Spring Craft Season

[BitOfSugar]

Hi, fellow Hawaii crafters! Are any of you starting to gear up for the Spring craft fair season? What shows are you doing?

It seems like a lot of big fairs, like Islandwide and Moanalua are being held on the same day/weekend. This is the first time we're doing multiple shows on the same day. Does anyone have any tips on how to handle this?

I know it's only January, but I'm already excited to see all the new products everyone is working on!

[Former_Member]

Sorry, I've never done a craft fair. I don't think I have enough stuff.

[MegbyDesign]

Maybe group up and share the space at the differnt events.

[SimplyLeilani]

I don't have enough inventory to hold down my own stall or commit to the entire season, either.

I'm pretty sure the trick is to find a group of friends and split stalls, though.

[BitOfSugar]

Unfortunately, we have the opposite problem of having so many little things that we need as much space as we can. However, getting a group of friends together to share the shifts (and make it fun for them) would be great <-- thanks, SimplyLeilani! I get control-freakish/compulsive and feel like I need to be everywhere at once, and that sometimes makes me forget that its ok to ask for help :)

[BitOfSugar]

Lightbulb moment! Like Kat and Leilani, I'm sure a lot of people on the Etsy Hawaii team don't feel they have enough inventory to do a craft fair booth. What about a Etsy Hawaii team booth where everyone could bring 10-20 of their items. I've found that craft fairs are a great way to meet other vendors, small store vendors, and the occasional buyer. Just something to think about for the holiday craft fair season maybe?

[Cance]

i think a hawaii etsy team booth is a great idea! i think it's been done before, before the old team went defunct.
i don't know any dates for craft shows, so if someone who has the schedule of different events would like to share... :)
i'd definitely be willing to go in with other people to sell! i don't have much of a supply either, so sharing would be great. i'm offer artwork and jewelry.

[Former_Member]

I would be interested in a collaborative effort too. That way we could offer a variety of different items and pull in more customers. Also, Etsy is becoming more popular worldwide everyday, so putting some faces to that name I believe would drive more business to our shops and Etsy as a whole.

[Former_Member]

I agree that a Hawaii Team booth is an awesome idea! I'm a very very busy Kat at the moment - going to school and working - and I don't have that much time to craft, let alone do a craft fair. I'd be all over it during the summer, though...

[ccdoodle]

Hi everyone! I love that idea-a hawaii etsy booth. I'd be willing to try it out this year depending on which craft fair. I've only done one craft fair before.

[BitOfSugar]

I just did Art & Flea at Fresh Cafe this past Thursday, and this might be a great place to try out a Hawaii Team booth. The booth fee is only $25, the promoters are super easy to work with, and it's a really mellow event. The crowd is young and looking for vintage/retro/eco-chic/one-of-a-kind items. There are some vintage clothes vendors, a girl selling feather earrings, graphic tees, etc. Does anyone want to try doing a Hawaii Team booth sometime during the summer?

Side note - This may not be the best venue for high ticket items. At least half the crowd is college age (or younger).

[ccdoodle]

Hi Bit of Sugar,
Thanks for the info. I checked out Art & Flea's events in the past and was interested for the March slot, but decided too late and they had the upstairs booth open only so i'm going to wait for the summer time to vend. How did you do at the event?

[BitOfSugar]

We were happy with our sales at Art & Flea. The majority of the purchases were between $5-$20 (total). I think your vintage print bags would really appeal to the crowd and no one else sold anything like them. The main area downstairs is the best imho, but outside would be great too if you have a tent. What I REALLY liked about this event was that the coordinators were responsive - they sent me any info I requested, replied to all me emails, and were SUPER friendly! I'm definitely going back later this summer!

[Former_Member]

Just wanted to touch base with this and see if there are any other potential booths coming up? I would *love* to join in and help with a booth!