Craft Fairs

Some people have such organized displays.
~The Table by leandog~

I love going to craft fairs, shopping at craft fairs and generally supporting craft fairs. Except as a vendor. No thank! The first time I ever went to a craft fair was only a few months after I started making jewellery. I had been approved for an artisans co-op and the adjudicators had praised my work and told me I had an impressive collection of jewellery. I figured that meant I was good enough, and had enough jewellery to sell at the local craft fair.

So, I made arrangements to set up at a 'booth' at one of the local fairs. I had my whole stash with me, a folding chair, little table and a sad float so that I could offer change. Somewhere along the way I had missed the idea that I should probably visit the fair first. You know, check it out, see what it was all about. When I got there, I was wedged next to the biggest display of jewellery in the fair and a food vendor. I sat all alone on my folding chair, nearly out of site. A few people came buy and fingered my jewellery and then walked on past. One woman picked up a pair of earrings and asked if I had a mirror. Mirror? Um. No. That would indicate that I was prepared. She gave me a funny look and wandered away. I did sell a pair of earrings that day. I consider it a pity sale. So I made a whopping $5 after paying $15 to set up my 'booth.' 

A few years later I decided to try again. We had moved to a larger city and this time I went prepared. I had  a portable tent for shelter and a long, folding table that fit neatly under it. My stash was much bigger by this time and I had a TWO mirrors, a lovely tablecloth and my display looked relatively professional. I could not set-up the tent on my own. It was definitely a two-person job. My nice cookie-selling neighbour told me that I should shop around at the end of the season for a used tent. I guess a lot of people get dissuaded after a season of fairs and sell their tents. 

The tent wasn't the only problem. As I was sitting there, watching people glance at my jewellery, a couple came by, picked up a pair of earrings, whispered something to each other, set them down and walked away. I glanced at the earrings only to realize that this set that I had made a year ago had started to tarnish! I quickly grabbed them and pairs made from the same supplies and tucked them away. Later, the same couple wandered by and whispered again, something to the effect of "she put them away." Geez. So embarrassing. I've since moved on to stainless steel metal components as my minimum metal quality for findings. I didn't sell anything that day so I lost the $20 booth fee. I did learn that organic, artisan bread will sell out within 30 minutes at that particular fair. It's too bad my baking skills are so limited. 

My cookie-selling neighbour said that jewellery is pretty tough to sell at craft fairs because people don't buy it spontaneously. They usually come back and see it a few times before deciding they really want it. I know that's true for me. I have many items favourited on Etsy that I'll probably buy when I have the money or some day when I'm feeling blue and need a little retail therapy. Either that or when I finish the P90X workout and need a reward!! 

These experiences have left me a little jaded to craft fairs. I don't like feeling stuck in one spot for 3 to 10 hours trying to at least make up my fee for the booth. What if I have to pee? Ideally I'd have good neighbours or a friend with me. I'd much prefer observing the craft fair and spending my money on other people's fares. I'm so grateful to Etsy for opening up a new method of selling for artisans that doesn't require as much time and money. 

That being said, I may set up at a Christmas fair this fall. The one at Kelowna should be fun or the Vancouver one will allow me to see family. If I have someone come with me I'm sure the experience will be much better.