The last two months of 2021 have been consumed by preparations for the holiday season, arguably the most busy time of the year for most businesses. I was participating in two holiday markets through Ottawa Artisans, a community of local crafters and small handmade businesses.
These were my first craft fairs and I felt like no amount of research could have prepared me for the experience. It was an intense two weekends but I’m grateful for the experience. Here’s what no one told me about going to craft fairs!
Prepping and expectations
Because each business is different, it was hard to get advice online about what exactly I could expect, like how much product to make or sales projections. I did some research on displays and general tips for how to prepare. I also got advice from other vendors in Ottawa Artisans.
Here is some of the advice I got:
Practice your display
Your display should not only show off your products but have prices and payment methods clearly displayed. A good way to make the most use of your space is to expand vertically using boxes, stands, and wire grids.
Have a variety of payment methods available
This includes cash, and most importantly credit and debit cards. Being able to accommodate different methods of payment will ensure that you do not miss out on any sales. I got a Square magstripe reader for free as part of registering an account, but this reader doesn’t accept tap payments or debit, so it was relatively limited. Instead, I had the option to e-transfer.
Make more than you expect to sell
If you can do so, make more stock than you think you will sell so that you will always have product on hand. If you are like me and have no clue how much you will sell, make a backup plan in case you sell out.
My backup plan was to accept pre-orders through a Google Form so that I would not miss any sales.
Be friendly and smile at people passing by your booth
A cheery attitude helps people feel more comfortable approaching you with questions. If someone makes eye contact, say hello. Most people won't want to be talked to, but for the few that make contact with you, it could make your booth all the more inviting. It also can invite them to engage with you and spend more time looking at your display.
In order to make as many hats as possible before my two markets, I crocheted day and night for two months. I wanted to make sure I had as much stock as possible and in total I made 30 hats, 14 mid-priced items, and 40 low priced items
Attending the fair
If possible, I recommend setting up the night before. This allows you to wake up slightly later the day of your fair and get right to work. My main goal for the market was to sell enough to make up for my table fee and to learn as much as possible.
One of the things I realized I didn’t prepare was my pitch. Listening to other, more experienced vendors pitch their work to people stopping by their booth made me realize that I hadn’t prepared for how I was going to present my products and my shop to others. I did get the chance to fine-tune and tweak it as time went on, but it would have been best to prepare a pitch ahead of time.
At the end of the fair, relax. It may seem obvious but it’s a tiring ordeal so take the night to relax and treat yourself!
Lessons learned
Sales projections
The more expensive your items, the fewer sales you will make. It seems obvious, but having this principle in mind will help you with estimating your sales. If you have big ticket items ($40 or more), having a variety of smaller, lower priced items will help with keeping sales consistent!
Packing for the fair
Pack your things in plastic bins or suitcases. These are easier to move than cardboard boxes and plastic bins can keep your products safe from the weather. Also wear a pair of comfy shoes because you will still have a long day on your feet even if you have a chair.
Talk to your fellow vendors
The advice from other, more experienced vendors was indispensable! They were the ones who gave me the last tip about packing because they saw how I struggled with cardboard boxes. It’s also just nice to make friends with other crafters in your local community.
Slow sales happen - it’s not your fault
Sometimes you’ll have slow sales due to factors out of your control. Those factors could include bad weather, your booth or fair location, and the types of people that frequent that particular fair or location. Keep that in mind when thinking about ways to improve and learn!
Know your audience
Make note of the kind of people that show interest in your products and especially those that make a purchase. Are they the people you thought would be buying your work? Who do you want to be buying from you? This information is important to inform your business’ direction.
It’s a learning experience
No matter what happens, you’re here to learn. You will inevitably improve your approach, products, and display as you gain experience, so any problems you come up against are all learning opportunities!
I’ve learned so much and I’m grateful for this opportunity to attend these fairs, meet my fellow local crafters, and improve The NerDIY Blog business! I hope to be able to attend more fairs and conventions in 2022. If you're interested in sharing your experience or questions, you can leave me a comment or hit me up @thenerDIYblog on Instagram or Twitter.
If you'd like your crafting questions answered live, I stream on Twitch at twitch.tv/finding_doro.
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