Craft Fairs

[Frederick]

Hi all,

I have never sold at a craft fair and really need to do so as I must dispose of my creations. I am not aware of protocolsinvolved or indeed if there are any.
I have searched the internet for local fairs and there doesn't seem to be that many.

The ones I have located charge a flat rate of £35.00 not including extras such as display stands etc.

Is this the normal price for a table?

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Phil Dart]

A long time since I've done fairs Frederick, but the cost varied quite a bit in the days when I did. Anything from a tenner upwards, but I don't think that £35 sounds too unreasonable for a descent fair in a good venue. A lot for a village hall maybe, but cheap for a municipal Christmas fair.

 

[Penpal]

I am also aware of the real costs of insurance and guarantees temporary stands,protocols and politics that often come with selling. It seems we all love a bargain and there are hosts of tire kickers at venues. Selling on consignment has seen many friends of mine down the gurgler with sharp practices and uncertainty. I bought excess beautiful New Guinea Rosewood so many years ago from a guy who was severely burnt having sent a shipping container of the same sourced timber from the Island of Vanuatu. He employed some locals to source and gather at great cost,sent a trial shipment from Brisbane Australia to Canada,that dealer renigged sent an E Mail saying shipment rubbish,refused payment and requested another Container as replacement. Man was that entrepenour angry and severely out of pocket. I talked to my mate recently a Burl Getter who lives near me and his tales of business dissapointments are legion.

Did happen to me a guy with family here in Canberra made regular visits from Queensland and often visited me on the bludge for pen blanks,only once did I take him to my mate the big time burl getter,at the end of bargaining with my mate he established what I thought was a screamer of a bargain price. On collection he gave my mate less money than agreed,my mate then insisted I pay the difference and from then on I am extremely careful and will not let bludgers triumph any more at my expense. 24 yrs as a pensioner is not fun if you have high expectations of others.Fair dealing is very important to me. Having said that I recently kicked in hundreds of blanks for serving servicemen to receive pens from Australia while they serve overseas.

The principles of making any craft items often leads to excess numbers and the felt need to profit to support the habit of turning pens.

Peter.

 

[Pierre]

The important thing is to have an attractive stand, so just a flat table is no good, If they are supplying the tables then ensure that you have a good table cloth of a colour that will enhance what you are selling, use shelving and/or logs to create a visual movement on the table so some items are at eye level and others are shown on pen stands etc Once you are there use a high stool so that you can stand up easily in front of the customer there is nothing worse than a stall holder talking to you from a low sitting position, it will also save your knees!! Make sure that you have good packaging and packing material, at Christmas most people would like something for a present, if you can make your item look like a present then all the better, here in France you dont charge for wrapping so I use decorative bags with a bow, its cheap and adds value. Don't forget a sandwich, nothing worse than selling on and empty stomach!! Most of all be positive about your stock and your capabilities and have a lot of each you shouldn't run out!! Make lots of spinning tops for the kids they will cause parents to come to your stand, put a flat plate by them so they can try them!!

PG

 

[Dalboy]

That is not a bad price a Phil said depends on the venue some can cost into the hundreds. Quite often the price may include the table. Price also maybe for a single 6' table others may charge for a pitch of say 10' X 10', you will need to ask.

Also as said try to build up the table so that everything is not on the same level.

Again as stated don't just sit behind and hope someone will buy stand up and engage with them many will still not buy but then there are those that will.

Know a little about the wood and anything else which is of interest to the piece.

Don't fumble your story they just may know more than you think. You will always get those that are also in the hobby who will stop and have a chat about your work.

Have some extra pieces in a box to fill spaces as you sell them, don't overcrowd the table. Clearly, mark how much things are this saves having to remember how much things are

The first photo is on a 6' table the last two are from an event where we had a 10' X 10' space the other side was another table with the wife's things on, So as you can see three tables in that space.

 

[Frederick]

I am also aware of the real costs of insurance and guarantees temporary stands,protocols and politics that often come with selling. It seems we all love a bargain and there are hosts of tire kickers at venues. Selling on consignment has seen many friends of mine down the gurgler with sharp practices and uncertainty. I bought excess beautiful New Guinea Rosewood so many years ago from a guy who was severely burnt having sent a shipping container of the same sourced timber from the Island of Vanuatu. He employed some locals to source and gather at great cost,sent a trial shipment from Brisbane Australia to Canada,that dealer renigged sent an E Mail saying shipment rubbish,refused payment and requested another Container as replacement. Man was that entrepenour angry and severely out of pocket. I talked to my mate recently a Burl Getter who lives near me and his tales of business dissapointments are legion.

Did happen to me a guy with family here in Canberra made regular visits from Queensland and often visited me on the bludge for pen blanks,only once did I take him to my mate the big time burl getter,at the end of bargaining with my mate he established what I thought was a screamer of a bargain price. On collection he gave my mate less money than agreed,my mate then insisted I pay the difference and from then on I am extremely careful and will not let bludgers triumph any more at my expense. 24 yrs as a pensioner is not fun if you have high expectations of others.Fair dealing is very important to me. Having said that I recently kicked in hundreds of blanks for serving servicemen to receive pens from Australia while they serve overseas.

The principles of making any craft items often leads to excess numbers and the felt need to profit to support the habit of turning pens.

Peter.

Well said Peter. One has to be so careful these days. I know, I bought a house with major problems, Why we pay surveyors I dont know!!

 

[Frederick]

That is not a bad price a Phil said depends on the venue some can cost into the hundreds. Quite often the price may include the table. Price also maybe for a single 6' table others may charge for a pitch of say 10' X 10', you will need to ask.

Also as said try to build up the table so that everything is not on the same level.

Again as stated don't just sit behind and hope someone will buy stand up and engage with them many will still not buy but then there are those that will.

Know a little about the wood and anything else which is of interest to the piece.

Don't fumble your story they just may know more than you think. You will always get those that are also in the hobby who will stop and have a chat about your work.

Have some extra pieces in a box to fill spaces as you sell them, don't overcrowd the table. Clearly, mark how much things are this saves having to remember how much things are

The first photo is on a 6' table the last two are from an event where we had a 10' X 10' space the other side was another table with the wife's things on, So as you can see three tables in that space.

Thank Derek, that's all very sound and sensible advice. I will go ahead with it. There is a fair in Rochester next month; just trying to order the pitch.
Lovely photos which give me an idea of what to do. Thanks again.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[flexi]

Thank Derek, that's all very sound and sensible advice. I will go ahead with it. There is a fair in Rochester next month; just trying to order the pitch.
Lovely photos which give me an idea of what to do. Thanks again.

Cheers
Frederick

Let me know mate, l can pop along.....well it is right on my doorstep

 

[Frederick]

The important thing is to have an attractive stand, so just a flat table is no good, If they are supplying the tables then ensure that you have a good table cloth of a colour that will enhance what you are selling, use shelving and/or logs to create a visual movement on the table so some items are at eye level and others are shown on pen stands etc Once you are there use a high stool so that you can stand up easily in front of the customer there is nothing worse than a stall holder talking to you from a low sitting position, it will also save your knees!! Make sure that you have good packaging and packing material, at Christmas most people would like something for a present, if you can make your item look like a present then all the better, here in France you dont charge for wrapping so I use decorative bags with a bow, its cheap and adds value. Don't forget a sandwich, nothing worse than selling on and empty stomach!! Most of all be positive about your stock and your capabilities and have a lot of each you shouldn't run out!! Make lots of spinning tops for the kids they will cause parents to come to your stand, put a flat plate by them so they can try them!!

PG

Thanks Pierre, all good advice and it all makes good sense, I will take some pictures when I do it just to show what efforts I have made, Again, thanks for the comprehensive advice, You are becoming the "go to man" to me.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Frederick]

Let me know mate, l can pop along.....well it is right on my doorstep

Will do Mark, will do.

Cheers
Frederick