->Mijn blog verhuist; de nieuwe locatie van deze post is Studio Paars - Crea markt
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So, I neglected to tell everything about my little craft fair back in october. It was probably because I had some mixed feelings about it: money-wise it was pretty much a disaster with me selling basically nothing, but it was a positive experience with a lot of leassons learned and also suprisingly very friendly interactions with the other sellers. As it turns out crafty people really are a friendly bunch :)
Now I've decided to sign up for the next one in march. My reasoning being a). I can't really do much worse; b). I want to improve my stall and c). I would like to get more experienced so it will become a smaller step to do other fairs that are farther away (this one is just a tiny thing in a local shopping mall visited mainly by elderly people who are mainly interested in making cards).
Next time I will try to remember to make some good pics of my stall, so I can ask for your feedback on it. I did make some pics of the stuff I brought though, see below (let me know what you think!). In the meantime I need to start making more stuff! Again!
Nou, ik heb dus geen verslag gedaan van mijn ervaringen met het creamarktje dat ik had gedaan in oktober. Waarschijnlijk omdat ik er nogal gemengde gevoelens over had: financieel was het een ramp en heb ik praktisch niets verkocht, maar verder was het een heel positieve ervaring waarvan ik veel heb geleerd en op weg ben geholpen door mijn bijzonder vriendelijke en behulpzame mede-verkopers. Crea-mensen zijn echt wel heel aardig :)
Ik heb inmiddels besloten om me ook in te schrijven voor de volgende keer in maart. Mijn redenen om het weer te proberen zijn a). veel slechter dan de eerste keer kan het niet gaan b). ik wil de opzet van mijn kraam verbeteren en c). ik wil wat meer ervaring opbouwen zodat het de stap kleiner maakt om ook eens een grotere markt wat verder weg te doen (dit is een lokaal marktje in een winkelcentrum dat voornamelijk wordt bezocht door ouderen die vooral interesse hebben in het maken van kaarten).
De volgende keer zal ik wat goede foto's van mijn kraam nemen zodat ik jullie om feedback kan vragen. Ik heb wel wat foto's van wat van de spullen die ik had meegenomen (laat me weten wat je ervan vindt!). Ondertussen moet ik een heleboel dingen gaan maken! Alweer!
pincushions, a photo by Studio Paars on Flickr.
beaded jewellery suitcase, a photo by Studio Paars on Flickr.
bookmarks, a photo by Studio Paars on Flickr.
necklaces, a photo by Studio Paars on Flickr.
felt jewellery, a photo by Studio Paars on Flickr.
also posted at:
annemarieshaakblog apeekintomyparadise beeacrafterxd blossomheartquilts cherishedhandmadetreasures craftionary creativejewishmom diyhomesweethome freemotionbytheriver gluedtomycrafts handmadeharbour handymancraftywoman homefor4sweethome hopestudios itssoverycheri ivyandelephants jenniferrizzo liveacolorfullife kiddiefoodies moogly mostlyfoodandcrafts oombawkadesign organized31 piecedpastimes quiltstory salttree seventhirtythree sewcanshe sewmanyways sewlicioushomedecor shabbyartboutique thebrambleberrycottage
annemarieshaakblog apeekintomyparadise beeacrafterxd blossomheartquilts cherishedhandmadetreasures craftionary creativejewishmom diyhomesweethome freemotionbytheriver gluedtomycrafts handmadeharbour handymancraftywoman homefor4sweethome hopestudios itssoverycheri ivyandelephants jenniferrizzo liveacolorfullife kiddiefoodies moogly mostlyfoodandcrafts oombawkadesign organized31 piecedpastimes quiltstory salttree seventhirtythree sewcanshe sewmanyways sewlicioushomedecor shabbyartboutique thebrambleberrycottage
I like your display in the suitcase that would definitely catch my eye at a craft fair. Maybe book covers and book pillows would be good sellers too. Hope you have a better result next time.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The suitcase was my favourite as well.
DeleteSorry to hear about the fair in October. It's all good experience though. So on to the next one! Have you thought of using a mirror, maybe by placing it inside the suitcase, so that the jewellery hangs in front of it. I saw a mirror used at a stand recently and it was very effective. I like the pin-cushions but as I've got one, I would probably not buy one (unless I felt generous and wanted it as a present). What about filling them with something scented and dangle them from a band so people could hang them up to scent their rooms or wardrobes. Just a thought ....
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input.
DeleteAnd BTW I love your pottery :)
Doing craft fairs is something I am very interested in and have no idea where to start. I love the pin cushions! Look forward to hearing more of your fair experiences :) goodluck!
ReplyDeleteI've done 4 fairs so far and only on one did I come even close to making back my stall fee. But each experience has been useful and I've learnt a lot - and I'm hoping to start making a profit with some of my fairs this year! Your items are lovely, so don't be dis-heartened - they just need the right people to see them and fall in love with them.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you write - its very frank and makes me chuckle! Good on your going for a second. I'm building up to doing my first proper fair (having only done school fete's so far!) so its always good to hear/see what other people are doing. I've been trying to think about where the people are that are most likely to buy my stuff so that at least i'm in front of the right crowd. I love the colours on your little pin cushions. If the main crowd are elderly people could you maybe elongate your pin cushions design, add lavender some wheat kernels and sell them as soothing wheaty bags for necks/ aching muscles etc? Good luck with your fair in March!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I will think about that.
DeleteYou make wonderful things so I'm sure you would do great at craft fairs. There is tons of info to be found on the subject, too much even so it becomes a bit overwhelming.
I love the suitcase display! And your button bracelets are so gorgeous. The important thing is having fun and learning - sounds like that happened for you!
ReplyDeleteI love pincushion, and I really love yours.
ReplyDeleteYour work is truly lovely.
ReplyDeleteI only saw a few price tags on the necklace board. How are you displaying your prices?
To entice the card-making elderly (a true niche market) to purchase next time: sign that says "great gift idea," (surely they have granddaughters, care-givers, etc.)
Mecki is right -- but a mirror is also necessary for your customers to see themselves wearing your beautiful jewelry -- not just as part of your display.
Good luck in March.
Lynne
Thanks!
DeleteI have the same type of cards with hand-written pricing on them. Not perfect but they look nice enough I think.
Hi! Sorry to hear you didn´t do very well at your first fair, but good for you you are going to a second one. I participated in one for the first time last year with a couple of friends. We shared the fee and did very well selling the stuff. What I noticed was that a lot a LOT of people came to see our stuff because the stall was the most colorful (that was what many said). We did hang many stuff just as decoration, we were not selling that, but we were surprised that a lot of people asked for prices and asked us if we would do it to sell. Also, It was great to have stuff for kids. Many women and couples came with kids, and if they like the stuff and ask for something the parents would buy it. It is not a bad idea to have hair clips, or pencil cases (like zippered pouches). This is the link if you want to see our stall. Good luck on your next fair!!!!! http://chezgra.blogspot.com.ar/2013/08/mi-primer-feria.html
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYour stall look great, really full and colourful, but so TINY! I can't imagine the three of you spending a lot of time in there together?!
Love the pincushions, good luck in March!
ReplyDeleteI hear you -- I have tried to do the craft fair thing several times, and have never recouped even the cost of materials, let alone anything for labor. Part of my problem is that I hate to do the same thing over and over. "Cute," "beautiful," and "well-made" items often do not sell well at all. Small things that are quick to make, appeal to children, and can sell for a low price often seem to do best -- if you can stand the mass-production. I hope you will hit on just the right thing and be very successful!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds familiar - sometimes I get on a roll (like with the pincushions) but most of the time I just make 1 or a few of the same items. I would probably be able to make a lot more if I was sure they would sell well...
DeleteGood luck with your next show and your photos are great! I used to do craft shows all the time and what I learned was that the bigger shows did the best. Have a good variety of prices too! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFreemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday
Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the response on my craft fair experience!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of tips and ideas I will be looking in to.