I have a ? re: arts and crafts sells...not sure where to ask

[mommadoll4]

I was just wondering if anybody sells their crochet items at arts and crafts fairs?  I am thinking of doing so for the first time this year in Oct. or Nov...and I was wondering several things...

First,  I'm building up my stash to sell there, but I don't know if I should also have some sort of business cards made up, or something like gift certificates, so that people can custom order specific color combos, or sizes, etc....is that even worth it, or should I just shoot for an amazing array of colors and sizes to have on hand?  (I'm thinking a large stash, but didn't want to miss out on any opportunities if they came along...but I also don't want to incur any unnecessary expenses, kwim?)

Second, is there any tips you could offer as far as displaying items, pricing items, do I need receipts to give out (or to keep track of what I've sold), do I need a business license, or to charge tax for a craft fair, best ways to keep everything organized, do you pack your snacks/drinks/lunch, do I need a helper with me (I'm guessing yes for potty breaks or whatever), etc...just anything in your experience that would make a first-time seller's experience a positive and successful one.

Third, what sort of items are good to sell?  Are people more inclined to buy smaller items, baby items, unique items, hats, purses, afghans/lapghans, accessories....?  Afghans/lapghans are more time consuming to make, and materials cost more, but do they sell?  and can I make a profit from it?  (even a little one?)  I'm thinking baby items might be good sellers, like scratch mitts, booties, hats..., I'm also thinking things like purse pouches for glasses, make-up brushes, pen/pencil set holder, weekend survival kits (toothbrush, gum, mints, possibly (hope I don't offend anyone here...if I do, I'm sorry, but I thought it was a cute idea...) prophylactic supply holder, and other odds and ends....and how do you go about pricing items?  How do you figure out what to charge that people will purchase them, and still make it profitable?  I'm not seeking to make ridiculous profits, just enough to make it worth it....doing something I love to do, and being able to contribute to the family bank account at least something....kwim?

Any help/advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated...  Thanks in advance.
~Melissa

[tweed]

I go to Etsy when I want to see what others are charging for particular items. Its a big help. Hoping Nutty or Threadhooker pop in, they do craft sales and can maybe give you some ideas about what sells.

[aseknc]

I love your questions!  I have actually not done any selling at crafts fairs etc in big part due to not knowing the answer to some of these questions.  I just feel so dang overwhelmed by it all! 

I do have one suggestion though.  Why not make up a portfolio of sorts...like a scrapbook or photo album of items you've made that way they can see your work, get ideas & if there are pics of things that you may not have with you, you just might get some custom orders if you're up for that.

Good luck hun!

[cis4crochet]

Alot of your ideas sound great to me. I actually like to buy yarn products more than anything. I have no idea why, but I do. I never intend to sell what I make, so I don't know pricing. The season on which you plan to sell can also have a bit to do with what will sell most. Afghans might sell more than in the summer, is what I mean. Baby clothes is an excellent idea. Well, that's all I can say. Hope this helped a little.

[mommadoll4]

Thank you all for your kind replies and suggestions....I really like the album of my work...I think that would be a good thing to have, just in case someone wanted to see...

I appreciate all your help...if you think of anything else, please let me know.

[aseknc]

Thank you all for your kind replies and suggestions....I really like the album of my work...I think that would be a good thing to have, just in case someone wanted to see...

I appreciate all your help...if you think of anything else, please let me know.

I'm so glad you liked that idea!  Remember, Snapfish usually offers free prints when you sign up there, so if you're using pics you've taken with a digital camera, you may even be able to get your pics for the album free with the added bonus of not using up all the ink in your printer!

Good luck sweetpea, let us know how it goes!

[Threadhooker]

I have been doing craft shows for several years.All of my items are done in thread.I do very well at the shows but yet at the same time I will never become a millionaire  I work all thru the year to get ready for these shows. I find that smaller items tend to do well that don't cost very much, items that I don't have a lot of time or material in them.I do really well with bookmarks,pins, seasonal items such as Halloween and Christmas ornaments My show is in September so this works well for me. And doilies have done really wellfor me.I make lots of ami's that do well. I make several of each, maybe a dozen bookmarks or more. Pins are a big hit so I make dozens. Maybe 5 or 6 of different things.I find that the more variety you have the chances of selling your items are greater,something for everyone.
A booth that is pleasing to the eye that will bring in the potential customer is a big plus.For instance you can have something eye catching to bring in the customers that will get them to look at all the other goodies you have.A nice display is a plus, there is all kinds of ways to do this. I use old shoe boxes that I cover with a cloth so that I can set things higher than others. Baskets are good for small things you might have.Wire racks are good to use or even small shelving to display items on works great. Items individualy priced is always good.
As far as pricing...is according to how much you have in materials,forget the time you have in them,you'll never get paid for your time,I could have retired form the shows yrs ago! and still could be counting all the money 
I hope you do really well at your show.And if for some reason it does not go well Plz don't judge this show as being that way for your next one.
Trust me its a diferent type of crowd at each show and its just according to what the customer wants or is looking for.I have actually sold out of an item and think geez I need to make more of these for the next show...and ppl won't so much as even look at them.Also I have had items that i that I thought would do really good and no one even wants them and several shows later will sell out of them.
I don't know where you are I am assuming you are in the states.But you will need a tax ID # and collect taxes on what you sell and turn them in to the good ppl at the State Treasurers office I think it costed me 10 bucks to get the ID# Usually at the craft shows or when u send in the application they tell you that you will be responsible for collecting taxes and turning them in and they usually ck for your ID#
I hope this has helped you some.Good luck on the craft show and above all else have a great time ,there is lots of nice crafters  to talk to while there and get ideas..The main thing is to have fun with it.

[aseknc]

Great tips, thanks for sharing!

[mommadoll4]

Thank you so much, Threadhooker....your information is very helpful....guess I need to call Uncle Sam and find out which ID# I need to get, where I get it, etc.  Your ideas pretty much confirmed things that I have guessed, but I wanted to be sure.  I live in NM, and the show I want to go to is on Oct. 16th.  Usually the best shows are around the Balloon Fiesta time/and the ones in November for the holidays.  The one on the 16th is the last weekend of the Balloon Fiesta, so traffic should be pretty good.  I'm really getting excited about doing this, and even if my stuff doesn't sell well, I always have fun at Craft Fairs! 

Thanks again for your advice.

~Melissa

[Threadhooker]

Thank you so much, Threadhooker....your information is very helpful....guess I need to call Uncle Sam and find out which ID# I need to get, where I get it, etc.  Your ideas pretty much confirmed things that I have guessed, but I wanted to be sure.  I live in NM, and the show I want to go to is on Oct. 16th.  Usually the best shows are around the Balloon Fiesta time/and the ones in November for the holidays.  The one on the 16th is the last weekend of the Balloon Fiesta, so traffic should be pretty good.  I'm really getting excited about doing this, and even if my stuff doesn't sell well, I always have fun at Craft Fairs! 

Thanks again for your advice.

~Melissa

Its a Sales and Use tax permit,I should have mentioned that earlier.

[mamarose22]

I imagine that different things sell better than others depending on your location.  I think ornaments and small toy items should sell well.  When a child sees a toy that doesn't cost an awful lot, the mother will usually give in and buy it for the child.  You display should be colorful and have a variety of items.  You could make a few tote /book bags.  If you do plastic canvas, then tissue boxes are a good seller. 

[cis4crochet]

That's a great idea.