Forum Newbie - Organising a Craft Fair

[Different_Glass]

Hi - I just found this forum today and hoping that someone here might be able to help me :)

I'm a crafter (I make fused glass jewellery) and I have been asked to organise a Craft Fair as part of our local festival (it is in Woodseats, which is in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and near to Chesterfield and Rotherham)

We've got a venue and a date (7th July), but I really need some advice from anyone who has organised a craft fair before. Finding crafters for the fair seems to be a first priority - but how to go about it? I haven't ever sold any of my own stuff at a fair yet, so I'm unfamiliar with how they work and I'd be grateful for any advice about organising an event like this.
Thanks
Michelle

[BeyondBeads]

Hi Michelle,

I too am organinsing a fair for 7th July - lucky they're so far apart (i'm in Bristol)!!!

The first thing you need to do is decide what type of fair you are organinsing; are you going to allow companies such as pheonix cards and usbourne books or stick to genuine crafts?

Next, decided how many of each craft you can reasonably allow - i think three is a good number as long as they are all slightly different. (You're likely to get loads of jewellers so be selective!!!)

Then you need a booking pack with a letter detailing costs, table size, whether there will be electricity etc, booking form, terms and conditions and a bit about the venue.

Then you need to contact crafters!!! Advertise anywhere and everywhere!

Once you have done all this you need to come up with a room plan, advertise the fair itself, sort out refreshments etc (if you are having them)

I can't think of anything else at mo....Jules of Apple Tree Crafts might be able to offer further insight!!!

Hope this helps,
Laura :D

[Mary]

Hi Michelle - I make and sell fine silver jewellery, beaded jewellery and gifts, and (dare I say it) fused glass bowls and jewellery. I live in Leeds, and currently have 7th July free....... If you think my stuff might fit what you want, would be very interested to have more details re costs and stuff when you are ready.

[candles by lisa]

Hi Michelle,

Hello and welcome to the forum. Jules from Appletree Crafts is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to crat fairs get in touch with her.

Cheers.

Lisa

[Apple Tree Crafts]

...I'll help if I can!

Get your venue & date sorted, then spend a couple of hours on your computer sourcing free adverstising for your area. There are lots of free sites for local events in most areas.

Also, list your event in the diary on www.craft-fair.co.uk (http://www.craft-fair.co.uk) This is a free site, and lots of crafters use it.

You'll need fliers to put up in local shops and businesses, and quite often, local newspapers will have free community pages. Local supermakets usually have community notice boards too. On your fliers, give the important details, like place, time, type of event, and a contact number for anyone wanting a stall.

That should be lots to keep you busy ! Just shout if you need help!

Jules

[Different_Glass]

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions.

Mary - Thanks for your interest - I am going to my first meeting about the Fair on Monday, so I should be able to send you more info after then.

Laura - can I ask who Phoenix Cards are? - I've been asked by someone if they can sell them at my fair - but I don't know anything about them.

Michelle

[BeyondBeads]

Pheonix cards are a company, much like virgin vie etc who have 'reps' to sell their goods. Except they sell cards! There are similar companies such as party light (i think - who do candles).

They tend to annoy genuine crafters ar fairs as they don't make the items themselves and can easily underprice us lowly crafters!

Hope this helps,
Laura:D