Re; first craft show - need pointers....

19 years ago

Hi all -

I will be doing, my very first craft fair in Nov. I am looking for the little potpourri simmer pots, that plug in ( to have some of my fragrance) ''wafting'' in the air. Hope to draw people to my table. Also, need advice on setting up my craft table. I will have a beautiful floral table skirt w/ coordinating table cover ( table is 8- foot long).I will be selling body butter, lip gloss, scented & unscented soap, skin conditioner, body glitter,body wash, bath sachets & room fresheners. So far- I will have small shelves set up on the table, to bring products up to eye level (was told that would help). Soaps will be in rustic baskets. Small potted herbs will be put out, as some products are made with herbs. A tray of samples, with qtips for trying out products. Gift bags full of products, ready

for xmas. So, what else do I need? Tell me what you think.

Oh, since there will be no refreshments at this all day event.I will be offering sodas & ''homemade'' chocolate chip cookies. I would really, appreciate any advice.

Thank you all. tina_2

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
19 years ago
Wow Tina,

It sounds like you have a wonderful selection of things, and have really given it all a lot of thought.

I think I would definately stop by your table even without being lured in by a heavenly fragrance.

With your nice assortment of products, You should be a real hit.

You did not address this, but one suggestion I'd like to make, is to be sure and have your pricing very visible, if it isn't on each item.

I hate it when the prices aren't clear, and then find that something I was kind of interested in is really expensive.
I imagine you have that covered.

Snacks too...how nice....homemade cc cookies...YUM!

Be sure and report back to us about how it goes. Good luck!

Sue
tina_2
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi chemocurl - Thank you, for the vote of confidence. You, make me very happy! Oh, yes I am printing good sized prices on my stuff. I have made sev. lists of how to's. I thought, I would have small (like note cards) printed with what type of ingredients go into my products. And since, I have an 8-ft. table, I am going to set up everything & see just how it will look. I don't want to leave, anything to chance. I have been, to a few craft fairs. I have noticed, sometimes the craft tables look a mess. Like there was no planning, at all. I want to look established & like I have been around for years. Plus, they say - if your product is well put together & you know what you are doing - people can tell. They also, feel comfortable. I want everyone, to be as comfortable with bathing their children with my soaps - as I am with my grandsons.
My family & friends & neighbors - all use my skin care products, on a daily basis. As, I do also. And, I would never give/ sell a product I didn't feel comfortable with. So, I will be sure to post pics. ( if I can figure out how). Also, a detailed description of my table. I am, technically challenged on my computer. Got any tips on that? E-me. Anyway, please let me know - if you can think of anything else. I am, kind of nervous.
Thank you, so much. tina_2
Related Discussions
Crafters Needed For Craft Show
Q
Comments (11)
Thanks, Christopherh. I had already posted on Craftlister, but didn't realize I should also post on Eventlister. Their site seems pretty thorough, and I'm impressed! I've even gotten a couple requests for apps from there. Didn't know about the promoters in Holly. Don't live close to them; live near Lake Huron. If you don't mind, would you please send me their name. Maybe they wouldn't mind giving some advice? Thanks!
...See More
My first craft show this year - reporting
Q
Comments (6)
I went to a craft show today too and I'll agree with Kathy, way too many of jewelry crafters. I will say a lot of the jewelry items were gorgeous but I don't wear a lot of it these days. I suppose if that's what you're after, that's good, but me, I'm looking for the homemade country/prim crafts. There were some beautiful crafts of course. I sought out this one gal who makes handmade felt ornies and I spent just under $20. I was a good girl then and handed all my cash over to my girlfriend so I couldn't spend anymore. One gal was selling decorated Xmas trees and she had sold all of them except for two. She was then taking orders. They were really nice. One was a fall tree and the others were Xmas. The painted gourds were awesome and I could have grabbed the Halloween painted one for $25 but as I said, I was a good girl and to keep me from spending way too much which can easily be done with my pocketbook. I have this craft addiction you see... and I just can't get enough of it. LOL, but then again, no laughs cause it can get me in trouble. I especially liked the holiday tablerunners, those were $25 or more. Then the hand lotions, soaps and candles were all around also. The handmade wooden sconces were nice but a little pricey if you ask me. I really need to learn how to use the scroll saw I bought, it would save so much in wood things I need for my projects. One gal whose been at this particular show before does the prim stuff and with no $$ on me, all I could do was look. I think she should sell on eBay, her stuff is that nice and I think folks were snatch it right up. I talked to her to do it and she said she's thought about it before but was afraid too. I told her if I can do it, anyone can. It is disappointing when something you labored over doesn't sell, but then again, that's what eBay is all about. Ok, I'm rattling on here, need to get some housecleaning done, or should I craft instead!!! Sal
...See More
Hosting a craft show in your home
Q
Comments (15)
I went to a house sale in Hollywood Hills in a lovely hillside home that was benefiting children with some illness. Several ladies planned it. The home was emptied of furniture except for tables, end tables,dining tables, coffee tables & several trees were decorated with salable items, they also had the patio set up with tables, card tables & I think a pool table. They had cookies & punch or coffee(before you worried about hot coffee getting spilled) but the eating had to take place in 1 area of the patio.(garage perhaps if cold there) this was 1 fine home, the upstairs was off limits. The downstairs bathroom was black marble, large pieces(12x18in with gold vein imported from Italy) floor, walls & ceiling, toilet & pedestal sink were black with beautiful gold faucets,very fancy, & glass shower with gold fixtures- everything spotless & nicest bathroom I've ever seen. It was a very comfortable experience as everyone there was very nice,helpful if you asked about something otherwise left you alone to look. Tables were in center of rooms so you could walk all the way around them since dining room tables were large,with plain colored table cloths on them but that way you could have taller items at center of tables & flat things that weren't breakable near edges of tables. I think a couple of card tables on patio were covered with a 4x8 piece of plywood to make large table out there, a round table was a large piece of plywood cut to 60 or 72 in or removed from a table like that & placed on something else, maybe a built-in bbq. I did that with 60 in round piece on a card table once but you need to have someone there so they don't tip it, think my hubby anchored it to the old card table some how but some don't. There were few pics on wall not for sale but too hard to move but otherwise personal stuff was moved out. We could tell a lot of work went into it. Lucky for them it was lovely day so no problems with rain or snow like you might have to deal with & heavy coats etc. I would keep the food & drink in 1 place tho, as we used to have "dime-a-dip" luncheons & I saw people take their foot & grind spilled coffee or food into the carpet instead of trying to get it up with a paper napkin or asking for a damp cloth to try to remove the spot. Hope it works out well for you! And do help her with cleanup. So many times at different functions whether PTA,school or church minute people are full they "have to go" so rest of us always got stuck cleaning up, most times it was OK as fun bunch but if 2-3 are stuck with ton of dishes to clean-no fun!! Jan
...See More
Need more ideas for baby related items for craft shows
Q
Comments (18)
Hi Lara...I'm back too, now that the board's free...a super easy craft is embellished burp cloths. Buy the PREFOLDED cloth diapers. Buy 1 yard of ribbon per diaper. Sew the ribbon across the (short) bottom & top of the diaper. You're done! Instead of ribbon, I've also seen people add maybe a 2"-2.5" piece of fabric to one end. I've never done this, but I'm assuming you fold the fabric over so the front & back are both finished. To carry it further, (and make the end product worth more $), you could cover the entire back in teh same fabric. Hmmm. is that clear as mud?
...See More
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
I'd not do soda's but bottles of water.
I found wearing an apron with pockets was a huge help for tucking away money real quick or making change.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
19 years ago
Tina,

I am going to email you. If you do not get it please email me. Get the addy from the form here at GW and don't email me via GW...Lots of emails are going into cyberspace.

I cannot email you (non GW) because on your profile you have not checked the box Allow members to see email address or something like that.

If I can show pics, so can you!

Sue
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
19 years ago
When is your show? I wanna see pics!

I got your email, but you never said if you had a Photobucket account set up or not. That is what I use, and can help you with pics.

Sue
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
19 years ago
How did it go?

Were you a great hit?

Details please.

Sue
tina_2
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi Sue & Terri - I never made it to the craft show. You won't believe it, but my hot water heater burst. It happened 2- days before the craft show! I was so mad. Well, we cleaned up all the water & mess. My hwh, is in my kitchen. You can imagine how that was. We looked around for a new hot water heater,that was affordable. Prices vary. That took a couple of days, then I could not find a plumber to come out to install it. In the meantime, we had to heat water on the stove for every need. I did finally get the hwh installed, only to have it spring a big leak. Waited again for the plumber. It turned out, some of our pipes needed replacing. We have an ancient house. Wow, was it ever expensive. We finally got the thing straightened out. I am so exhausted, from worrying with this mess. Anyway, I hope, pray, keep my fingers crossed, that maybe I can make it to an ''affordable craft show'' sometime after the first.
The hot water heater dilema, set us back about $ 1,000.
So, I am going to keep my original plan. Set up a table
with all of my stuff , at home & check it out w/friends.
So, that when the craft show time is near , I will be ready. My daughter & a close friend offered to come snap pics. from the show. I will have to do the photobucket thing that you mentioned. Meanwhile, I am still looking for a fast drying lotion/bodybutter recipe, if you hear of one.
Thanks for giving me a boost of confidence. It really had an effect on me. I am so ready for the next show!
Tina_2
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
Gosh Tina, what a mess. I'm sorry that your house decided to rebel!

Check your local paper. Schools and small organizations usually have tables or space for around $25 here.
Also your Chamber of Commerce might keep a list of what bazaars or craft shows still are looking for vendors.

Re; first craft show - need pointers....

Comments (8)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

tina_2
Original Author

Related Discussions

Terri_PacNW

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

tina_2
Original Author

Terri_PacNW

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Re; first craft show - need pointers....

Comments (8)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

tina_2Original Author

Related Discussions

Terri_PacNW

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

tina_2Original Author

Terri_PacNW

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

tina_2
Original Author

tina_2
Original Author