Craft Shows

Craft Fairs are fast gaining in popularity around the country. They are a place to meet and mingle with other crafters, and a fun event for families to attend.
Why are they important for Crafters? Because you get your product out to a variety of people you wouldn’t necessarily meet otherwise, you meet other people
in your business and can compare tricks and tips, you get to meet your customers face to face and receive immediate feed back, it’s a fantastic place for market
research, you get to travel with the shows, and you get paid in cash! Now that you know why you should sell your products at craft fairs, this article will tell you how.

The first step in attending a craft fair is determining which ones are best for you. If you have small children or a full time job you may be limited to local
events only, and that’s okay. Go online or go through crafting magazines for a list of fairs. Because they have been steadily growing in popularity, you could
spend the entire year on the road and never have time to replenish your inventory. Limiting yourself to the shows that will benefit you most is your first step.
This is the best time to identify your personal market. Different products sell best at different shows- high-end artwork doesn’t sell well at local events, so
save the entry fee. If you are hand tooling flip flops for children you can skip the winter shows. Get to know and keep in touch with crafters in your market-
find out where they sell and why. Don’t be afraid to ask questions- these contacts aren’t just competitors- they are hobbyists who share a similar passion. If
you don’t know where to start, try contacting your local Chamber of Commerce to learn about annual fairs and shows in your town, or stop by your local craft store
for more information.

Once you know which shows you want to attend, you need to apply. Contact the promoter and request an application. Pay careful attention to the deadlines; some
shows require a sample of your product to determine sellability, and some expect the application to be returned a year in advance. Read the fine print and find
out what all is included in your booth rental. If you need any special accommodations or arrangements be sure to set them up in advance. Determine if there are
any fees beyond the entrance fee, for items like parking, advertisement, tables, electricity, and jury entry. Know the requirements of the show, and whether there
are any restrictions that may affect you. A deposit is generally required upon application, and will either be applied to your booth rental, due the first day of
the show, or returned if your application is denied.

After your application is accepted, it is time to start preparing for the show. It is often helpful to draw up a time table of events leading up to the show, as well
as one for the days of the show. Know what products you will need to produce, what you will need to bring with you, and plan to have help as needed. This is also a
good time to plan the design of your booth.

As a rule, don’t be afraid to be three dimensional. A table with items laid out flat on it is the easiest booth to walk past. If you have small products consider
bundling them up in baskets or tins to raise them off the table. If you have products that hang as well as sit flat, consider using a wine rack or a baker’s rack to
display your products. A pie chest or book case can be used to show off a variety of objects. While these display cases may not be the easiest to mobilize, the attention
they demand will make your troubles worth the effort. If you are limited to tables only, try setting them up in an L-shape that invites the viewer into your tent and gives
them an opportunity to view as many products as possible. You can get crates from your local craft store and build up, to give your table a little more height.

Plan your space carefully, and don’t forget the importance of providing an attractive table cover and backdrop. Make sure your booth with attract the eye of the
passersby without being so crowded that the customers cannot easily determine what you are selling. Most of all be consistent with your image, and remember that
if a prop does nothing to promote your product, don’t include it in the display!

If possible, plan to use a credit card machine. Plastic is fast becoming the preferred currency, and not accepting credit cards could mean losing out to those vendors
who do. A great means of developing a mailing list is to have a give-away, where interested customers can put their name in for a free sample of your merchandise. It
draws people to your booth and provides you with a contact list of potential customers. Also, be sure to include flyers with product, pricing, pictures, and contact
information. Just because someone doesn’t buy the day of a show doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. Another consideration is to make sure you have enough cash on-hand
to make change for those paying with cash. Additionally, be sure you bring packaging products. If you are selling a fragile item, provide not just a bag but a way to
keep the item safe. Before you arrive, determine if you are willing to ship items for out of town customers, or hold items for those who are interested but want to look
around. Finally, remember the importance of branding. Create a professional looking sign for your booth. If you don’t take pride in your name, others won’t take pride
in your work.

The season has ended and you have completed your first circuit of craft shows…it is important to keep records of each show to determine if the price points were accurate,
if certain products sold better than others, and which shows were the most profitable and why. There isn’t an exact science to selling, just remember to put your personality
into your shows, and to learn from your mistakes- the next fair is right around the corner!