From Workshop to Craft Fair: A Woodworker's Journey

[@northernworks]

Hi Leo, I enjoyed this, thanks for the video. I'll be honest, the worry about not making a sale has stopped me from even trying, so you're already miles ahead of 99.9% of people! Look forward to seeing more.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

@@northernworks Cheers Pete, I think fear of failure holds people back in life, never mind just makers sales. If you’re thinking of possibly trying one, October to December would be the best time I reckon. Or have you ever tried looking for a place where you rent a space with a market type environment? I rent and 8x4 wall space at the Red Brick Market in Liverpool (think they have them in Sheffield and Birmingham too), all I need to do is check the stock levels and that’s it. They have a central till that takes the payments for all the stall holders (over 250 now) and they don’t take commission on sales either (except 2% for card fees). For independent makers it is a perfect set up as you don’t have to staff it and what it costs me for a weeks rent is cheaper than a table at a craft sale for a day👍

[@MrNetAble]

Mate, you've got fine products to sell. It is an achievement by it self! Selling is another talant to master. Myself as an one hand operator same as you mate, not even close to selling, not perfect enough. Most of the time giving my woodworking trial and error makings for free to people on the same boat or in needs. )) Your videos very inspirational! Thank you very much! Alex

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Hello Mr Net, thanks for this comment and the comment on my wood finishes video. Great to hear from another one handed maker and best of luck in your woodworking adventures 😀👍

[@ASCarvings]

Hello Leo i do this kind of thing also. I have things on my table from £6 to £100 and people come along and try to cut the £6 items down. It’s gutting when you don’t get any sales but you cant just give it away. Your selection of stock is amazing and i keep telling myself its the times we are living in. What we do is a luxury and I don’t think there is as much disposable income out there as pre Covid times. Keep at it my friend.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers for the message pal. These are extremely difficult times for so many people and ‘luxury’ purchases are very limited due to the squeeze on household finances. The day wasn’t a complete disaster as I’ve got some great leads to follow up, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed with zero physical sales on the day

[@totemgordwoodcarving4959]

Thank you for being so honest by your lack of sales. Most KZbinrs make false claims how they sold out.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you, I think the importance of honesty in this situation was crucial for me as I’ve no doubt other makers have encountered similar times 👍

[@TheOriginalAndBestTim]

My wife used to do craft fairs, sometimes she would get lots of sales, sometimes she wouldn't get any. It's tricky because you are dependant on people turning up who happen to be interested in what you are selling and willing to pay for it - some days it's just wrong place wrong time and there is nothing you can do about that. It sounds like you are already hitting multiple price points which is really important to maximise the chances of making a sale. Have a great time at Makers Central!

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Tim, great comment and spot on pal 😀👍

[@jeffhatcher6585]

I’ve got my first proper stall next Saturday on our local high street. New to woodwork following covid, and not half as skilled as you, but have found it therapeutic and really good for my mental wellbeing. So hoping for enough sales to cover my costs. Everything else is a bonus. Thanks for your inspirational testimony. You’re a legend.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Jeff for your very kind comments and the best of luck with the stall 🤞🤞🙏🙏😀😀👍👍

[@jeffhatcher6585]

You're welcome. And the praise us well deserved. Will let you know if I managed to sell anything. 🙏

[@kevinansell9341]

@@jeffhatcher6585 Jeff, Did you make sales ? How was your first experience ?

[@jeffhatcher6585]

​@kevinansell9341 you bet. It I'd a hobby and not my main income. Plus I work from home, so I really enjoy the people contact. But I have had 7 other markets / fayre since. And cover my costs, my time, and fund whatever power tool or laser engraver tool I need next. So I'm very happy. I have 2 more between now and Christmas, and with existing orders I'll actually struggle to get everything done. That's a nice feeling. 😁😁😁

[@paulcooper9187]

It must be frustrating for you. Great insight though , thank you for sharing

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers Paul, yes a bit frustrating pal but wasn’t all bad 🤞👍

[@markduggan3451]

I hope you have a great Makers Central. It was lovely talking to you.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Mark, fantastic weekend. Just trying to get over it now 😂😂😂

[@duster.]

You sir, are an inspiration. I've tried selling on FB market place, Etsy for a while and zero interest. I've made things on my lathe, Xtool laser and some flat work etc. and people say oh that's brilliant, you should sell that and make some cash. Zip, nada, zero. I'm gutted for you that you did't actually sell anything on the day but as you say, lots of interest.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Bob, really kind of you and sorry to hear about your experiences. I’m sure lots of fellow makers will have similar tales to tell, times are also extremely tough for folk and disposable income for luxury items certainly is not as ready to many people

[@Scott2148]

Well done great video. Great honesty - not another "How I made a zillon dollars out of used pallets!" Shot glass tray - brilliant! (Hey - what about golf stuff.) "Keep your heart young and you spirt high, and never a let your dreams to die!) Thank you

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you for your very kind feedback which is much appreciated 😀😀👍👍

[@FullStackWoodworking]

I've thought about producing items for craft fairs but the fear of not selling holds me back, people just don't realise how much time goes into making things and why they are priced as they are.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

I wouldn’t completely dismiss it as a potential option, if you are going to try one out though maybe look towards the Christmas time and do some research in regards to venues, other sellers etc 👍👍

[@botjimllfixthatellis4805]

You’re amazing - a true inspiration.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Very kind of you, thank you 🙏😀👍

[@JLJCoastersPlus]

Nice Video, picked up a few good tips from you. Thank you.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Very kind of you, thank you 😀👍

[@thewoodworker1703]

Firstly loving your work Leo those boards , shot glass holders etc are very very nice 👌🏻 Don’t worry about the zero sales I’d say all of us have been there I know I have ! A full van load for one day and as you say it brought in a lot of leads but no sales on the day , felt a bit of a knock back but it doesn’t depict the quality of the work, and yours is first class 👌🏻

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks for the very kind feedback pal, much appreciated 😀👍

[@thewoodworker1703]

@@Hand-i-Craft Credit where credit is due ! 😉👍🏻

[@silverwoodmarketing4394]

Thanks for making this and being so open about sales on the day. You are not alone - most of my sales come via Etsy and enquiries are massively down. It can be hard to motivate yourself to keep paddling, but then suddenly that one sale pops up and brings a smile.

[@nickymurphy522]

New follower, keep up the good work . I do something the same and fairs can be hit and miss take care

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you for subscribing and yes I thought it best to be honest and share the times when it doesn’t go well. Certainly seems to be relatable for some folks 👍👍

[@taylo256]

“Morning” (evening really) keep up the good work Leo.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks James, will do pal 👍👍

[@sydneymartin952]

Wow I am so glad I came across your you tube channel, I have to say you are an amazing person. You do great work and I look forward to seeing what you do in the near future. Thank you for making the videos you are an inspiration.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you for your very kind words which are much appreciated 😀😀👍👍

[@ChrisFranklyn]

That's pretty galling and a feeling I know really well, especially when you've done good at the same location. Been there. The pre-show anxiety and in my case huge imposter syndrome I can also identify with greatly. It's a good job we love what we do! :)

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Chris, I think it’s important for me to show the good, bad and the ugly side of it. Can’t be great all the time, totally identify too with the imposter syndrome stuff 👍👍

[@WoodworkJourney]

It’s a shame you missed out on sales, but I would still say it was a win because you coped with the anxiety, and every time you over come it you grow a little. Fingers crossed you get something from it in the future!

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Dean, means a lot pal ❤️😀👍

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

I know how disappointing no sales are, I spend every Friday late afternoon at a market and there are quite a few of them. But I make it up at the two Christmas markets I do. Have to attend the summer markets to be guaranteed a spot for them. They do tire a person out though. You had a nice display, great work

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Vern and yes you’re spot on here. I decided to do this one as the venue is nice and the person who runs it is great so good to keep in touch with them 👍👍

[@AubinHouat]

Hello, i discover your channel with this vidéo, i am a woodworker in Bretagne (NW of France), bravo for your optimistic spirit i can tell you are giving a lot of inspiration and motivation thank you a lot for that ! And even if i make boards i would buy one of yours because i can see the quality of your work and finish 🤩 keep going have a good day

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you for such kind and thoughtful feedback. My best wishes from Liverpool, Leo 😀😀👍👍

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Leo, hope your well, So gutted for you no sales at that golf club, I hope business is better at your store in the centre of Liverpool, I know no one wants to work 8 days a week have you thought of a car boot sale or an out door market is there one you can go to in the Liverpool area or the Wirral or a bit further afield . There is a good car boot sale in Chirk, Wrexham you get stall holders selling home made items. I love your positive attitude even after a bad day, it's back to your workshop and keep making, your day will come, just look at that golf club as an experience you will get better days. Keep thinking positive mate, great to see your video as always catch you soon Take care

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Perfectly said Shaun, couldn’t have put it better myself 💪😀👍

[@andyc972]

Bless you Leo, you're very pragmatic, I'm gutted for you, but as you rightly said it's not all about what you sell on the day, so hopefully you'll get some spin-off business to make up for it ! Have a great time at makers central, lots of my favourite KZbinrs there (yourself included) so I'll be tuning in to enjoy it vicariously !

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Andy, appreciate the comment pal 😀💪

[@dgperforms1]

Good work! New Sub here

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thank you 😀😀👍👍

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍 Love your optimism. Thanks Leo

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers Pete 👍😀

[@lionandbear]

Gutted mate but great positive attitude. I always try and find the best of every situation and at least you’ve got plenty of stock ready to go at a moments notice! I bet Christmas time is always going to be the busiest for these types of gifts as they make great gifts. My dad does craft fairs and there are definitely ones that do better than others but you just never know until you’ve been.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers for the feedback pal, yes run up to Christmas is the best time. Let’s see how it goes 🤞😀👍

[@simonr6793]

Leo, back in the early days of the mobile phone industry boom i used to do Computer fair's selling things like mobile phone data cable's and software to upload to different phones. At the beginning of this boom i used to take anything from £4,000 to around £9,000 per fair and honestly I almost wet myself the very first time, but over the course of a couple of years things changed dramatically and I would be grateful if I sold £100 in item's. That said I learned many lessons from doing these fair's as certain times of the year were better than other's. As you said your November show was great and that was down to the Christmas time, then to today's show with no sale's this is probably due more to the fact of people saving for summer holidays etc. Your right about the situation with the harbour and people being tourist, for you that is definitely something that i would be looking closer into as we both know that when we are away or on holiday we have a tendency to spend more money than we normally do. That said, your bang on with the new signage not only does it save you money on business cards, but it also takes them straight to your website and showing that you are serious about your craft. Having not been to your website for a while, I'm curious do you have video's on there showing your process for making the item's you sell? This would be great, especially when most things sold nowadays are made by machines and are cheaply down. 🤔

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Simon and that’s a great idea re the videos. I do have content on my KZbin channel but I could add links on the online shop to them to demonstrate how much work goes into making them 👍, cheers pal 👍👍

[@simonr6793]

@@Hand-i-Craft anytime Leo 👍

[@fathogwoodworking]

Gutted you’ve had no sales mate. I know the prep work that goes into these things. I’m having similar experiences with my stalls at fares. Lots of interest, everyone wants to talk about what’s on the stand but very few people are pulling the trigger and buy. I think I will see out the ones I have booked over the summer and try to push online sales.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Yes it was disappointing pal, but good in the sense of raising brand awareness in my local area👍👍

[@barry.w.christie]

That's the problem with making stuff, it doesn't matter how much time and effort you put into it or how good it is, if nobody buys it then what do you do. That and the number of other people tying to do the same, it's a tough market to crack. Main thing as you say is that you have multiple outlets so that should help a lot, I can only wish you the all the best in your endeavours 👍

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Barry, yes at least I have other avenues to sell my products so, although a bad day, it’s not the end of the world 👍👍

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Hi Leo fellow Scouser where in the Baltic triangle are you located hopefully drop in one weekend 👍

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers George, my stand is in the Red Brick Market in the Brewery Village, just around the corner from the Baltic Market food hall 👍👍

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Don’t get into town much but will have a trip out maybe over the bank holiday wanted to go to maker central but not happening this year 🤨

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Hi, until I was seventy-three, I have never had a panic attack and therefore did not have any experience of them. My first panic attack I thought I was ging to die and my doctor explained what I had gone through, I have had other attacks since but because I knew what was happening, I managed them better. Having said that I would not wish them on my worst freeind, so you have my deepest sympathy ….

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Cheers John and thanks for being so honest. Yes it’s terrible when it happens but can be managed better when you recognise the triggers 👍👍

[@nialstewart8263]

I had a similar experience recently. I'm an electronic engineer and after a _long_ time developing something I finally 'released' it with an piece describing it in one of the trade mags. I was really excited about it but that lead to 0 sales. I'd had enquiries from my web site and a load from one of those is looking more promising, and I've decided to pay for an ad in the print version of that trade mag. I'm quite hopeful again, we'll see how it goes but what would life be without thinking it's all going to get better as you've constantly demonstrated? 👍

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Nial, it is a bit tough to take when things like this happen, but it can’t always be good and it’s how we react and bounce back to setbacks that makes us stronger 👍👍

[@JohnColgan.]

I would have thought golf & country club mob would of had lots of spare disposable income. I feel your pain ad i make lots if CNC items that people always say is beautiful, they just don't want to buy it!

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Just didn’t happen on the day pal, next time 👍

[@craiglear9694]

I find Craft fairs hard work as well, both mentally and physically. Those no sale days are hard but I need to take leaf out of your book and be more positive with some of the good things that come out of them eg new leads etc.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

They are difficult pal can be zero reward for maximum effort, but sometimes I guess we have to take the rough with the smooth 🤷‍♂️👍

[@parrot340]

Where did you get the ca glue holder from? ☺

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Contact Gary pal at: instagram.com/hythewoodworkdesigns?igsh=MWZrZzZhdG00emJlNw==

[@johnryder6853]

How do you make the dog heads?

[@Hand-i-Craft]

My partner Pam makes them pal. Hand sculpted using polymer clad. She does commissions for family dogs 👍👍

[@monkeysausageclub]

How much did it cost for the pitch? I know you had no sales on the day but it has put you out there, people know you exist, they will be back.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

It was definitely worth it for the links, networking etc and getting my name / brand known in my local area, think it was £25 for the day so well worth it for marketing purposes 😀👍

[@OldManTony]

My wife always does better at craft fairs leading up to Christmas, it appears people like artisan makes as gifts and of course there is much more gift giving at Christmas.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Absolutely Tony, well said 👍👍

[@hansdegroot8549]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't make any sales on the craft fair. Of course, it's not the end of the world, but I can imagine you were disappointed. But you can't compare pre-Christmas fairs to fairs during the rest of the year, when they are not just before a special event (Valentine's day, Easter, Mother's day, etc.) I went through the comments and more people wrote they had the same problems. For your specific situation, what was the fair about? Was it a real craftsmen fair? Were there are booths with wood craft, or were you the only one? What kind of products were offered in the other booths? How did they sell? What kind of people visited the fair? Why was the fair in the building of a golf club? Can make a tweak to the products you make? It's not always about the money people (don't) have. People who don't have money, will not buy anything. And people who do have money, only buy something when it's an interesting product. I'm sure that also in Liverpool there are many people with money. Mainly football clubs have their own shops with football and players related items. If you make some football related wooden products, I'm sure will get many sales. Just give it a try.

[@Hand-i-Craft]

Thanks Hans for the fantastic feedback. Lots to take in here and plenty of food for thought 👍👍