Are my expectations unrealistic ?

[fair-n-square]

Hi everybody

The title says it all, I have attended a few sales in my area (lancashire) and found it not to be as much fun as I expected.

I found the organisers to have lost all common manners and have experienced them walking around the room before the doors open saying, "you can sell that as I do !" what happened to healthy competition.

Surely crafts by their very nature may be similar but still different, a reflection of their creator. Even gift tables will have differnt items on them.

Jewellery seems to be a closed shop, with only the organiser and perhaps one main seller being allowed.

There are more rules than I could possibly believe.

Yes I understand that the organiser needs to make money but surely not at the expense of the sellers. Both parties need each other, but most sellers seem to put up with it!

My questions are, are you happy with the service you get at your local fairs?

Are you restricted in what you can sell and would you still attend as a seller if it was open to anybody selling anything ?

What do you think about charging the public to enter? does it restrict the numbers attending, only giving extra money to the organiser.

If your not happy, what makes you book again with that organiser?

How could you experience at a fair be improved ?

Do you think that organisers promise the world but deliver little on the day, especially in relation to advertising?

As I said at the beginning are my expectations unrealistic?

Thanks in advance for your replies

L

[Selina]

The last fair that I did was a 'crafts, antiques and curios' fair. Which basically means, 3 tables of jewellery, (mine included) one table of cards, about 5 tables of bric-a-brac, a therapuetic massage chap and the Church of Scientology! We paid £27 for a table in a village hall. All the jewellery was very different, I use lots of crystals and colours, one girl had very 'childlike' jewellery and the other was 'high end' and pretty expensive. I think the only ones who made a profit were me and the card lady. There was a customer who came in and had a major go at the organiser and shouted about the church people and massage man not being crafts or antiques etc, the organiser basically told him if doesn't like it go away! Selina

[Bren]

I've been refused a booking when asked what I sell. When I told them jewellery, the response was "oh no, we've got 3 jewellers already". Wasn't even asked what kind of jewellery mine was. I have never gone back to that particular organiser.

Others I've booked with, state you cannot display anything on your table that you haven't listed on the booking form and yet on the actual day, nobody came round to check peoples' tables.

My cynical side says there's only one person who is guaranteed to make money at a craft fair and that is the organiser.

Bren

[Poppy4lee]

Overall, I've had really positive experiences with selling at craft fairs. I've come across really great organisers, both locally and further afield. I think the reputation of the few 'bad' organisers soon gets around! I always try to find out as much as possible in advance about the fair, how it's advertised, how long it's been running etc. I think you can also get some indication of the type of fair it's going to be, by the questions that the organisers ask crafters, before allowing them to hire a stall - I've had to supply photos of my work ,before now, just to make sure that it's up to the required standard.
I think you've had a really unfortunate experience :mad:, just give them a wide berth in future!! I've found other crafters, in my area, to be an absolute mine of information on all aspects of crafting & craft fairs etc.:D

[Peter]

What sort of things were you selling Linda? ;)

[Tip Top]

I've done 3 craft fairs, all organised and advertised very differently and to be honest I didn't have a problem with any of them!! Two of the fairs we got cups of tea brought round - the first one was in a Grade 2 listed building so no food or drink allowed but there was a room we could use to feed ourselves.

I always make a point of thanking the organisers either personally at the end of the day or by follow up email.

Mine have been good experiences and I am booked for 4 more this year (3 with same organiser) and I don't think I'll have any problems either!!:D

[Focus on Life]

I'm not very experienced, only done 2 fairs so far, but like Tip have had good experiences at both

I'm lucky in that I'm not competing with other people doing similar work though and I'm not expecting to earn anything on the day itself but both fairs seemed to be well organised, reasonably well attended (even though the organiser can never guarantee attendance, irrespective of how much advertising they put out) and not restrictive in the slightest

Tip and I were even entertained by folk singers, clog dancers & all sorts at our last event! :)

I guess its like everything in life, you cant generalise or do other things involving tar & brushes

Shaz x

[MissPop]

I think it's fair enough for an organiser to say "Sorry, we already have three jewelry stalls, but I'll keep your details for the next fair" or something similar. If there are too many stalls selling one thing, I think it doesn't work so well.

[0103media]

Jewellery is a real funny one.. Lots of people make it and many I wouldn't call crafts as threading say 4 beads then adding a clasp isn't to hard or creative..

The total opposite would be when you look at peters (beadsage) work which takes hours and a lot of creativity imho...

[claire0478]

I have been making & selling jewellery for 3 years and I find it very difficult & frustrating in getting in with organisers.
I started out thinking this would be an enjoyable way of spending my time by making jewellery(which I still love to do) then selling my jewellery to people and the comments I get about my jewellery make it enjoyable but the bit in-between ie booking fairs, organisers etc make it a very hard & frustrating experience.

[Ifor-Jones]

Hi - replying from both sides of the fence. I have done some craft fairs and now I am organising one as part of our church fund raising activities in the summer. I feel that you can't have too many of one craft. I have allowed three jewellery stalls because they are all doing different types of jewellery, but we are limited with the number of stalls. If there were 60 stalls then it might be a different matter. I sell cards and I know that if I am at a smallish craft fair I am not made keen if there is more than one other stall doing the same thing. However it is not easy to organise a craft fair - amazing how many people want info, say they will come and then you get no reply to e-mails, so you are left now knowing whether they still want to come, can you let their space, or are they going to come back to you? Crafters please remember that the organiser also has a difficult job. I must say that the craft fairs I have done have all been different and some better than others, but I look at the craft fairs as a marketing/advertising exercise and if I sell well also that is great.

I think if you just let anyone come and did not vet what was sold you could end up with more like a bric a brac fair - it is the responsibility of the organiser of a "craft fair" to make sure it is genuine crafts, crafts that people are going to be interested in and a good mix. After all the customers who come in are not going to come back another time if the stalls are not interesting and no one wants to see 20 jewellery stalls.

All in all I have been happy in the fairs I have attended, but I think each one we go to needs to be approached with an open mind. If it is not good then you don't do it next year, if it is good you are quick to book before anyone else gets that slot.

[Sprinkles]

When i sign up for craft fairs, i always read the details of the T&C's first. Make sure they are relatively established, with good comments that i find by googling them.

A good craft organiser, imo, should have the common sense not to allow 10 out of 20 stalls of the same craft into their fair.

All the craft fairs i have done have all been fantastic. I may of not made much of a profit, but its again, more advertising.

Every craft, to me, is unique and creative. Maybe there are 3 jewellers are in the same hall as you, but everyone has their own style of work.
There are sometimes 3 card stalls, or 3 textiles stalls, but noone seems to complain about them being there!

SOME organisers have a Jewellery fear that everything looks the same.
But the differences between silver, glass, and crystal jewellery is very different. Its like a cake, chocolate and sugar sweeties stall, its food, but different food

Sorry that was a bit of a rant :(

[Focus on Life]

I must admit I feel for the jewellery guys when I see "no jewellery please" before theyve even had chance to consider if theyd like to go or not. Whilst I know you cant have lots of the same stall & coordinating everything is hard enough anyway, I wonder if there could be some sort of style categorisation to structure things a bit to give more people a chance - one doing more antique styles - another doing more contemporary etc - styles for different age ranges etc - then maybe the jewellery crafter could plan ahead to bring along stock to suit that fair

Tip and I were booked onto the same fair and were told there was only space for one cardmaker - and even though our things are very different anyway, we were both ready & keen to coordinate together to fit the bill

Shaz x

[Focus on Life]

Every craft, to me, is unique and creative. Maybe there are 3 jewellers are in the same hall as you, but everyone has their own style of work.
There are sometimes 3 card stalls, or 3 textiles stalls, but noone seems to complain about them being there!

SOME organisers have a Jewellery fear that everything looks the same.
But the differences between silver, glass, and crystal jewellery is very different. Its like a cake, chocolate and sugar sweeties stall, its food, but different food

Sorry that was a bit of a rant :(

I agree Sprinkles, I was busy typing mine before I saw your reply

[Fair Do]

Hi fair-n-square,

My have you opened a can of worms with your first post!!!

As an ex-organiser I’ll throw my two bob’s worth in.

A lot of it’s down to being able to present an interesting and balanced fair to the public. They don’t want to come in and look at 24 card stalls and 17 jewellery stalls (random numbers!!!). They want to browse through lot’s of interesting items like they do in shops. So I think it’s reasonable for an organiser to restrict the number of stalls allocated to a particular craft. The trick is to get in there first!

It’s the well balanced and interesting fairs that customers will come back to each time they are held. You need browsers to convert into customers. There can never be enough people passing through a craft fair in my opinion.

I also think it’s fair that you only sell what you say you will! After all, if the organiser doesn’t already know you, your application form is all they have to go on to achieve that balance. They may not always come round checking but if it has been requested then he/she can insist on ‘unfair competition’ being removed if need be.

You may feel that there are lot’s of rules about attending fairs. But these have often evolved due to experiences the organiser has already had and would rather avoid happening again!

As in all walks of life, there are good organisers and bad organisers. I like to think I was a ‘fair’ organiser (no pun intended!). Yes, I was in it to make some money, but I wanted my crafters to do so as well. I put a lot of effort into advertising the events, both before and on the day. I believe this is of vital importance and any organiser who doesn’t think like this is being complacent in my opinion. I don’t think this leads to effective craft fairs.

Eventually you will get in with an organiser you are happy with and who will be happy to have you along as one of their regulars. Until then, if you’re not happy with the service you receive …don’t go back! A poor organiser will soon get the message that they will either have to pull their socks up or risk losing their crafters and therefore their event. An organiser needs their crafters as much as crafters need organisers …it’s a team effort.

So I think your expectations are reasonable. But it has to be remembered that everyone is out to promote and protect themselves and their potential sales. You will have to do the same, but as the ‘newbie’ it will be harder for you until you establish yourself. I’m afraid that’s just a fact of life.

Don’t be disheartened …best of luck.

Regards.
Fair Do.

[crafty-clarie]

Think I agree with everyone!!:confused:

Thing is, I do jewellery (as well!!!) What I find really disheartening is that you are lumped into 1 category before you've even had the chance to show your work. Also, fairs are so few and far between where I live that when you find an organiser who is happy for you to sell jewellery you have to book in fast, before someone else does - this means that you aren't always able to check out their track record and recomendations etc.

Recently I contacted an "respected" organiser of a new fair to be held at the end of the year in the city centre. Before asking anything about me I was told that they were not looking for any more jewellery sellers currently as they do not want to "duplicate"(!). I responded by asking about the new fair they are planning at the end of the year, (as far as I know they have not organised fairs in this city before), and was asked to submit pic's of my work, which I did. I received a curt reply saying that they were full of jewellers and again mentioned duplication. If they have not organised a fair in this area before, how can they already be full of jewellers or is it that they have their preferred crafters thus making it a "closed shop" for newcomers. I appreciate that my jewellery may not be the best, but it is fashionable and affordable and I feel that maybe I have been turned down as it is not to their taste.:mad:

Anyway that's me off my soapbox and away to my bed!!!:sleep:

Thanks for getting me started!!!

Claire :jippie:

[Fair Organiser]

HI

As an organiser of a craft fair, please remember that we have to keep everyone happy!!

If you were organising a craft fair and had say, 100 pitches to sell, you would easily be able to fill those 100 pitches with jewellery!!

Not good for anyone, why?? Cos I get told by the sellers there is too much competition, the public then moan cos there's too much jewellery and nothing else!! As for making money, not necessarily!! Word will get round and then next year no-one will want a pitch and there will be no folk through the door!!

If you are desperate to get your 'foot in the door' my advice is to get in as early as possible when it comes to the booking! Pay your money up quickly and (sorry that I have to say this) be polite!! The amount of rude grumpy stallholders is amazing!! I remember the happy jolly polite ones (that will go to the top of my list) and also the latter! Three guesses where they end up?!

At the fair I organise, we offer a 'delivery service' to stallholders of food and tea/coffee, which can be pre-ordered when you arrive. There are facilities for you to eat if you want to purchase, or indeed eat your own food! This is all done by 'unpaid slaves' as the money raised is for charity!!

Please do not see organisers as money grabbers. Many are doing it free of charge and all the proceeds are going to charity. The larger, more commercial ventures, obviously, are making profits and keeping them, but they do have to pay horrendous overheads, so perhaps not!!

Organisers cannot 'drag people in' from the street!! We do our best on advertising etc., but lets face it, how often in life do we see something that we want to go to but it clashes with something else?? Life is like that and if it turns out that folk aren't coming in through the door it's because they are busy elsewhere!

I would look at the location of the event. Middle of town? out of town? free parking available?? All of these things put people off!!

A nominal fee of say £1 entry is acceptable. I don't go to places that charge more than a fiver, cos if you want a family day out its costing you £20 odd quid just to get in !! You could spend that on the goods themselves!!

Please remember also, that whilst you love your craft and products passionately, it is not everyone else's cup of tea! I went to a fair last year, where there were well over 15 jewellery stalls but nothing 'jumped out' at me and said 'buy me'! I bet the poor orgainsers got it in the neck at the end of the day!!

Hope this helps!! ;)

[linz]

Jewellery is a real funny one.. Lots of people make it and many I wouldn't call crafts as threading say 4 beads then adding a clasp isn't to hard or creative..

The total opposite would be when you look at peters (beadsage) work which takes hours and a lot of creativity imho...

I think its a shame that some simple or non-technical jewellery designs aren't seen as 'crafts'. I'm sure that some people who string beads still spend a lot of time finding beads, and put a lot of pride into choosing which ones go together for their necklaces or whatever :(

(I for one flog myself as a jewellery 'maker', because I put things together that are already made that I drill through or glue together, but my tutor at GSA considers my jewellery to be crafts.)

[Poppy4lee]

I think its a shame that some simple or non-technical jewellery designs aren't seen as 'crafts'. I'm sure that some people who string beads still spend a lot of time finding beads, and put a lot of pride into choosing which ones go together for their necklaces or whatever :(

(I for one flog myself as a jewellery 'maker', because I put things together that are already made that I drill through or glue together, but my tutor at GSA considers my jewellery to be crafts.)

I agree, it's not just a case of 'string beads together' there's a heck of a lot of thought & creativity goes into it. Sometimes, items are quite stunning in their simplicity, which I think takes real artistry/craft.

[woodenlady]

As a visitor to craft fairs, I am dismayed about some of the quality of the
'jewellery' that is offered for sale. So many people are now attempting to work in this medium.
To be accepted for the better craft fairs perhaps design and quality should be considered. Just ok is now not acceptable.
If I was accepted without having my work checked out by the organiser I would walk away from the event. Don't expect to always get into your local area for craft fair. If the organiser is a good one then the event will attract crafters from wide and far.
Always make your work that little bit better and unusual from others, but do expect rejection!

[Michelexx]

As a maker of jewellery and a organiser I have found everyones comments fascinating.

When I first started out I only made jewellery and like most found it nigh on impossible to get booked into a fair. I then expanded my range to include crocheted items such as scarves and bags and even this is popular. I have now started to do decoupage as I have never come across anyone doing this. By adding to my range I am no longer classed as just jewellery and this makes it much easier to get booked.

As an organiser I really feel for jewellers and am guilty myself of turning jewellers away without looking at their work. I am very aware of the different styles (my jewellery is unique as it combines polymer clay, beads and crochet!) and I always try to ensure that a cross range is represented. I am currently organising a fair in Leamington and have more then filled my jewellery requirement but will still find that more jewellery will turn up on the day for example I had a lady who does glassware with beads but when she sent back her booking form she has included jewellery! This happens quite alot....you can have an indepth conversation with someone about their work yet they still fail to mention the smaller items they make....whether they have cottoned on that this can hinder their chances of getting a table who knows!

Sorry for my ramblings...I hope it makes sense.

Michele

[woodtattoos]

This thread has made really interesting reading! I really feel for crafters who make jewellery or cards as those always seem to 'fill up a quota' very quickly. Because my craft seems to be less common, I've found that I can often be viewed as adding 'variety' to an event with my goods which helps when it comes to getting a table.

I still feel that the focus should be on the quality and individuality of the crafted items, and I'm sure that the best fair organisers do take that into consideration when they speak to potential exhibitors, rather than dismissing them as "just another jewellery maker". The joy of crafts is that there is such scope for the items to be unique, desirable and special, rather than soulless and mass-produced.

Si.

[crafty-clarie]

As a visitor to craft fairs, I am dismayed about some of the quality of the
'jewellery' that is offered for sale. So many people are now attempting to work in this medium.
To be accepted for the better craft fairs perhaps design and quality should be considered. Just ok is now not acceptable.
If I was accepted without having my work checked out by the organiser I would walk away from the event. Don't expect to always get into your local area for craft fair. If the organiser is a good one then the event will attract crafters from wide and far.
Always make your work that little bit better and unusual from others, but do expect rejection!

I am interested in this comment and not quite sure how to take it? I have visted and organised craft fairs and know exactly how difficult it is to attract quality crafters of ALL items, not just jewellery.

I appreciate that jewellery does seem to be the "craft of the moment" as was cardmaking a few years ago. However, a couple of years ago we had no jewellery makers at all at our craft fair, (which I might add is a respected and popular fair which has been running now for about 27 years and has around 40 stalls), as jewellery making was not so popular then.

In answer to your comments that "design and quality should be considered" I suspect that I speak for most jewellery makers when I say that I understand that aspect of my craft more than most due to the vast amount of competition, which usually comes from extremely competent and innovative designers. As I do not know what your craft is I am unable to comment whether the "design and quality" of crafters in your particular field are up to scratch or whether or not what you are offering for sale is desirable, but I do take offence to the suggestion that "jewellery sellers" are in any way second rate crafters who should expect rejection purely because there are a lot of us around at the moment. Your comments sound to me like reaction from a disgruntled non-jewellery maker!



Claire:mad:

Off to have a stiff drink now and get over myself!!!!;)

[rgabrielle]

I agree with most of the comments.I tried to get into a popular craft fair which has several events throughout the year,because I sell jewellery I was told I would have to go on a waiting list,so I just sent in some photos and explained that my jewellery was very unique and I got a reply back that I could have a table and have therfore been able to book with them for the year. I think it just showed that I was making something very different and so that helped. One thing I have noticed at one of the events I was positioned in full view of the main entrance and even thought the admission price was only 60p SO many people turned away when they saw they had to pay to get in.There were families and groups of people out shopping together(it was located right in the center of a large town)and thay just wouldnt pay , I and my neighbouring stallholder estimated about 70 odd people turned away. I think that this is a real problem,I would of preffered to of paid an extra couple of pounds on my table price and of had the fair admission free, what does everyone else think, anyone noticed this before!!!!

[Poppy4lee]

but I do take offence to the suggestion that "jewellery sellers" are in any way second rate crafters who should expect rejection purely because there are a lot of us around at the moment. Your comments sound to me like reaction from a disgruntled non-jewellery maker!



Claire:mad:



Claire, although I don't make jewellery myself, I agree wholeheartedly with you. I've attended loads of craft fairs and seen some really gorgeous jewellery. There's usually a wide variety of crafts and skills, some good, some not so good but that applies across the board, not just to jewellery! I've also seen people purchase, what I personally think, is utter cr*p (again, over a wide spectrum of items, not just jewellery) so, at the end of the day, as with everything, it's probably down to personal preference & affordability. I don't think it's fair to victimise jewellery makers to highlight what, at the end of the day, is a trait that can be found across the board. I imagine that anyone producing & selling sub-standard items won't be around for long anyway!

[Ifor-Jones]

I agree with most of the comments.I tried to get into a popular craft fair which has several events throughout the year,because I sell jewellery I was told I would have to go on a waiting list,so I just sent in some photos and explained that my jewellery was very unique and I got a reply back that I could have a table and have therfore been able to book with them for the year. I think it just showed that I was making something very different and so that helped. One thing I have noticed at one of the events I was positioned in full view of the main entrance and even thought the admission price was only 60p SO many people turned away when they saw they had to pay to get in.There were families and groups of people out shopping together(it was located right in the center of a large town)and thay just wouldnt pay , I and my neighbouring stallholder estimated about 70 odd people turned away. I think that this is a real problem,I would of preffered to of paid an extra couple of pounds on my table price and of had the fair admission free, what does everyone else think, anyone noticed this before!!!!

I agree. I think it really puts people off to have to pay to enter a craft fair - unless it is one of these posh ones where people seem to be happy to pay vast entrance fees (but then the stall holders have to pay vast stall fees!). I know myself that I have walked past an entrance to a hall holding a craft fair when I have been out in a town and carried on walking because there is an entrance fee. If it was free I would go in and then if I saw something that caught my eye I would buy it. In these economic times I feel that if people are paying an entrance fee that will reduce what they have to spend.

One other way of overcoming the need to charge is to run a raffle and each craft person give a small prize towards the raffle. People will probably pay £1 to a raffle and enjoy doing it and the stall holders have a chance to market their wares!

[beadstudio]

hi,
I make jewellery etc and really have trouble getting in. One place I visited- fully subscribed to jewellery- had three bought in stalls, mass made products!:mad: and only one REAL crafter. They didnt bother to ask what i did, I used beads, enough said. Dont have space for you. Its not just jewellery, cards are the same, as are many others Im sure.

I, like many other jewellery makers and beaders spend many hours sourcing the beads and learning the techniques, only to be turned away because a wholesaer got there first! im truely in favour of the handmade and craft only fairs, which enable us crafty people to gain a stage and a chance.

i'll get off my box now.:behindsofa:
Love Em x

[Chris W]

Perhaps all the jewellery makers could get together and hold jewellery only fairs. There are plenty of jewellery buyers out there.
There seems to bit a bit of snobbery on this site about who is a crafts person and who is not. I have never come across this before, I wonder what is the root of it. I just make things as best I can then try to sell them, it does take some skill but my mind is on trying to earn a living. Perhaps I don't belong on the craft forum?

[linz]

Perhaps all the jewellery makers could get together and hold jewellery only fairs. There are plenty of jewellery buyers out there.
There seems to bit a bit of snobbery on this site about who is a crafts person and who is not. I have never come across this before, I wonder what is the root of it. I just make things as best I can then try to sell them, it does take some skill but my mind is on trying to earn a living. Perhaps I don't belong on the craft forum?


I attended a jewellery only fair last year, which was the same fair as I normally went to every week but with just the jewellery makers there. It was probably one of the worst days I had there! It seemed people were even less likely to come into a craft fair when they heard it was jewellery only :(

I think my problem with selling jewellery is that my jewellery is different from other stalls in that its aimed at a younger market, and younger people hardly ever go to craft fairs. Having much better luck at an outdoor market in the city center though! I think the best advice I could give anyone on craft fairs is find the right market for your craft. Quiet church fairs wouldn't suit me and my skull printed knickers, but they would suit a church regular who sells cards, for example. Unfortunately, there's a lot of trial and error in finding the right place for you.

[Peter]

Perhaps all the jewellery makers could get together and hold jewellery only fairs. There are plenty of jewellery buyers out there.
There seems to bit a bit of snobbery on this site about who is a crafts person and who is not. I have never come across this before, I wonder what is the root of it. I just make things as best I can then try to sell them, it does take some skill but my mind is on trying to earn a living. Perhaps I don't belong on the craft forum?
It's not snobbery - it's suspicion. We had a glut of spam, some quite elaborate, from potential advertisers who had no intention at all of contributing to the forum. There were only two ways to go, open the forum to anyone and watch the genuine crafters find another place to talk, or come down heavily on anyone who looked as if they might be a problem. It sometimes goes wrong, one of our longest serving members nearly got banned by me because I was convinced she was a chinese spammer! Most of the time we get it right, but we still have a lot of chinese and indian 'crafters' who actually are salesmen for large asian conglomerates - it happens. It may look as if were zealous mods, but, believe me we have to be.................you don't see the posts that get deleted, or the weirdoes that get banned. ;) Enjoy the forum. :D

[creativeclare]

Over the years I`ve attended many craft fayres not as a seller but as a member of the public. Only recently have I sold my handcrafted goods at Fayres. But, all I wanted to say is that there is nothing so disapointing as making the journey to a Craft Fayre as a member of the public who genuinely wants to buy handcrafted items to see the same Franchise stalls over and over again. Pheonix cards, Aloe Vera, Baltic Amber........boring boring boring even some hand knitted garment stalls are the big yarn companies who sell off their sample garments cheap to traders who then pass off the work as their own.


The true beauty of a craft fayre is to be able to sell items that you can proudly say you have made and be able to speak to a customer or a browser, in depth about your products and how they are crafted etc.

We`re not snobby, just exceedly passionate about our craft and admire the work of other members, regardless of whether it`s a rough draft version of the first ever greetings card they`ve ever made or even if they supply cards to Harrods!

[Works-in-Wood]

We're doing a series of Craft fairs through the year and are fairly happy with the various organisers of ours. I commisserate with Jewellers & Card people though......it's bad enough being a Woodturner for duplication of crafts but you guys.....
As for charging entry - naah !.......On big shows, I mean BIG shows - the public will wear it, but village hall shows 20p or 50p - sends out the wrong message and will put the punters off.
As for rules - well, you've got to have a tidy stall, you've got to stick it out to the bitter end - even if you've taken zilch. and everything HAS to be substantially hand-made.

My thoughts,
Chris.