skip to main content

Help on Craft Fair Pricing

12 years ago

I'm going to do a Craft Fair next month that I also did last year. I'm curious what you think my items can sell for. Last year I sold my totems for $25 and my glass flowers for $20. A few people told me I was very reasonable on my prices. Hmmmmm so what did they feel I should have charged? Any suggestions will be helpful. I don't want to outprice myself but I wonder what to charge. I'm trying to upload some pictures and I hope it works so you can see what my items look like.

Image link:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

concretenprimroses
12 years ago
I did $12 to $18 for plate flowers but the stem and a piece of rebar were $3 extra. I sold a totem for $24.
I'm glad to see your post because I am going to raise prices to $15 to $22 for plate flowers. I have a bunch of red glass and some more expensive plates this time. People seemed to pick their favorite irregardless of price.
But I have only the one experience so far. A friend of mine actually suggested that I sell them for $10 at the Frmers mkt because they would "sell like hotcakes"! Unfortunately I wouldn't be earning much at that price tho!
Kathy
flowers12
Original Author
12 years ago
Last year I gave the pvc and rebar with the totem or plate flowers. I didn't give it any thought about charging extra but it makes sense to have it separate. My thinking was to sell them as "ready to go in the garden". Red glass is the big seller always. You definately can charge more for red. Last year I only had a few red plate flowers and one totem. People kept coming back asking if I had anymore red. Red plates are really hard to find and usually cost $2 - $4 each. The Bluebird totem I made was a testament to people buying what they really like. I didn't really want to sell it so I put a $40 tag on it and I was blown away when a lady bought it right as I was setting up.
Related Discussions
Report on Craft Fair
Q
Comments (4)
Sounds like you did really good, flowers! My DH & I don't do craft shows anymore but we always did a few for many, many yrs...now we do Farmer's Mrkt on Sat. morns from May - Oct (we pick & choose which Sats...so we do about twice a mo.)...rain, vacations, Gr'kids, etc. are priorities in our choosing. LOL! & setting up & packing IS lots of work! (ugh!) But booth size is a 'killer' for items like yours (& ours...which was birdhouses, feeders, framed photos, benches, etc) ...so that is an important factor which choosing to participate. Your booth looks very pretty for the limited space you had! ;-) Advertising is the key, too...you can have beautiful set-up, beautiful product but you must have people coming thru! Do you have any 'summer' activities nearby? Your flowers would be a BIG hit for gardeners! A town nearby us has a big festival one weekend & they set up crafters/artists for half a day. Around here it seems that 'craft shows' are dying out or changing...not as much 'handmade' items...& also w/stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc (which I LOVE BTW!) can offer so many decorating items ...so that makes a difference, too. I still love a GOOD craft show & enjoy buying gifts! Good luck on the next one...sounds like a great place cause it will be bringing in lots of people! TFS! Jeanne S.
...See More
Craft Shows/fairs
Q
Comments (14)
Jewelry seems to have over-run the craft shows. As well as the order it ready made and sit and sell booths. Good handmade crafts are getting fewer all the time. My friend has been making bowl mitts and has been doing very well. Couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was when she showed me. It is simply a square design, made with 100% cotton and microwaveable batting, like used for potato bags, She puts 4 darts about half up between corners making the square form a cup. The bigger the square the bigger the bowl can be that fits. Simply put it under the bowl before putting it in the microwave and it has it's own pot holder wrapped around it to get it out of the micro and can be left on to protect the surface you sit the hot bowl on. It is a very clever idea and since she has started demonstrating so to speak at her shows her sales has really picked up. just sitting on the table a person doesn't know what it is. I think she sells them for about $5 to $8 depending on the size. Hope this idea helps. I can try to post a pic if anyone is interested in seeing it.
...See More
Craft Fair report from Saturday
Q
Comments (1)
Thanks for the report. You are so right about "unique items" selling. It always has, it always will. We've got 5 shows left for 2010, so we're busy as all get out. We're doing the last four of Castleberry's shows in Salem, NH Nov 12-14, Wilmington, MA Thanksgiving weekend, the big Hartford, CT Christmas show Dec 3-5, and back to Salem, NH the second week in Dec. We also have one more show with Country Folk Art in Albany, NY Nov 19-21. Then we're off until the last weekend in January when it starts all over again.
...See More
Help! Signing up to do craft fairs!
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks for the feedback! SLOW, I should mention I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Everything out here is expensive, and $100 is about the bottom rate for a show that gets any kind of attendance at all. The larger, busier festivals charge upwards of $600, and some want a % of your sales! I am planning on sharing a booth with a friend on one of the fairs. I'm just wondering how much inventory I should try to put together. Anyone know whether maybe 100 pendants is enough? Should I try for 200? I've got no idea what kind of volume people typically try to show up with. Of course, my husband was in the sports collectibles business for a number of years. He reminded me it depends on the show. Some can clean you out, others you're sitting there all day wishing you could sell 5.
...See More
laurastheme
12 years ago
I think it depends on the area you're in. Here the flowers with stems are selling for about $25. I'm the only one I know of who is selling totems. They go for between $26 & $32. Birdbaths - $36 to $48.
flowers12
Original Author
12 years ago
Laurastheme, where do you live? I live in Northern California, Redding area and there are other people making totems but I haven't seen any other flowers yet. I've seen a lot of really beautiful bird feeders at a fair. The prices are a lot higher than I charge so maybe this year I'll price the flowers at $25 and range my totems a little higher depending on the cost of the colored glass. After all, we make these treasures to sell. Sometimes I like one so much I keep it for myself. My hubby says I'm keeping too many. Winter is so dreary in the garden and a little bling makes it look better.

Do you always make your totems to go on a stick or do you make them to sit flat? I never know which ones to do and end up making them for a stick.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

ARCHITECTURE House-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...

By Laura Gaskill

Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

LIFE 12 Effective Strategies to Help You Sleep

By Laura Gaskill

End the nightmare of tossing and turning at bedtime with these tips for letting go and drifting off

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

ART Let's Put a Price on Art: Your Guide to Art Costs and Buying

By Vanessa Brunner

We paint you a picture of what affects an artwork's price — plus a little-known way to take home what you love when it's beyond your budget

EVENTS Treasure Hunting at the Brimfield Antiques Fair

By Jessica Delaney Photography

More than 5,000 antiques dealers are selling their goods along a 1-mile stretch of rural New England this week. Here's what we found

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

Sponsored

More Discussions

Any ideas for repurposing Water Softener Systems?

4