Poll: craft fairs...do you recommend?

[Majdjn]

This question is for the ladies who have done craft shows before:
Do you recommend it or did you do it a few times (or once) and now you quit?
I've been thinking a lot about it lately..thanks

[kaneohegirl]

they are fun to do... dont go thinking you are going to make a mint...

some small shows you may be lucky to break $100 ... one show I did was soooo bad that the crafters were the main customers cause there were next to no PPL there it sucked and was like a total waste of time and energy.... then you have a show that you break $500 and you feel totally great... if you are doing really good or you are in a well to do area you get a show that breaks a $1000

so when I do good and can pay some bills/utilities/food or buy a new game/toy for my family or myself then I feel great and makes it worth it...

would I give up my day job (if I was working right now) heck NO...lol but to go out every few weekends and help the budget ... its good

[imadoll]

I recomended it Only if you are prepared for it. As small as a craft show could be you have to be prepared for anything from competition to critizism. I was in a craft show last weekend where there were 6 other bow vendors and one of them was right next to me, ofcourse i sell alittle bit of everything and have a variety of things. I called more attention because my booth was more full and people would enter my booth first. even if they didnt buy at first they would come back (after seeing the other booths) for something the other vendors didnt have. I got voted favorite booth.

[imadoll]

Also you have to have good comunication skills and have a lot of energy. encourage people to look inside make conversations.

Alot of other vendors were sitting down kinda hidding from customers (perhaps scared or shy?)and others were all serious as if they were mad.

[Stanford_Mommy]

Perhaps I wasn't prepared, but I for one did not enjoy the first and last fair that I did. I was a huge time investment, and I have found more fruitful ways to get my product out there. (Boutiques, word of mouth, etc.) But then again, that's just me. I might give it another shot in a couple months to see if my perspective changes. Although, business is going pretty well for me as it is, and consumers are approaching me without me having to spend that time behind a booth... so who knows. I'd say it's probably worth the experience to at least do it once and see how it goes for you.

[colleen26]

I would say that it can't hurt. I mean you are going to making the products anyway. I have been in a store before and I did that wholesale. At a craft show you sell for full retail. I have my first show next week, so I will post again after that.

[bstimpert]

If you prepare for them then they are worth the time and money. I enjoy it because of the public exposure. Majority of my sales are local since etsy is so flooded. Cramming is not fun.

Networking and the contacts are just as important as the sales.

[Majdjn]

Thanks ladies...it really helps to hear what others have experienced

[BeezNeezBowz]

Just finished a 4-day show--made approximately $2050; BUT booth fee was $685 and there were some VERY LONG HOURS...not sure I'd do this again, seeing as I did a 2 day show, made $1400 and booth fee was $65...

Yikes! HTH

--Libby