Doing my first "craft show" 4/18 HELP!

[btrfly916]

Ok, so it's my daughter's fundraising Spring Fling for her church preschool...vendor booth was only $20, so I figured I give it a whirl....

What do I need?
What sells well?
any new & exciting things I could make?

[blond1819]

I'm new to the board and haven't sold anything before, but I bet some of the bug clippies and flower clippies would sell well. Good luck!

[Barbara Jean]

I've never done a craft show before but as a customer I would love to see "springy" items. Flowers, bugs, bees, pastel colors... etc. Fresh headbands, hair bows, and clips.

[JakeGiginLolasMommy]

I've never sold my creations, but I have gotten a lot of compliments on my toggle headbands, butterfly and flower clippies. I would say bright colors too. Good luck!

[Pretty Beaded Things]

When I do shows I find the single colour bows sell the best. Customers know what outfit it will match with or just know that their daughter has lots of pink or purple or a particular colour. Also lined alligator clips with a flat bow are good too. All little girls have a few strands of hair that need to be held back.
Good Luck

[beansnana]

With this show, are you having to donate part of your proceeds to the school or is that what the table money is for? If you do toggle headbands, please make note that they are a choking hazard. Not really recommended for those under 12 to be safe.

[Spitfireshortie]

My first show I sold ALL of my butterfly clippies and anything with flowers on it...One lady who owned a salon came and cleaned me out within the first couple hours...Then my table seemed so empty! LOL. This year I'm OVERLY prepared. Don't be surprised if people want more than one of the same thing just in many colors!! HTH. :)

[btrfly916]

no, all proceeds are profit. I'm guessing that's what the vendor booth fee was for.

Thanks for the tip on the toggles, I plan on making a sign and putting it in a frame on the table

With this show, are you having to donate part of your proceeds to the school or is that what the table money is for? If you do toggle headbands, please make note that they are a choking hazard. Not really recommended for those under 12 to be safe.

[massmom]

My best advice is to make sure you have everything priced. I'm not really a shy person but I get annoyed when I can't see the price and most of the time just keep walking.

I recently saw some tips for craft shows on a blog....I copied the list but forgot to keep the blog address. These are not from me but I agree with so much of this.

Buisness aspect:
1.Tax/Biz Id and chart
2.Calculator
3.Biz Cards- special Fair discounts
4.Money-change and bills $125 in a box
5.Flyers with upcoming shows and how to find you.
6. CC machine/Laptop-internet for CC sales
7. Big Sign name and Logo
8. Easel to announce sales -payment methods -website
9. Wear a shirt with your biz logo, name and site if possible
10. Hardcover sign in book for newsletters
11.Inventory price sheet- to scratch off a sale
12. Freebies with your cards
13. price tags
14.Camera -batteries and memory card
15. Laptop with pretty slide show of your past work (examples)- should draw attention -power cords or fully charged
16. Office supplies (Tape, scissors,staplers,pens, notepads,pencils)
17 Clear bags to place their items.
18. Gift bags/Jewelry bags (if needed)
19. Carry cart/bag to carry all supplies with you
20. Receipt book with carbon paper
21. Order notebook
22. Make a photo album of items for sales in various colors and styles (catalog)
23. A plastic envelope with zipper(kids school supplies) to place orders, receipts, others biz cards etc. (remember craft fair booth fees are tax deductible as well as travel and food expenses)
24. Extra bin with more inventory to replace sold items.

Networking-get traffic
1. Arrive early and get to know your neighbors- help watching for potty breaks
2. Know your area so you can redirect traffic to your booth with signs.
3. Have FREE candy, treats in a small bowl to atract customers.
4. Invite customers on your lists to the fair, family and friends
5. Arrange for someone to help you, so you can take a break and visit other crafters and take biz cards with you. And also poty and eating breaks.

Fair Survival
1.Cooler with drinks and snacks
2.makeup for touch up
3.hand lotion
4.chapstick
5.tylenol or other headache meds
6.paper towels
7.garbage bags
8.windex- to wipe down
9. Chair- if not provided.
10. Dress nice and wear your items if possible, but dress comfortable.
11. Cell phone on low- for emergency
12. Comfortable shoes
13. small broom and pan
14. zip ties

[Karyn]

Great list! Thanks!

[tynetyne]

My solid color 3" bows sell the best for me. Tutus also do well.
Jackie

[bells n' whistles]

Awesome list - I think that will probably help a lot of people. Thanks for posting it!

[SunVolley15]

Thanks so much! I've been thinking about doing something like this and this list will be gold when I finally take the plunge!
Sunny

[CKMum]

Check that list out! Awesome information.

[PoshbyPiper]

How did your show go?

[Lauren]

That list was awesome! All the stuff you never think of! I immediately copied it down for future reference. Thanks for posting it.

I, too want to know how btrfly916's first show went!

[andrea46808]

Thanks! I have my first show coming up and this was very helpful!

[IzzyB]

My best advice is to make sure you have everything priced. I'm not really a shy person but I get annoyed when I can't see the price and most of the time just keep walking.

I recently saw some tips for craft shows on a blog....I copied the list but forgot to keep the blog address. These are not from me but I agree with so much of this.

Buisness aspect:
1.Tax/Biz Id and chart
2.Calculator
3.Biz Cards- special Fair discounts
4.Money-change and bills $125 in a box
5.Flyers with upcoming shows and how to find you.
6. CC machine/Laptop-internet for CC sales
7. Big Sign name and Logo
8. Easel to announce sales -payment methods -website
9. Wear a shirt with your biz logo, name and site if possible
10. Hardcover sign in book for newsletters
11.Inventory price sheet- to scratch off a sale
12. Freebies with your cards
13. price tags
14.Camera -batteries and memory card
15. Laptop with pretty slide show of your past work (examples)- should draw attention -power cords or fully charged
16. Office supplies (Tape, scissors,staplers,pens, notepads,pencils)
17 Clear bags to place their items.
18. Gift bags/Jewelry bags (if needed)
19. Carry cart/bag to carry all supplies with you
20. Receipt book with carbon paper
21. Order notebook
22. Make a photo album of items for sales in various colors and styles (catalog)
23. A plastic envelope with zipper(kids school supplies) to place orders, receipts, others biz cards etc. (remember craft fair booth fees are tax deductible as well as travel and food expenses)
24. Extra bin with more inventory to replace sold items.

Networking-get traffic
1. Arrive early and get to know your neighbors- help watching for potty breaks
2. Know your area so you can redirect traffic to your booth with signs.
3. Have FREE candy, treats in a small bowl to atract customers.
4. Invite customers on your lists to the fair, family and friends
5. Arrange for someone to help you, so you can take a break and visit other crafters and take biz cards with you. And also poty and eating breaks.

Fair Survival
1.Cooler with drinks and snacks
2.makeup for touch up
3.hand lotion
4.chapstick
5.tylenol or other headache meds
6.paper towels
7.garbage bags
8.windex- to wipe down
9. Chair- if not provided.
10. Dress nice and wear your items if possible, but dress comfortable.
11. Cell phone on low- for emergency
12. Comfortable shoes
13. small broom and pan
14. zip ties


Thanks for the list. I haven't done a craft show yet but I am sooo bookmarking this list!!

[kasey]

TFS! I am doing my first show in sept. so this list will help me alot!

[samomof3]

I agree - great list!

[my2girlies]

That surely is a great list to keep...

[momtotwins]

Thanks for posting this? I had the exact same question. I am doing a show in December.

[erintaylor]

What a great list! If I ever decide to take my bows to that level I will definitely be referring to this list!

[mrsluck]

awesome! I have been up for nights making many bows and thinking of selling. That list will be a huge help

[IzzyB]

I had my 1st show and beleive me that list was a MUST. I am pretty sure I use everything on there.