A bit of a strop about table fees!

[creativeclare]

I`ve been making a few enquiries about one or two craft fairs around the country and I have to say it`s bothering me how much SOME organisers are actually charging for a selling table.

The events I`ve been enquiring about are not huge events in expensive to hire venues (a field in one case!) but small fairs, fetes etc. The cheapest price I have been given is £50 (+£12 parking) for an outdoor stall in a farmers field and the most expensive is £340 for a two day event. I`ve decided that event organisers who are not crafters have decided it`s a way of earning a quick buck from their land or venue.

Come on guys, give us a break. I know that all organisers on here are fair because you understand craft and that advertising costs, venue hire costs and insurance costs are high but £62 in a field for a village fair is ridiculous!!

[Ifor-Jones]

That is ridiculous and they will end up with only businesses who buy in stuff being able to afford it. We are having a two day event in our village and part of that is a craft fair - we are charging £20 a day or £35 for the two days and that is in a rainproof village hall with all facilities. Parking is also free. I have come to the conclusion that I will not pay more than £25 for a day stall. I sell cards and you need to sell a lot to make up that money and some profit.

[woodtattoos]

Table charges are a big consideration in this day and age. I have to think long and hard about what I do, especially when you add the travelling/parking expenses on top. Sometimes, you can be so far behind at the start of the day that even breaking even is a challenge, which is a real shame. I think that most organisers do appreciate this and try to keep their prices reasonable, but they also obviously have expenses they need to cover (it must take so much time to arrange an event and ensure it is as successful as possible through advertising/marketing etc).

Hard times for us all, I feel...

Si.

[lucykate crafts...]

unless it was a larger, national event, personally, i wouldn't pay more than £10 for a table at a craft fair (sharing a table can be a way of halving the cost if the organisers will allow you to do that). in my experience, craft fairs are not big money spinners, too much work involved for not enough return.

[bright&beautiful]

This is a big bugbear of mine at the mo too. Last week I posted about a big fair I had been invited to a 2x2 table is about £400, then I found out from a friend that she paid £30 for a similar major event for a large stand. Crazy.

[flurogoddess]

I have seen stalls over £400 and some for as little as £15 - that's about as low as they go in my experience.

For London market stalls £30-£40 seems to be about the price I'm usually paying and I do tend to get that back, plus I have just figured that I can get all my stuff in my wheelie suitcase and take the tube or the bus, or walk it in some cases, so I don't have to be reliant on borrowing the van, which costs £20 in diesel just to get it from work to my house and back!

[creativeclare]

I`d be happy to pay up to £30 for a day depending on the circumstances.

Sorry to rant but I`m not sure which way to go now. I work two days a week and fill the rest of my time sewing/embroidering to make up my income.


I`m so fed up with it all at the moment that I think I may well pack in the business side of sewing. I`m always working for other people and not actually making garments for my family, myself and friends. I`m actually reasonably busy at the moment but with increasing fabric costs, fuel costs, postage costs and now energy costs I don`t know if it`s worth it anymore.

Once I`ve cleared my order book, I think I have a few decisions to make!

[Helen Dodd]

I think this would be local for you

Arts and Crafts Fair- Walsall Town Centre
Saturday 16 August 2008 10.30am - 3.30pm

only £20.00 for a table




For more details please call Walsall Events Team
call Ruth 07961 873019

[Littlegems_cm]

Oh Claire,

Sounds like this is really starting to hard for you. I guess every business has it's ups and downs. I really hope things get better for you, as it would be such a shame if you stopped doing what you do. I think your work is beautful and I can't wait to see the blacket when I get home tonight (James said you dropped it off...thanks so much for doing it so quickly for me and dropping it off)

On the craft fair front, and the cost of tables it's a really tough one because I only tried to charge a reasonable table cost of only £16 and have had complaints about the professionalism of my signage, but after the insurance, venue costs, website and flyers I only just broke even. But although as an organiser I know that costs need to be kept low, I don't always think the crafters know the costs involved and that someone has to pay for the marketing!!!

Hope to see you soon, Thanks again for the blanket and sorry for the rant!

Cxx

[momentsbymartha]

I'm organising a craft fair in Oxford Town Hall - its right in the centre. I am not making a profit - yet after insurance and hall hire and a SMALL amount for advertising I still need to charge exhibitors £35 for a 6' trestle table.

And thats plus sellers own insurance, which can be arranged through our insurers for a further £7.50 per stall holder.

for any further info please contact oxfordcraft@gmail.com

[creativeclare]

[quote=Littlegems_cm;1064


On the craft fair front, and the cost of tables it's a really tough one because I only tried to charge a reasonable table cost of only £16 and have had complaints about the professionalism of my signage, but after the insurance, venue costs, website and flyers I only just broke even. But although as an organiser I know that costs need to be kept low, I don't always think the crafters know the costs involved and that someone has to pay for the marketing!!!


Cxx[/quote]

Absolutely, I understand the costs involved and they are considerable( I think you spoiled us last weekend:)) It`s not used the costs the organisers incur as they too also should be paid a wage or honorarium for their expertise but I think my rant is about the greediness (not sure thats a word) of (Eg) a parish council/farmer who owns a field with no facilities (except portaloo) charge £50 for the stall, ask me to bring table (just one mind) and a chair and then charge me £12 to park car in a field!

Even the bloomin' Royal Horticultural Society didn`t charge on site exhibitor parking when my Dad used to do Chelsea et al.


Fustrating..........I better stop now as I`m getting petty

[doodles of Tadley]

I know what you mean - I once did a two day show (admittedly, quite a big one) and it cost £345 for our table (I shared it with my mum as we were both glass painting at the time).
We spent two very cold November days in a marquee on the banks of the River Thames in Pangbourne (v. nice place to be fair!) it was freezing and although there were lots of people about, we ended up selling only just a little bit more than we paid out. Never did anything like that again and stuck to schools/churches etc which were a fraction of the price and some of them were very profitable (others were a waste of time!)
That's one of the reasons I'm now opening a shop and offering shelf space to crafters (who actually make their own stuff, not buy it in!). We're charging £30 per month, equivalent to £1 a day with a 10% charge on sales only if you can help out in the shop for 4 hours per month - other options are available.
We think it's a really good alternative to renting a table at a show: it will be fully staffed and insured, open 6 days a week from 9.30 to 5.30 (seven days a week over pre-Christmas period) and you'll get on-line sales too, plus links to your own website if you have one via ours to help boost your profile and sales potential.
I know that this is a shameless plug for our new business, but hey! We still have some shelf space available if you're interested (sorry, no more jewellery or cards as we have our quota) but we are still looking for a woodturner, wooden puzzles/bookends etc, sewing crafts (cushions, bags, aprons, etc) hand made candles, and anything that might be a bit unusual.

If you're interested, download a copy of our sellers' pack from our temporary website and drop me an email!
www.doodlesartandcraft.co.uk (http://www.doodlesartandcraft.co.uk)

[tillybalou]

Tough times for everyone at the moment and worse to come I fear :( ... not really the time to be taking gambles!!

Just looked on your site and your products are beautiful. I know some of the peeps on here sell on Etsy ... have you considered that angle?

Also NotOnTheHighstreet have been mentioned. I know it hasn't worked for some but we did it over a year ago now and we did around £300-£400 a month with them.

They're very big on personalised stuff too ... it might be worth you googling them and at least having a look :)~x~

[bright&beautiful]

I've been thinking of going down this route too.

[tillybalou]

It's certainly worth considering and looking further into. OK you get less money for your products but you don't have either the monetary outlay or the time sitting on a craft fair to worry about.

Our main business is selling to shops and for something that retails at £34.50 we have to sell it to them at £15. I suppose it's about trying to find the balance that's right for you and your product :)

Sadly I don't think there's going to be an easy way for many of us for a long time to come .... bloody credit crunch :mad::mad::mad: ... I'd love to say more on that particular subject but I'd probably get banned for inciting a riot ;) ~x~

[gothic-faerie]

My PTA is organising our autumn fair for 18th October and we charging £10 a table, Its only a small fair but you do get a 6ft pitch. Its in dinnington, south yorkshire.
lee.tracey1@sky.com if anyone interested

[grandefille]

is there any room left?

[auntynet]

We gave up on the craft fairs last year and decided to concentrate on our regular market stall on which we sold hair accessories on one side and gemstones and our hand made jewellery on the other side. Before long the demand for the gemstones and jewellery grew so much so that when we moved to a better position on the market 3 months ago, we decided to ditch the hair accessories and concentrate totally on our hand made stuff and the crystals and gemstones we sell.

I can totally recommend finding yourself a good "regular" market as opposed to a "craft" market/venue. We pay around £30 per day for an 18 foot long by 7 foot deep lock up unit that we've fitted out with glass cabinets, tables with covers over them and hand made shelving units and packed it to brimming over with all sorts of goodies and although I won't tell you what we take every day, I will say that we've never looked back.

Most markets have casual stalls where you can just turn up on the day, unpack your stuff and hope for the best. If you think about it, how many stalls are there on a regular market that sell hand made goods? and the run up to Christmas is probably the best time to try your hand at it. You can usually find a casual stall for anything between £5 and £20 per day so why would anyone want to pay more to stand in a field with no facilities?????

One tip I will give you - you have to cater for all pockets so I'd definitely stock a range of items costing as little as possible . . . . remember, if it only costs a pound or two, lots of people will buy and you've made your stall money in no time at all.

[silvermaid]

There is a big difference in prices charged and venue and number of visitors but it is not always in our favour. Some of the smaller craft fairs charge a lot more than a well publicised local show or event with a much higher number of visitors.
There are far more people around now selling bought in stuff, handmade for peanuts in a sweatshop factory in the far east and they describe and sell it as handmade crafts. I have also noticed most fairs have a 'Phoenix' card seller lately.
I know it has been mentioned before but home parties seem to be the way to sell. You can even advertise in your local paper if you don't know anyone who will have a party for you.
I do two fairs a month locally and pay £6 and £10 for a 6ft table (table provided) Unless I am pretty sure I will make my table fee back plus a decent profit I will not go to any more expensive ones.
I am looking into going into a weekly street market in one of the bigger towns as I have just found out they are around £15 per day. I would, of course have to get a table and tent though.

Melanie

[Focus on Life]

I can totally recommend finding yourself a good "regular" market as opposed to a "craft" market/venue

Most markets have casual stalls where you can just turn up on the day, unpack your stuff and hope for the best. You can usually find a casual stall for anything between £5 and £20 per day.

I tried my hand at quite a few craft fairs this year, the last one I have prebooked is with Millennium in Warrington 14 Sep, but I've only ever paid £10-£17 for a stall - particularly as my stuff is all made to order and completely personalised so I never sell on the day, its a marketing exercise for me

I've always really enjoyed the events and get lots of brilliant feedback from visitors and stall holders about what I do - but never one follow-up order cos people get busy with their lives and forget - I've come to the same conclusion as Aunty Net, I wont be doing any one-off craft fairs anymore and am seriously thinking about somewhere "regular" - maybe some local farmers markets or something

My fella did mention "casual" stalls cos he did one at Bury donkeys years ago for his driving school of all things and he had a brilliant day and got lots of work from that

Keep your chin up
Shaz x

[PaulineR]

I had the same problem last week when looking to book a stall at 3 Christmas Markets in and around Bedfordshire. The cheapest was £80 a square metre which had to include stall and car, the most expensive was £260 a day at a 2 day Market. Totally pricing me out of applying, there is no way I can pay that this year as I have only started to sell my candles this year and have made enough at the fairs I have done to cover expenses and buy some supplies.

I do have a couple of Christmas Markets already booked which cost at the most £25 for a 6' table in the main hall.

[urbtaf]

A few years ago we took a serious look at doing a Craft fair circuit that would take up about 6 months of the year,buy a motorhome with a trailer and just sell the whole time, we sorted out a run that would have taken from june till xmass. The rents varied from 10% of our takings to a unbeilevable £1200 a day for the great yorkshire show (the show is not that great)
From what I could find out from the organisers the main problem is that the venue owners have the "maximise our potencial" bug. this happens every few years untill they kill the events, then they get a bit more relistic.
My advice is to stick to regular markets, church and school events, charity events(if they are working on a % of your takings)
Party plan Ive done in the past, and they can either be fantastic or a real disaster, if youve a thick skin and realise just how much work is involved, then this is a good way to go.
anybody found any other ways to make our fortunes then please let me know

[justoneoff]

I have 'heard' that at some events they just charge you a percentage of your takings on the day?

from Debbie

[Kasia.aPieceofArt]

Clare,

Have you tried looking into hiring space in the shopping centres?
I have just stopped going to the local market as after 8 weeks of paying ( between £53.50 and 47.50 (if you go permanent it is £5 cheaper) I only managed to earn enough to pay for the stall!!!
It was very upsetting as I know how much work I have put into my paintings (I sell hand painted pictures for babies and some funny cushion covers)
The town markets are tricky as very often people go there to buy cheap ( not particularly good quality) stuff.
The guy next to me have told me about looking into shopping centre's as you can hire a place from them for the whole week ( it is bit more expensive) and you are actually more likely to make bigger money as people who shop in the shopping centre are more likely to spend more money on things( looking for quality not a bargain).
Maybe that's sth you should try?
Kasia
Cushy Cow

[auntynet]

Have you tried looking into hiring space in the shopping centres?


The town markets are tricky as very often people go there to buy cheap ( not particularly good quality) stuff.

The guy next to me have told me about looking into shopping centre's as you can hire a place from them for the whole week ( it is bit more expensive) and you are actually more likely to make bigger money as people who shop in the shopping centre are more likely to spend more money on things( looking for quality not a bargain).

Kasia
Cushy Cow

I have to differ with you on the "people buy cheap from markets" thing. We've been trading on the market for over 2 years and selling hand made jewellery for most of that time. People do go to markets looking for a bargain but most people want a good quality item at a bargain price. That's what I offer them and that's why my customers come back again and again.

The secret is to offer the customers your bargain priced "cheap" items - we pay our stall rental every day with the sales of earrings costing £1 pair! These are hand made by us so they are in keeping with our hand-made policy. They rarely buy only one pair - often buying 5 or 6 pairs at a time, they go away and brag to their friends about the bargains they have found and lo and behold, next week they turn up again with their friends who also buy several pairs each - they often bring in the new clothes that they're wanting to match earrings up to.

The other point is that once your name gets known for supplying a bargain, the customers that appreciate quality will invariably look towards buying your higher priced items. We have found that with the current economic crisis affecting everyone, more and more people that would normally shop on the high street are now visiting markets and are amazed at the bargains that are to be had. Think about it . . . . hand crafted jewellery made from sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones . . . what kind of price tags do you see in the posey but beautiful boutique type shops in town centres? Their prices are inflated because their overheads are sky high. I don't have those astronomical overheads and my prices reflect this.

And as for renting space in a shopping centre/mall? Have you ever checked out the prices they charge?
:jaw:
Rental prices usually start at around £400 per week (according the website of the shopping mall in Bury). I befriended a woman that sells her hand made jewellery on one of their "barrow" stalls and she told me that from mid November, her rent increases to £1000 per week! :o Her sales have dropped dramatically this year with the credit crunch. This is also a good example of people abandoning the high street and shopping malls for the markets. She's stuck it out for 18 months and is now holding a closing down sale. Need I say more.

Give me the outside market any day - its surprising how well you cope in the winter with a set of M&S thermals. ;)

[Critchley]

Rugby Claremont Craft Fair - £15.00 a table - parking approx £3.00 in council car park.

[Kasia.aPieceofArt]

Auntynet,

Yes I understand what you mean but it all depends on what you are selling.
I had a friend at the market with the jewellery and she did say she wasn't doing too bad.
I do sell hand painted art for kids and I simply cannot give it away too cheap ( the cheapest piece is sold for £15) and that's already the bargain. I guess
the amount of people I was targetting ( mothers to be and mothers with little kids or those who buy a gift)at the market was much lower than the one you are targetting with the jewellery.
I did get a great feedback at the market for my products and lots of people cameback to my website commisioning things.So it wasn't too bad. All I meant that I agree with Carol -the prices for the stall are very high considering how much work you put into your items and how many items you can sell.
Another thing I found about the market is that the people who manage it will not give you the good place unless you have been with them for ages ( one guy selling make up got good place but he has been with them for 5 years!!!)
Maybe your location was better than mine as I was at very bad end of the High Street, ah and the prices at the good location were £80 -£1000!!!
With the shopping centres yes I did ask friend of mine about the prices and they did start at £380 to up to £1000 per week!!! It is a lot of money but you have more chance to earn them back! Specially with product like Carol's- luxurious baby blankets.I just thought it could be an option.

I am glad you are happy with the market and overall it all depends what you are selling and were you are( market to market also varies I guess)
You are the lucky one.;)

Kasia

[nattynetty]

overall it all depends what you are selling and were you are (market to market also varies I guess)
You are the lucky one.;)


Quite agree, our local market is absolutely rubbish - fine if you're after fruit n veg or cheap nasty tat but there's no way anyone would make any money trying to sell handmade jewellery there. On the other hand in Cambridge the market seems to be quite crafts orientated and I could see people doing quite well there - sounds like you've got one of the good ones Auntynet.

[auntynet]

Hi Kasia. I'm sorry if I came across as being blunt - perhaps I spend too much time with my wonderful hubby ;) he's usually the blunt one.

You're right about getting a good spot on the market. We struggled for 2 years in a bad spot and moved 3 months ago to a much better place and our business has trebled virtually overnight and is growing steadily every week. And its also very true that some markets are just a waste of time as so many of them are literally dying out. We're lucky to be on a great market that gets around 250,000 visitors every week. Well worth a visit for a day out if you're in the area. (Don't forget to call in on us and say hi.)

http://www.burymarket.com/default2.asp

If your cheapest line is around £15 then you certainly would struggle on an outdoor market. Have you thought about renting space in an antiques centre? Most of them rent cabinet space and the one we used to display in even had little cubicle type shops that would be perfect for larger items like yours. One average sale per month would probably cover your costs, two sales and you'd likely be in profit. The only reason we stopped using ours was that it was full to brimming with jewellery but if you've got something different to offer then it might be worth looking into.

[Kasia.aPieceofArt]

;) Hello Auntynet,

Wow! Your market seems much bussier than ours(we don't even have the website and looking at the size of your ours in nowhere near as big as yours!!!)Actually your looks little bit like Covent Garden or Camden sort of place.Very nice!!!
If I am in your area one day I will definately come and say hi ( and probably get some jewelerry).
Thanks fot the adivce with the antique places I will have to check it out in our area. Another thing I want to do is to go around gift shops in Windsor ( we leave 30mins away) but I will wait with doing anything in that direction till after 19th of October( we went very crazy and we are going to try the Baby Show I will let everyone know if it was worth trying (I really hope we will make our money back than I will be happy.Please keep your fingers crossed :p)It is costing us lots of money but I thought I will give it a try since my products are for people with babies, last year there was 26000 people!!! I probably have never seen so many people ( definately not at my end of the market hahahahah;))
Wish me luck! I am already getting stressed that won't have enough stock with me and on top of that my old boss asked me to come back to work ( designer in architects office- two months ago they didn't need me because of the credit crunch and now they need me again. I will go mad:mf::mf::mf:;)

[auntynet]

Windsor sounds like a perfect place to pitch your wares. Nice upmarket area, plenty of money around and lots of tourists. You should definitely check it out and preferably soon so you have a chance of some christmas orders.

I do hope you do well at the baby fair - make sure you have lots of business cards, flyers and other leaflets, and make sure you have good signage telling people that you do commission work. A portfolio is a must so everyone can see what you can and have done in the past.

Let us know how you get on.

[Kasia.aPieceofArt]

Auntynet,
Thanks for your advice. And keep your fingers crossed ;)
Ah and yes I know that now its the best time to start getting Christmas orders, really need to do this.
Ah and no doubt you will find out very fast how I did at the Baby Show, but be careful I might be needing a shoulder to cry on ;) hhhahahahha hopefuly won't have to cry hehehe

[SassyStyles]

Totally agree ;)

Considering car boots are like less than £10 a pitch, which some of those are bad enough, especially when we make not even that back! I think we should only be charged between £5/£10 a table, maybe that's just me, but we aren't guaranteed to sell and we can't afford to spend heaps to have a table! it's like markets charging per foot! what's with that? I want to try a craft fair but nothing's near and everything's over £10! what's going on?

confused.com indeed!

:playball:

[Ger]

I got an email the other day from an organiser for a big christmas fair in Edinburgh, they had bee in the shop over the holidays and loved my work so thought they would ask if I was interested. I am very flattered but the cost really threw me, it's £90 for every 1 mtr squ!!!!! the event is over three days but I still have to get there, pay for accomadation, feed myself & buy stock I'm taking a big risk i think :o

[stephaniehanlon]

Hi,

As a first time organiser of a Christmas market I am shocked to hear how much people are charging.
We are charging £25.00 for the whole day. 12.30-6.00pm
Are these people mad for asking so much or am I the mad one for not charging enough!!!!

Stephanie

[BlueShedCrafts]

What bugs me is the organiser charging potential customers to the craft fair an entrance fee. I just did my first ever CF on Saturday and was happy enough to pay the £40.00 for my table, i.e I didn't feel 'ripped off'. BUT, I didn't like to see people turning away because they wouldn't pay 80p to come in! OK, 80p isn't much to many of us but if you are a family of three, four or five then it adds up.

The average sale I had worked out to be just £3.21. The most expensive item I had was £15.00 and the most expensive I sold was £11.00. So, most of the items I sold were around the £2.00-£6.00 mark, so who the heck wants to pay 80p to have a look round?

What do you all think?

Rachael

[silvermaid]

I think charging an entry fee would put most people off. I'm sure there were loads that would just look in the door and walk away. Whereas if they could look round for free they may just find something they just have to buy.
I am lucky near here as most 6ft tables are around £10 though some only ask for a donation of sales, about 10% seems to be the going rate.

Melanie

[penchanted]

Im organizing a craft fair and its only £5.00 per stall holder! I am thinking that ive underpaid myself as im finding it alot of work! advertising, making posters, going to the press, putting adverts up at all shops localy, and more setting up a myspace account soley for the event and adding all local people, plus other things like buying a huge santa so we stand out on the road!

Ive never done this before, but im trying to get known myself, and feel for others who are too, If you want a craft fair do it yourself i find.

my event has free carparking at the entrance of the site and its on a main road so im happy,

If any body moans at me all i can say is i tried my best and lost alot of nights thinking of ways to bring more punters in.

[myrtledesign]

Hi everyone!

I've just read through this whole thread which is very unlike me, but I was fascinated. I'm so glad to find I'm not the only one who's experienced the highs and lows!

I've never done one of the big fairs because I always fear I won't make the table charge back, and some of your stories are shocking - like paying for pitch in field and being charged parking - shocking!!!

I've been on both sides of the fence on this, having attended and organised fairs. When I organised one for charity through my work I realised how hard it would be to make money or even break even organising. We had the advertising donated to us by the business, and no hire fees or insurance to pay, and we still struggled to cover all the other costs. So I can understand the need to charge good amounts.

On the other hand the crafter can easily end up not covering costs - as we have (not) done in the past. It's so tough. I wonder whether a % of sales would be a better way to go, but then if you're organising a fair you need to be able to meet overheads! I definitely think charging people to come in is scandalous! You don't pay to go in and have a look round even the most expensive designer stores!

Has anyone had much success with Etsy? It doesn't seem to be very UK orientated. We tried on there with VERY little success!

Helen x

[elzi]

Hello,

Just to add my little bit's worth. I've been doing all sorts of craft stalls for a few years now and here's a few observations...

* Stay away from anywhere that charges people to come in and shop - this is terrible, puts off customers and I've had very bad sales in these places.

* In general the fairs/markets that charge the most for a table are quite often the fairs that you take the most money at i.e. if you are paying £10 for a stall then you're probably not going to make a fortune but if you're paying £100 to stand in a busy city centre in december then the chances are you are going to be very busy. but not always since....

* Craft fair income is completely unpredictable, you can be in the the same place at the same of year with the same stock and have completely different outcomes, small things such as the weather, traffic, other events on the same day can have a massive impact on your takings

* having a regular stall at a market is a different selling experience to doing one off fairs. on a regular stall you have regular customers but also people look at your stuff and think "well i might come back for that later" therefore if you go to market that's on every week it'll be cheaper but it might take a long time (months/years?) before you build your takings up and have regular customers. also your main takings will probably be small items. however if you do a one-off event i find people are much more likely to part with their cash, especially for the larger items probably because they have come out to shop and also they can't come back next week and get it..

* the big spenders don't get their money out until late in the day! of course this isn't always true but most often i find I sell the most expensive items at the end of the day. my mum has a theory that those with the most disposable income (young people with no kids) get up late on a weekend (when most craft markets are on) but i wonder if people think about it for a while and come back later with the cash. anyhow it's worth bearing this in mind if you are doing a stall that finishes at lunchtime (esp on a sunday) as you may miss all the best customers!

* talk to other traders. this is the best way to find out where to go and whether the price is fair. other traders are usually happy to discuss with you where they have been and whether the takings were good. I always ask around first if I'm thinking of applying to somewhere.

I hope this has been helpful, doing stalls is really hard work but quite fun and a great way to get out there and talk to people about your work (and eavesdrop on their comments on your stuff) good luck! :)

[specialgirl7876]

What an interesting thread, it's good to hear opinions from both sides.

I'm not in business but am seriously considering it as part of my "plan" for the next few years and I'm completely bamboozled by all the options! There certainly seems to be a distinct lack of craft fairs in certain areas so I've thought about organising some but think that needs a LOT of research! I would love to have a regular market stall, but need a guaranteed income so couldn't give up one of the two jobs I already have and risk not matching the money I earn.....and there certainly aren't many evening fairs!

Just a note on charging an entrance fee......every year there are several two day craft fairs in an upmarket village near us. It has a lovely modernised old village hall (if that makes sense) that is funded by the parish council. I think they charge about £400 for a stall for the weekend AND they charge £4 entrance to customers, kids under 16 free. It is ALWAYS packed! And because of the financial status of the people living in the village they spend, spend, spend....we often see people absolutely loaded with bags as they leave. so....maybe an entrance fee doesn't always put people off :p

I hope this is relevant in some way and I haven't just waffled on as I am known to do :D:D

[Caroleecrafts]

I have just had an application from a private girl's school near to me, the rent is £35.00 for 1:30 to 5:30 plus 10% if you take over £250.00.

My heart says yes but my brain says no! Had long discussions with DH over this, I had set a benchmark at my sister's open house next week, that if I got the £35 over this I would book ad go. Last night had second thoughts again as this is my only income doe I really want to pay £35 on the off chance that I may make my rent back (fairs of late have not even seen the recovery of my rent).

I think I have talked myself into not going but hunt around for more reasonable fees, I am going to my local village hall fair end of Nov and this is only £10 which is far more realistic. Had already made a pac this year that I was not going to pay over £15, why oh why do I always end up with this dilemma.