Craft Fairs---Part 4

So you've made up a lot of great items to sell, and now it's time for the craft fair.  Before you go, you will want to make sure that you have everything priced and stamped with an Angel Policy stamp, if applicable.  It will be easy to stamp some of your items directly with an Angel Policy stamp.  I try to stamp it in an inconspicuous place and I will usually use Versamark ink.  For those items that you cannot or should not stamp directly, I use price tags that I can tie onto the item.  I'll stamp one side of the tag and place the price on the other side.  You can purchase a nice supply of price tags with strings from office supply stores.

I pack the majority of my items into rubbermaid-stye totes.  You will want to make sure that your items will be protected from the elements as you transport them from your home to the craft show.  The totes are easy to carry or transport on a dolly.  Speaking of a dolly.....if you don't have one, I would recommend that you try to borrow one or purchase an inexpensive one.  You can expect to be on your own for unloading and re-loading all of your stuff at the show.  I can only think of one show that someone offered me assistance of any kind......and I was 7 months pregnant.  

Most shows will have specific times that they will allow you to set up your booth....usually the night before and/or the morning of the show.  I prefer to set up the day before, if possible.  If there is anything that I feel is missing from my booth, I will then have time to take care of it before the show starts.  Make sure you are comfortable leaving your booth unattended overnight.  I will often set up the inexpensive items first, then set up the more expensive items last.  Your ultimate goal should be to have everything ready to go at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the show.

There are a few other items that you will want to take with you:

• Cash box/bag with plenty of change
• Receipt book
• Order forms
• Calculator
• Pens
• Shopping bags
• Business cards
• Catalogs
• Upcoming class information
• Hostess & recruit packets
• More price tags
• Table coverings
• Signage (if allowed)

One more consideration for you is how you would like to collect contact information from the customers visiting your booth.  Offering a door prize is a great way to gather this information.  I will put together a simple gift basket with some stamping items, and have door prize entry forms available for people to fill out.  This helps me add a lot of people to my mailing list and I can follow up with them after the show to tell them more about the services I have to offer them.  Another method I have used is to have a simple newsletter sign-up sheet.  I always get good contacts from this because all of them are interested in Stampin' Up....they aren't just trying to win something for FREE.  You'll have to decide which method you prefer, but either should help you build your Stampin' Up! business.  As I mentioned in Part 1, you will  want to check with the show's organizers to make sure that they will allow you to promote your business.

Holiday Planner

Here is another super easy project that is a great seller at craft fairs.  It is a holiday organizer/planner made from a simple white school folder.  I was able to score a bunch of these at Back-to School time for just 10 cents each!!!

One of the great things about this project is that you can easily use up your scraps of designer series paper, even the retired papers, to create an eclectic look.

You can find several forms & lists to insert into your planner at Organized Christmas.  Print them out on Whisper White card stock and place in the pockets.

In the last pocket, I decorate envelopes for receipts and coupons.

I've had a lot of questions about how to put this planner together, so I created a short video to explain it a little better.  Hope this helps!

My final article on craft fairs will be posted on Friday.  I'll also be announcing a fun contest to challenge you to come up with more creative craft fair ideas. 

If you have any questions that I have not answered yet, leave a comment or use the chat box.  I am working on answering emails, so if you have sent one, you should hear from me in the next 24 hours.

Happy Stampin'

Comments

[Kelley Fewer]

That's a great holiday planner! I'm going to case this one, for me at least, and maybe for my crop group. Thanks for being so generous and sharing your work!

[Deborah Arleque]

Melissa, what a great idea. I haven't read through all of this but thanks for sharing this 5 part crafts fair project. From what I have seen so far you have some great information. It is very generious of you to share with all of us, I clicked through from SUDSOL. I would love to follow your blog but I didn't see a sign up for that.
Thank you also for point us to that Organized Christmas site. I have already marked that as a favorite to go back to.
Again, thank you for sharing your great work.

[Renee Thompson]

Melissa, do you have a tutorial for your christmas planner? I have never made one and would love to make one.

Thanks

Renee

[Sue McNeill]

Thank you for being so generous with your wisdom and your advice on craft fair organization. I can't wait to sit down and spend an hour or two exploring your site and reading your articles carefully. I'm so excited to have found your site through LNS!

[Paula Tharp]

Hi Melissa!

I am a hobby demo in Wabash, and have just signed up for my very first craft fair! Thank you SOOO much for the very useful information for this 'first-timer'. I look forward to putting this information to work for me. It sounds like I'm goin to have a blast!

Thanks again!!
Paula Tharp in Wabash, IN.
paulaspretties@gmail.com

[Kris McIntosh]

Thanks so much for all the Craft Fair information. I don't do many but your ideas are fantastic. Kris.

[SharonP]

I am making for self and as gifts for friends for this year. Thank you foe sharing.
Sharon P
Albuquerque NM

[Kathy T]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing

[Fran Kennedy]

Thanks for all the information on this wonderful idea for a class...Sherry Robinson(LNS) referred me to your site

[Liane]

Wow! I can't wait to creat on of these! Thank you so much for sharing your idea and doing a video for all of us! Great Job

[Karen P]

Why haven't I seen this before. What a GREAT IDEA! I'm going to make some of these and try and entice some of my card makers to be card buyers. :P Thank You so much!

[Gay ferland]

Woo Hoo!!! Love this idea!! I am going to make on for myself! Thanks for sharing!!
Gay

[Debbie Neuman]

Do you have a tutorial for this ?? I would love to have it... Thanks !! Debbie