Craft Fairs?

[mrsflibble]

my friend has asked me if i'd like to take part in a craft fair and share the table/entry fee with her. I have said yes, within reason. I know what to make, how o make it but i have no idea what to charge!

can anyone help? most of my fabrics are free or very very cheap... do i work it out in terms of minimum wage?!

[niknik]

rather depends what ypou are making!


you may have access to cheap r even free materials at present.but what if you jhave to make more of whatever, and pay proper price for materials?? price according to that......

Matbe research the itewms on intrnet and see what similarones are priced at...........

you can always reduce the price. or accept a lower offer, bit of haggling!

[MKG]

You certainly do not, Mrs. F. My sister used to do that at craft fairs and made very little money (and she's bloody good, as are you). Now she only goes to Potfests with prices which guarantee a profit, and she makes a bomb. You price things according to what the market will bear - never mind material costs and labour. All that gives you is an absolute minimum.

So - if the items are unique (which, as they're hand-made, they are) and of good quality (goes without saying) then they're worth someone getting their hands in their pockets/purses. Work out your material costs and minimum wage costs if you like. Then double it all. Do you end up at a price that YOU would pay for the item? If so, then fine - but I suspect you'll still be on the low side.

Don't get downhearted if you don't make a lot of sales right away. Most people go to craft fairs for a jolly day out and usually make a bee-line for the food hall. They're not going to buy no matter where you set your prices. The buyers tend to turn up later, hoping that desperation has made everyone lower their asking prices.

Best of luck.

Mike

[mrsflibble]

thanks peeps, I knew this could be the place to go for information!

I'm making embroidered, fabric covered notebooks, little trinkets made form hand dyed fabrics, bunting (tré chic right now), aprons and a couple of cake stands I reckon. oh, and some fimo fishtank pendants.

[prison break fan]

I know you will do really well, wish I lived close enough to come to your fair!! pbf.

[Green Aura]

Making money at Craft Fairs can be very tricky, as Mike said. I used to do them in my previous incarnation as Pot Wallopers (papier mache items). I rarely made more than covering my expenses.

But, I think the problem was my lack of confidence. The people who wanted to buy my stuff seemed genuinely surprised at how cheap it was. And those who didn't would often be heard to mutter "it's only papier mache - I could do that myself*. I realised, eventually, that these were the ones who never buy anything. They were just the Sunday day out crew.

I would suggest that you have a rough idea of what you want to charge - certainly to cover expenses etc - but don't pre-label anything. Have a look what others are charging for similar products. (When I say similar I mean very generally, having seen lots of your stuff, and indeed being the proud owner of some, I know yours will be fantstic! So I mean embroidered items or textiles etc. IYKWIM). Then revise your prices up (or a little bit down if necessary - but remember your pricing is already based on minimum requirements) as seems appropriate.

Best of luck honey, the things you make are fabulous and will be snapped up. But as this is your first treat it as fun and a learning experience.

[mrsflibble]

thanks! the one me and charlotte want to do (did i mention i'm sharing the table costs?) we're planning on going to one in may to have a nose and then actually doing the one in june.

[noplasticbags]

Hello Mrs Fibble - As I'm new I'm just going through all the old posts and being inspired (well, terrified actually, my lack of ability with almost anything slightly artistic is reknown!). How did the craft fair go? I'd never get enough stuff together myself, but my daughter is only working part-time and I'm trying to encourage her to boost her income with her artistic talent (definitely from the other side of the family).

Hope it went well, please tell all. (no reason for a pirate, but I just like them and am still at the "playing" stage with the smilies!!

[mrsflibble]

we've decided to hold off lol, I've had too many tension problems with my various machines and she's been having job problems! we've both decided to wait, personally I want to wa\it until november and get in with the christmas crowd!

[missy]

it's tough to price things when you have so many factors to take into consideration, i sell hand made jewellery at craft fairs.. there was a lady at the last one who got old quilt covers really cheaply, cut them into inch wide strips and then crocheted bags from them charging £10 each.

[mrsflibble]

much like this? scarves for 10p, handles cost me 50p, mother in law's face when handed it for her birthday? priceless ;) it did take hours and hours of work though.

[prison break fan]

Mrs F that is lovely, you really are a clever girl! pbf.

[noplasticbags]

See- that's why I'm terrified! People like Mrs F go around looking lovely and a brilliant advert for Ish. I, on the other hand, when the last of the clothes run out, will be going around looking like a bag lady!!

Seriously, that bag is superb