Craft fair recap- Studs and Duds

A recap of the best sellers (Studs) and those that didn’t sell as well(duds).
This is where I shared all the items I was selling at this years craft fair:
• Craft fair projects an...
Link to ‪@lyriclovercrafts‬ tutorial for travelers notebooks: • Craft Fair Idea #1 🧡 E...

[@gailbankscreates]

You did very well at your craft fair. Good idea knowing what sold well versus those that didn't. I think selling the pens with the notebook will sellout. Now that you've gone thru the first one, you're ready for your next one. 🤗

[@Messybesscreations]

Thanks so much Gail! I hope so too

[@laurag5168]

Not having a sample to show how things are used is probably my biggest mistake at my first fair. Live and learn! TFS. I hope your next fair is great ❤

[@purplemav]

If I had to guess why the greeting cards didn’t sell, IMO it’s because there isn’t much to them; they are just backgrounds. They need more embellishing and a Sentiment.

[@Messybesscreations]

That’s great advice I thought the same

[@libralocs9141]

Thanks for sharing!! And yessss ... Craft fairs can definitely be hit or miss, and its always so interesting (frustrating!) to see what sells with each crowd. A dud at one fair might be your biggest stud at the next one! ❤️

[@julieheubusch5714]

Thank you for the video. It was very helpful to see what sold/didn't sell.

[@Messybesscreations]

You bet. I will do another follow up after my second craft fair

[@galeneanderson1476]

I soo happy you did well! Your stuff was soo cute!! My fave was ther Santa key and the certificate

[@susanannette5758]

So happy for your “studs”. Agree with previous comment, if it sold well don’t lower the price. Maybe if you don’t see something moving during the day then mark it down a little. Best advice my daughter gave me was, “don’t pay someone to buy your stuff”. Good luck sweetie!

[@mixedupmargie]

C7te stuff, love the travelers notebook and recipe keeper❤❤❤❤❤

[@Messybesscreations]

Thank you!

[@kstrawberry3309]

Packaging Packaging Packaging! Can't skimp on it. We all love pretty packaging!

[@jenniferwhitmore2573]

Your prices are good! Tfs!

[@mylittlecraftysecret3390]

Really great. Don't lower the price. The price seem to be reasonable. Good luck on the next one.

[@tinaclark5659]

Thank you for sharing. It is very helpful.

[@cindywatson3083]

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[@CM0211]

I think with the Recipe Board, people maybe aren't sure what to do with them. My first thought was that you could put a magnet on the back so people could put them on the fridge.

[@Messybesscreations]

That’s a great idea, I never even thought of that

[@Messybesscreations]

Thank you!!

[@MissHolly-ti5df]

Thanks for sharing. Im normally a baker but this year i would like to clean our my craft room

[@melbaz84]

Beautiful items! My advice.. If something sold well or sold out, do not lower the price for next time!

[@Messybesscreations]

That’s great advice thank you

[@christinetarquin3773]

I like your beaded pens. I would prefer to pick out my own pen from a baskets holder to get the feel and to try it out, you know...see how it writes.

[@justlm316]

Great items tfs your hits & misses

[@kayrejones3071]

Thanks forr sharing your prices!

[@WeAreGonnaNeedABiggerCraftRoom]

Great share Jessica, I stopped doing craft fairs about 5 years ago, but I know how much work they are, and I think you did great!! I'm in Ireland, so it's a little bit of a different market but it was always the same - the things you think will sell great don't move, and the things you're not expecting to move well end up getting sold out!! I found that having one or two really simple products that I could sell for 3 euro/dollars like little page markers or book marks, they were always a great conversation opener with customers. And I also worked really hard on presentation and practiced my table layout at home first and added fun signs and labels on products that made my booth stand out, and I always included a couple of products that would appeal to kids, little keychains and things like that - once the kids come running to the table the adults follow! 😋 Keep going with it because you have a real knack for it and being able to assess what's working and what's not and then tweaking that, lots of people don't have that ability, so keep going and having fun with it! It IS hard work, trust me I know, but it's so rewarding too!! And congrats on all your sales!!! Your crafts are GORGEOUS so try not to underprice yourself either girl, I know it's tempting to do that when you're trying to sell, but remember to value your work, and trust that you'll find people willing to pay for it 🧡TFS 🤗🥰💞 - Carmel xx

[@Messybesscreations]

Aww thank you so much!! How come you stopped doing them? My husband and I want to visit Ireland so bad!!!

[@WeAreGonnaNeedABiggerCraftRoom]

@@Messybesscreations I just had a lot of other life stuff going on and didn't have the time to put into it. I did them for years, and I'd start working in July to make enough for about 10 craft fairs in the run-up to Christmas!! I hope you guys make it to Ireland - don't forget to bring your umbrella!! 😋

[@cherylcournoyer6579]

I love the idea of place settings. How many per package and what did you charge?

[@wildredcherrycheri]

Really helpful.. Thx

[@GigisART]

I’m very interested in the recipe book. Do you have a tutorial? Such a lovely gift for my granddaughter, who loves to cook, and is always asking for my recipes!

[@Messybesscreations]

Hey there let me find it for you.

[@Messybesscreations]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYmplKxraMlqoZo

[@GigisART]

@@Messybesscreations thank you, so much!

[@MariaAguilar-vs9fb]

So glad you were pleased with sales. I do shows and you never know what's going to sell always a crap shot. I had my best year ever this year but my prices are lower people in our are are cheap lol. How many place cards were in a set? Thinking about that for next year to use up scraps. Thx

[@Messybesscreations]

Yeah I totally get it. It’s hard to find that balance of making it worth your time vs making the price attractive enough to have sales. I put 5 cards in a pack for the place cards

[@TheJanetCasey]

These are great ideas, thanks for sharing! If I were doing the pens and notebooks I might put them in a basket or something without the plastic packaging on them. They are so cute and people might just need to touch them a little bit. But honestly every craft show is different and it totally depends on what catches their eye that day. Keep doing your thing!

[@ladydiscraftycreations7641]

Great recap on your craft items. Thanks for sharing! 😊 new to your channel.

[@twiztedlettesl]

Will you be doing more craft fairs in the future? I absolutely love your ideas and I love to see what sells good or not. Also how did you do on your other fair? Tsm for sharing, take care and God bless

[@Messybesscreations]

Yes I will be doing more craft fairs and hope to come out with more craft fair ideas soon!! Thanks for watching!!

[@Charismeansgrace]

Well e y thing is really nice My opinion I would never do a craft fair that took 10% of your sales that is bad business they already made money by selling the space and I’m sure people have to pay to get in

[@cmhowson50]

I love your title Studs and Duds. 🤭 Let me share my little nugget of wisdom with you. If there is ANYTHING I have learned from doing crafts fairs is...packaging sells! You can have super cute stuff, but just putting your item in a clear bag does not mean it will sell. The packaging is as IMPORTANT as the craft inside. You take all this time to make your item, you can't just fold a piece of paper over the top of a clear bag and randomly staple it on. Toppers are as important as the craft inside. It is an extension of your craft.

[@Messybesscreations]

Yeah that’s good advice. My problem is the time it takes to do all of the packaging because at that point is it just costing more to do? Idk I go back and forth on it.

[@Messybesscreations]

Out of curiosity do you have any videos you can recommend that had good packaging?

[@cmhowson50]

@@Messybesscreations Carolina's Creations - Handmade, the video I got inspiration from is titled: Craft Fair Ideas 2019-Packaging. I just used nesting dies and cut the ENTIRE shape out of coordinating paper. (Nesting dies have all those sizes so one is sure to fit your bag size) Then I just scored it in the middle and folded it in half. If I wanted a cut-out shape on the top I just used a small scalloped oval punch. Any shape punch will work though. I just took her idea and made it easier, faster, and less fussy for me. Then I used bows, flowers, and puffy or foam stickers from Hobby Lobby to decorate and BAM you have yourself a super cute FAST topper. OR buy packages of dollies, fold them in half, then add a cute embellishment on it are also super fast toppers. I hope this helps! 😍 Carolina also has some really cute craft fair ideas on her channel!

[@sandyh8755]

I would suggest that on your gingersnap board that you use a wired ribbon for your bows. It will hold the shape better.

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Ornaments should be on trees for successful sales on them

[@Messybesscreations]

Yeah I had a few on there but I agree I should have had more

[@AmyLoveGGIM]

do you have a tutorial on the recipe keeper?

[@Messybesscreations]

Not yet but will get one posted asap

[@viperfam4]

Cute stuff! I have a question about the travelers' notebooks. I have the vinyl wallets you used. Bought them a couple of years ago after Lyric Lover recommended them. I have been on the hunt for the notebook inserts she uses in the tutorial. They're sold out online and I didn't see them in my local Dollar Tree. Do you remember what you used and where you got them? Thanks!

[@Messybesscreations]

Hey there! Yes I got some from Amazon. Unfortunately they weren’t exactly 4x6 they were slightly smaller. I think they were 3.75” x 5.6” or something like that. I can’t find them in my Amazon orders but I know for a fact I got them from there. I just wish DT would bring back theirs 😫

[@viperfam4]

@@Messybesscreations thanks! I wish DT would bring them back too. Thanks for your reply. I'll check Amazon. Happy New YEar!

[@cindywatson3083]

@@viperfam4 Me, too! They stopped offering them.

[@caroleeritchings230]

Do you package your lip balm favors or leave them unwrapped

[@Messybesscreations]

I leave them unwrapped

[@leegoforth8557]

I would pay $8:00 for the book and pen set.

[@elizabethcamachov.3613]

Where did you get your photo alb things for your recipe books

[@Messybesscreations]

I got them from the dollar tree

[@jillcockerell2564]

Do you have a tutorial for the recipe keeper? Thank you.

[@Messybesscreations]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYmplKxraMlqoZo

[@inkyfeet12]

Please edit your file == Santa (apostrophe)s. Santa(s) means more than one. Great gift items.

[@Messybesscreations]

Thank you! It actually got corrected on the next batch I made

[@helenparker1870]

Maybe try raising your prices, sometimes people value items if they pay more for them, as happened with your recipe books. You can always have a sale or lower your prices if it does not work. Not sure how you are making any money at the prices you are quoting. These are hand made items, you should not be comparing prices to mass produced dollar store items.

[@raesreadsandrambles]

I'd ditch the packaging on half of these items. The pens and notebooks I wouldn't have known it was a notebook if you didn't tell me. And the bags for the pens are way too big. Just my 2 cents. I don't thinknyour pricing is much of a problem the travelers/ journal junk journal I think is actually underpriced. Cute projects!

[@Messybesscreations]

Thank you

[@Cre8iveCindy]

I respectfully disagree on the packaging. I like the package on the book and the added pen. I think it makes the item look “new”. Just display one out next to them.

[@lilachesniak9687]

I'm curious, what was the 10% for?

[@Messybesscreations]

A local program that trains and places developmentally disabled people in jobs or programs in the city

[@lilachesniak9687]

@@Messybesscreations thank you

[@roxanne7147]

What are your place cards made out of

[@Messybesscreations]

Hi there! They are made out of a piece of cardstock cut to 4x4 and a white piece of card stock that is 3.75”x 1.75” and then stamps

[@ingridarlington5745]

@@Messybesscreations Super cute idea. How many were in a package and what did you sell them for?

[@Messybesscreations]

@@ingridarlington5745 there were 5 in a pack, and I believe I sold them for $3

[@Cre8iveCindy]

Do you need keys?

[@Messybesscreations]

I’m not sure I know what you mean? Like am I needing to get more keys for the Santa keys?

[@Cre8iveCindy]

Sorry, that was vague. I have some keys that I’m not using and would gladly send them to you to use in your “Santa keys” products. Was that better?😊

[@Messybesscreations]

@@Cre8iveCindy I would love that!! Thank you! If you want, you can email me at [e-mail] and we can work it out?

[@Cre8iveCindy]

@@Messybesscreations I emailed you.☺

[@silvershandiin]

The banner on your KZbin channel looks like you have a bare butt bottom to the left and “thankful” to the right! I guess your banner isn’t cellphone friendly? Haha!! Funny tho!! Good laugh!!

[@Messybesscreations]

hahaha no I had NOT noticed that!

[@Princess_karen]

Your prices are way too high. I would possibly pay half or less than you are selling them for. Sorry, I don’t see the value

[@Messybesscreations]

Right and I talked about why I had to go higher for this particular fair. For my next one I’m going back down to my original prices

[@kimtowson8769]

Wow! I don’t see how she can sell things so cheap. The cost of packaging as well as the things she puts together and her time, I don’t see how she is making any money. I hope she is keeping good accounting.

[@julieheubusch5714]

Her work to put these together, pay a booth fee plus 10% adds up. Unfortunately people get in a dollar store mentality that everything should be cheap.

[@diannes9935]

I don't think Jessica's prices are high enough! As a crafter a lot of time and effort goes into making these adorable items.

[@twiztedlettesl]

These aren't mass produced dollar store items, these are handmade handcrafted items. Yes all the time and supplies used account for the higher than usual prices but you get what you pay for if you choose to buy cheap dollar store items that's your prerogative but most people love handmade gifts and don't mind the higher than usual prices. I think the items she had were super cute and sure the prices were a bit higher than usual but she explains why in the video.