Craft Fair Host Shares 7 SECRETS to Sell More in 2023 [full interview]

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[@genmarie2011]

I’ve been exhibiting for 33 years. Here’s a few show tips. Research the show you’re interested in exhibiting at. Don’t just sign up off a flyer. No one knows what a customer wants and no sales are guaranteed, this is up to you. Make your booth look approachable, clean and organized. I, too, worked a full time job in addition to exhibiting. It’s brutal. I retired to exhibit professionally and haven’t looked back. Just because you don’t make a huge profit at first don’t give up. It takes a few years to get established. It’s worth it.

[@curbshooter]

Can you have her back on how to set up your booth at the show

[@johnagorman]

That's useful info

[@user-qq1wk5uo6m]

As a crafter sometimes I like being near another with the same craft because if they see that craft before getting to my booth they say"I wish I saw yours first there so nice but I already bought it" etc.... so being near others the same people see them at once and compare and make it's a bit more competitive but then the person towards the end has a shot too

[@michaelmanahan4723]

Great show, I contacted Alex and she is from the same area I live in how crazy is that..I think I will be going to her show and get to meet her.. Great Host

[@jgkrus]

We're is she from?

[@EdKosmicki1]

Thanks so much for sharing this. It is always good to hear about others succeeding.

[@BenVanKirk]

Great job Alex! Amazing information.

[@mystcxprns]

Thank you Alex! Great video and tips!

[@jayneal8154]

Awesome! Keep up the great work

[@mikepetitt9624]

Thanks you guys !very great topic! Been missing your videos. Glad to see you are doing well…

[@Knotheads99]

Thank you for doing this video. I am in the process of gearing up for a big winter show. I appreciate her insight.

[@ntrumpdeplorable7781]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@MickeyD1968]

Thank you all three of you for this! We are going to our first craft show the 3rd of December. I'm wondering now if I have enough product!! You are giving me hope all I'll be bringing home is the tables! I will have to remember to come back and give feedback afterwards.

[@monicab28]

I figure out how much I want to make and make sure I have at LEAST that much in product! You can't sell what you don't have.

[@loyalman9351]

Thank you! Alex for your info very helpful. 😊

[@dianamiller2448]

Thanks everyone for great info. Wish the best future ahead

[@ginab.4605]

This information was very informative. Thank you!

[@dianarockwell6256]

I worked at a local church for several years and was cochair of the craft fair since I had some experience in it, and the town has a Friday night Christmas festival and the church would open up the craft fair during the festival and offer free, hot chocolate, and cookies and stuff like that especially when the weather got bad. In later years we had people bring in their Nativity scenes and had some of the ushers man auditorium where they were set up. People would had the lights down low and had candles going, and had Christmas music playing in the background just Christmas hymns no words and it was a nice warm place to relax for a few minutes sit down reflect Because it was a four hour festival and downtown Fairley small it’s about of two blocks, but on both sides of the street, but people would need a place to sit down and rest, especially the older ones and having the nativity was really nice because it was reinforcing that Christmas Thing. And this was always the first Friday night of December. And the craft fair open back up the next morning at nine I think it was nine and went until three and we served lunch for I think back that it was 750 or something but we had a bake saleas well and we sold quite a bit of stuff. But there were like 10 ladies that ran the circle and they basically ran the craft fair. It was mostly their stuff that was for sale.

[@susanhogan8649]

Craft shows I attend do not consider anything made with a glow forge is not considered a craft.

[@vikkirountoit497]

Great guest and topic! Kudos to Alex for taking her ideas and making them happen. I've been helping a friend start her business at shows so this was really good to see.

[@thewoodchickchick1593]

This Alex person sounds great! She wasn't really introduced unless I missed that part. Can you tell more about her or if she has a KZbin video or how to get in contact with her??

[@harldave9850]

Thank you, awesome information. I have not yet been able to do a craft show because I continue to be busy just getting things done for people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. But I will get to one someday . Keep making!!!!!

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Great video

[@anthonyegner1382]

So refreshing

[@littleluluscraps]

Lol, you were me at a young age. I am crafty through and through. I don't like flipping furniture 😂 painting, pretty much all of it. However, I love papercrafting, but people won't pay for the time it takes to create really nice projects. I do a lot of crafts at night in front the TV, so I don't mind spending a lot of time on something that won't sell for high prices because otherwise I'd be sitting there not making anything (basically no money period😂😂😂). A little bit of everything means you sell more because you have more things that more people will like. If you do juried shows than that's not an issue, lol. You need to look into VMD, Vintage Market Days also!! It is a franchise, but sounds like you are right up their alley. Best of Luck with everything you set your mind to! Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[@user-dz5fd6hd1e]

I'm wondering if there is a Regional Element? I remember being in the Navy and visiting Europe often. It was apparent to me that Clothing Trends were starting overseas and then coming to the US then, finally, making it to the Gulf Coast. I wonder if there is a region where Craft Show Products Originate? A Trend might hit Houston before it hits Biloxi. Perhaps Austin before Houston. Just thinking out loud...........

[@littleluluscraps]

Yes. We lived in Ohio, south Alabama and Central Florida. Things that sold in Ohio, didn't sell in Alabama, things that sold in Alabama won't sell in Florida, things that sell here aren't a thing in Alabama. So, that is definitely an issue as well as prices are a huge factor!!

[@jwin1000]

Thank you Alex! I’m going to send this to my crafty Granddaughter!

[@twinenk15]

I have not attended a craft show in years. When I did attended them it because my children would bring a flyer home from school. My youngest is now 28 years old. So, it's been some years. How do you find out about craft shows? In Texas as well as other states.

[@curbshooter]

Fisher's Shop very cool

[@eileenb234]

Fearless Alex!

[@user-qv3oz2ng1t]

Almost ALL purchases made at art and craft shows are "impulse buys." $20 seem to be the average amount of what people will spend on any one item. If you're a maker of fine furniture, it will never be a profitable business. Smaller sales lead to bigger sales. Some fairs/markets lend themselves to certain types of items, some venues lend themselves to certain types of items that people are looking for. You have to read the types of vendors that attend these shows, they knows what sells and what doesn't in a particular venues.

[@littleluluscraps]

Agree, you always need smalls to sell!

[@jgkrus]

Yes you have to look at the vendors list at shower. I looked at one had about 35 boots but 6 of the booths were woodworking items.... I passed .

[@dianarockwell6256]

I was part of an association that hosted a yearly craft show on Palm Sunday weekend, and we ran the concessions. We ranged from 22 to 75 booths depending on the year. We did not allow more than one direct sales of any specific type so if we had Mary Kay, we would not except another Mary Kay seller. We would have Avon, but they would be far apart. Tastefully simple was just starting out so we didn’t get a whole lot of that, we did get a couple Tupperware people and I think at that point there was even Rubbermaid direct sales and we might’ve had one of those. Most of the people were fairly local they were either from town or they were within an hour or two of the venue and many of them would drive down the night before, and stay in a hotel And start setting up at 7 AM. We allowed people to choose their booths and we really didn’t have many issues. The elderly woman who made the crocheted tea towel toppers for your stove always had booth one. She was always the first one that responded she always paid her money on time, and when she fell ill, and could not attend, people asked for her. And they would come every year to buy from her. I didn’t get the appeal, but she sold enough to make it worth her while. And she said all day making more product.

[@debfiel6585]

I have just recently figured out how to get into doing craft fairs. I have been a crafter for many years and have a variety of products to sell. It is a little disheartening to hear that I shouldn't bring more than one type of item. I do understand the why, but I'd also like to sell the things I have had hanging around for years. I don't have enough of one type of item to sell exclusively one thing for right now. Although my main focus is soapmaking at the moment. I am hoping that my next two craft fairs do well. Even thought the first three I did I only focused on mainly selling soap, I didn't do well at all.

[@monicab28]

Sell what you have! Last Spring I did a craft fair and just took everything I had left over from my 2022 season. I had a bunch of different stuff and ended up selling most of it! Lower prices just a bit and I bet you sell most if not all of whatever you have!

[@debfiel6585]

​@@monicab28thank you for that! I will. 😊

[@JCcreates927]

Most people I've seen that did well had a bunch of different items like paper products, wood products, different kits movie night kids craft bag all in one fair.

[@klassydesignsdecor]

Its hard being a creative making and exploring your ideas and the support aint there ..i wish i could turn off my hands n mind .

[@laurabosma3371]

Fantastic guest! An idea from a major quilt show who did this as entrance fee change…give two dollar bills or Susan B’s as change and encourage customers to spend it as a physical representation of the shows impact on other vendor and or the local economy. Could be a way to advertise by querying local businesses and reminding them of the show the next year.

[@danielleduerling2006]

I am wondering if there is a specific number of each item that you should make.

[@melissagaribay8503]

I’m embarrassed to say I have a website and I’ve hesitated sharing it on my socials. Promoting myself is where I’m the weakest. At markets my husband talks me up to potential customers. He’s my biggest supporter, of course. I need to just do it, lol. It’s a vulnerable area.

[@richardbaron3921]

I can see you two having ur own tv show

[@LynnSJ]

We have been 'shopping' on the regular at the flea we want to start with. Get to know the vendors, atmosphere, areas of the flea or pockets that have the type of vendor you would want to be nearby. I think when I personally shop at flea its live sensory overload on some streets. Looking left left left then right I often miss many booths or items just because I'm overloaded. Most vendors wont approach unless you touch or pick up an item some won't even look up from their phone. Many items that sell on a weekday are priced at $1.00 $5 at the most and the locker type sellers by 11am throw it all out in piles for free.. But Sundays have been interesting as the prices to rent a space and item prices have gone way up in 2024 inviting new vendors with better stuff. Shopping there for many months I now have so many ideas on how the booth should look, what to sell, and what vendor drama to stay away from.

[@thedoorguycharlie]

How about a link to find her? The one she mentioned was a dead end.

[@Sembazuru]

Hey Davis. You can feel better going to bed that I'm looking forward to the board refinishing kit that I just ordered to start to (finally) properly take care of my current wooden cutting boards. 🤠 Yeah, it's something small. But I do remember the video where you and Jennie went over the development process.

[@debbiegaines1362]

Is there a link to see her products & pages?❤

[@cathynykolaishyn8926]

Random question for a mini side hustle for myself; do 6ft tall wooden cutouts of different kinds sell? Is it something people look at or actually buy?

[@ninirossau2304]

I dont know if it will sell but it will be a great attention grabber. it is good to have smaller (and cheaper) things. at fairs it can be difficult to sell big things. carry and transport. but as a way to promote, shows are great.

[@melwhe1004]

Maybe I'm overlooking it but does she have a link/site?

[@normalee2682]

Does she have a website?

[@dawnsansone4624]

What is Alex’s full name or business name? Does she have any online presence I’d love to follow her too

[@JCcreates927]

The women I watch one had the best sales and she had wood products, paper products, kits, etc. Those that narrowed it down didn't do so well this year.

[@susanv5684]

I would love to take a course from Alex on setting up an event.

[@TimFleenor]

What is the money model for the organizer other than the booth fees?

[@helloyellowcustoms]

Hey! Are you asking like how I make money off the show other than the fees? The booth fees are a big part of what I make from the show, but I also run my own booth during the show... well my mom does it for me half of the time. I do make a good profit from that.

[@traciebest9548]

I would love to know what her craft fair is. So maybe we could visit or be apart of it.

[@helloyellowcustoms]

@@traciebest9548 It's in Frederick, MD

[@Swan-rb4yg]

Booth fees for some large shows are $1,000 and more. That is where the promoters make their money, but they have to rent the facility and advertise and build a regional presence for years and years to get quality arts and crafts people to pay those Booth prices. For example, the southern Christmas show is a 12-day show in North Carolina that has been going on for decades. They rent the whole convention Center.

[@parrot340]

Does Alex have a youtube channel.

[@marieramsey1985]

Does she have a page so we can follow her on here as well I musta missed her page name if yal said it , but Ty so much for ur info u can send me !!!! ❤❤❤

[@TheAy7531]

where did the "Dog money" go?

[@tom.coomes]

What is the name of her show and where is it?

[@helloyellowcustoms]

It's called Hello Holidays Makers Market and it's in Frederick, MD.

[@tom.coomes]

@@helloyellowcustoms okay cool, thanks. I grew up not too far from there in Bowie. I left after high school back in 1995 when I joined the Air Force. Last time I visited was in 2007. A lot has changed by then, but would imagine that it is unrecognizable now.

[@helloyellowcustoms]

@@tom.coomes No way! I grew up in Odenton and had a ton of friends in Bowie! Small world! Yeah it's 1000% different! I only moved to Frederick 2.5 years ago and even going back home now it's different!

[@tom.coomes]

@@helloyellowcustoms, yes it is a small world! I would like to make it back one day. I want to show my kids Bowie and all my old stomping grounds.

[@sarahmccullough1100]

Look how red his face went when offered to stay in her guest room 😂

[@andrewpaterson4672]

where did Jennie's love of South Carolina stem from.?

[@WalterRiggs]

“Ask” is not a noun.

[@annataranto1414]

What 7 secrets?

[@sirguy6678]

Does anyone believe in the “1%” rule? Where you will sell to 1% of the gate attendees?

[@elaineharkins482]

Where is she located

[@Dianne-uv3bs]

That's the thing about being a Creator is you don't at least this was what I was told you don't get paid for your time

[@Annalorraine67]

But she doesn’t make a full-time living and doesn’t rely on her craft a survive

[@ruben9912]

You gave away the best kept secret in the first 10 seconds. Don't parttake in the show. Run the goddamn show. The real money is in logistics and facilitation of other businesses and not in selling to consumers. Consumers don't know what they want pretty often. Businesses can give you exact and incredible numbers of orders and they want them yesterday. Real estate and hospitality are all "location location location". manufacturing is all about "target audience target audience target audience". Businesses simply have more to spend and are spending to make some instead of splurging on something they might not want or may not be able to afford after all. They usually don't buy the hobby type stuff that people like making though. It's either serious art with a serious name or something they can make a buck on. Some friends of mine have gotten a client that is growing so fast selling aircraft ply lamps that they are setting up a new space, getting a new team member and buying a new machine just for one client.

[@garriv777]

Can this chick say " like " a few more times...:(