Oh I'm so sorry! What a bummer that hardly anyone came to the fair.
Your stuff looks great!
I've never done it myself, so not sure how one chooses where to sell.
I hope you have better luck in the future.
Kathy

So sorry to hear about your bummer day - I hate when that happens. Looks like you had a nice variety though, so don't give up! Having done shows for 20+ years, the best advice I have is to scope them out and see for yourself what kind of traffic they have before committing to one. Like check out this years for next year. Try to choose those which are well-established (some of mine have been going on for 30+ years, therefore having a good clientele). Also, the ones that have "in-your-face" type advertising - i.e. everywhere you look. Those are great. I have a tiny one coming up this Sat. but otherwise my first one is the end of March. My hubby found it advertised in the AAA Home & Away magazine this morning! Love it! They do heavy advertising and really draw in a crowd. Those kind of shows are usually more expensive, but more worth it for you because at least there are customers and you aren't wasting your time. Nothing like a long boring day with other vendors as your only customers, been there, done that, DON'T LIKE IT!

But don't give up, people like unique things and you've got 'em! Another tip might be to check out local garden stores/greenhouses to see if any have spring fairs coming up - that will guarantee the right kind of crowd for you too.

Arlene

"Been there, done that," too!
Like luvs said above, the key is advertising! Been & helped organize the same craft show for 20+ yrs...always make a big diff that it is held on the same date each yr...people know when it's coming...like 2nd Sat. before Tksgiving, etc. When vendors register beforehand, all are given flyers to put up wherever they want...use local papers, etc.

And, of course, you must have "original" items that don't sell cheap in big box stores! Hard to compete!

Good luck to you...cause I know you're on a new adventure in your life...being in AZ this winter! Enjoy! Jeanne S.

Sorry it was a bad day. If it was nice out something else was happening!! A rodeo, all day tractor pull, graduation of some kind, twice a year swap-meet, biggest sale of the year at local store like Kohl's or Penny's, major weddings, parade, Boy or Girl Scouts all day thing at park,sat. is day lot of kids play ball at city parks & they sometimes have a picnic at noon, look through newspaper to see if any events listed, call your local Chamber of Commerce to see if they know of any major events last weekend. Of course if it was raining that could be cause or 1st really great spring day gets everyone to garden centers to buy plants, fertilize,clean out & pretty up things. 1 other thing, is sale place hard to get into, is there plenty of parking, was there clear signs pointing the way in to sale. I noticed what time you posted & it was 9:15 & any I've been in, you had to be set up & ready for business by 8 or 9 at latest. I figured this was 1st time these folks tried it. Oh, major convention in town that involved towns people? You had good assortment of product & the display in the container was perfect so if it was right day you would have done fine. Next time before you put any money out for a space, check & see if there is anything going on in community that weekend, newspapers "Coming events", library sometimes has bulletin board, college bulletin board, sometimes large church advertises on their sign in front of church "May 4 pancake breakfast 9am-1pm- community welcome!"(that could affect your sale if it was nearby) How did planners handle the lack of sales??? They should have given you back 1/2 of your table fee if they were nice folks. If it was free they should have brought in coffee & donuts at 2 pm & apologized unless it was just loaning out the room, then it would be fault of your group. Did planners have anything to say??? We had bad day at Park once & lady told us we could each set up a 2nd table to spread out our very crowded items & that helped us do little better than break even. Might see if your school has a Spring Fair & if you could be in it, some churches out here let others besides their members buy a table & usually these people are experienced & cheaper to get table than at large fair, but get there at least 30 min to 45 min early as you must be set up & ready to go when door opens or you lose sales, some folks take 1 swing through & buy & leave. Don't let all that good stuff just gather dust(hope it is well covered so won't require dusting).1 more thing- are all plates same price? Put a price card up that is cute with prices, can use flower stickers on it & use red lettering or black, something that shows up & cover it neatly with clear Contact plastic so you can reuse it(plastic wrap pulled tightly & taped to itself on back would work) Good Luck! Next time will be better!! Jan

Sorry to hear that your first experience was a bust, but I'm sure it has to do with the time of year and the economy...so don't give up! Your creations were great and I'm sure when the weather breaks just a little, people will be more in the mood to garden and get started creating new things!

What a bummer. But don't give up. I have done some also that were a washout, but others have been good. I tried the farmer's market last summer (4 Saturdays) and it wasn't worth it. Lots of people came by...oohed and awed, but very few buyers. I did a 1 day garden sale also and did well. Also the farmer's market 1 day holiday sale and another craft sale in November that was 4 days and I didn't even have to be there except when I wanted to be. There were cashiers that handled all the sales. I did well at both of those shows. There is another spring garden show here that I haven't participated in. I called yesterday for info and decided not to do it. The fee is $100 for 2 days and I would have to have a canopy with sides. I have a canopy, but it's open. They require one with sides because the items are left overnight with security guards.