Craft fairs - have you ever sold things

[scrapquitler]

My Mom did for about 5-6 years. She made quilts, and small quilted and sewn items. Some craft fairs she sold hardly anything, other times she'd sell about $1200 in one day, it really depended on the venue and the clientele. Her best selling items were more small/medium size. She sold lots of table runners and placemats. Potholders, aprons, tea bag wallets, wine bottle bags, and Christmas ornaments were also popular items because they were nice, unique and not too expensive. She always had a bunch of baby and lap size quilts, but usually didn't sell too many of those because the prices were a lot higher. More often than not, she'd end up with custom orders from the fair. Someone would see something that they liked, but want it in a specific color that she didn't have, so she'd go home and make what the customer wanted.

I think she usually paid between $25-$75 for her booth space, depending on the fair.

My Mom did this after my Dad died...she said she was doing it more for fun than income, and as a way to keep her hands busy and her mind from wandering too much. It kept her focused and with a purpose (she'd make herself a list, like "todays goal is to make 15 potholders") and she had fun doing it. She would have been sewing or quilting regardless of if she sold anything, so anything she sold helped pay for her fun and she considered it a bonus. I think you have to decide what your mindset is before you start this, and determine what products you will make depending on what your goal is. You might have to make things you don't particularly love if your goal is to sell lots of volume, or if you make what you love, you might have to wait for the right customer. It's up to you to decide that.

 

[Feralpeg]

I sold gift baskets at a charity event to benefit a school. The chocolate lovers and coffee lovers baskets were the most popular.