This is one of the best and most honest CZcams videos I’ve ever watched. Your comprehensive details about each craft fair you participated in gives you credibility as not only a talented craft person but a business woman as well. The one factor that you aren’t considering is the value of your invisibility as you attend each event. That value will undoubtedly translate to a large sale for you in the future. You are branding yourself for future success. One thing that you should consider is creating a mechanism to capture email addresses of every single person who comes to your booth. Give away something to get their email address. Then build up your email list to send out regular newsletters, building your traffic back to your website. That is how you will move your business forward and create a mechanism for continuous online sales. 🌹🌹🌹
Wow.. After this I don’t know why anyone would ever participate in these events. So little profit (or none!) and so much work. Sounds like the event managers/venues are the only winners here..Yikes..
My goodness...my head was spinning with the fees. Were they juried shows? I know they are more so I steer clear. In my opinion, I found over the years that the fire department companies, church events and fundraiser events were very profitable, but only during November and December. ($20 to $40 fee, table and chairs. Electricity was extra) Your video is amazing. I loved the spreadsheet and all the info you kept. I have learned three thigs over the years that helped ME with sales, I hope it may help you. First, DO NOT compromise your worth. You are a business person and work hard. Second, I move a few items around maybe every half hour or so. People normally do a two walk around, as I call it. There were times an item caught the eye of someone the second time and... SALE! Third, if you do a drawing, DO NOT do your craft. If people pass by your table, they may not be interested at a glance. When you offer a brightly packaged drawing, it catches their eye, and they may stop by just to fill out the form. As they are filling it out, now you have their attention to your craft. And guess what? A possible SALE! As they hand you back their slip, thank them for stopping by and hand them your business card.
That sounds like my first year. I didn’t give up and now 15 years later my friend and I travel together and we have a higher profit because we share all the fees. Don’t give up! Also just remember crafters might not tell you the truth about what they really make like you did!
I like your tenacity. I would have given up right away. I sell my own paintings through word of mouth. I wouldn’t even feel comfortable with an art gallery taking 50% of my profits. Thank you for your honesty and openness.
What a nice surprise to come across you video on craft show experience in the DMV! I too am from the DMV and do craft shows. I enjoyed hearing your experiences. I agree that us, crafters should share more information with each other. I think you comments were fair and not spiteful. I second a few of your comments… 1) outdoor events are more work due to tents etc. and weather is always unpredictable. 2) lots of foot traffic does not mean lots of sales. I’ve been to a few shows that had a lot of foot traffic but folks were not buying (my stuff or other vendor’s stuff). I have had success in some of the local high school shows around the holidays. These are usually one day events-Washington-liberty HS and Woodson HS. Thanks for sharing! Will enjoy hearing more about your craft show experiences…
I have made christmas crafts for a long time and been at small fairs until I got in at the big local (and expensive) in 2016. the first year was bad. got about half of the fee back plus I had to pay transport. 2 year almost made the fee but 3 year I finally made profit. it takes a long time to get the perfect stall and the right product for a specific market. But it is not wasted , you learn and you make contacts. you make friends among the other vendors ( who can give tips on the best places for your products) and repeat customers who seek you out every year. this year I am trying to cut down time (16 days) and try other markets.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience, Nini! It’s definitely not as easy as people think. We are not just spending one night making product and placing it on a table. Most booths took years of adjustments and product creation consumes us! Please share your website link and market recommendations 😊 I’m not sure what payment method you use, please check out my square reader video 5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets czcams.com/video/-kLegY1kVtg/video.html
My first craft fair (i’m a ceramicist) was Renegade Craft in Los Ángeles, one of the more expensive fairs ($650, but you can get a first-time grant if you are BIPOC). I decided that i was doing it for the exposure, potentially meeting interior decorators and everyday people whose emails I could gather in order to eventually promote my own pop-ups. My price points were mostly over $100 a piece and i made about $3500 that weekend and sold 3/4 of all my pieces. It was amazing. I’ve done a few other markets, each with decent success. Am doing more markets this year to get their vibes and am, again, considering it PR. ❤️
That sounds about right. I think the event planners are about the only one making money. My items are expensive and labor intensive to make and craft fairs are not really profitable for me.
That can be tricky! I feel like I got a better grasp of the shows in 2022. Check out the new recap video below! 2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Thank you! What shows would you recommend?? (Or not 😝) Please share your URL if you have a shop! My most recent show was in VA beach, be sure to check out that recap! (Link below) Sales Numbers, Pros/Cons, and Haul | Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market | May 13-15, 2022 czcams.com/video/m6OGxlxIyJE/video.html
Thanks for your tips, I haven’t done any shows yet but would like to do a holiday show in November. I am from Michigan so I don’t know any areas by you. I hope that you’re having a fabulous year so far.
Thank you for watching! The only MI show I know is the Wyandotte Street Fair which takes place during the summer 😊 If you’re going to sign up for a holiday show I would get your apps in ASAP and start working on product now! It may seem far away, but there’s only so many hours in a day and you can only sell what you have ready. I believe in you! Please link your URL! Check out my square reader tips (link below) 5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets czcams.com/video/-kLegY1kVtg/video.html
Great video! I did my first craft show today and sold three items adding up to 46 bucks. My fiancé signed me up to a church craft show on the spur the moment so I crocheted like crazy. It was their first year having it so I bet next year it’ll be a lot better. Actually believe it or not they can change the weather .It’s called cloud seeding. They’ve been able to do it since at least the 1940s. They’re doing it a lot lately which is why it snowed in Texas last year and in Greece. China spends the most out of anyone in the entire world and does the most the weather modification. Look up Chinese weather modification I never knew anything about this but I’ve been doing a lot of reading about it lately along with a lot of the other crap that’s going on with the world. There’s a lot of things they do that we would never even begin to imagine! OK I’m done ranting now😹 I’m gonna check out the rest of your videos😊
That is a weird kind of a comment but I thought it was kind of funny when you said we can’t do anything about the weather😹We can’t do anything about the weather but they can.
Congrats on your first show!! It’s great you made sales and ripped the bandaid off. There’s a lot of mental to signing up and it can be daunting to do your first show. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there! Very interesting about the weather 😊
@@samanthatansley I guess I didn’t have to rip the Band-Aid off because my fiancé did! We are friends with the man in charge of the church festival so he just signed me up for the craft show. My in-laws belong to the church. Overall it was a very good experience. I was in door-to-door sales for seven years so I actually do better in front of strangers than people I know😹
Great video. I’ve been doing a few shows each year. It’s always a learning experience! I sell jewelry and love to talk to people so I enjoy it. It’s hard to make a profit if expenses are high, but it gets you exposure and builds a customer base. Hope you have lots of business cards to give out to customers. Good luck this year!
Thank you so much! I am just starting and looking for locations in MD and VA! I have been to some of the craft shows that you mentioned and it is good to get the feedback on those.
Good luck at your shows! I’ve linked my business playlist that might have some other videos that can help. Business tips, tricks and info! czcams.com/play/PLRqJK8NEpGRZFH4OPd0cT3FriEscfSllE.html
I have been wanting to do a craft fair but I’m nervous about doing one & I’m also afraid that I wouldn’t make back what I spend. I’m really thinking about doing my first one this year but I haven’t had much luck finding any I just moved to Maryland (20 mins from Virginia & 20 mins from DC). Watching this video made me think that I need to stop being nervous & just take the leap, You are such an inspiration you never gave up even when you didn’t make back your booth your going to do great this year I am sure. TFS 💜 would you mind sharing how you found your locations
Do it! You won’t know if you can be successful unless you try!! I found my events in 2021 by word of mouth and scouring the internet. I spent hours finding and applying There’s an event on April 23 at Chantilly HS. 10x10 booth is $50 and they are still accepting vendors. If you’re interested send Julia an email! jeweleah822@msn.com
Your absolutely right & this year I am going to give it a go. April is a bit to soon for me but I appreciate you giving the info I will do more searching on the internet hopefully I’ll find a couple.
The most I ever paid in 7 years of being @ vendor was a three day event at 300 dollars. I pretty much sold out. With a profit of 1200 dollars. My highest priced items are 30 dollars.there is no way I would commit to a vendor cost like that.
Thanks for your comment, Terri! There are all sorts of different shows with varying cost levels, also your location impacts vendor fees. I’m willing to pay more to be at a juried show, indoors that doesn’t allow MLMs. But that’s just my opinion! I wish you all the best !
Thank you for the suggestions! I am now located in OH, so I need to build a new show list. I will be back in VA for a couple shows this year. Check out 2022 recap below! 2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
girl i only did 2 crafts fairs this year cuz i started my business this year actually and my 3rd one is this weekend and i was going through the wave of emotions with you with the lack of sales in the beginning then clapping from my bedroom when you made over $500 that first time. my first two events i did not make back my booth fees at all. both shows i only had two customer. but this 3rd show only cost $55 and its not in a mall like my first two craft shows so i'm hoping i get a better turn out this 3rd show. only the positive you could at least right all those off on your taxes as a lost.
It is definitely a struggle to turn a profit, but well worth the hustle to do something you love! I’ve answered your question in more detail in todays Q&A! 😊 Q & A | Sewing, Crafting, Selling, Etsy, Shows and more! czcams.com/video/WPjYkq7j2RQ/video.html
In some countries there are fair every weekend, very organized, very pitoresc, and some items sell like water example: headbband, teatowel, etc. I don't know why here in USA I don't see every weekend with nice fairs. And people love going to nice fairs. It's sad that I don't see constant weekend fairs to generate job and joy to the buyer and seller. In Brazil you sell the headbands in the beach, it's guaranteed, just walk and sell. Here it's a dilema.
Thank you! Honestly, the first year I used my personal CC to pay for big shows and business checking for material. I’m not rolling in dough, but have enough now in my business acct to spend on material and shows. Cycling the same money. Hope that makes sense!
Howdy... I've been a woodworker for 40 years. However, I am new to the "selling" aspect, I'm still dipping my toes in the water as it were. However, as friends and family tell me, I am "overly" precise with the things I do. Call it OCD or whatever...I do my homework. That being said, I noticed that multiple times in your video you mentioned you don't like getting sweaty n such and you won't set up your own tent. In those instances, you are creating your own self made road blocks. A 10x10 tent only takes maybe 5 minutes to set up. 10 at most. What's the problem? TBH, you spent days/weeks/months to CREATE a product to sell but you won't spend 10 minutes to set up a tent? I think you should reconsider that. Buy one from Walmart, practice setting it up in your yard. Save yourself the expense of "renting". That's money in your pocket saved for 10 minutes of work. I understand you not wanting to get sweaty/stinky. Honestly though, these are CRAFT fairs. The people coming through your booth (customers) could care less. Your point of being there is specific, sell your craft. Period. Now, I'm not saying walk around with wet arm pit stains on your shirt, but if you're outside...it's going to happen. Accept it and focus on the sale. Make a joke about it, "Geeezzz, can you believe this heat? I keep asking people if they know where the OFF switch is, I can't seem to find it...Do you know where it is?"" I guarantee you, you'll get a laugh from it. And what did you just do with that, you dropped the customers guard in terms of relating to a common situation, the heat. That now opens up a door of TRUST because, for one, you made them laugh. 2, they now view you as a fellow person, not just a salesmen/woman. If you see them eyeballing a particular item, offer them a deal WITH a joke. "Dad" jokes work great!!! Say; I see you like that, if I tell you a joke and you laugh, you buy 2, deal? It's only $10 thousand dollars. $10k is absurd. But, I guarantee they'll laugh at it. You just made them laugh and you haven't even told the joke yet. As they're laughing and saying "I wish I had that much"...while their guard is down....you say "Hey. Did you hear about that fire at the circus?" They say no....You say "Yeahhhh, my gosh...It was "in tents". (Intense). Get it? It's a guaranteed laugh. Stupid joke, but it works. Then you say..."Ahhh, made you laugh.....tell you what, buy 2 and I'll take 25% off. That customer more than not will buy 2 if not more. Yeah, I said I'm new to the "selling" part of "my" craft....I am NOT new to "reading" people and dealing with customers.
Thanks for watching and the tips, Mike! Good luck with your woodworking and getting into the world of selling. If you’re looking for a card reader, I would recommend square! It’s worked great for me. Check out my tips video below. 5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets czcams.com/video/-kLegY1kVtg/video.html
I’ve exhibited for 32 years. I have never not made booth fee. You have to be very particular about what shows you participate in. You can’t just set up at a place and expect people to buy. It is imperative you set up at a show that advertises the show. There is so much more to be exhibiting. Even if you make your booth fee there is still other costs. i.e. raw materials, bags, business cards etc. never, ever set up at a flea market. It’s not the audience you need. Unless you’re the main gig it’s not worth your time.
Thanks for your advice! New recap posted for 2022, link below. 2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Wow! I’m jealous!! There are different levels of shows here free, $20-$100 one day, $400+ multi day. Do you have different ranges of shows there? Check out my most recent show review 😊 Sales Numbers, Pros/Cons, and Game Plan for Nov 3 | Real Ladies of LoCo Morning Buzz | Aug 4, 2022 czcams.com/video/QzeHpXijAoo/video.html
Great question, Julie! Personally, I am not overly concerned about damage/theft overnight at an indoor show. The venues are generally locked over night and most shows hire overnight security. Outdoor shows are a different ball game. My product is also lower value so the person would have to steal a lot of items to hurt me. Some people take all their product home each night, but most just put a sheet over it. I talked about this in yesterdays video! 5 MUST HAVE Dollar Tree Items | Craft Fair, Vendor Show | Upgrade Your Booth czcams.com/video/oypoCWRrXdQ/video.html
The more expensive shows are juried and take place in large convention centers. You’re paying for the venue and to not have MLMs 2022 recap posted below! 2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Maybe you might want to change the type of business. How about selling ice cream. Nobody refuses to buy icecream. Those icecream cart that you push about $5k, used, maybe about $3k. How about making gourmet chocolate, and make a stand on bicycle. I am thinking to sell, but I am not sure I want to pay hundreds and be in the red. I don't even have the money you spent on your atempts. I tried to sell on Etsy or on another place online, and nobody can see me because there is ocean of products. They just can't find me.
This is one of the best and most honest CZcams videos I’ve ever watched. Your comprehensive details about each craft fair you participated in gives you credibility as not only a talented craft person but a business woman as well. The one factor that you aren’t considering is the value of your invisibility as you attend each event. That value will undoubtedly translate to a large sale for you in the future. You are branding yourself for future success. One thing that you should consider is creating a mechanism to capture email addresses of every single person who comes to your booth. Give away something to get their email address. Then build up your email list to send out regular newsletters, building your traffic back to your website. That is how you will move your business forward and create a mechanism for continuous online sales. 🌹🌹🌹
Thank you for your sweet words! I appreciate your advice and you watching my video. 💙
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Wow.. After this I don’t know why anyone would ever participate in these events. So little profit (or none!) and so much work. Sounds like the event managers/venues are the only winners here..Yikes..
You’re not wrong! There are a lot of lessons to be learned. That is definitely why free events are better when you’re starting
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Came here to say the same thing. If that's how it's supposed to go I guess I better just stick to keeping my craft a hobby.
My goodness...my head was spinning with the fees. Were they juried shows? I know they are more so I steer clear. In my opinion, I found over the years that the fire department companies, church events and fundraiser events were very profitable, but only during November and December. ($20 to $40 fee, table and chairs. Electricity was extra) Your video is amazing. I loved the spreadsheet and all the info you kept. I have learned three thigs over the years that helped ME with sales, I hope it may help you. First, DO NOT compromise your worth. You are a business person and work hard. Second, I move a few items around maybe every half hour or so. People normally do a two walk around, as I call it. There were times an item caught the eye of someone the second time and... SALE! Third, if you do a drawing, DO NOT do your craft. If people pass by your table, they may not be interested at a glance. When you offer a brightly packaged drawing, it catches their eye, and they may stop by just to fill out the form. As they are filling it out, now you have their attention to your craft. And guess what? A possible SALE! As they hand you back their slip, thank them for stopping by and hand them your business card.
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Great tips, Lila! Thanks for sharing! Yes, the more expensive shows are juried
That sounds like my first year. I didn’t give up and now 15 years later my friend and I travel together and we have a higher profit because we share all the fees. Don’t give up! Also just remember crafters might not tell you the truth about what they really make like you did!
Thank you for the words of encouragement, Traci! Can’t wait for 2023 show year!!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
I like your tenacity. I would have given up right away. I sell my own paintings through word of mouth. I wouldn’t even feel comfortable with an art gallery taking 50% of my profits. Thank you for your honesty and openness.
Thank you, Carissa! It is hard sometimes to keep pushing. Having a great support system is key. I wish you all the best with your paintings!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
What a nice surprise to come across you video on craft show experience in the DMV! I too am from the DMV and do craft shows. I enjoyed hearing your experiences. I agree that us, crafters should share more information with each other. I think you comments were fair and not spiteful. I second a few of your comments…
1) outdoor events are more work due to tents etc. and weather is always unpredictable.
2) lots of foot traffic does not mean lots of sales. I’ve been to a few shows that had a lot of foot traffic but folks were not buying (my stuff or other vendor’s stuff).
I have had success in some of the local high school shows around the holidays. These are usually one day events-Washington-liberty HS and Woodson HS.
Thanks for sharing! Will enjoy hearing more about your craft show experiences…
Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth!
I’m glad I got my points across in a positive light 😊
Hope to see you around the block!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
I have made christmas crafts for a long time and been at small fairs until I got in at the big local (and expensive) in 2016. the first year was bad. got about half of the fee back plus I had to pay transport. 2 year almost made the fee but 3 year I finally made profit. it takes a long time to get the perfect stall and the right product for a specific market. But it is not wasted , you learn and you make contacts. you make friends among the other vendors ( who can give tips on the best places for your products) and repeat customers who seek you out every year. this year I am trying to cut down time (16 days) and try other markets.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience, Nini! It’s definitely not as easy as people think. We are not just spending one night making product and placing it on a table. Most booths took years of adjustments and product creation consumes us!
Please share your website link and market recommendations 😊
I’m not sure what payment method you use, please check out my square reader video
5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets
czcams.com/video/-kLegY1kVtg/video.html
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
My first craft fair (i’m a ceramicist) was Renegade Craft in Los Ángeles, one of the more expensive fairs ($650, but you can get a first-time grant if you are BIPOC). I decided that i was doing it for the exposure, potentially meeting interior decorators and everyday people whose emails I could gather in order to eventually promote my own pop-ups. My price points were mostly over $100 a piece and i made about $3500 that weekend and sold 3/4 of all my pieces. It was amazing. I’ve done a few other markets, each with decent success. Am doing more markets this year to get their vibes and am, again, considering it PR. ❤️
Wow! What an awesome first show!! Keep up the good work and share your website with us 😊
That sounds about right. I think the event planners are about the only one making money. My items are expensive and labor intensive to make and craft fairs are not really profitable for me.
That can be tricky! I feel like I got a better grasp of the shows in 2022. Check out the new recap video below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
This is awesome! I live in VA and this resonates!
Thank you! What shows would you recommend?? (Or not 😝) Please share your URL if you have a shop! My most recent show was in VA beach, be sure to check out that recap! (Link below)
Sales Numbers, Pros/Cons, and Haul | Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market | May 13-15, 2022
czcams.com/video/m6OGxlxIyJE/video.html
Thanks for your tips, I haven’t done any shows yet but would like to do a holiday show in November. I am from Michigan so I don’t know any areas by you. I hope that you’re having a fabulous year so far.
Thank you for watching! The only MI show I know is the Wyandotte Street Fair which takes place during the summer 😊
If you’re going to sign up for a holiday show I would get your apps in ASAP and start working on product now! It may seem far away, but there’s only so many hours in a day and you can only sell what you have ready. I believe in you! Please link your URL! Check out my square reader tips (link below)
5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets
czcams.com/video/-kLegY1kVtg/video.html
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Great video! I did my first craft show today and sold three items adding up to 46 bucks. My fiancé signed me up to a church craft show on the spur the moment so I crocheted like crazy. It was their first year having it so I bet next year it’ll be a lot better.
Actually believe it or not they can change the weather .It’s called cloud seeding. They’ve been able to do it since at least the 1940s. They’re doing it a lot lately which is why it snowed in Texas last year and in Greece. China spends the most out of anyone in the entire world and does the most the weather modification. Look up Chinese weather modification I never knew anything about this but I’ve been doing a lot of reading about it lately along with a lot of the other crap that’s going on with the world. There’s a lot of things they do that we would never even begin to imagine!
OK I’m done ranting now😹
I’m gonna check out the rest of your videos😊
That is a weird kind of a comment but I thought it was kind of funny when you said we can’t do anything about the weather😹We can’t do anything about the weather but they can.
Congrats on your first show!! It’s great you made sales and ripped the bandaid off. There’s a lot of mental to signing up and it can be daunting to do your first show. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there!
Very interesting about the weather 😊
@@samanthatansley I guess I didn’t have to rip the Band-Aid off because my fiancé did! We are friends with the man in charge of the church festival so he just signed me up for the craft show. My in-laws belong to the church. Overall it was a very good experience. I was in door-to-door sales for seven years so I actually do better in front of strangers than people I know😹
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Great video. I’ve been doing a few shows each year. It’s always a learning experience! I sell jewelry and love to talk to people so I enjoy it. It’s hard to make a profit if expenses are high, but it gets you exposure and builds a customer base. Hope you have lots of business cards to give out to customers. Good luck this year!
Thanks for watching, Janet! Doing markets is definitely a roller coaster ride. Please feel free to link your shop 😊
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Great recap! I’ve been wanting to do my very first craft fair and I appreciate your candid feedback :)
Do it!! I think you’ll do great. Please share your shop link when you have it!
@@samanthatansley thank you for the encouragement ❤️
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Nice job sharing wish you great success this yesr
Thank you! If you’re interested, below is 2022 recap
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Very informative, thank you for sharing your experience. Don't worry this year will be way better!
Thank you for your support and confidence!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Thank you so much! I am just starting and looking for locations in MD and VA! I have been to some of the craft shows that you mentioned and it is good to get the feedback on those.
Good luck at your shows! I’ve linked my business playlist that might have some other videos that can help.
Business tips, tricks and info!
czcams.com/play/PLRqJK8NEpGRZFH4OPd0cT3FriEscfSllE.html
I have been wanting to do a craft fair but I’m nervous about doing one & I’m also afraid that I wouldn’t make back what I spend. I’m really thinking about doing my first one this year but I haven’t had much luck finding any I just moved to Maryland (20 mins from Virginia & 20 mins from DC). Watching this video made me think that I need to stop being nervous & just take the leap, You are such an inspiration you never gave up even when you didn’t make back your booth your going to do great this year I am sure. TFS 💜 would you mind sharing how you found your locations
Do it! You won’t know if you can be successful unless you try!!
I found my events in 2021 by word of mouth and scouring the internet. I spent hours finding and applying
There’s an event on April 23 at Chantilly HS. 10x10 booth is $50 and they are still accepting vendors. If you’re interested send Julia an email! jeweleah822@msn.com
Your absolutely right & this year I am going to give it a go. April is a bit to soon for me but I appreciate you giving the info I will do more searching on the internet hopefully I’ll find a couple.
Best of luck!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Seems like the church craft fairs are the best, for our type of products, anyway.
Yes, I have a harder time finding them to sign up. Please share any tips if you have any!
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
The most I ever paid in 7 years of being @ vendor was a three day event at 300 dollars. I pretty much sold out. With a profit of 1200 dollars. My highest priced items are 30 dollars.there is no way I would commit to a vendor cost like that.
Thanks for your comment, Terri! There are all sorts of different shows with varying cost levels, also your location impacts vendor fees. I’m willing to pay more to be at a juried show, indoors that doesn’t allow MLMs. But that’s just my opinion! I wish you all the best !
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Try color fest in Thurmont first or second weekend in October. Howard county craft show first or second week in November (sponsored by AtoZ crafts.
Thank you for the suggestions! I am now located in OH, so I need to build a new show list. I will be back in VA for a couple shows this year. Check out 2022 recap below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
girl i only did 2 crafts fairs this year cuz i started my business this year actually and my 3rd one is this weekend and i was going through the wave of emotions with you with the lack of sales in the beginning then clapping from my bedroom when you made over $500 that first time. my first two events i did not make back my booth fees at all. both shows i only had two customer. but this 3rd show only cost $55 and its not in a mall like my first two craft shows so i'm hoping i get a better turn out this 3rd show. only the positive you could at least right all those off on your taxes as a lost.
Aww, thank you for your support! Good luck at your next show 😊
@Samantha Tansley update: I made back my booth fee, and I sold the most ever sold so far. Now I'm off to my 4th show this April 1st. Can't wait.
Yay!! So proud of you! Keep up the good work!
I haven’t participated at a craft fair yet, but also wonder about calculating paying taxes from profit earned on top off venue fees, material, time…
It is definitely a struggle to turn a profit, but well worth the hustle to do something you love!
I’ve answered your question in more detail in todays Q&A! 😊
Q & A | Sewing, Crafting, Selling, Etsy, Shows and more!
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2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
In some countries there are fair every weekend, very organized, very pitoresc, and some items sell like water example: headbband, teatowel, etc. I don't know why here in USA I don't see every weekend with nice fairs. And people love going to nice fairs. It's sad that I don't see constant weekend fairs to generate job and joy to the buyer and seller. In Brazil you sell the headbands in the beach, it's guaranteed, just walk and sell. Here it's a dilema.
Thanks for sharing! Good luck with your selling!
It depends where you live. My town has a weekend vedor fair March-Nov 2x per week.
Great job! You worked so hard and learned so much! Subscribed! How did you acquire the funds to invest in the big $500+ event fees?
Thank you! Honestly, the first year I used my personal CC to pay for big shows and business checking for material. I’m not rolling in dough, but have enough now in my business acct to spend on material and shows. Cycling the same money. Hope that makes sense!
@@samanthatansley Good job!!! I'm right there with you!👍💯🎯
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
@@samanthatansley you're the best! I used your spreadsheet as a guideline to organize my new year! How can I support you?❤👍💯
Howdy...
I've been a woodworker for 40 years. However, I am new to the "selling" aspect, I'm still dipping my toes in the water as it were.
However, as friends and family tell me, I am "overly" precise with the things I do. Call it OCD or whatever...I do my homework.
That being said, I noticed that multiple times in your video you mentioned you don't like getting sweaty n such and you won't set up your own tent.
In those instances, you are creating your own self made road blocks. A 10x10 tent only takes maybe 5 minutes to set up. 10 at most. What's the problem? TBH, you spent days/weeks/months to CREATE a product to sell but you won't spend 10 minutes to set up a tent? I think you should reconsider that. Buy one from Walmart, practice setting it up in your yard. Save yourself the expense of "renting". That's money in your pocket saved for 10 minutes of work.
I understand you not wanting to get sweaty/stinky. Honestly though, these are CRAFT fairs. The people coming through your booth (customers) could care less. Your point of being there is specific, sell your craft. Period.
Now, I'm not saying walk around with wet arm pit stains on your shirt, but if you're outside...it's going to happen. Accept it and focus on the sale. Make a joke about it, "Geeezzz, can you believe this heat? I keep asking people if they know where the OFF switch is, I can't seem to find it...Do you know where it is?""
I guarantee you, you'll get a laugh from it. And what did you just do with that, you dropped the customers guard in terms of relating to a common situation, the heat. That now opens up a door of TRUST because, for one, you made them laugh. 2, they now view you as a fellow person, not just a salesmen/woman.
If you see them eyeballing a particular item, offer them a deal WITH a joke. "Dad" jokes work great!!! Say; I see you like that, if I tell you a joke and you laugh, you buy 2, deal? It's only $10 thousand dollars.
$10k is absurd. But, I guarantee they'll laugh at it. You just made them laugh and you haven't even told the joke yet.
As they're laughing and saying "I wish I had that much"...while their guard is down....you say "Hey. Did you hear about that fire at the circus?" They say no....You say "Yeahhhh, my gosh...It was "in tents". (Intense). Get it? It's a guaranteed laugh. Stupid joke, but it works. Then you say..."Ahhh, made you laugh.....tell you what, buy 2 and I'll take 25% off. That customer more than not will buy 2 if not more.
Yeah, I said I'm new to the "selling" part of "my" craft....I am NOT new to "reading" people and dealing with customers.
Thanks for watching and the tips, Mike! Good luck with your woodworking and getting into the world of selling. If you’re looking for a card reader, I would recommend square! It’s worked great for me. Check out my tips video below.
5 Tips to Make Your Square Reader Work Harder for YOU! | Etsy Small Business Owner | Vendor Markets
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2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
I’ve exhibited for 32 years. I have never not made booth fee. You have to be very particular about what shows you participate in. You can’t just set up at a place and expect people to buy. It is imperative you set up at a show that advertises the show. There is so much more to be exhibiting. Even if you make your booth fee there is still other costs. i.e. raw materials, bags, business cards etc. never, ever set up at a flea market. It’s not the audience you need. Unless you’re the main gig it’s not worth your time.
Thanks for your advice! New recap posted for 2022, link below.
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
£400 a tables is £7-£30 max in the uk!
Wow! I’m jealous!! There are different levels of shows here free, $20-$100 one day, $400+ multi day. Do you have different ranges of shows there? Check out my most recent show review 😊
Sales Numbers, Pros/Cons, and Game Plan for Nov 3 | Real Ladies of LoCo Morning Buzz | Aug 4, 2022
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2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
How did you find free events? I have never seen a free event.
They are usually not advertised, you have to go out and ask for them. Typically wineries and breweries are free to be a vendor
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
How do you protect your product over night when doing 2 or 3 day events?
Great question, Julie! Personally, I am not overly concerned about damage/theft overnight at an indoor show. The venues are generally locked over night and most shows hire overnight security. Outdoor shows are a different ball game. My product is also lower value so the person would have to steal a lot of items to hurt me. Some people take all their product home each night, but most just put a sheet over it. I talked about this in yesterdays video!
5 MUST HAVE Dollar Tree Items | Craft Fair, Vendor Show | Upgrade Your Booth
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2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Wow! Why does it cost so much to be in a craft show?
The more expensive shows are juried and take place in large convention centers. You’re paying for the venue and to not have MLMs
2022 recap posted below!
2022 Craft Fair Recap | Sales & Costs of Each Vendor Fair | 2023 Festival Plans
czcams.com/video/birQyBAfcHg/video.html
Maybe you might want to change the type of business. How about selling ice cream. Nobody refuses to buy icecream. Those icecream cart that you push about $5k, used, maybe about $3k. How about making gourmet chocolate, and make a stand on bicycle. I am thinking to sell, but I am not sure I want to pay hundreds and be in the red. I don't even have the money you spent on your atempts. I tried to sell on Etsy or on another place online, and nobody can see me because there is ocean of products. They just can't find me.
Thanks for the ideas! Have a great day!