I have been a craft exhibitor at shows/fairs/farmer's markets for over 30 years. This is my full time job.

I can understand your trepidation about actually going out and selling your baskets, but if the market has customers, and you make some basic baskets, you can make money.

What you do is make some basic baskets and a couple of your finer ones. Those are the "draw" to your booth and you put your price on them. If the people who go to the market have the money and like what you offer, you can make good money.

I do a number of shows with professional basket makers and they do the shows because they can make literally thousands of dollars in a weekend at a good show put on by a professional promoter.

Yes, it involves leaving home, setting up, actually talking to the customers, pocketing the cash, tearing down at the end of the day and going back home. But the following Monday, we take the cash to the bank.

But in order to sell your baskets, YOU must be the one selling them, not the promoter.

Personally, I see you making at least a couple hundred dollars if the customers are the type who appreciate handcrafted work as opposed to Chinese crap.

And you grow from there.

Below is a website by a basket maker I have done some shows here in New England with. She SELLS at shows!

Here is a link that might be useful: Professional Exhibitor

here's my two cents worth-
what state are you in? here in Michigan, things are tight and people are even tighter.
I've had people ask me to sell my glass garden de-lites(totems etc) on a Saturday at a farmers market, but like you, my time is valuable to me. especially a Saturday.
I've never had much success with craft shows and the kind, but do sell at local shops with moderate success. I also sell them from my front yard-
while reading all your pros and cons, I sense that you are a 'helper' kind of person- you'd like to help out your neighbor, but instincts told me to say- No thank you , at least at this point.

The initial investment of tables, pop ups, etc. wouldn't probably pay off for a few years- so just keep an eye on it, and when it 'takes off', then you could re-consider.

wow I never talk this much this early in the morning... :)

I've been selling at a farmer's market venue going on for 25 years - not every week, but pretty regular. I started off with an umbrella and and round table with a hole in the middle - now I have a canopy and two tables to sell from. I love it! It is hard at first , but you learn the tips and everyone around here is always happy to help you set up. No one can sell your things like you do... Y9our best investment is to make/buy business cards. Christopher has good ideas. Start small and have fun!

You mentioned the owner said you could just leave your items. I would say no because from what you posted it is not very organized. Maybe take a few, set up the table (take a card table) and have about 3-4 etc to sell and put up a sign to take orders. Collect a down payment, make sure you have all the information to deliver etc if you wish to do so. Do you have someone to go with you? Yes it will be work, but worth it IF you can establish your spot, go every week, etc But if your baskets are pricy, you will find out real quick if there is a market or not. Again, from the sounds of others at the market, it is a low keyed event with lower prices. Just my thouoghts.

Thank you all for the replies!

christopherh, I was thinking along the lines you recommended... having mostly "basic" (lower cost) baskets with just a few finer/higher cost ones.

mjowest, I'm in central NY and I'm not sure how the economy would affect sales.

grandma_bonnie, I did make the effort to go for a few hours last year just to scope out the situation and did bring some baskets for sale... I also brought a small plastic end-table and a popup-style camping chair for my setup. lol! At the owner's request, I also lugged all my tools and enough materials to demonstrate weaving. Just that was enough to fill my car.

marie-ndcal, it is a low-keyed event. Not sure about prices or how they'd compare... I bought a dozen eggs for $2.50, when all the other farmers in the area charged only $2. I also bought some fruit to munch on and that wasn't cheap. I did notice that most jams were $3.50 - $4.00 for an 8-oz jar and I thought that was very reasonable given the cost of fruit, sugar, jars, and the time invested. Handwoven baskets are an entirely different thing for this venue though -- and I didn't see anything handmade for sale that wasn't edible.

The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that if I decide sell there, I should be the one doing the selling!

In the meanwhile, the owner has contacted me and clarified that the market won't start until July. She also asked if I would offer basket weaving classes at the market. I explained what would be required for that setup (tables, chairs, etc) and made it clear that burden would be on her. She replied that she may get a grant that would allow her to build a pavilion! I'm amazed.

So now I have until July to think about this. That gives me time to consider alternatives, as well!

Thanks again to everyone for their input. I can tell you that each of you swayed me as I read about your experiences, so I'm not sure where that leaves me. lol!