Craft fairs in today's economy

A follow-up to my earlier comment.... The day I originally posted my comment in this thread, I received a phone call from a promoter about doing a show this weekend (today actually) It seems that a jewelry vendor backed out at the last minute and she received my name & number from a fellow crafter. The show was pretty small, maybe 25-30 vendors, all handmade items. I was one of only 2 jewelry vendors and the show, which didn't seem heavily promoted (I had never heard of the show or found it listed in any of the websites that list craft show/fairs) didn't even have any signs in or around the town as we drove to the show. The show was so well supported by the community and many of the surrounding communities and there was constant traffic all day. The people were there to do holiday shopping and I don't recall seeing anyone walking out empty-handed. All of the vendors in the area I was located seem to do as well as I did or better and even the food was inexpensive (my hubby and I had breakfast and lunch for $10!)I have to say that I'm stunned at success of the show and many vendors said the show is always one of their best of the season. After a couple of bad shows, I came away from this show encouraged that perhaps my last couple shows of the year may go well. I'll certainly be kissing up to the promoter, about putting me on her mailing list for next year!

My mom has a booth at a local year around flea market and her sales have really went down something horrible in the last few months. She actually had to pay booth rent last month because she did not make enough to cover it.

I don't know if this will help but I came across a online site called "Etsy" where you can sell and buy all things handmade - www.etsy.com is the website. I was looking for a few homemade Christmas presents for my nephew and stumbled across the site.

I did a show last weekend. I did pretty well as it was a very small show that was attended by local residents. I have another show scheduled for December 12. I have broadened the selection of stuff I make and take to the sales. I usually only have teddy bears that I've made, but I have added Christmas orniments, dog stuff, and whatever else I can create. I am hoping to make better money at that show. Another contributing factor to the state of the economy is the presidential election. I have found that during election years the economy goes in the toilet. Hopefully it will improve next year! Don't get discouraged about the sales. I have done shows that have seemed horrible and haven't sold anything all day...then the last 30 minutes of the show I sold hand over fist and did better than I would have if I had had customers through the day. Plus, with kintted items you have something useful so the customer has the option to not only to purchase something useful but something hand created and unique. Don't take that discouragement to the sales as it will show and it could cause a loss of sales. I partnered with a lady that wasn't encouraged about the sales and the show turned out awful for both of us because of her attitude towards everything. She not only made me miserable with her ranting about things, but she also drove the promoter nuts with that same ranting. Go to the show to have fun first and make sales second. If people see you having fun and smiling and laughing they will come to your booth to see what's going on...customers are drawn to happy. I go to shows with the attitude that I am going to have fun, and it seems like the sales are wonderful and I sell a ton of stuff. I hope your sales improve and you will make the goals you have set for yourself.

I've done 5 shows during the fall season. The first two went well, the last 3 not so well. The weather was a factor in two of those shows (and 1 show was going well before I had to pack up. I thought my tent was going to get blown away!) I'm doing a show this weekend and next weekend and I'm hoping for a decent turnout this coming weekend...hopefully I can make 3 or 4 times my table fees. I thought it was going to be a good craft show season, but there are so many more shows in the area where I live. I think the area is saturated with shows and that's not good in a bad economy. In early October, people were spending money as they had already started their holiday shopping. How much more shopping they have to do and how much more they can spend....I don't know. I hope that some people still have a few people on their Christmas lists to shop for. I have even noticed that my shop on Etsy is slower than last year. People are buying more expensive items, but the amount of sales is down. I hope everyone has great shows the rest of the season!

This is actually a good question. I was wondering the same thing, except online as I am not a fan of craft shows, well being the seller that is. I do enjoy going to them, although it's been years (when I was a child) that I went to them. In any case, I don't know how the fairs will go this year, but I think that if you can keep your pitch of "chilly days" then that would be the best way to sale.

everywhere you look people are tightening their belt and the television tells us that this christmas is going to be a poor one for sales, but in saying that, i think your spin on what you are selling is a good one plus the fact that people are leaning towards things that are useful as well as home made.