Well.....

[swirlyarts]

I'll bet your all dying to hear how the craft fair went! I made the grand total of






£8.50!!! Woweeee!!

Quite a few people looked at my stuff and I didn't have any negative comments - in fact quite a few positive comments but people just didn't part with their cash!!

Oh well - live and learn. Good job that it wasn't my first big crafty venture as I would have packed it in I think! Better get sewing chickens for my wholesale order now :D

[beadsbydesign]

Don't be too disheartened.
It seems as though craft fairs are going this way now. lots of browsers with their wallets tight shut!
As long as you enjoyed yourself.
This is why I'd always tell people who are doing their first few craft fairs to use as much stuff from home as possible rather than buying in posh new display stuff.
I'd imagine that most people at the fair would have been in the same boat.

[claire.rogers22]

Hi,

I was there today as well doing Usborne books and it was the same for me,
All fairs are the same at the mo, you never know in a few weeks they might realise christmas is coming!!!

Claire

[swirlyarts]

Hi,

I was there today as well doing Usborne books and it was the same for me,
All fairs are the same at the mo, you never know in a few weeks they might realise christmas is coming!!!

Claire

Ah - I was the lady in glasses and pink apron - I parked next to you! Small world!!

[Pauline@weddingtreasures]

Oh no, and here's me working my fingers to the bone building up stock for my first craft fair next Saturday.......boooo hooooo

sorry it was not great for you, but great to hear about your wholesale order!

Pauline :)

[BeadsbyLili]

Dont take it personally - seems there is a general negative trend for sales in all sorts of retail sectors (I believe even Tescos have reported lower than expected sales recently !) .

.

[BeadsbyLili]

p.s. - congrats on the wholesale order ! :D

[colourart]

Dont take it personally - seems there is a general negative trend for sales in all sorts of retail sectors (I believe even Tescos have reported lower than expected sales recently !) .

.

I think this is true, except I can't have any sympathy for Tesco!! From my experience of craft fairs people are generous with their comments but not so much with their cash. It is such a let down though after all the hard work which is put in, many people don't appreciate that.

[candles by lisa]

Sorry about that, it is so disheartening you work soooo very hard to get stock, get your display just right and then humph all your stuff to the venue and then have to humph all the bloody stuff back home cause nobody was buying. I was at a craft fair on Saturday, it was very very quiet but I did okay (well at least I covered the cost of my table this time which for this year I am counting as doing okay. Not made my table money back on more fairs than I have made it).

It was my Christmassy smelling stuff that went so will be concentrating on that, but most people doing the fair hadn't really done anything Christmassy yet and I think that was where I stood out, I had the table decorated up as I would for a Christmas Fair (cause I was really targeting some early Christmas sales) and it seemed to work.

There is always the next fair (well I keep saying that anyway).

Good luck on the wholesale order.

Cheers.

Lisa

:D

[Peter]

Just had a thought - maybe people no longer see craft 'fairs' as selling venues? Artists and craftspeople are notoriously bad at selling their own stuff, maybe it's time organisers played more on the 'sales' part of it rather than the pretty venue and demonstration part. I do not like the american hard sell, but the british soft sell isn't working either, instead of organisers promoting the venue maybe they should promote exhibitor sales, I know it's in their interest for the exhibitor to sell - or they won't come back - but a bit more of the 'this is the best designer we've ever had and look at the prices!' may be needed. It may put table prices up a bit, but it's not a lot to pay for an agent if they get it right. :)

[2nd chance crafts]

how disapoining for you....and here's me with two weeks to go, worrying about getting insurance, and if i've got enough things to sell, i was up late again last night making things. Now i'm wondering what for.

but i will take advise from your replies, and make some more christmas stuff to calm my nerves in these last few days....that and lots of coffee !!! (de caff...and with friends!!!)

[swirlyarts]

I'm not as disheartened as I would have been if it had been my first venture into selling my work. At least I know my work is good (through other venues) and that people do want it - just not in Salford obviously!! The people that were there seemed to be looking for more traditional crafty goods - the woman opposite who had knitted toys (among other things) did really well. I had a quick look round and it did seem to me that lots of people had underpriced their stuff - maybe that's where I went wrong but I'm not going to lower my prices yet!

[beadsbydesign]

I'm not as disheartened as I would have been if it had been my first venture into selling my work. At least I know my work is good (through other venues) and that people do want it - just not in Salford obviously!! The people that were there seemed to be looking for more traditional crafty goods - the woman opposite who had knitted toys (among other things) did really well. I had a quick look round and it did seem to me that lots of people had underpriced their stuff - maybe that's where I went wrong but I'm not going to lower my prices yet!


too right!
I have found at various craft fairs that the prices are either realistic or far too low. I've asked one or two of the lower priced vendors why it is so low when they are obviously making very little proffit (if any at all) the response is usually "well it's a hobby, I just enjoy making it." or "I don't like to sell it expensive or people won't buy it"
Neither of those types of sellers are helping the craft world to flourish. They let buyers associate cheep goods with handcrafted goods.

[Sparklez]

I had a quick look round and it did seem to me that lots of people had underpriced their stuff - maybe that's where I went wrong but I'm not going to lower my prices yet!

Pricing really bugs me. The whole point of me setting up was because I wasn't happy with the quailty and price of jewellery in the shops, so I made my own, and I keep my prices as low as possible without doing myself out of money. But then I get people coming up giving it '£4 - is that right?' for earrings that don't cost much to make, and others that will go '£4 - thats a bit steep'.

I wouldn't adjust your prices Swirly, if they're similar to what I've seen on your etsy page, than I think you're undercharging anyway. (must remember to order a Chicken)

Carol

[woodtattoos]

If only we earnt £1 for every time we received a compliment on our work at shows, we'd all be a lot better off! At the two very different events I've done, I've had people looking at my work for ages, coming back a few times, asking numerous questions and complimenting the pieces very favourably. But unfortunately, they don't always want to put their hands in their pockets for it!

Having said that, I would rather meet those people at the craft fairs than the ones who glance over every stall for a total of about a second each before marching straight back out the door again...

Si.

[willow973]

Hi Swirly,

I wouldn't worry to much about the fair yesterday, everyone didn't do as well as they should. I was selling soaps, etc down stairs near Claire, people were looking just not buying.

It was a first time for me doing a city venue, ( I live in Yorkshire) and mainly do country type events. My advise don't give up and just try a few different markets to see what works and what doesn't. I am at Tatton Park next week and I have no idea how that will go but will give it a go !!

Also, don't lower your prices. Some people will expect it because your not in a shop, but stand your ground. You know its true value so don't sell yourself short.

Belinda ( willow973)

[swirlyarts]

too right!
I have found at various craft fairs that the prices are either realistic or far too low. I've asked one or two of the lower priced vendors why it is so low when they are obviously making very little proffit (if any at all) the response is usually "well it's a hobby, I just enjoy making it." or "I don't like to sell it expensive or people won't buy it"
Neither of those types of sellers are helping the craft world to flourish. They let buyers associate cheep goods with handcrafted goods.

I overheard the lady next to me who was selling her work very cheaply (make up bags for £3 when I know the fabric costs about £10 a metre!) saying when a customer asked her how much a bag was say 'Oh well I'm not sure, how about £7?' But I know that she does it as a hobby and obviously isn't in it for the money! Hopefully the 4 day one will be better!!

[swirlyarts]

Pricing really bugs me. The whole point of me setting up was because I wasn't happy with the quailty and price of jewellery in the shops, so I made my own, and I keep my prices as low as possible without doing myself out of money. But then I get people coming up giving it '£4 - is that right?' for earrings that don't cost much to make, and others that will go '£4 - thats a bit steep'.

I wouldn't adjust your prices Swirly, if they're similar to what I've seen on your etsy page, than I think you're undercharging anyway. (must remember to order a Chicken)

Carol

I need to have a look through my Etsy shop and see if the prices are reasonable so I might ask you lot to do it for me!! Feel free to order a chicken although it might be a few weeks as I have a big wholesale order to do. On the plus side because the chickens didn't sell yesterday I have some ready for it!! :D

[icecreamgirl]

Hi Swirly,
Sorry it didn't go so well, did you enjoy it apart from not selling enough?

My opinion for what it's worth (and i know i've said this several times before)
'Craft Fairs' just don't get people buying, you need to sell at different venues (which you obviously do with the etsy shop etc)
For example i'm going tonight to a local hotel thats having a breast cancer fundraiser (i'm going as a customer not a seller as i'm saving my stock for the 3 day event in a couple of weeks..)
This is the kind of event that crafty people should try selling at,
Don't be put off thinking that it's just 'proper businesses' that sell at these places i've always done well at events that are held in the evening, and the plus side is it's only ever about 3 hours long usually in a nice setting with a bar (!) which lets face it beats sitting in a drafty church hall all day...
So look out for these fundraising type events, or 'ladies nights' or 'christmas shopping evenings'.
Basically just don't be thinking that you can only book a table at events that have the word 'craft' in it!!

[woodtattoos]

Swirly, I do like your chickens. Have they been immunised against Bird Flu? ;)

[swirlyarts]

Swirly, I do like your chickens. Have they been immunised against Bird Flu? ;)

Yep Mr Swirl and Anya take care of that with the Fisher Price doctors kit ;)

[2nd chance crafts]

thats very good advise.............i've got my craft fair in 2 weeks , then in november i'm doing a small stall at a fund raising coffee morning for the national autistic society....and then if i'm brave enough i might have a girlys night at my neigbours, she's offered to invite all her friends and work mates if i bring my stuff.........i'm normally not one to shy away from these things but when its your own work..........well i'd rather stand there naked than have some one turn their nose up at my art!

[eyesnwhiskers]

I'll bet your all dying to hear how the craft fair went! I made the grand total of






£8.50!!! Woweeee!!

Quite a few people looked at my stuff and I didn't have any negative comments - in fact quite a few positive comments but people just didn't part with their cash!!

Oh well - live and learn. Good job that it wasn't my first big crafty venture as I would have packed it in I think! Better get sewing chickens for my wholesale order now :D

hey, congrats on selling your item, it's me eclectic-b :) fancy seeing you here :) how's it been??

[Apple Tree Crafts]

....it's all so unpredictable at CF's these days. Don't give up Swirls, we know your stuff is top quality - it'll just take a while for others to get this into their woolliness!

We did Chipping Norton the weekend before last and although we had lots of people through the door, initially I thought it was going to be a slow day. However, my stuff went well, and I took about £90.

My sister's painted glass did it's usual thing of just flying through the door. Gayle's stuff always sells well, and it makes me chuckle at just how surprised she always is! I think she sold just over £100 worth.

I know there were people who made no sales at all, but most people did well. It was a lovely day though - the atmosphere was just so good. After my trials & tribulations with Himself's health, it was a breath of fresh air.

Chin Up Swirly! Keep trying!

Jules