Craft Fair Tips for Etsy Sellers

Etsy can be a useful way for handmade artists to reach customers from around the world, but have you ever considered selling your  items at a local craft fair or festival?

Participating in local events allows you to meet real customers face to face. Being a vendor can help you build your brand, increase your revenue and may even lead to additional on-line sales and custom orders.

The idea of selling your items at a craft fair may be a little overwhelming and intimidating at first so here are answers to a few common craft fair questions you may have.

How do you find and choose what craft fairs you sell at?

You can start by looking for information from local Etsy teams. I have found lots of support online with my NewMexyEtsy team to let me know about local shows. Searching online can also get results. There are many holiday shows held indoors at local schools that are reasonably priced and well known so people come back from year to year. Indoor school show customers can vary from those who expect to pay very low prices to those who understand handmade art and craft and will pay what it is worth. You can only learn by attending them as a customer or a vendor to see if they are a good fit. If you have a relationship with the organization or local store putting on the show you can usually build a following of customers and have customers expect to see you there each season.

What is the average vendor fee? Are you able to make enough profit to cover the fee?

The fees can range from $25 to $ 250 depending on the show/street festival or length of time, one day or up to a week at some shows. Profit varies from venue to venue and year to year and weather is also a factor. This year has brought many wind storms and essentially shut down the chance for sales at outdoor shows. But when it is nice weather and good attendance you can really sell well.

How much inventory do you bring?

I never bring all my inventory to a show and usually tailor certain lines to certain shows. For example, I bring Dia de los Muertos themed items to a show that I do in the summer each year and a different selection to shows depending on their themes. Holiday season shows get holiday themed items.

How do you handle your Etsy inventory while you are at the fair?

Sometimes I close the shop if it is an out of town venue or a full weekend show but if it is a day long or half day show I will leave my shop open and deactivate any listings I bring along. You can also use the Sell on Etsy app to remove items as they sell at the show.

Has your participation at craft fairs led to custom orders or sales on Etsy?

Yes, I have had repeat customers from certain local venues. They have wanted to order an item from my shop since they couldn’t make it to the show. Or custom order have also been generated by those customers who are local and do not mind waiting for an item to be made especially for them.

How do you process payments? Do you have a credit card reader?

I take cash and sometimes checks at local venues depending on how familiar I am with the customers. But usually use the Square Pay System to process credit card payments.

What do you bring with you besides your inventory?

Depending on the show, there is different set up required. If it is an outdoor show, I bring a pop up tent, tables and display racks. I have been accumulating different gear over time. I have found that garden décor items can work well to display my wares. I always bring price signs and product displays such as shelves and baskets. It’s also nice to bring cloth to make a backdrop or decorate the outside of the tent. This helps turn the tent into a nice shop atmosphere for customers. When weather is a possible issue there are many more accessories required such as tent stakes, tent weights and rope.

Do you have any other helpful tips or resources for people interested in selling at craft fairs?

I have found support on Etsy with a team called Craft Fairs…It’s a Living. Their threads are full of advice and support for established vendors as well as beginners.

Also Etsy local  helps Etsy sellers let their customers know about craft fairs they are in. You can't reach it from your shop dashboard or even the bottom of the page or homepage, so make sure to bookmark it, https://www.etsy.com/local.

On Pinterest and in the blogosphere there are also many helpful posts and ideas on displays and equipment to be found.

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

My name is Diana. Self-taught seamstress of clothing and household decor, I start with inspiring patterns and modify them to my taste. I'm hooked on fabric accessories! Soft and washable! Great fun fabrics inspire me! I love to explore new styles and designs! Handmade is a process that should show itself in the finished product and adds to its beauty. Custom requests are welcome!

  

joliefemme on Etsy

Multiple Revenue Streams for Etsy Sellers

Photo courtesy of Felt Art by Mariana

Do you want to quit your day job and make money doing what you love by turning your hobby into a business?

Whether you are a crafter or collector, being able to transform your passion into profit is just one of the many reasons people open shops on Etsy. Opening a shop is a great first step, but unless you are one of the lucky few, it’s unlikely that you will be able to make a sustainable living with your Etsy shop alone.

Etsy can be a great way to reach customers worldwide. However, there are many options artists and antiquers have for connecting with loyal, local patrons.

Craft Fairs

Most communities offer a variety of different craft fairs, both large and small. They can be held at parks, schools, churches and more. Vendors are usually charged a flat fee for a booth space. To help you choose your first craft fair, research and visit different fairs to see if there are items similar to yours and in the same price range and look for lots of happy customers browsing the booths.

Craft fairs usually require you to set-up your own space, be in attendance during fair hours and process your own transactions. If allowed, it can be helpful to have a booth with another crafty friend. Then you can split fees and work your booth together. It’s also worth participating in the same fair more than once. Customers who visited your booth without making a purchase the first time, may remember your product and be looking for you the next time.

Farmers Markets

Weekly farmers markets aren’t just for foodies. A lot of farmers markets also accept a limited number of antique and craft vendors. Although you will still need to set-up your own space, the time commitment and booth fees are often less than craft fairs. Again, customers will begin to seek you out if you are a regular vendor.

Consignment Shops and Boutiques

Local businesses are frequently willing to sell vintage and craft items on consignment. If you have a favorite fabric, yarn, bead, book or antique shop, plant nursery, or fashion boutique, talk to the owner about consignment options. Gift shops at local tourist attractions may also sell the work of artists on consignment.

Consignment fees are usually a percentage of the item price and can be higher than the fees associated with online sales. However you do not have to spend time setting-up a display, promoting, shipping or processing customer payments.

Cooperative Shop or Gallery

If you live in a larger town, you may be able to find a cooperative market or gallery. Cooperatives usually maintain a permanent shop location with regular hours of business and are stocked with items created by their members. Members of the cooperative are typically required to work a certain number of hours at the shop each week and either pay a flat fee or percentage of their item sales to the cooperative to help fund the group’s business location and marketing fees.

There may be an application process to join the cooperative. This ensures that the products sold are a high quality and help the group maintain a diversity that is pleasing to customers.

Teach Classes or Workshops

If you know enough about a particular craft that you are able to sell your handmade products, you have a skill that others may want to learn more about. It can be as simple as offering knitting, sewing, crafting lessons to individuals or small groups at their home or yours. Local craft supply shops may also be willing to pay you for your teaching services.

There’s no get rich quick plan for turning your hobby into a successful profession.

It’s truly a labor of love that takes time, effort and a little luck. Creating multiple revenue streams in addition to your Etsy shop can help you reach your goals and dreams.

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

My name is Ellen and I LOVE to design and create things. I find it deeply satisfying to start with nothing more than an idea and finish with a tangible, beautiful, functional piece of work. I enjoy learning new techniques that I can incorporate into my creations. I practice a variety of different art forms, but find I always have at least one knit, crochet or sewing project in progress.

The Chilly Dog on Etsy
The Chilly Dog - Blog

My Summer Art Show Adventures (Part 3)

One of the most important aspects about showing your art at an art show is how you interact with your potential customers.

⤃  Greet your customers in a friendly way that lets them know you are the artist, they are there for the whole experience and that means meeting the artist as well.

⤃  Dress for success, your customers measure your success by how you present yourself.

⤃  Customers are interested in the story behind your art, the more unique the better.

⤃   Try to read other’s personalities, some people want to engage and be “chatted” up, others prefer to approach you with questions after the initial greeting. Never prejudge who will buy and who will be a “looker”, it will surprise you every time!

⤃  Talk to the husband or significant other while she shops! Keeping him engaged gives her more time to look. Ask questions like,  “are you on vacation?”, make a comment, Oh, I see you were in the Bahamas” I take cues from the shopper’s clothes, jewelry, dog, etc. so that I can make a comment to them about something of interest to them that will engage them. Let them know you are happy to be there with them.

⤃   Never complain about the heat, weather, bad sales, etc. They are there for fun!

⤃   Don’t sit in the back of your booth unless you really need to take a break, be ready to engage and answer questions or show another item that you might have in a box in the back. Many times I have sold a piece that was still packed away because I was willing to dig through the inventory to find that special one for someone.

⤃  If you do need to sit, look attentive. This year I bought a new high director’s chair so I can pop up quickly and it also puts me at eye level with my customers even when I do sit.

⤃  Give everyone a business card! This is a golden opportunity to drive them to your Etsy shop or website or even for custom orders later.

⤃ Enjoy yourself! You might make a lot of money or a little, the people watching is always great and you will meet some wonderful people!

Thanks for reading, please don't be afraid to share comments or ask questions!

Tara

* * *

To read the first part of Tara's Summer Adventure :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2014/07/my-summer-art-show-adventures-part-one.html

To read the second part of Tara's Summer Adventure : 

http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2014/07/my-summer-art-show-adventures-part-2.html

For more interesting stories and tips on Craft & Art shows, take a look at these articles :

Getting Ready for Craft Shows (Tips and To-Do List) : 
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/11/craft-show-preparation-getting-ready.html

Vertical Displays for your Craft Shows :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/11/craft-show-preparation-go-vertical.html

Using the 5 Senses to Tantalize your Arts :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/12/using-5-senses-to-tantalize-your-arts.html



PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

Hi, my name is Tara and I am a recently retired Speech/Language Pathologist with 2 grown children and one grandson (and another on the way!) I share my home with my husband and 2 big dogs.

I have been passionate about creating in some form or another all of my life. Our family has always enjoyed our time at Lake Michigan and love to collect Petoskey stones and other fossils and stones. When I discovered jewelry making I finally found my niche for creating beautiful pieces that I can share with others. Each piece I create starts with the stones themselves and then it just seems to flow from there. I have collected gemstones and beads from everywhere I travel and always can’t wait to get started with the new treasures. 
I hope from my shop you can find a piece that speaks to you and brings much joy. 

  

  

 Website : www.beechtreedesigns.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/BeechtreeDesigns

Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/dalgat

My Summer Art Show Adventures (Part 2)

How do I get all of this stuff to the fair?

 I just finished my 3^rd show for the summer. We had beautiful weather and didn’t have to pack up in the rain; I am always excited when the weather cooperates. The night before when you are packing everything, you take your time and fit in everything just so. But after a full day in your booth, talking to hundreds of people, and most times sweating the whole day, you just want to go home!  Dissemble everything, pack it into totes, bags and boxes, jockey for a position in the loading zone, and load it up! Doesn’t fit? Cram it in somehow and drive home feeling like a jack in the box! One bad bump and all the doors might pop open!

Of course a great solution might be to buy a trailer to haul all of my stuff, but that would entail learning to back up a trailer not to mention the expense.

What is all this stuff that I need? Here are a few of the things that I bring, tent, tent weights (you don’t want to go airborne!) tent weight straps, small table that functions as a pay station, folding table, folding screen (holds my earrings), shelving, 7 plastic totes, folding dolly, 5 foot long risers, folding chairs, hanging canvas walls, cooler, my helper (yes, I have to cram them in too) and other misc. items too numerous to mention. Since there are so many things I need every time and everything seems so crucial, I have made myself a checklist which really helps. I have personalized it to me but here is a link to a generic one that may help get you started if you want to make a list of your own.
http://www.art-career-experts.com/Art-Festival-Art-Fair-Check-list.html 

This is the solution I came up with that seems to work for me with the smallest expense. I had a trailer hitch installed on my car and bought a metal cargo carrier at U-Haul. The carrier attaches quickly to the hitch and I can still open the back lift hatch on my car to put things in and out. It can hold up to 250.00 pounds and after I pile everything on I just bungee it all down. Hooray!




I will be off to my next show at the end of the month. Each one is a different adventure! I am having fun, making some money and meeting lots of interesting people.

Stay tuned for further adventures. Part 3 I will discuss setting up your booth and interacting with customers. If you have questions or anything you want me to add into my discussions, please leave a comment, thanks!  Tara



To read the first part of Tara's Summer Adventure, follow the link below :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2014/07/my-summer-art-show-adventures-part-one.html


For more interesting stories and tips on Craft & Art shows, take a look at these articles :

Getting Ready for Craft Shows (Tips and To-Do List) : 
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/11/craft-show-preparation-getting-ready.html

Vertical Displays for your Craft Shows :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/11/craft-show-preparation-go-vertical.html

Using the 5 Senses to Tantalize your Arts :
http://strategicpromotionforsuccess.blogspot.kr/2013/12/using-5-senses-to-tantalize-your-arts.html



PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

Hi, my name is Tara and I am a recently retired Speech/Language Pathologist with 2 grown children and one grandson (and another on the way!) I share my home with my husband and 2 big dogs.

I have been passionate about creating in some form or another all of my life. Our family has always enjoyed our time at Lake Michigan and love to collect Petoskey stones and other fossils and stones. When I discovered jewelry making I finally found my niche for creating beautiful pieces that I can share with others. Each piece I create starts with the stones themselves and then it just seems to flow from there. I have collected gemstones and beads from everywhere I travel and always can’t wait to get started with the new treasures. 
I hope from my shop you can find a piece that speaks to you and brings much joy. 

  

 Website : www.beechtreedesigns.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/BeechtreeDesigns

Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/dalgat

My Summer Art Show Adventures! (Part One)

I will start off by telling you that I ended up scheduling nine (9) art shows for the summer, which for many professional artists who travel the “circuit” is probably no big deal. For me, it is the most I have ever done in one summer and I am beset by worries such as “will I have enough jewelry?” ‘will I have the energy?” “what if I pay for all of these shows and I don’t sell much?” “how am I going to do all of this work by myself?” I didn't intend to schedule so many; here is the story of what happened.

Most juried art shows have a deadline application date of January 15 or at the latest March 1^st for the summer shows. For each show, you submit a jury fee along with 4 or 5 required photos, and sometimes even the booth fee upfront. Applying to a number of shows can be an expensive proposition. Jury fees can be as low as 15 dollars or as high as 40 dollars, which is non-refundable. If you apply to a number of shows this adds up, as well as sometimes having to send in the booth fee which can range from 100 dollars to 2500.00. (If you are not accepted to the show, they will refund your money after several months)

One of the main considerations in applying to art shows is “which shows?” 

There are a number of factors to ponder:

✔ Dates of show-several may be on the same date, you have to decide if you want to apply to more than one knowing that you are throwing jurying money away if you get accepted to both or neither.

✔ Location of show- how far do you want to drive? Will you need to spend the night, what will the costs be?

✔Reputation of show-is this a show that will have good attendance? What is the show marketing campaign? How do they treat the artists? Is this show right for your product?

✔Cost of show-what is the booth fee? Will you make a profit? (it’s often a guess!)

How do I find out about the shows? Who knows the answers to these questions? A great place to start is Art Fair Insiders.com. The website is just a host of wonderful information, forums and art show reviews

 Back to the story of how I got into so many shows…well I sent out many applications, some through application sites (we can discuss that another time) and some directly. Most every application came back to me as I was either rejected or put on a wait list. This is always frustrating as a number of these shows I had done very well at previously, but every year it is a new jury so you never know. You never know either about a wait list, sometimes you get called, or most times you do not. Of course while you are waiting to find out your status, the application deadlines for other shows that you didn't apply to the first go around are expiring.

Now what? I have only one show for the summer; quick, let me apply to others whose deadline is not passed. So I send out 10 more applications, this time almost all accept me. And that is how I ended up with so many shows this summer!

Stay tuned for Part 2:  My booth and how do I get all this stuff to the art show?

- Tara from Beechtree

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

Hi, my name is Tara and I am a recently retired Speech/Language Pathologist with 2 grown children and one grandson (and another on the way!) I share my home with my husband and 2 big dogs.

I have been passionate about creating in some form or another all of my life. Our family has always enjoyed our time at Lake Michigan and love to collect Petoskey stones and other fossils and stones. When I discovered jewelry making I finally found my niche for creating beautiful pieces that I can share with others. Each piece I create starts with the stones themselves and then it just seems to flow from there. I have collected gemstones and beads from everywhere I travel and always can’t wait to get started with the new treasures. 
I hope from my shop you can find a piece that speaks to you and brings much joy. 

  

 Website : www.beechtreedesigns.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/BeechtreeDesigns

Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/dalgat

Craft Show Spectacular ~ Canfield High School

Canfield High School 2013 was another amazing show with over 200 vendors that customers had to choose from. There was something there for everyone from handmade soaps, jewelry, home decor,baked goodies to Whimsical Christmas Decor! There was also a Chinese auction, The cafeteria ran smoothly handling all the customers that flooded in, Congrats to all the workers that kept the lines moving and to the students that volunteered in  keeping their school clean and helping the vendors when they wanted a bite to eat or just had to stretch!!! You were all awesome!!!

This years show was  held on Saturday December 7th from 10am 4pm. At Canfield High School 100 Cardinal Dr. Canfield, OH 44406. The admission was free and the parking was free! Also there was free shuttle service from overflow parking lots!

It was great to have my family and husband with me as we walked through this huge school with halls that seemed to go on forever, My Grand Mom God Bless her 92 years young was very energetic buzzing around looking for baked goodies to take home  that she could freeze for Christmas!

I also had a agenda to see if I could find fellow Etsians and sure enough I found some! Until today I never had the pleasure to meet, talk or even know any of these creative talented women but felt very fortunate that I had run into them!!! It was very nice to talk to people about their passions in the mediums that they use in person!!

It was also neat to talk to fellow craft artisans who use the Etsy site as one of their means to show their wares! I knew that the people that I come in contact with on Etsy, either as my customer or as fellow team mates, have always been kind and helpful, But to actually meet a fellow Etsian in person was a very memorable experience! They are just as sweet in person as they are online! 

Each person that I talked to opened up to me about their passions of what they create! I would like to share with you some of the wonderful people that I met and share with you their wonderful Etsy shops. If you are not as fortunate to see their products in person surf on over and see their online stores!

 Lauren

My motto and goal is to strive to make one of a kind pieces for those who are one of a kind. In the jewelry business however, there usually isn't a beaded design that hasn't already been done or a technique that nobody else knows about. That being said my creativity and individuality comes from the designing of those techniques and my color schemes. Color combos and coordination are my strongest points

I've had a total of 9 individual items published in a variety of beading magazines throughout the last few years that include Bead Trends, Stringing Magazine and Jewelry Affaire.

www.etsy.com/shop/lpsjewelry

               Cynthia

            All things colorful!

I so love to make art for people...it is an expression of me and a way to help support my family. I have two daughters, one of whom has Autism and this is my way to financially help my family. I enjoy stained glass work as well as rug making, purse making, jewelry, polymer clay and quilting.

www.etsy.com/shop/thebigoh

Jennifer

Let your skin be Happy with Nature

My son's skin allergies inspired me to start making all natural soaps & lotions.. Eliminating the dyes, detergents & preservatives normally found in such products,(which are actually the culprits that flare up allergies & aggravate your skin, making it dry & itchy). Again, eliminating these improved his skin in such a dramatic way (healing & curing his eczema) that it inspired me to start my own business & help others improve their skin...All my products are for all skin types, all ages, & even the most sensitive of skin...

www.etsy.com/shop/happywnature

                                                                         

                   

Linda

Welcome to my shop.  

I have loved fabrics and art making since my teen years. I love designing unique items for my family, friends and customers. My professional experience of 30 years as an artist and art educator has enhanced personal techniques and production quality. The names of the different designs in the Bridal Line are named after my granddaughter, daughters and one day to be, daughter -in- law. 

www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteKnotDesigns

I hope that you enjoy my stories about my craft show adventures!!!

See our Craft Show Spectacular Mini Series Here:

Shaker Woods Festival, OH, USA 

Lanterman's Mill, OH, USA

Canfield High School 2013 Craft Show

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER: 

Tip toe thru my garden you will be delighted on the sights of the beautiful sugar creations that will be popping up in the garden, from beautiful flowers to whimsical keepsakes! These creations are handmade,and used on your special cakes and other baked goodies!    https://www.etsy.com/shop/confectionerygarden

Craft Show Spectacular ~ Lantermans Mill

Another Year brought a wonderful craft show that is a holiday tradition located in  beautiful Mill creek Park! (Mill Creek Park is a metropolitan park located in Youngstown, Ohio. It is the second largest metropolitan park in the United States after Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, and the 142nd largest park located within the limits of a U.S. city. Wikipedia)

Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Lanterman's Mill held on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Sadly I missed it this year but would love to share with you my experience when I went before. Mill Creek Park is a wonderful park to visit! In the summer you can go to the gardens or the lily pond there's sled riding and iceskating in the winter paddle boating in the summer. I have always enjoyed the long walk you go through before you get to the Mill.

Lanterman's Mill

Lanterman's Mill was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly. Restored in 1982-85 through a gift from the Ward and Florence Beecher Foundations, this community treasure represents one of the many pioneer industries developed along Mill Creek and operates today as it did in the 1800s, grinding corn, wheat, and buckwheat.

The nearby East Gorge Walk and West Gorge Trail offer a peek into the area's geologic history. Listed in the Mid-America Walking Atlas, the award-winning Gorge Trail is a two-mile loop along Mill Creek that consists of a boardwalk bordered on one side by the stream and on the other side by a massive wall of sandstone. wikipedia

It was a nice long walk to get to the Lantermans Mill that day, Before you get to the Mill you get to walk through a covered bridge, As we approached  the mill  there was a blacksmith showing how to forge metal, And a man that was roasting chestnuts that people can try, It was my first time eating on and it was yummy I used it for a bit to warm up my hands but soon I couldnt resist the nutty warm aroma!

There was a giving tree that people donated new hats and mittens.

There were some craft vendors inside sorry was hoping to get pictures this year of the craft vendors maybe next year!!

The building inside and outside was amazing as we walked through out the building seeing all the old fashioned mill equipment that was used back when, I have more of the inside of the building I will share with you in the future!

And as you can see Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus was there to greet all the children that came to the Mill.

My Dear Friend sent me some of this years pictures Thank-you Annette for the beautiful pictures to share with all our readers!

I hope that you enjoyed another adventure with me and hope you stop back again!! I never know which path I may take to bring you craft shows or inspirations!

See our Craft Show Spectacular Mini Series Here:

Shaker Woods Festival, OH, USA 

Lanterman's Mill, OH, USA

Canfield High School 2013 Craft Show

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER: 

Tip toe thru my garden you will be delighted on the sights of the beautiful sugar creations that will be popping up in the garden, from beautiful flowers to whimsical keepsakes! These creations are handmade,and used on your special cakes and other baked goodies!    https://www.etsy.com/shop/confectionerygarden