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    Home » Uncategorized » Tips for a Successful Craft Fair Part 2

    Tips for a Successful Craft Fair Part 2

    Published March 14, 2016 by Kali

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    Head back to Part 1

    8. Make sure you are not one in a million
    One fair I
    went to had a TON of similar crochet items. Like 6-7 booths out of 40.
    People still liked my stuff but they had "just got a hat from over
    there." Gag, blegh, sigh! From then on I checked and double
    checked that there were not going to be a lot of the same items that I
    was selling. MOST fairs don't want this and won't allow duplicates but
    be sure to check! 

    9. Bigger is not Always Better
    If
    you are heart broken that you weren't accepted to sell in a large fair,
    or can't afford the booth fee do no despair! I used to always do the
    craft fair in my very small hometown and consistently did better than
    the larger fairs! Why? I am not sure. My small town is remote so the
    fair is a bigger deal than larger places that have them more often.
    People liked buying my stuff because they knew me. And there wasn't as
    much of what I was selling (see number 8!). What I am trying to say is
    you can make it work in a smaller area! Look at all the factors that
    goes into a fair, not just size! Another thing that helps is going to
    the same fair year after year. People start to remember you and say "I
    was looking forward to seeing what you made this year!" BEST FEELING
    EVER.

    10. Plan Ahead
    Don't decide a week
    before that you want to do a craft fair UNLESS you already have a ton of
    inventory. It will be bad on your health and stress levels and maybe
    your marriage. Haha! Seriously, though,  a fair is hard enough work that
    you don't want to be so worried about making inventory that you don't
    have the time to do all the other stuff that comes with it. You may walk
    away disappointed. The ideal is to work at it all year long and be
    ready to go! I say ideal... but I know I have let it sneak up on me! But
    I was always happier and more successful when I gave myself plenty of
    time!

    11. Have Pictures or display only pieces
    With
    my crochet hats, lots of people want to try them on. Uhhhh... that is a
    little iffy. What if they have lice? Or are just dirty? Or something
    crazy happens and they damage it? and then don't buy it!! Ahh! MOST of
    the time it will be fine.. But what if it isn't? I think most people try
    it on for 2 reasons. They want to see what it looks like on and to make
    sure it fits. So I recommend having a few pictures displayed of the
    hats being modeled and make the time to have a few display only hats
    that are in the different sizes you offer. (or whatever you are selling-
    I just think in hats!) Offer them that hat and point them to the
    pictures. Most people will be understanding!

    12. Make things in different price ranges
    This
    is one that I saw often through my perusal of craft tips but I really
    found it valuable! A lot of the time the big ticket items are what draw
    people in and they leave with a cheaper item. Or they will add on a
    cheaper item! Keep making your big ticket items because sometimes that
    is where it is at. But have options because for some reason those
    smaller things will be what makes you more money overall. It may differ
    on where you are at, too!

    This is a good example of a smaller thing to make! Free Octopus Baby Toy

    And some bigger ticket items! You can find these The Friendly Dolls patterns HERE

    13. Don't go overboard with inventory! 
    One
    year I just wanted to make all the hats! I had like 35 different hats,
    all kinds of styles! And there were a lot of people that loved them...
    but wanted it in a different size. Or color. And I didn't have it. I
    have learned its best to stick to what you love and what sells well and
    then offer options. Oh you like this Tiger hat? Great I have it in 4
    sizes! You like these headbands? I have 6 different colors! It helps you
    because you will get good at a certain thing (less making time) and
    more people will buy (more money!) CHA-CHING!

    14. Do you offer custom orders? Let them know!
    A
    lot of the time people like what they see but want something a little
    different. Maybe a scarf in the one color you didn't make, or a hat in
    the one size you just ran out of! If you take custom orders let them
    know and then (this is the biggie!!) have a way to let them
    contact you! Business cards are great, but a printed off paper invoice
    where they pay you THERE with all of THEIR contact info is gold!

    15. Have fun with it! 
    If this seems like the cliche go to for every other article conclusion, I want to tell you this is my number one tip!
    I got to the point where it was so stressful on me and my family that I
    had to take a big step back. I had to ask myself some hard questions
    like how much time am I putting in this? what is the return? and the BIG
    one... is it worth it? To me it wasn't. So I am way more picky and way
    more choosy and let it become FUN again. I make more and I like it
    better (and my kids and husband like ME better!) It shows when you are
    burned out. So don't let it ever get NOT FUN.

    That is it for my best tips and tricks for craft fairs! Do you have any you would add?

    If you have any questions, pop over to The Friendly Crochet Club! This is the best place if you have any questions!! 

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    ABOUT KALI

    Hello! I am the creator/designer/pattern writer here at The Friendly Red Fox! I have a passion for creating and inspiring creativity in others through crochet and amigurumi. Thanks for being here! Learn more →

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    Hi, I am Kali, the creator/designer/pattern writer here at The Friendly Red Fox! I have a passion for creating and inspiring creativity in others through crochet and amigurumi. Thanks for being here!

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