Artists Share Their Craft Fair Tips!

Craft fairs are great for getting your art out there locally! They can also be amazing for your business. The potential for sales is high. If you make handmade items I encourage you to at least try a craft fair once in your life! They can be a lot of fun and a great way to meet like-minded people. If your interested/ going to participate in a craft fair your going to love these tips from experienced craft fair go-ers!

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Heres my tips for selling at craft fairs:

• Host a fun giveaway at your booth! When I do a craft fair I like to create some kind of game or contest I can use to get people into my stand. For example, I’ve put a ton of pompoms into a jar made a big sign saying “guess how many pompoms are in a jar for a chance to win a piece of art” Not only does this bring traffic to your booth but it could also bring potential customers. You could even make people enter by them giving you their email to add to your email list!
• Making your craft right in front of your booth is a great way to get people interested in your craft. People love seeing the process!
• I also like to make a “SALE” boxes of my older art that haven’t sold yet. I always have a lot of people look through my discounted art and few pieces always sell from there. I think having affordable stuff at craft fairs will definitely increase your sells. Maybe just bring a few of your best higher priced items to show people what you’re capable of. I like to get to set up early, get everything up, and then walk around passing my card out and telling people I would love for them to stop by my booth and to come to enter my give away. Be friendly and try to talk to everybody walking past. 
• Don’t invest too much money on your first craft fair. I recommend trying a cheaper one out at first. Also, attend a craft fair and take notes on how other people set up and the things they’re doing!
• Have a sign for your social media/ website so people can follow your work online too! Don’t forget to pass out business cards as well!

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Sarah Caudle creates dreamy resin seascapes! Here’s what she shared:

• I always tell artists that the best way to get started is to get your work out there. Become active in your community and sign up for local art fairs. Although you want your booth to look nice, it’s important to not let it take away from your art. White always looks fresh and professional so it’s good to use a white tent, white tablecloth, or white backdrop on your display. Have enough inventory, but keep it simple and don’t overwhelm your buyers with too much art (this also devalues your art) so if you’re worried you won’t have enough, keep some of your art in boxes under your tables or in your car – no need to put it all out at once. It’s also nice to have a bigger statement piece to catch people’s eyes and lot’s of smaller pieces or prints for quick purchases. What’s most important is engaging your audience with a friendly approachable smile – just be yourself and have fun with it! 

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Elena Corradino creates awesome abstract collage pieces! Heres what she shared:

• My advice is to start small and cheap. Find a fair that has a fee that’s less than 100$. Try to use a table and chairs you already have. You don’t want to be spending tons of money on the first one. If you need to buy anything for your setup keep it simple. Start by buying one thing and wait until you do the second one to buy the next thing and so on.
• Make your area bright and full but not crowded. If you have too many items it will be hard for people to navigate through your table.
• Take change with you because people will need change! Have bags ready for sales. People love to not have to carry things in their hands.
• Business cards are a must. Decorations should be bright but also not overpowering to your art!
• If you have jewelry have a mirror.
• If you have neon things have a black light. People like to test things out. Maybe even have some sold out signs to put when things are sold. Seeing that something is selling well will entice new potential customers. 

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Samantha Rhedey creates these stunning wood burned decor! Here’s waht she shared:

• There seems to be a lot of formulas out there for how much stock to make (10 x the cost of your booth etc…) and although these can be good guides, the truth is there’s really no way of knowing how much stock to make for a show. You could do a super successful show and sell nothing and sell out at a seemingly small show.  Just make what you can. Start preparing the day you get your acceptance and prepare everyday you can until the week before the show. If you made too much, you have over flow for your next show! If you didn’t make enough, you know you need to make a little more for next time. Just do what you can!
• Prepare your booth far, far in advance. Block out a weekend in your prep time weeks before the show to set up a mock booth. Find a table or area that’s around the same size and begin planning out how you will arrange your products. Although the way you arrange your products is important, the ultimate vibe of your booth is arguable more important. That is what attracts customers to you. If you’re using a table, make sure to have a table cloth that goes to the floor (so boxes under the table are not visible). If at all possible, work up. Try to keep things at eye level so that when people walk by they are drawn to your products from a distance. This means shelves, walls, stacks, whatever works for your display. Google! Pinterest! There are so many amazing displays to take inspiration from out there.
• Make sure all of your prices are visible to customers with tags on each product and an overall pricing guide.
• Put your business cards front and centre for those passing by to quickly grab. Have business cards!!
• For those who do a lot of custom work and want to show it off, I use an iPad with a photo slideshow of all my past commissions. If you can’t swing an iPad, photos in nice frames around your display work or even a photo album for people to flip through.
• A big myth at craft fairs is that the products are all cheap and therefore you need to lower your prices in order to sell anything. That’s simply not true. Those who frequent craft markets go because they enjoy the handmade element. I would advertise special deals for the show but I would be very wary about lowering your prices. Don’t sell yourself short and don’t lose a potential profit. *If you’re noticing your products aren’t selling because they are too expensive, think about a small affordable product you may have that you could display instead*
• Know your market. Every craft fair has a different audience and will draw a different market. Most organizers are quite open about their target market and if not, just ask! Once you know who your primary customer will be, it will be easier to determine which of your products to bring. Example: if it’s mostly students shopping for gifts you may not want to bring only your most expensive products to sell.
• Make sure you have a big enough float and a method to accept debit/credit. I use Square!
• Take a deep breath! You can only make so much and you can only prep so much. Craft shows are exhausting but they are such a good way to get your name out there!

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JESSIE MAI creates a variety of abstract art! Here’s what she shared:

• Do a mock set up at home, this helped me a lot. I could see what I needed more of and how it would look at the craft fair/market.
  
• Make sure you can have as many of your paintings upright as possible, this helps buyers to see better and imagine it in their space.
  
• Use up as much ‘real estate’ of your stall as you can. Use stands, easels, boxes and shelves to create more display area and it also looks more inviting and draws in potential buyers
• Have your items priced so customers don’t have to ask you, most times if a price isn’t displayed many people will just move on.
• Make an inventory of all stock and number them, I suggest pre wrapping your items in brown paper or bags and number,  leaving one side open. This not only protects your items while traveling to your craft fair but it can then be put back into the wrapping and taped up when/if the item is sold. This also saves space in having a table to wrap the sold items and time in wrapping them. 
  
• Take a box with items such as a notebook (for all those orders you’ll get), pens, tape, cable ties, rubber bands etc
• Have business or info cards made and available on your table.
• Use an online payment system like Square so you don’t miss out on sales from those with cards.
• Make sure you have a helper. Its great to have someone to help with customers but it can also keep you calm (markets can seem really scary!) and creates a nicer atmosphere with you both interacting with one another and customers.
  
• Try to avoid sitting down behind your stall. Move around and chat and smile, this makes you seem more approachable and friendly
• Don’t be disappointed if you don’t sell much. Sometimes it just might not be the right fair for your items. It will still be a great learning experience and you can make contacts and receive orders, getting your name out is really important to grow your business.

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Chylenia creates beautiful abstract art! Here’s what she shared:

• Have a clean, organized setup with multiple varieties of your pieces in plain sight. 
• If you are selling canvases, its best to have them upright for people to easily see them as they are walking by. I have seen artists use peg boards, cork boards, and grid walls. I have used grid walls, they are heavier than I’d like, but I have the most luck selling canvases when I take the time to bring them!
• Vibe! Make sure you have a friendly, positive, warm attitude. Greet every guest that comes to your booth. I have seen many people who just look at their phones and don’t engage with the customers, and they have usually not done as well as those that were interactive with the shoppers. 
• Accept multiple forms of payment and have your payment options displayed at your booth. Most folks pay with cash or credit. (a Square Point of Sale attachment on your phone is easy, fast, and has low fees.)
• Put prices on each piece. Some folks will be too afraid to ask for a price, they may feel uncomfortable doing so. 
• Have pieces in multiple price ranges. It’s always a good idea to have some smaller items in the $1-3 range
• Have shopping bags for your guests to take their purchases in. They likely won’t want to carry it around in their hands for the rest of the fair. You can find inexpensive, recyclable kraft paper bags on Amazon. (Also, if your items are fragile, have some tissue paper/bubble wrap available)
• Bring snacks, nobody wants a hangry vendor! 😉 
• Try not to be discouraged if your craft show experience isn’t what you imagined. I have had some awesome craft shows and some that I didn’t do as well at. It will vary greatly depending on the clientele, the advertisement for the event, and the time of year. I think every vendor has had a show that they felt a little disappointed in, but don’t let it stop you from creating your work. Your craft is one of a kind, and even selling one piece means that someone enjoyed your work, which is really amazing! 
• Share the event on your own social media platforms. I like to share a week or two in advance and then the day of!
• Have fun with it!

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Rebekah Calderone creates amazing resin art! Here’s what she shared:

• I have been an artist for a little over a year now. I am self-taught and have been doing craft shows for 1 year. During that time I have learned the following tips that might be helpful for you.
• Be prepared and organized. If it’s your first show you will be nervous and might forget something but if you plan ahead you’re less likely to have any problems. You might want to bring the following with you; painters tape, price tags, shopping bags, scissors, glue, money apron, plenty of cash for change, credit card machine, cell phone, business cards, paper, pen, extra stands, paper towels and a small cooler with a lunch.
• Utilize your vertically and horizontally areas within your table space and around your designated area. This will depend on what you are selling and if you are inside or outside. Stackable shelves work wonderful for artwork. I use ones from Inter Design.
• Mark your prices ahead of time. You can price each item individually or have a large sign with designated prices. A chalk board, dry erase board or preprinted signs in a plastic holder work well.
• Use a solid color table cloth in order to attract the artwork and not detour from it. Sometimes patterns can be too busy and clash against the product being sold.
• Remember to be friendly and helpful. One thing that I have learned is to have a go to statement ready to say to customers as they walk up to your table. For example I like to say “Everything I have here is personally handmade. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.” Then watch and see in a few minutes if they pick something up and start looking for you. Usually this indicates they will have questions about how it was made or how it is used. This is your time to shine and to sell the product. You don’t want to be too pushy but if you aren’t excited about what you made the customer isn’t going to be either. You will need to prepare yourself for some who may not like your items. Try not to take it personally. Not everyone is going to like everything. Art is a wonder. What one like’s one might not. This depends on what type of customer base you are trying to attract. This will develop over time. (I am still learning this.) Have business cards ready to hand out to customers.
• Pack your items at least a few days before your show. Double check the night before what you are bringing. You want to arrive early and never late. Be prepared for traffic, weather and other scenarios. Depending on the size of the show many vendors will be unloading quickly all at the same time.  Bring help to load and unload that day.
• Protect your artwork for travel. You can use paper, towels, sheets, pillows, pool noodles, boxes and plastic bins when packing. Remember when you are driving the product needs to be protected from being shuffled around too much.
• Be respectful of your designated area. No one likes when someone takes up more than their allotted space. Don’t take down your displays early without prior approval. Clean up your area from all trash before leaving.
• Hold your head up high for even doing the show. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and put yourself out their like that with your artwork.

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Kirstie Gilleade creates adorable cards! Here’s what she shared:

• Plenty of Stock: Bring enough stock with you of each of your products. You just never know what is going to sell that day. I’ve been to some craft fairs where I’ve sold out of some of my products (which I never expect to happen) and I just think shucks I should’ve brought more with me. So always be prepared for the day, preferably the night before, so that you’re not rushing about in the morning on what you need to pack.
• Bits and Bobs: Definitely invest in buying a tablecloth, as it makes your stand look professional and it comes in handy to hide all your bits and bobs underneath your table.
• Bring plenty of business cards with you, so that people are able to take one from your stall. As they might not buy anything from you there and then, but they might think of you for a gift idea at a later date.
• Stall Test Setup: Try to do a test set up of your display a few nights before your fair. This will give you a better idea of where you would like everything to go, as it does take longer than you think to decide on your set up. Depending where you’re placed at your craft fair, try to think what you would like for people to see first, as this will draw them in to take a nosey at your stall
• Change: Make sure you have plenty of change with you in your cash tin in notes and coins, but I would definitely stress more in £1 coins, as you soon notice that you do quickly run out of change (so stock up on those coins beforehand).
• Product List: Write out a list of products that you’re taking with you, so that when you do make a sale at your craft fair, you can make a note of it. This really does help to check how much you have sold by the end of the day and you can also see what has been popular that day as well.
• Display Setup: Make sure you have everything clearly labelled with what type of products you’re selling and how much they cost. This will make it easier for people to see what you have at your stall when they’re unable to get close up to it, at those busier moments.
• Try to use different props to display your products, as you want people to be engaged with what you’re selling. If your products are all laid flat on your table, people will tend not to come over as it’s just not looking as exciting for them (which I have done before) so put your own personal stamp on your setup. Look at using baskets, apple crates, card stands and easels to create high and low displays for your products, which are cheap ways to make your stall look more exciting.
• Have Fun: But above everything just have fun with it. Make your personality shine through your stall!

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ashley snow creates mesmerizing fluid art! Here’s what she shared:

• If you’re wondering where to look for craft fairs in the first place, look local! I live in Massachusetts, which means the warmer months are prime craft fair time. Research on what your local, and neighboring towns have for upcoming events. It’s never too early to start looking, because some craft fairs fill up months in advance. Craft fairs often do have entrance fees. Prices are usually displayed on the application, or in the event posting. I’ve experienced fees that range from $15-$200. The bigger the event, the larger the fees.
• Create business cards! These are great to have at craft fairs, and carry around in general! You instantly appear more professional by having a business card. I have commissioned pieces for clients that I’ve met at craft fairs. They had purchased a piece, and later contacted me for a commission. Business cards extend your relationship, and communication with clients.
• If you’ve thought about selling your art at a craft fair, you want to have a few pieces in mind that you plan to display at the fair. In order to display these pieces, you’ll need a table, and possibly a grated wall panel to hang your pieces on (depending on the size). Be on the lookout for these items if you don’t have them already. Facebook market place is a great place to start looking for grated wall panels.
• If the event is taking place outside, check the weather reports! I’ve been stuck holding down my pieces the entire time because of the wind. If you are attending an event that is outside make sure you “wind proof” your setup, and lookout for rain!
• Make a list of what you need, and go through everything…twice!
• Don’t be discouraged if you don’t make a lot-or any sales. I’ve attended fairs where my sales are less than my entrance fee. This is in no way considered a fail, it is a learning experience. Art is vastly objective, it’s different for everyone. If you’ve made little to no sales, try a different craft fair with a different group of customers!
• Lastly, be friendly  and be ready to talk about your art. Many people will stop to chat, and ask about your process. Craft fairs are a great way to put yourself out there and let people connect with you, and your art!
• P.S. Bring tape, sharpies, and snacks!
• ART MAGGIK
• choose your market well. Investigate what else is on in the same area on the day of the market, whilst you might get people browsing, art is usually the last thing people splurge on.
• pricing I’ve got so much to say on pricing. My 2 tips for today though are avoid a pricing formula, many small lives can take longer and be aesthetically more beautiful than larger pieces. your art is worth it, don’t undercut yourself. Don’t undercut other artists either by going cheaper.

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Jamie Crawley creates lovely fluid art! Here’s what she shared:

• Going beyond the “Hi, how are you?” Engage with your audience! Go in depth on your process, how you made your craft, and different techniques you used. People love to hear about that stuff. 
• Making an attractive display is an extremely important part of selling your work and getting a lot of traffic in your booth! People tend to gravitate towards brighter displays. If you are indoors, try to set up next to a window or hang some display lights to brighten up your area.
• Make sure you have some business cards to hand out! A lot of people won’t pull the trigger on a purchase right away, so offering them your information gives them the opportunity to revisit your work!

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Joy Smallwood creates beautiful resin pieces! Here’s what she shared:

• Don’t think you have to break the bank to be able to display your artwork at a craft fair.
• I was able to make some awesome leaning board displays that showcased my art in a unique and cost-effective way. I purchased some sheets of plywood and had them cut down to about 12 inches across. They were 8’ tall so they lean up against the sides of the pop up tent nicely. I then drilled 3 sets of 2 holes each spaced out into the boards for some decorative bolts to be screwed in. This is what I set the paintings on. I painted each board grey to give it a nice finished look. The nice thing about these boards is that they stack together and don’t take up a ton of space in my car. I do have to take the bolts out to stack them, but they screw in and out easily each time. These displays are able to hold up some very large and heavy artwork. I also secured the paintings to the board by hooking a wire to the D-rings on either side of the painting around the back of the board. That way the wind was not an issue, or someone bumping into the board or painting didn’t cause it to fall.
• Collect email addresses any way you can. Get creative and give an incentive for them to give it to you. Maybe do a prize drawing of everyone who gives their email, or give a discount on something they buy. It is important to have email addresses since social media platforms come and go throughout the years, but emails have proven to stay relevant and they are not going anywhere soon.
• Make it easy for your customers to find you on your social media platform or website right there on the spot. Create a free QR code for each platform so that they can follow you just by scanning it. That way you are not just hoping they remember to look you up later from a business card.

Thank you to all the amazing artist who shared their tips!

Don’t forget to go check out all the lovely artists artwork and tell them how inspiring they are!!! If you found this post helpful please share it and follow me on my social media’s to stay updated on new posts! If you have any craft fair tips, experinces, or questions I would love to hear from you! Tag @happilyevercrafty and #happilyevercrafting on Instagram to share your craft fair pics and have them shared! Good luck and happy crafting!

X0XO, Taylor