Thanks for sharing what did and didn’t sell, and why you think so for both. I think one reason things may sell one year and not the next is that there are offerings that are ‘in’ one year and not so in the next year. For instance, remember the cocoa bombs? They were crazy popular one year, but not so much the next year. I do think it’s important to have lots of lower priced items for stocking stuffers, colleague gifts, classroom gifts, etc. And also some higher priced items for those willing to spend more. Lastly, some things have been offered year after year and I think people want something new and unique. Thoughts?
I completely agree. It’s hard because there are some things I just LOVE making that don’t always sell so at what point am I doing it for me vs the public?
alot of work and cute ideas but with more people shopping at dollar tree they put their own gifts together. Itss the economy nothing you did.... glad you did as well as you did.
Many of your disappointments are packaged in cello bags. From my vantage point, it is difficult to see easily what is inside the packs. A suggestion: add a tag that indicates what is inside and, perhaps, use some tissue or shred to raise the contents higher in the cups. The cocoa packs….you acknowledged how bland they are. Once you add some color, they will likely sell well next time. The peppermint gets lost in the package; again, a little elevation would help. Hope you don’t mind my comments. Despite some surprises, you did well. Take the win.😉
I’m glad you sold some, but you are right: craft fairs are kind of a mystery sometimes. We just never know what’s going to sell and what salls one year doesn’t the following. You sound so tired, I hope you get some rest and your next craft fair is a success. Let us know how you did.
Thank you for the video. I think you did great with the $ amount that you made. I love to papercraft and have done fairs previously but I do think that people have a dollar store mentality now. They don't understand the time and cost taken to create a product. Cocoa packets do need something and I bet they will sell quickly closer to Christmas for stocking stuffers. Also maybe add something to the topper for the keys - ribbon with bells or something like that. Best of luck with your next show.
Don't feel bad. It is inflation. I experienced the same as you. I did drop my prices for the 2nd fair and sold almost as much in 1 day as the 2 day fair I did first. Good job!
I went to a Flea Market/Craft Fair last week. I think the problem is that it isn't just a a Craft Fair. Many of the people didn't make any sales. Nobody sold out and most of them took a loss after the $30 Table Rental Fee. It's more if you want electricity. It was very sad to see. I don't think people realize the time and money that goes into Crafting unless they are Crafters. I am glad you made some money and hope you continue to do well.
I went to a craft fair on the 18th, it was a craft fair that had over 40 venders and usually sees 600+ people but this year they had barely 100 people come through the door.
@@HarmoniousHome yeah this year has been slow in terms of people spending extra money. I think with groceries and gas so high it’s hard to justify the extra spending
I had a craft fair yesterday...we had half the people. But I'm in Minnesota and the weather was almost 60 in November. But our craft shows have been gangbusters. You just never know tho. Every show is different.
I also thought of another way to get valuable feedback about your items. If you had a mini-focus group of friends over for coffee and snacks, you could ask them to come into your house and see your items as a real craft fair and ask them to rate your items and give feed back on what was for sale. Tell them to give real time feedback and suggestions to improve the presentation and explanations if needed. This might help you see areas that you missed in presenting your goods. Hope this helps, it would also depend on how invested your friends are in helping you. They could leave with a small goodie bag. Good Luck!
Ive attended 4 really good craft shows so far, I'm a shopper. Now, for people with paper goods like yourself, just the really cute packaged affordable gifts... those that had a sample out, did better. Also, one show a woman had rented two spaces and had EVERYTHING. But not everything was labeled and non samples. She had TOO MUCH. People would look at her booths and walk by as the show was busy and crowded. She also had the tiers, and her booth area was not as cute as her items. No baskets. A few of my friends that I went shopping with commented that they did not want to give out a Christmas seasonal gift, but perhaps a nicer mug for the teacher. The one booth that had beautiful mugs for say year round, or that were a winter theme, they bought teacher gifts there. Also one booth had used mugs, and used tea cup sets, along with hot chocolate or tea. They sold, and the seller showed the price of the vintage mugs on Etsy and eBay. They were all in perfect shape and at $15, the seller sold out. Vintage Japanese mugs she said were a big seller. She pointed out she paid only a dollar or two, but had to go to thrift shops to find them. For the more upscale hand made expensive stuff shows, she said the vintage stuff was nice, even the tea cups and saucers. I think though your display was the issue. Your items are so adorable, but I think easy to reach baskets or reaching up or over something.. eh, baskets!! Good luck with any other shows
I've had some really good sellers some years and then the next time they didn't sell as well. I wonder if it's because the same people come and don't need the same things again.
I just went to a craft fair this weekend, the problem is I barely had any money and I can only buy two or three items but I wanted to buy everything because everything was so cute!
People are really struggling financially this year. I think of craft fairs as a way to buy nice, cute gifts at a very reasonable price. Plus so many items sold are all very similar. To sell, items need to STAND OUT! Congrats on good profit!
In my area there can be 4-5 fairs on the same day, when in years past there might be 4-5 in the entire xmas season. So the attendance numbers are way down because all those shoppers are now divided up. Add temu to the mix and its hard.
There was one day the first week in November last year where my very small town had six craft fairs within 20 minutes of each other. When I did the hosting with an association of craft fairs we always double checked the Chamber of Commerce calendar to see what else was going to be happening the day we chose. Because we might want to change it if there’s some major event going on. And we would check the weather forecast and it had to be long-term because we were doing this three months in advance because back then we were mailing invitations to all the vendors. If it was warm and sunny we had very low attendance because everyone was working in the yard. If it was cold and snowy we were slammed and we sold more chili and hot chocolate than I could even imagine.
I just found your channel and I'm so glad I did. I will be watching your past videos and thank you so much for making them. As I was watching, you were saying that one of the items did not sell hardly at all, but I could not tell what it was--it said "Ho Ho Ho" at the top. What was that, please?
I ended up cancelling the rest of my vendor events, after I did one about 2 weeks ago. The show 2 weeks ago, I have been to before in previous years, its put on by a well known hardware store and is really well attended. This year, it was just not the same. Very slow, not a lot of people came compared to previous years. I left that show having only sold about $50. I was so irritated, because I was thinking about how much time I spent crafting in preparation, and how if I had worked at my hourly pay day job instead of prepping for the event, i would have made obviously tons more. I cancelled them all after that and decided ill quench my crafting thirst by making a few gifts for friends and family.
@jessicaburnell5641 it's tough, I get it. I debated for months if I was even going to do any at all. I love your channel because you're very relatable and real, thanks for the community
I don't believe that's the case, our economy has a lot to do with it, people are not carrying around the amounts of disposable income as they once were. Things are only getting worse. More people are selling to try help with their financial situations more than ever also means less sales because more items for sale, more competition and less buyers, the money gets spread more thinly between everyone.
Hi Jessica! I made the pot holder gift sets as well but only sold 1. I had them packaged in a clear cellophane bag with a pretty bow and jingle bell ornament but it just wasn’t what people wanted I guess. I used a Betty Crocker cookie mix… can I save those for next year? Do they get bad after a year? Thanks!
I usually check the date of expiration. If they can last, I keep them. If they don’t I will give some of the sets away as Christmas presents for friends or neighbors. Or I will put them in my pantry and my girls will make them
You almost have to craft just for the creative aspect. People want to pay $1 for an item that cost you $5 and 8 hours to make. The biggest hurt to me is people taking pictures and asking where they can get the supplies. Really? I have kind if decided if I break even at least I had the fun of crafting. My extras go to the Veterans Organizations near me for gifting at the Veterans Nursing Home, VA Hospital and the Women’s and Men’s Shelter.
The item at 11:40 you said it didn't sell well. What is it? I couldn't see anything telling what it was. Very cute items btw. I think you did great at the show.
I have been a craft vendor for about 16 years now and I only do shows that have a central checkout and that you don't have to be at your booth. I think people buy more in these circumstances, without someone watching you and trying to sell you their items. The way the one's I do work is that every item is tagged with specific tags with your business name on the back. People walk through the show with shopping baskets and take items from individual booths and then go to the central checkout. The tags are perforated and the bottom half is removed at the checkout. Customers can pay with credit card, cash, check. The tags torn off are collected throughout the show and then we get paid a check after the show. They use the tags to know what you sold. I have never had a problem and it works wonderfully! Plus, each item purchased has the vendors information on it, for future sales from customers. The key to this type of set up is great packaging and signs explaining what items are with suggestions on how to use them. For example - "Hershey Nugget Treats - great stocking stuffer or coworker gift".
Keep in mind that our economy has tanked...people are having a rough time just getting their basic bills paid...electric, natural gas, fuel for their cars, phone and food. But all in all you did great😊
Just finished my holiday show, best show ever. My items are alway unique and very similar to yours. I’m adding the Rudolph spares for the next show. They are the cutest things. I didn’t do Hershey nuggets because of cost. And customers asked for them. I did take orders (prepaid) for this week’s delivery/pickup. One of the benefits was customizing the wrapper for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas as a customer requested. Heard from lots of folks at my show, prices of goods were “reasonable”, considering. This is in a high school gym and an established show of 18 years. It was the biggest show ever for the school this year. Almost double the crafters. I’m in northwest Ohio and craft shows are down in my area. In my personal experience of 17 years, I will never do a craft show with a flea market. Folks going to a flea market will not pay for the craft items at the combined show. They want the bargain or the deal. I work on my crafts too hard to give my profit away. Wish you and all the craft show folks the best in your upcoming shows. Hugs❤
It is so disheartening when as crafters we do all this hard work making things and they don’t sell. I hope your next craft fair you are able to sell the things that didn’t sell at this one. Different fair different buyers! ❤
I did two craft shows this November. Absolutely the worst I have ever done in my life and I’ve been doing shows since the 80’s. I sew and quilt. They have no idea of the amount of time it takes let alone the cost of materials. I only buy quality quilt store fabric and most people only know of JoAnn Fabrics. 🤣 I’ve decided I’m done. Can’t compete with China.
Thanks for sharing! I commented below about the shows I do so I won't repeat. I would suggest signs indicating what everything is and suggestions on how to use it or gift suggestions, like "Baking Mixes - Loaded with goodies for baking, Perfect Hostess Gift, Neighbor Gift. Keep on hand for last minute Gift Giving!". And I agree about the hot chocolate packets. I think if you add more color, maybe a sticker or something, and they will sell. You are right, packaging is everything! I'm sure your next show will be equally successful. I have learned to appreciate the balance - it is very stressful when you sell so much that you have to work like a mad woman to get things made for another show, which you've already paid entrance fees for!
The thing is, everybody seems to have less money available and we just don’t spend as easily on cute not essential things. Some of these we can make ourselves cheaper.
I remember seeing a sign on a vendor table a while back. "Yes, you can make it, but will you?" As a crafter, yes I can. Knowing all the hard work and time involved, I do like to support a local business.
I’m glad you sold as much as you did. It is a lot of work. I couldn’t believe you had Hershey nuggets left. They usually sell fast. Like you, I think rearranging your table, and maybe making some signs, will help with the next one.
Overall I think you made some great things that sold really well. Good luck at your upcoming shows. I sold some similar hot cocoa packs and I too think people like those to be a little more decorated. But you live and learn. I ended up gifting a lot of the leftovers to my coworkers and the staff at my son’s school. Thanks for the recap. I really enjoy these :)
I've been watching these videos because I've always wanted to do a craft fair, but then I see the amount of time and effort and money that goes into it. I worry that I won't succeed. I do appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. maybe one day I'll do one. 😊😊 😊😊
Everyone needs two oven mitts to remove items from the oven. You should have two mitts in your package. I would not buy it with only one oven mitt. All the small items should be placed at the front of your table. You should use cellulose wrapping instead of cellophane since it will break down. People are more conscious about garbage these days.
When you showed the first two items (whisk and spoons), my first thought was to upgrade your packaging. They looked a little "simple" in that packaging and as if they were handled quite a bit. Sounds like you did well but maybe you were overestimating how many items you'd need. We all live and learn and, sometimes, there's not a lot of explanation for what sold and what didn't.
I think people are looking for new ideas. What was big last year will probably not work this year. Suggestion for the chocolate nuggets: place some lettering on them to create a message. Good luck and God bless.
It is very disheartening when you work so hard and lose $$. Did a small craft fair, sold very little. There was a lady there that had manufactured items that she bought waayyy below cost and could sell and make a very nice profit. A crafter can not compete against that. I decided not to do that fair again! But a friend did and she sold ZERO this year, Because of that vender. I also noticed at a craft fair lots of pre-teens looking at items, if your crafts are too high, they won’t look at them ☺️ best of luck to you!
Craft fairs are a hit and miss you just never know. I think for one day you did great :) if you stayed for the four days you might have sold out because you have some really cute things and like you said the way they were displayed wasn’t the best. I really hope you do great at the next fair and you sell everything:) Have a blessed Thanksgiving:)
Do you do a "dry-run" table setup at home first, to get a view of where to place/position things? This would give you a good idea of what the customers see, too -- what things grab the attention of a shopper, or what items were not easily visible. Do you group similar items together / next to each other (all food items, personal care [lip balm], for example). Labeling bag contents is always a good thing -- it's hard to buy if the contents are not clearly marked. Thanks for sharing and continued success at the next event.
It would’ve good to know where you are located what you sold your item for and what it cost to make it just food for thought im glad u brought home some nuggets
@@alldayeverydaydiyinanddesi5977 haha no worries! If I forget on any of the videos don’t hesitate to ask but they should be on all of them! Thanks for watching ❤️
I made $1000 over 5 days which is $200 a day. I’m not complaining but it’s disappointing to have put soo much work into everything and then have a full car to bring it all home
One thing I mentioned to someone I who was getting disappointed about selling his stuff was he kept ping ponging his prices. I told him to pick a price and stick to it. Be sure to let people know which craft fair you will be at next. That way, if they don't have the money at this craft fair, they'll look for you at the next one. This time, he was selling like crazy. It worked.
$1000 is awesome. I've never made that in the whole season. Thank you so much for sharing on this video. Please do a tutorial on the little bag chap stick holder, please . They are so cute.
I don’t yet and I do mine a little bit different now so I can work on getting a tutorial out, but the initial tutorial I saw was from Crafty Crafts by Deanna
@@Messybesscreationsoooh I love Deanna’s work! Look how she packaged her Hersheys in tins! I have the tins and paper and I’m going to make these for stocking fillers!
I know it's frustrating when you go back home with a lot, I'm in the same boat. I'm glad you did well with your first show. Hopefully the next one will be good!
Thank you for sharing Mine show was Saturday. I sold mostly cards and tags. Zero recipe/memory keepers/baby books which was very disappointing as i was hoping to increase sales with higher ticket items. Stud shock was my altered planners sold well. It was an experiment this year I had thought perhaps everyone had gone digital but people loved them for a $10 gift. I am in a coastal town in northern California and I have the same repeat customers year after year if that helps.
@@Messybesscreations hello, no I don't do videos. But, they are dollar tree soft cover planners that I recover, and add pockets, bookmarks, charms, topper, and closures. Not that different from your notebooks.
The economy is actually better. I think some items are popular one year and not so much the next. Different locations might also make a difference. Most people don’t know how much work goes into the crafts. Best wishes for your next craft fair.
What the heck good economy are you referring to, because you obviously haven't been living in the U.S. for the past year or 2? Over the past year grocery prices jumped the most since like the late 70's! That doesn't account for prices of anything else...like clothes, gas, housing, insurance, etc., etc.... I want to say grocery prices have gone up like almost 14%?! Whatever news or people you listen to you need to find a new source, lol, or maybe you aren't the one with the job having to pay for living essentials?
@@littleluluscraps I agree. The 99¢ Store chain and Big Lots went out of business! This shows the economy is still bad. However, many folks still set aside money for Christmas cheer. Maybe shows closer to Christmas will do better.
I had my show yesterday. Typically high volume and high sales. Less people this year and very few with any bags in their hands. So it seemed folks weren’t spending. I still had fantastic sales and lots of compliments on my displays and items. I bumped up to 4 tables this year, too. Interestingly on a whim I took some items from last year that didn’t sell as well. Surprisingly they sold out this year. Displayed the same. No changes in product. Go figure! Your rudolph spares are adorable. I’m looking to see if you have a vid on them. Have not seen those before. Also the whisk. I’m always looking for fresh items! I skipped the nuggets this year. Cost per bag/nugget really went up this year. Lower profit plus it seems like everyone has made them from time to time. All the best for your next show! ❤
My big local craft fair charges a $20 entrance fee. And last year half the tables had nothing to do with crafts. I think that is too expensive to enter especially if half the tables have nothing to do with what I'm going for. So I plan to skip it going forward.
That really ticks me off that these greedy places have to take so much of y'alls hard earned money. All this stuff is getting too damn expensive for anything. In Texas, we have all kinds of things that go on and after parking and entrance fees, your usually pretty strapped. So they get a load from us, take too much of your earnings and have no problem doing it. Shame shame. I haven't done one yet, l enjoy going to them but am so sorry to hear about what they do to you.
Thanks. I’m in Pa and I think it makes a difference where you are. I gave up on shows when everyone got on the craft bandwagon. I love the variety that you offer. And appreciate the hard work.
