[Graceoc]

I am looking at doing some selling at craft fairs - I make and design 'botique' style childrens hair bows and such. I am definatly going to be doing a big gift show at our church, but that is not until end of November - and I was hoping to get some under my belt before then - espically with the holidays on eveyones mind. So how do you find out where they are, how much does it cost to participate (and how much is too much) how well are the sales....any thoughts, suggestions, ideas would be more then welcome! Thanks

Grace

also posting this over in the craft forum...

 

[stafl]

So go to a few craft fairs, and ask the vendors to tell you who organizes it, what they think about working with them, etc. Some of them are much more reputable than others.
You can also call the places that host the craft fairs. Like a local mall, perhaps? If you call the mall office, ask for either marketing or specialty leasing, and ask them if they could give you the names of people who organize craft fairs that are held in their building. You could also just go direct, rent a "cart" (most of them no longer look like pushcarts, but they are still called that) that sits out in the middle of the mall. Rent is usually a base plus percentage of what you sell, and is negotiable if you know how to wheel and deal (but totally dependent on location). It's probably too late to get a holiday spot for this year, but you can ask to be on their contact list for next Christmas, or this coming Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc.

 

[ramonagrowsup]

hi there- i've done tons of craft fairs of various shapes and sizes- small office or home shows, giant city wide shows, etc... i even stared a monthly "outdoor boutique" type show (with the help of a couple friends here) for baby-centric products. I agree that you should go to a craft fair and ask a vendor (preferably one who dosen't have a competing product) how they got in. Most of them have applications due months and months in advance, although some of the smaller ones are always looking to fill spaces. Once you do one you'll most likely hear of others, and you'll meet folks who know which do the best sales-wise. Show fees range from free to thousands- and sales are not always reflected accordingly. Some of my most profitable shows have been the little ones with the 50-100 dollar fees. And I've bombed on some of the ones that cost more than 800 dollars. So you never know. Go to a bunch of them. Look at how people set up booths. Talk to vendors.
Good Luck!

 

[kindmomma]

Yes, it is hard work, but well worth it. I started attending craft fairs and asking around while I was there about how to join for the next year. Usually you are pointed to the one "in charge" and given paperwork to fill out and turn in by a deadline. I have a file folder for this and a yearly "craft fair" budget. That way I can rest assured I will make money and not loose any. YKWIM?
Its tough at first to be that organized, but well worth it. I have made great vendor friends this way and gotten my product noticed! Good luck.