Q: I just started making jewelery a few months ago, and I'm considering selling my jewelery at a small local craft fair this summer, do you have any tips for a first timer :) ?
As far as craft fairs go, if this is a small one, I'm assuming it's outside. Here's a short rundown of craft fair hints for beginners, geared for outdoor shows.
- The most basic items you need for a craft show are a table and a chair. Many shows rent these out. If you're outside, it's also helpful to have an EZ-Up-type canopy, but make sure it's a fireproof type; larger shows check for this.
- Your table will need a cover; a long tablecloth will do just fine. Make sure it's long enough to come to the ground in front so you're not displaying your boxes/money/feet to the world.
- Wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen! Also bring water and a snack.
- When outdoors you shouldn't need extra lighting, but you will need extra lighting for indoor shows. A couple of cheap bendy-neck table lights will do just fine to start with.
- Bring enough small bills and coins to make change. Keep your money as secure as you can: either on your person or in a locking cash box that stays at your side (but out of sight) at all times.
- If you can, partner up. Bring a friend, share a booth with a fellow jewelry maker or drag along your significant other. It's acceptable to ask whoever's running the booth next to you if they'll watch yours for a minute or two while you run to the bathroom, but it's always nice to have company.
- Also bring a couple of projects to work on while you sit. It's a great way to get people engaged. No one wants to buy from a booth where the owner's nose is stuck in a book or they're four booths down yakking with other booth owners.
- Engage your customers, but don't hang over them or talk at them the whole time. Politely introduce yourself, give a short introduction to your jewelry, and then back off and let them look. People will let you know when they want to try something on or take a closer look.
- If you're outside, it's almost guaranteed to be windy. Even if you think you're in the calmest area in the world, be prepared. If you're bringing a canopy, weight it down with stakes in the ground (if you're on grass) or by tying the legs to very heavy coolers or cinderblocks. I've been to a show where even with those precautions, tents were sailing across the parking lot.
Also bring T-pins and pin your jewelry to the tablecloth if you need to; chasing jewelry across the ground is no fun. I don't like to pin things down because it messes with the accessability of the pieces, but sometimes it's necessary.
- Get your jewelry up off the table and into view as much as possible. When it's windy your options are limited, so try placing things out in pretty dishes or trays instead. When you're indoors or it's a calm day, use anything you can to raise the jewelry off the table. Some people use busts or forms, some use risers under the tablecloth. I use foam-and-fabric-covered folding display boards. As you start doing shows, you'll figure out what look you like. Use your preferences and taste to work out what kind of display method you want to use.
- Don't pack up early if you can help it.
- If your show's slow or not going well, don't gossip about it with other booth owners. Walking by a booth where the owner's complaining about lack of business is a huge turnoff.
- Try to choose shows with as few other jewelry booths as possible. Practicality says that if half the booths at your show are jewelry, each one of those is going to sell very little jewelry due to the sheer amount of competition.
- Use your first few shows as a chance to get used to the atmosphere and learn to be a good salesperson. Don't expect to make a lot of money at small shows. They're wonderful introductions to the craft fair world, though, so do as many as you feel comfortable attending.
- Bring a camera so you can take photos of your booth. You can look back later and see what you'd like to change.
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