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| Westerwitch |
 Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:34 pm |
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Site Admin
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5103
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We have two big ones coming up in Edinburgh and Glasgow over two weekends in November - to date the largest we did was in Perth last year and that went well . . . smaller ones we have completely bombed at.
Two questions . . . one for buyers and one for sellers
If you are a buyer - what are you looking for when you go to craft fairs?
If you are a seller what sort of fair works best for you and what sort of level of stock do you take. Does too much put people off . . . (that's . . um . . three questions  ) |
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| Arosebyanyothername |
| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:56 pm |
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Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 817
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As a family we have been both buyers and sellers at Craftfairs. When our children were at College (all went to Art College) we had regular stalls at local craftfairs selling our art and craft to raise money to help them through college. We did this for several years.
When selling we found it a good idea to always have a few inexpensive (probably less than a fiver today) items clearly visible on the stall. That made it less inhibiting to people wanting to look at our stuff.
We argued between ourselves a good deal about how much to stock, so can't answer that one.
We did one local fair on a monthly basis and a couple of others seasonally. We tried a few others a bit further away but they were seldom worth it.
When buying - I am looking for gifts for others - something a bit different and well made. |
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| Zoe |
| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:30 pm |
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Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 706
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I occasionally frequent craft fairs. Usually I am on the look out for needlecrafts, such as patchwork and quilts, or embroidery. Occasionally I will buy soft furnishings too (think along the lines of Jan Constantine cushions).
Occasionally, a piece of hand turned wood will catch my eye, and I am a sucker for yew, and birds eye maple.
Good quality hand crafted jewellery will catch my eye too, I usually go for gold, as base metals bring me up in a rash. Also love some of the hand-crafted fabrics used to create beads to make necklaces too. My friend Karen does a beautiful array of these. Fairy Nuff's corsages are another example of something I would gladly buy.
I look at paintings too, fond of water colour landscapes, or botanical observations, and have bought a few this way.
Last but not least - I love hand made studio pottery, and am a sucker for a well turned bowl or jug.
I tend not to buy for other people at craft fairs, because if they don't like it, its not possible to return the item for a refund, whereas with a shop they can, and I would rather they did that, than live with something they dislike. |
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| Celtic Heart |
| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:35 pm |
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Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Posts: 929
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I've not done any craft fairs as a seller for around 20 years, but when I did I never over loaded the table but made sure there was enough to refill with if necessary in the Jeep. Also, I ran a special for the day, either an exclusive item for the day, or a sort of one time only price.
As for going to buy, I'm afraid I very seldom buy at these fairs, unless it is something truly spectacular that I know I cannot live without, but I pick up plenty of cards and make my mind up later.
I went to a charity fundraising fair last evening, and one chap (with a load of tat on his table, btw) made no eye contact, no attempt to greet anyone (and there were lots of people in) or to engage in conversation, he just sat there playing with his mobile phone and everyone walking past him. He looked miserable, and it truly was affecting his stall. He is a local, so he knew most of the people there, so no excuses for ignoring anyone. Well, in business you don't ignore potential customers anyway, but you know what I mean? |
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| Westerwitch |
| Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:13 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5103
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| From talking to the crafters and the buyers over the weekend, people are a lot more cautious at the moment. We were at a big Craft Fair in Glasgow at the Royal Concert Hall. Very well organised and advertised and absolutely humming with people - even though there was a small admission charge . . . but sales were a bit on the slow side, for most people . . . |
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| Westerwitch |
| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:21 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5103
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| In a couple of weekends time we will be doing the big Craft Fair at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms with 3D/2D . . . I plan to launch my Easel Art Cards there!!!!!! |
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