Top
tip: Do your research
Ever done a craft fair where you are the only
artist with
a stall? I have, and, guess what, I didn't sell a thing. Whether
you find your craft fair through an ad in the local paper or via a
Google search, do a bit more research before you commit to having a
stall. If it's a local fair, ask crafty friends if they have heard
of it and whether they would recommend it or not. If it's a regular
event, check one or two out as a visitor first to assess the
footfall, variety of stalls, any similar businesses to your own, etc.
If it's something further afield, there are a number of helpful
craft groups on Facebook, such as Clearly Crafty Community, whose
admins and Likers
may be able to advise. Whether you're just starting out or a
seasoned pro, I would advise sticking to local fairs anyway, as your
stall fees plus travelling costs may result in zero profit being made
from any of your potential sales. A good place to start looking for
craft fairs, or any type of fair for that matter, is a website called
Stallfinder.
Top tip: Dress rehearse
Your stall is your shop
window. This is what will attract potential customers to your wares,
so you don't want it looking cluttered, and you certainly don't want
it looking sparse, either. Even though craft fairs are about artists
coming together as a community of like-minded people and it's all
sunshine and lollipops, the bottom line is you will be competing with
the other stalls for business, especially if there are others selling
similar items to yours. This might sound harsh, but it's true. The
night before the craft fair, experiment with different layouts and
ask family and friends for their opinions. An artist I did a craft
fair with put her biggest and best piece of work on an easel on her
table. It was also her most expensive, and it didn't sell. However,
she spoke to me afterwards and said that she didn't think she would
sell it, but she used it as a decorative piece to draw people to her
stall... and it worked! She sold a few pieces and got commissions,
too. So, this would be something I would advise considering when
planning your stall. Also, clearly label your pieces with a price,
and attach these labels in a way that won't damage your work when
removed.
Top tip: Promote, promote, promote!
Take a healthy supply of business cards, leaflets, etc,
anything with your contact details on. Keep them in view at the
front of your table for passers-by to pick up, as some may want to
buy off you in future. When we arrange a craft fair, we have an
“information table” at the entrance for any extra promotional
material that the stall holders wish to place there, so that craft
fair attendees can collect them on their way in or out, so take extra
in case the craft fair you attend offers the same opportunity. Also,
don't rely on the marketing skills of the craft fair organisers to
guarantee visitors. Whenever and wherever you can, promote the fair
yourself through your Facebook page, Twitter account, blog, etc. The
organisers should be delighted with your efforts, but ask their
permission first, out of courtesy. If you decide to put up posters
or push leaflets through letterboxes to advertise the craft fair, get
official material from the organisers. When putting up posters in
public places, you must ask permission from whoever owns whatever you
are sticking the poster to. Another important thing to remember is
that any craft fair organiser worth their salt should not ask or
expect you to pay for any promotional materials to be delivered or
printed. You should not be spending money or using up your resources
to promote a craft fair, as this will also eat into any profit you
may make at the fair.
Top tip: Make sure the Devil does not make work for
your idle thumbs...
Take something to do
for any quiet times during the craft fair, and I don't mean your
Nintendo 3DS or the Take-A-Break wordsearch! What really impresses
passers-by is an artist at work, so bring a project to tinker with.
It's a great conversation starter! Make sure you are still facing
the customers and that your project is in full view above the table.
You never know, it might generate an extra sale or a commission.
This will also be a life-saver if it is quiet, as you don't ever
want to leave your stall because your bored, even if it is just to
have a wander around the other stalls. You might miss a sale, or
worse, you might get something pinched. Of course, toilet breaks are
important, and if you are manning your table alone then the stall
next to you should be happy to keep an eye on things, and the craft
fair organiser should be available to do the same. In regards to
your project, I would take something that can be easily put to one
side and that also doesn't make a mess (leave your paints and pastels
at home, people!), as you will want to deal with customers if they
strike up a conversation and you don't want to be faffing around
trying to tidy up. It doesn't look professional. Having something to
occupy yourself with also prevents you from staring at passers-by
with that desperate “buy from me!” look on your face that can be
difficult to contain for even the most experienced craft-fairer. A
polite smile and a cheery “hello” towards everyone who slows
their pace and looks at your stall is recommended. Make eye-contact,
but not for too long, and then busy yourself with your project until
they engage in conversation.
Top tip: Be prepared... is not just a slogan of the
Villa!
- I can't attend the craft fair now. Will I get my money/deposit back? If you've paid a deposit to secure a table, it is unlikely to be refunded if you decide not to do the craft fair. If you paid in full, you may get some of it back. I would advise checking this before you send off your booking form. Wherever you can, inform the organisers as soon as possible so that they can fill your spot. You may also want to do a craft fair with them in future, so keep on good terms.
- Will refreshments be available at the venue? I would always advise bringing your own food and drink in any case, as you may not like the refreshments on offer...
- What time can I set up/pack up? You should be allowed at least half an hour before the craft fair starts to set up and at least half an hour after to pack up, but check this with the organisers. Also, some organisers do not like anyone to pack up whilst the craft fair is in full swing, so, if you have to leave early, tell them in advance or as soon as possible on the day if it is unexpected.
- Is it indoors or outdoors and will it be warm or cold...or wet? I would never do a craft fair outside, as the weather is unpredictable. However, take an extra few layers in case it is cold, even if it is held inside.
- Do I need a power point to display my work? Check with the craft fair organisers if power points are available well in advance of the fair. If they don't know, alarm bells should ring! If power points are available, make sure you tell the organiers well in advance so that you ensure that a) you get one, and b) the organisers can adjust their floorplan to accommodate your request.
- Are the table and chairs provided? Very, very important. If this isn't clear, then check. If you have to supply your own, make sure the size of it is suitable for the space you have been allocated. I would advise investing in a pasting table, as these are the standard size of tables used at craft fairs (in fact, they are used at craft fairs!). Even if tables and chairs are supplied, if you're going in your car, keep a pasting table and fold-out chair in the boot...just in case...
- Is there any parking at the venue? If there is, ask if it's free and, if not, how much. Ask if it is limited. If there is no parking at the venue, find out where the nearest parking lot is and how much it costs to park there.
- What if I get a commission? The last thing you want is to be searching for a pen and piece of paper to write down customer details and orders, so take these with you. Also, make sure you receive a deposit (it's up to you how much), just in case the buyer changes their minds. Make sure you take a receipt pad, too, which are fairly cheap to buy from the shops.
- What if I make a sale? Make sure you take plenty of change of all denominations. You would rather have pennies and not need them than need pennies and not have them...
These are just a few things I have come across as a
craft fair organiser and a craft fair stall holder. The list isn't
exhaustive, so be prepared for all eventualities.
Top tip: Dodge the ambulance-chasers!
I cannot stress enough the importance of having Public
Liability Insurance. If a customer buys your work and it somehow
causes them financial loss, or they trip over your stall because your
table cloth draped onto the floor and into their path and they had
time off work as a result, you could be sued. And I'm not talking
hundreds, but potentially thousands! You can find cover for under
£50, which isn't much to pay for peace of mind. If you don't know
where to start with looking for an insurance provider, the
arts/crafts groups on Facebook will be able to advise.
Top tip: Not so Great Expectations
This is my last tip... promise, and here's hoping you
will never have to remember it. You might sell so much at your craft
fair that you will have a problem stocking your next one, but you may
find that, on occasion, you may not sell a thing or get a commission.
My advice is to never ever let an experience like that knock your
confidence. I have done craft fairs where I haven't sold or got a
commission on the day, but by doing the craft fair I got commissions
at a later date from passers-by who picked up my business cards. So,
never feel despondent. I would always look at a craft fair as an
opportunity to advertise first and foremost because this type of
marketing is invaluable, as you get to promote yourself directly to
the public. Other reasons why you may not sell or get commissioned
could be that the craft fair was deserted due to poor advertising ,
terrible weather conditions, etc. However, if everyone else sold or
received commissions then it may be worth looking into areas where
you and your stall could improve. It's always a good idea to
evaluate your craft fair experience and assess what went right and
what went wrong and use this knowledge when planning your next one...
and be honest with yourself when evaluating. The more craft fairs
you do, the more you'll learn.
Right, I'd better sign off. I've got a craft fair to
prepare for...
