and I did get a custom order from it, which made it worth the time.

From that market, I also realized how much I like talking to customers and interacting with them. So that's a win-you can learn from customers.

As for the other two markets, they were different clients in different neighborhoods, but I also sold items and learned a ton from them.

This year, I am doing less markets with more intention and I'm doing a lot more thinking about products for each market.

I say for you, consider what your product is and start small. Don't go into a market with a ton of items, go with a few and see what works and doesn't. Also think about your table set up-it's important-you don't want to distract customers with too much stuff, nor do you want to not have enough to bring them over.

Ultimately, you should test out one and see how it goes. You'll never know unless you try, so go out there and risk a little. You'll be glad you did, I know I am!

Hope that helps!
Sara

[Former_Member]

Oh, something else to consider, if you haven't already, is joining a team in your city/town that is full of Etsy sellers. That's how I've gotten access to information about a ton of the markets I've done and the members have also been an amazing resource of information and support.

Cheers!
Sara

[Former_Member]

join the etsy team "craft fairs - its a living"
they are great :)

[PrettyPictureGiftsCo]

Sign up for one in your local area first. It is a great way to practice setting up your booth...and make sure to take pictures of your booth and/or tent set up.

This is a must! ALL the good craft events require you to jury and include an image of your booth.

[potterybynoelle]

i been to a few craft shows i sold a few pieces dont over crowd you table

i am showing in 2 up coming fairs this spring one in kennebunk maine , one in JP MA

[marissaLboutique]

I had my first craft show this past weekend and it was a DUD.
The lady that had a booth next to me, as well as a few others, said it was due to the customers there. and also, it was at a mall that is closing down.
It was a great learning experience though to see what other people's tables and booths looked like! I made three of everything I have in my shop, but I guess it all depends on what you make. I am in the process of making more for the bigger craft shows I will be partaking in. Good luck!!!

[khmetalwork]

Before you send in that check - go to the show - go to several shows. Honestly, I have learned my lesson NEVER do a show before personally walking it, sometimes I go to a show several times before selling.

Until you've walked the show, you don't know what is there, who is there, and shows change from year to year. Shows are too expensive to just blindly pick one to do: your inventory, show fees, travel/food, business costs, all the display costs, all the time you spend getting ready for the show, time spent setting up and breaking down and time spent at the show.

Spend the summer going to shows and finding the shows in which your items will fit, then apply - even if that means waiting a year.

[Former_Member]

Natasha from HereTodayBeadworks says
join the etsy team "craft fairs - its a living"
they are great :)

...

Yes we are :) We'll tell you the same things too--walk the shows, get a feel for your target walk through market, along with your target venue, then start venue shopping.

[Former_Member]

You need to bring a pretty good sized inventory and don't forget cover all price points. You never know who you are going to be selling to. Also do your homework first. Some fairs/shows are not well advertised and you could be wasting your time. Others are well advertised and very busy so you need to be prepared for what you will be up against.

[Former_Member]

I can't emphasize what Khmetalwork said enough - never sign up for a show without visiting it first. The only exception for me is a show where I KNOW it's my target market (concert venues, for example, are my favorite shows to do, I always do very well there.). Shows are expensive to start doing, especially once you factor in all the "hidden" expenses, like gas, food, etc. You don't want to do a few bad shows, because of poor planning/not visiting/not learning enough about the craft fair/etc. and get burned out on doing them.

Loads of people say to just jump in and do a craft show, but I highly disagree. Learning from experience, or "getting exposure" is great, but how much are you willing to pay for the experience, or the small bit of advertising you may receive from the event? Would that money be better spent on -actual- advertising? Would it maybe be better to help a friend at a craft show before taking the plunge and getting your own booth? These are all things you need to ask yourself before deciding whether or not to do the event.

If you have answered all of these questions, and decide that the event is right for you, then really work at it. Build or purchase a beautiful display, that works with the aesthetic of your items, and is easy to transport. Make enough product to cover your booth two times over, just in case. Bring snacks and a light lunch, so you don't have to eat show food. Set up your display the night before, in your living room or garage or somewhere, to ensure everything fits and looks good, it will help to avoid snafus on the day of the show.

and lastly, join this team -----> https://www.etsy.com/teams/8070/craft-fairs-its-a-living , it's awesome.