Advice for crafter/artists selling their wares - chime in with your tips
Last edited Sat Jun 1, 2013, 04:14 PM - Edit history (1)
It is getting to be that time of year - spring festivals and art fairs - a great time for crafters and artists to sell and showcase their goods.
A long time ago, I attended several small craft fairs selling my beaded jewelry and had so much to learn and was so overwhelmed - from pricing, to displaying, and how to make a profit (never learned that - but my husband attended with me and took any profits and hit the snack bar).
I hope those of us with varying experience can use this thread to chime in with their best advice, lessons learned, or do's and don'ts.
I attended a small business market this weekend as a customer and that is what made me think of posting this thread.
So here are some do's and don'ts from a customer point of view:
1. Put the cell phone down! It was disappointing to visit a booth and see the seller hunched over a smart phone never looking up to make eye contact. If you have to enlist helpers to relieve you (for potty breaks etc) make sure they know this too. And if you have helpers, don't spend your whole time so engrossed in conversation that you don't greet customers.
2. Know your product. This seems like such a no-brainer but I was surprised by a few sellers' blank looks when I asked questions: do you do custom orders, where else can I get your product (if they don't have a store) or what materials do you use?
3. Have items in a wide range of prices. I am broke, but I want to support my local crafters too and I will remember who makes that fabulous bath soap, purse or jewelry come special occasions or birthdays. One way I will do that is if I have small reminder. There was a crafter who made beautiful fused glass items - but I wasn't ready to buy a larger piece. They had gorgeous glass coffee stirrers that were $4 - I bought one and I will be reminded of their products every morning and when I am looking for a special gift I know where to go.
4.Have your prices visible. Several times I wanted to buy something (soap, earrings, etc) but no price and with the seller engaged in conversation, I moved on.
5. Greet your customers - even if it is just a smile and a nod because you are talking to another customer.
6. Bring a buddy. As someone who has had to sit there for 8 hours - sometimes with no one coming over for what seems like forever and then getting slammed with more customers than I can handle - I know how fun or awful selling at fair can be. A buddy (or husband in my case) can help answer simple questions or greet customers if you are busy and can help you keep your spirits up as the time drags on.
Ok now its your turn to add your advice!
= new reply since forum marked as read
Just because I'm a newbie at craft fairs and need to learn all I can. I've learned an ENORMOUS amount just from artisans on DU. I'm still getting up and inventory but I was called into work unexpectedly (yay!) so I'll be having to wait on next year's craft fairs.
Thanks so much for posting! 
