The upcoming craft fair is this coming weekend and I do NOT feel prepared AT ALL! First of all, I haven't figured out what kind of display to set up. It's an outdoor craft fair/garage sale- each vendor gets a 10x10 spot plus a 10x15 spot for their car. So basically, I have to set up a booth??? I was thinking of just setting up a table with baskets, packaging most of of the "less expensive" pieces in plastic ziplocs, and letting folks thumb through. Should be ok for this sort of setting, right? Once my supplies for Christmas-y earrings come in (should be tomorrow, I hope!) most of the items I'm selling will actually be under $15. It's not like I'm trying to sell folks a bunch of $300 bracelets like you see at some high end places.
Well, maybe it's ok to "go ghetto" and maybe not. After looking around online a bit, it seems most folks would actually opt to pitch a 10x10 canopy and erect three walls made of pegboard in addition to 1-3 tables with varying professional cases... and place the jewelry in gift boxes to make it look more professional. Um, I don't even know if I WANT to keep doing craft fairs, and I don't have a whole lot of inventory. Buying the supplies to make this stupid display would eat any potential profits I made!!! The whole point of starting at this particular craft fair is that the booth fee is only $17 for me. (Most of these can run well over $100 depending on the location!) I guess one way to look at it is that these folks are hardcore, professional crafters with established businesses. I'm just getting my pinky toe wet. Anyway, I won't be buying or renting a canopy or building three pegboard walls or multiple jewelry cases... if I do this, it's going to be me, one folding chair, and one folding table in the middle of my 10x10 piece of grass. :)
The primary logistical challenge is that the fair runs from 8-12 I need to leave by 10:30 to get to my son's soccer game at 11. My first idea was to pack the car up and leave it there, catch the bus to the soccer field, then come back for the car at noon, but this is the last game of the season and there's a potluck following the game. The other option is to park the car elsewhere, and just hand carry everything when I'm done. Maybe I can find someone willing to pack up an extra table, or since I don't already have a table, find a lightweight alternative? Maybe some plywood and horses?
I did find some really cute Christmas lampwork beads online which would make the MOST ADORABLE charm bracelets and earrings. It's tough not to go nuts and order another $200 worth of beads before I ever sell a piece, though. I've already spent way more on beads than I want to admit to anyone I know. Let's just say it would've paid for that new dishwasher I really want. It's a sick, sick addition. Maybe I'll look into Etsy.com too.
2 comments:
I love the beaded flower-looking bracelets and the "haunami"(did I get that right?) The Christmas tree earrings should sell like hotcakes, and the bracelets with the affirmations/sayings are very "now".
One of the most common mistakes designers who start to go commercial make is underpricing their jewelry (and I know, I made this one, as well as all the others, too). You've got to make sure that you charge for your time, and since you apparently are coming up with new ideas, for your unique designs. And, you just have to wait out the slim times because becoming known and selling takes time, but I think that you can do it!
Good Luck! Cluny
Thanks! I think right now, I'm not really sure of what other people are wearing. I've never really paid attention...
Since I seriously just dropped another couple hundred bucks on beads this week (those sales at the bead stores are just a budget killer!), well, let's just say I've started hiding receipts from my boyfriend. This garage sale/craft fair is pretty well advertised so I'm hopeful that I'll at least sell out of the Christmas stuff.
Post a Comment