What to expect of a Craft fair, Christmas fair etc

[ragqueen]

I have been doing craft fairs this year and latterly Christmas fairs and am finding it difficult to work out what will sell as a seller and what is likely to be available to buy as the buyer. I feel that the line is blurred and that maybe the person organising the fairs is not on the same page as the sellers. I looked for tips on sellng at craft fairs especially around Christmas time and was given to understand that by having too many items which were obviously for Christmas you were restricting your market. However my sister attended a Christmas fair last weekend and said that there was nothing Christmassy at all and she left disappointed and empty-handed. I realise that no two fairs are the same but am I missing something?

[soyofthenorth]

It can be just down to luck sometimes. The fairs I've been too have been a bit hit-and-miss. I suppose some people are just being careful with their money.

[Daesul]

I sell at markets/fairs all year round, so I always have a stock of regular items - mugs, novelty items, vases, jugs etc, but on the run up to Christmas I add a few seasonal items. People buy the regular stuff as gifts, but buy the seasonal items too (usually for themselves). I think having some seasonal items on the stall draws people over and gets them in the buying mood!

[AliCat]

I have found that no matter what time of year and what type of fair, a good mixture of styles and seasons (if applicable) are important. I have sold Christmas decorations in April & May and had some Christmas fairs where no Christmas-related designs have gone at all, but having the choice is what is essential. After all, if you have stuff sitting in a cupboard at home then you can't sell it.

It is nigh on impossible to put yourself in the minds of the buyers (if I found a way of doing that, I would be a millionaire by now!) so you can only offer as much choice as possible.

Obviously this is based on my own experiences and particular craft but people buy gifts all year round so all those nicely packaged gift sets which seem to appear at Christmas would be just as likely to sell at other times of year too. Certain crafts have busy seasons and these can differ (for example, my craft is not a 'valentines' craft at all so this particular high sales 'event' is one I can let pass by).

You can do the same fair more than once and have completely different experiences so you can drive yourself nuts trying to get the bottom of this one!

Good luck with the fairs you have in 2012.

[adevine]

I recently did a Chistmas Festive Gift Show and sold handmade wedding cards all day long to the point where I had to sit and make more for customers. Christmas stuff went as well but there wasn't any rhyme or reason as to what people were buying. I think have a selection for all occasions as if people see something they like they will buy it now and put it away for the event.

[ragqueen]

Hi Ali,

Thanks for your reply. I realised there wasn't a magic formula but just wondered if I was missing something. I enjoy making things and showing at craft fairs so making my fortune wasn't the main reason. I have met some very interesting people over the year and had some good advice too. All the best to you for 2012.

Stephanie x

[cutey]

What do craft fairs typically charge? I know their bound to vary a lot.

[keystamp]

It depends on the organiser. You can find some small ones charge nothing as it is a charity and look for a suitable donation. Most other local craft fairs charge from £10 to £25 per table. If you go to a professionally organised fair then this will probably be £40 to £150 per table per day.

If you are new to craft fairs then I would recommend visiting a few and chatting to the stall holder - provided they are not busy. Then find a small local venue like a school fair or local charity and make your mistakes at these. You will make mistakes like forgetting to bring something and a low table fee makes the mistakes affordable. Before you show anywhere try setting up a table at home with your wares, so you know what you are doing on the day. Make a list of everything you think you might need to take and keep revising it. There are plenty of other threads on this theme for you to search on the forum.

Roger