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Mon, Oct 25, 10 at 17:47
| I went to 2 fairs this past weekend . I haven't gone in ages and was anxious to see what was new. What's new ?? -- NOTHING !!! I was really disappointed. At both fairs, almost half of the booths were jewelry.Most other booths were knitted/crocheted/sewn things. ( Lots of aprons and baby things ) A few booths had fall & Christmas florals.
That was it. Seems like craft fairs are really hurting for new & original ideas. Have you gone to any lately ? Anything good to share ? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by christopherh (My Page) on Tue, Oct 26, 10 at 8:44
| We're seeing the same thing. Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry. And some of it isn't that good. I think they all get the same beads from the same wholesaler. We do shows with one particular promoter, www.castleberryfairs.com and she posts her schedule in early February for 15 shows. By the second week in February, the jewelry catagory is full for every show. Her link is below. I keep looking for something different too. Because the old adage is still true. The exhibitor who has something DIFFERENT will be the one who makes the money. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Castleberry Fairs
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- Posted by adellabedella (My Page) on Tue, Oct 26, 10 at 12:19
| I haven't been to a craft fair in a while because I got tired of seeing the same stuff. What I'd like to see is some nice, good size decorative pieces for the home that aren't imported from China and aren't all copies of each other. I'm willing to pay a higher price for original artwork, but not as high as I would if I had the piece commissioned. We built this house earlier this year and I'm having serious problems decorating it. I don't like the same look everyone else does. I'd like some signature pieces. I'm not a painter, but I've considered making my artwork just to have something to put on the wall. |
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| Adellabedella check with your local colleges for original art work. If you can't find anyone, perhaps I can help. Toomuchglass, the last 3 day fair I attended was pretty much as you stated, I would say food seemed to be the highest priority, followed by jewelry and bamboo cuttings. I did sell some of my note cards with reproductions of my paintings on them. |
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| Calirose, glad you sold some of your cards! Hope you had a good time & learned a lot. There is something new over on the Garden Junk forum tonight it's very simple. She got the idea somewhere else but so cute for Halloween. Cute enough that might make into something else for Christmas season. It's a frosted light shade for a fan light & she just painted cute eyes on it & mouth & put a battery votive inside & set on black plate. But I forgot what she called the post so will have to go back & see what it is & put it below. Sorry, Jan |
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| Recycled fan shade is name of post! Oh, I didn't tell you what it ends up being!! It's a ghost!! But I think it could be a caroler or something with a little imagination. The "book or sheet music the caroler would hold would be down almost at the bottom so the votive would light up the face! You get 4-5 of these light shades with each fan light so I have seen them often at TS. Might work with different shaped ones also so start looking at them as possible craft items! Jan |
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| Jan, thank you! I will check it out now. cali |
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| Jan, that is adorable! I actually have some of those shades. You have a great imagination! Wish I could put you in my pocket to keep you close so I could hear all those ideas that must be running through your mind! cali |
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- Posted by netchannel (My Page) on Fri, Oct 29, 10 at 2:00
| Thanks for the post next time i will definitely check what popular things at craft fairs. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Contemporary rugs
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- Posted by grandma_bonnie (My Page) on Sat, Oct 30, 10 at 19:44
| DANG - I hate when I fall for that. I clicked on the contemporary. rugs.... dang!!! |
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- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Sun, Oct 31, 10 at 1:48
| This post proved my point . Someone was nice enough to share what sold good for them -- and people jumped on the bandwagon ready to copy it and sell it . I realize that different crafts sell in different areas . Maybe I'm just crabby tonight ..... LOL ... but I would never - ever .... copy an idea exactly . I'd use it as a base for a brain twister & come up with something new . **** I think this is menopause talking .....LOL ...I'm really not the crabby lady I looked liked here ! Sorry ~~~ *** |
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| I have been to two in the past two weeks and there was a lot of jewelry, but because of the season, lots of pumpkin stuff. In fact, the one last weekend was nearly all pumpkins, pilgrims, turkeys, and gourds. When I watch tv I can't wait for the elections to be over, and when I go to craft fairs, I can't wait for pumpkin season to be over. I never get tired of Christmas though. Why is that? |
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| Craft fairs are just starting here (ND) so hope to see something new. Mostly baby things, and many of them are not as nice as they use to be (too big of a hurry) and jewelry ( don't need any and even GD not wearing much) and way over prices. Our big one is next weekend so will let you know so if you are in the Bismarck ND area you will know what to look for. Some of the biggest sales is the homemade food items, again kind of pricy. |
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| I haven't been to one in years...I got sick of the same ole same ole a long time ago. I sold for 22 years and quit about 10 years ago...But I will say...I miss those days and I miss the warmth of country decor. I still have somewhat of the country decor...but not the busy look. getting off what we were talking about but here is a pic of my living room...country fits here...I live in a barn Anyway back to subject...I'm looking for small things to make for gift giving...if any of you see some of that at the craft shows. My cousin bought one of those plastic large candy canes that was wrapped in red "homespun" plaid, that had been torn in 1 1/2 inch strips . then had a bow a bit of greenery and red berries on it. I liked that. patti |
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- Posted by pumkingal (benedict13662@yahoo.com) on Wed, Nov 3, 10 at 12:35
| Hi all new to this forum,,I am in my first craft show this weekend and it has been years since I did one,, I also have jewelry too,,yukky,, but priced reasonable,, but my new thing this year and I hope it works is old time rag rugs,,,made 4 of them different sizes,,,with long stripes of sheets sewn together you gals should see how big of a ball that is,,lol kids laughed at it.. Also a rug that is all shaggy looking so very cute but takes 2 days to make it.. Also made organzia little bags put in 8 tiny packets of seeds and used my cricut to make flower cut outs and put seeds on a piece of card stock and put suran wrap over them glued it down added the dec,, so they get one card and 8 baggies of seeds all for $3.00,,whatcha think? Will be making fudge,, and cookies too,, and pot holders,,,I have also scarves,,, think I will throw together scarf kits,, so i don't have to knit any more,,lol Just wanted to share some ideas with you all,, Lisa |
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- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Wed, Nov 3, 10 at 18:25
| Speaking of rag rugs - I'll never forget this booth . She had a Great Gimmick to sell her purses - they were made of rags like the rugs ( But I think she crocheted them ) Her gimmick was telling the story -"When I'm ready to make a purse , I buy myself a good bottle of wine & sit in my rocker & begin crocheting and drinking my wine. When I'm done with the purse and the wine - I put the cork in a little pocket of the purse so I know what wine to give the credit to when I'm done." Her booth was packed - you couldn't even get in . The story was passed out into the crowd & the ladies loved it !I guess it pays to have a gimmick ! |
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| Update on craft show. Lots of vendors, nothing new, not as much jewelery, but I did notice alot of decals that appear to be painted on. Did not like the clothing. Nothing special. I was disapointed and only stayed about 3 hours and bough one thing. Good variety, but nothing special |
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- Posted by pumkingal (benedict13662@yahoo.com) on Sat, Nov 6, 10 at 18:16
| Hi ladies just reporting in,,made 175.00,, not bad at all I thought for what I did sell..It was not very big and not alot of traffic either..sold peanut butter fudge alot of it,,gave out wrapped samples,,6.50 for over a lb..went alot better at the end when I dropped it to 3.00,,lol sold 2 rag rugs 20.00,, dish clothes 3/5.00,,grab bags of jewelry wrapped up for 3.00 alot of them,,seeds for xmas cards at 8 packs for 3.00,, alot..they also commented what a great idea,,m&m cookies 13 for 4.00,, alot of these too. none of my made earrings,,none of my pretty scarves,,(that are 6' long),, I seen approns,,pot holders,,crystal glasses,,purses,,dish clothes,,really sell today,,our show was not a big one but this is all I have to go by,, hope this helps any one out.. |
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| Congratulations pumkingal on successful selling! |
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| My husband and I did our first craft fair yesterday. It was okay - not a huge crowd of people, but apparently there were three other major shows happening the same weekend. I sell tile coasters, as well as beaded bracelets. My husband sells handmade soap. Just soap, no other beauty products. I also had art cards to sell for a girlfriend. I ended up selling more bracelets than anything, and was actually disappointed that the coasters weren't a better seller. I've attached a picture of one set, so you can get an idea of what they are. I'd love to get your opinion on if they're 'different' enough that I should continue to pursue selling them or not. I was able to talk them up a lot and hand out business cards. I made sure people know I do custom work as well. My price is $15.00 for a set of 4 coasters. here's a link to my website (ignore the font in some places that seems 'space like' if you see it. I have no idea what happened and haven't had time to change it yet. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Pink Cow Creations
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| here is a close up of one of my sets (not sure why the file didn't load the last time) |
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- Posted by concretenprimroses (My Page) on Mon, Nov 19, 12 at 19:59
| Its interesting to see this thread revived. I've heard this is not a good year for craft selling, due to the economy I suppose. I am participating in a show at a friend's house on Dec.8. Last year I made $440! Even tho we only got about 60 people, it was 60 people who were there to buy! I made the most, but there were a couple in the $250 range. and then down from there, 8 crafters total. My main thing is plate flowers, but I made a bunch of mushroom ornaments and flowere brooches too last year. This year I'm also making coffee bag wallets and steampunk i-cord makers. I'll let you know how they go. The guy who posted an instructable on coffee bag wallets said he sells them for $7 and has been offered $10 but that seems unlikely to work to me. So I'm thinking $4. Plus maybe they are passe? I really want to make something matryoshka doll like, but can't quite come up with the concept. My plate flowers are priced $15 to $25, so the other items help fill in the corners and offer something for less. The great thing about doing a show in a home is I don't have to follow the rule about branding. I can have ornaments on the tree and brooches on the shelf, my stuff doesn't all have to be together and be cohesive. I know they say to stick to one thing, but its just not me! Good luck everyone. Kathy |
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- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Mon, Nov 19, 12 at 20:28
| Well -- I see this post is 2 years old ! LOL I'll add .... I went to 2 craft fairs this past week - evetything was jewelry ,knitting or sewing. Nothing new under the sun. *sigh* |
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- Posted by grandma_bonnie (My Page) on Tue, Nov 20, 12 at 19:40
| I am still selling the Redneck Wine glasses (I etch different sayings like Mr. Right and Mrs. Always Right...) Sold 1200 last year - sales are down this year - last week-end's event only brought in $350 - half of last year... It's still OK with me. Too many jewelry booths at the shows. Weather is a problem here too lately - I have a huge 2 day show in San Luis Obispo this week-end I'm still having fun and it helps me with extra money as I am the legal guaradian of my six year old grandson. I still sell the Microwave Potato Bags along with the wine glasses - No shows after Dec 10th - THEN I can relax |
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| and reasonably priced. The only argument against is that they are impractical (you can really only use in December). I probably wouldn't give up if I were you. Hopefully the cuteness will beat out the impractibility of them! |
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- Posted by concretenprimroses (My Page) on Wed, Nov 21, 12 at 12:56
| I saw the red neck wine glasses in a "real" catalog that came in the mail to my home. I meant to notice the name to tell you guys. anyway, they were billed as "The Original" Redneck Wineglasses, how do you like that! Not as cute as Grandma Bonnie's either! Kathy |
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- Posted by grandma_bonnie (My Page) on Wed, Nov 21, 12 at 21:57
| hahaha - had a fella selling them at the state fair here. His claim to fame was that his were made in the USA... I told him Paso Robles was in the USA and I made mine from scratch in my garage - lol - he was sputtering... He was selling them for $12.95 each or 2 for $20.00... I sell the same un-etched ones for $7.00... |
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- Posted by enjoyingspring (My Page) on Fri, Nov 23, 12 at 7:27
| I was at a few craft shows last weekend, as everyone has said, Nothing New. I did find the vendors quite aggressive, as soon as you went close to their tables they would jump up and start chatting you up. I don't like that, I just like to look and then decide. I think when they do this they drive customers away. |
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| I agree about the nothing new...piles and piles of knitting and jewellery...I have been to about 5 fairs in the past week and have bought nothing...time for some new ideas..one fair had 15 tables of knitting and 13 tables of jewellery. |
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| Same with me mostly jewelry!! Ugh! Thought I was the only one that was sick of seeing it. |
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- Posted by grandma_bonnie (My Page) on Sun, Dec 9, 12 at 9:41
| Shame on the show's managers for allowing that - I went to a huge show in Morro Bay the Sunday after Thanksgiving (after doing another huge show the Thursday and Friday after Thanksgiving and don't do three days in a row of shows any more...) There were only 50% of the spots taken and 1/3 of them were Pampered Chef, Avon type businesses... Not as many shoppers either. Too bad - it used to be crafters only - the people in charge are now allowing anyone in. I do up to 30 shows every year and there were only 5 that were limited to crafts only, Sad... |
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- Posted by Wyatt21842 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 11, 13 at 13:09
| Found this at a Craft Fair in Ocean City, MD. Company is called Plak That |
Here is a link that might be useful: Plak that
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| now that's original! love that! |
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- Posted by grandma_bonnie (My Page) on Fri, Mar 15, 13 at 9:35
| ...and a business advertising here - unusual, but we share how to make our crafts - this is NOT a place to sell items... ..you joined on the 10th and posted on the 10th??? hmmm |
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- Posted by christopherh (My Page) on Fri, Mar 22, 13 at 7:22
| My next door neighbor liked the wood image, so he stole the idea. He says it's easy to transfer images to wood. Plak Guy just has a bigger printer, that's all. |
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