Thursday, August 2, 2012

Going Batty!



I'm going batty! ... But in a good way.

On October 27, I will be participating in a local craft fair sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church.  I've been a vendor at this craft fair the past two years, and I've learned a few lessons along the way.

1.  Offer something new.  http://madeinlowell.blogspot.com/2012/07/surviving-bad-craft-show.html
2.  Offer something other sellers don't.
3.  Stock up on cute little kid-friendly items and stocking stuffers.
4.  Save most bigger ticket items for Etsy.  (Items can become shop worn in a day, especially if your booth is positioned in very close proximity to the food court.  Hmmm.  Greasy fingers pawing  my stuff. Grr-rr-rrr!)

Because this show falls right before Halloween, cute little Halloween mini-totes and seasonal table runners have been my best sellers.  I'll continue to offer both of those items, as well as SOME of the oven mitts, walker bags and baby bibs I sell on Etsy: http://www.handmadeology.com/what-to-do-with-your-etsy-shop-when-attending-a-craft-fair.  This year I'll also be offering finger puppets, pictured above, and (I still have 12 weeks!) zip pouches and pencil cases.

The finger puppets were made using a .pdf pattern by Precious Patterns, a great little mother/daughter Etsy shop featuring patterns designed by Mary Ayres:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/105100862/halloween-felt-finger-puppets-sewing.  I'll also be making some jungle animals finger puppets with travel friendly roll-up carrying cases:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/103467635/jungle-animal-felt-finger-puppets-sewing.  The jungle animals will be small child friendly-- no buttons. The finger puppets can only be sold online in limited quantities with credit for the pattern, but the Precious Pattern shop policies state, "If you would like to sell our finished items at craft fairs, feel free to sell as many items as you would like."

I tried to diligently follow the pattern for the "test batch" of finger puppets pictured above, so I whip-stitched everything by hand.  But in order to keep my price point low and my volume high, I'm going to need to machine-stitch the outside edges, either with a tiny blanket stitch or straight stitch.

Do you vend at craft fairs?  Or attend them?  If so, what lessons have you learned?

TTFN
LeAnn aka pasqueflower
http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower
http://www.facebook.com/pasqueflower

13 comments:

  1. Your Halloween items sound cute - I hope to see them in your shop! Those finger puppets are so fun and the jungle ones are cute too! Finger puppets are something I'd like to add to my shop too, but of course they'll be crocheted! Yours should be great sellers at the craft show!

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  2. Thanks for the tips. I haven't done a craft fair in YEARS. It's a lot of work. Sounds like you'll be prepared really far ahead though and that does make it easier.

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  3. Cute! Good luck getting ready. I like the tip about stocking up on small ticket items, kid friendly stuff, and stocking stuffers. This is very true and tough to remember sometimes!

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  4. I hate nothing more than being set up next to someone who sells food...yikes! Greasy fingers and scrapbooks DON'T go well together!
    You're right about the small price items being great at shows and your finger puppets are adorable :)

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  5. Oh yeah, The little stuff counts! The puppets will be a hit:)

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  6. The little characters are so cute! Good luck at the show. I know you'll do well. Be sure to take pictures of your booth!

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  7. Hope you do well! I used to put everything in ziplock bags - kept them all clean!

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  8. Good for you for planning ahead. Cute little puppets :)

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  9. What have i learned? Customers are definately looking for different items in different seasons. Your items for kids just before the Christmas/halloween season is a good choice!

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  10. Great tips for craft shows! That's neat that your Halloween items do well at this show.

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  11. Sounds like a fun show, and the perfect time of year. I do several shows a year and I love finding new tips. Thanks for sharing. Your finger puppets are so cute, and they will be big sellers for sure!
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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