Second Craft Fair Experience & Best and Worst Sellers at Craft Fairs, What Sells well at Craft Fairs

[@brandirandall6766]

I do 2 craft shows a year. Both at high schools and the shows are well known in the area and well marketed. I make similar items...all paper crafts...and sell at least $1000 each show. All items are mainly $5 and below The shows you're picking are unfortunately undermarketed and probably fairly new. Go for the high school shows! Good luck! Don't stop...these shows can be sooooo fun!😁😁

[@shannonramiro6067]

Beforee you sign up for any fair ask what they will be doing in the way of Marketing and the expected number of attendees. Also, ask how they anticipate those attendees learning about the fair, to generate the foot traffic. If you aren't comfortable with the answers, then find a different fair to attand.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I'll definitely be asking these questions next time! Thank you so much for the advice !

[@kristythecraftypapersmith]

So sorry this one did not turn out. Sounds like they just threw it together maybe to take advantage of the school craft fair that same day. I did a couple like this and I chalked it up to a learning experience. The ones I do now are all in the same town with the spring and Christmas ones being at the same place. The 3rd is the same town, but one where it is down main street. And I have been there when other vendors do not chat, even with their customers, which is crazy. I find that engagement with the people walk through is key even if you only get out hi or merry Christmas. You might check with the school and see if the do another event during the year. People will look for vendors that they bought items from before. You've got this. My 1st year was a bit rough too. Super proud you took this step it can be very scary.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you so much 💕 it was definitely a hugeee step to sign up for one let alone two a week apart for my first ever craft fairs ! But I did enjoy them and that was the first step to signing up for more in the future !

[@SherryKovell]

we have all had craft fairs like this. I did a show this summer where I sold ZERO... a disappointing first for me.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

That sure is disappointing and I’m sorry that happened! Were there others selling similar things? Luckily the two I’ve done they ask what you’re selling and have been doing it so there’s no other competitor with what you’re selling but with so many vendors and barely any shoppers, that’s already a lot of competition.

[@PartyPlannerPaperie]

Oh no! So sorry to hear, Karolina! I had a similar situation at my one craft fair of the season, too! Such a bummer. Your items were super cute, and those shoppers definitely missed out!! Fingers crossed you are able to make back some of your costs through Etsy sales! Happy Holidays! ~~Letty/PPP

[@KarolinasKrafts]

So sorry to hear you had a similar experience! With these being my first craft fairs this year and ever , I have definitely learned a lot and will be making better choices for where I sign up next time! & Thank you for the kind words, Letty! I am definitely making up for it with sales on Etsy and appreciate everyone’s support !

[@abbylynn8872]

Your surprise boxes... stop by small businesses in your area or call mid size businesses ask for the marketing director..... Ask if theyd like to purchase a box as small gifts for staff. They can put them out on a table or use as table settings for their holiday parties. Seems to me youd have better luck purchasing a vendor table in office buildings and on college campuses. Your items are so cute. ❤

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you for the suggestion! Most of my boxes are sold on Etsy, I have one left so I think that’s great ! But I definitely want to try a school location next time because I think ppl would love to get teacher gifts etc 💖

[@diannes9935]

I'm so sorry Karolina! Your items are adorable and I hope you are able to sell everything you made in your Etsy shop. Keep your positve attitude and have a wonderful Christmas!

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Aw thank you so much! I appreciate it!💖 Etsy has been good to me so far and I hope more items continue to find new homes! 🏠

[@smokymtngrl5680]

Just had a conversation with a friend who said she doesn't sell a lot at one fair in the community but sells the same products in at different fair in the community and sells out at the second one and hardly anything at the first one. Your stuff is cute.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Yes it’s like you never know what’s going to sell at one fair over the other and the fact that it’s in the same community I think it also speaks to the advertising being done at those locations!

[@mousekemom]

I would highly recommend before you sign on to a craft fair, walk it and sign up the next year. See what kind of vendors, traffic and advertising before you pay for a spot. My kids volunteered at their high school annual Jingle Bell fair so I knew what those items were before. No one else had papercrafts like mine but there were 3 tumbler vendors selling very similar product, 6 jewelry, and 4 vendors with knit items so they had a lot of competition.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I’ve been lucky enough to sign up at craft fairs that didn’t allow vendors selling the same things to give everyone a fair chance at selling it’s just disappointing where there’s barely any shoppers or as many shoppers as there are vendors. It’s a great idea to walk through these fairs first to see if I want to sign up the following year though!

[@reganzick6535]

I was a vendor at a high school craft fair this weekend and it wasn’t great - sold $90 less than last year. I’m sorry this didn’t work out for you. Hope you sell these items on Etsy after all your hard work. Better luck next year! Thanks for your videos.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I know how disappointing it can be when sales don’t go as planned! Hopefully, it gets better next year for you and even with $90 less I still hope you covered your both fee and more!

[@deniseabate-smith1933]

That’s a bummer. I was wanting to do a crafts fair and I’m thinking you will have way more success selling in your Etsy. All of your items look fabulous. Hopefully future Fairs will be better. Thank you so much for sharing 🩷

[@KarolinasKrafts]

It's always a learning experience! And I’m glad I tried it and signed up for some craft fairs. I may even sign up for some in the spring, we’ll see!

[@MadeFromScrap]

My 2nd one just this past weekend was also a dud. Didn’t make the booth fee back either. 😢

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Ugh it’s the worst ! I’m glad my first craft fair last week went pretty well to keep me motivated to do more because had this been my first I would never want to do another ! 😂 sorry yours didn’t go so well either 😫

[@ShikaBMadeIt]

I’m so sorry that the craft fair didn’t do well and thank you for sharing how things went. ❤❤❤

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you for the support! It was a learning experience but I’m still happy I was able to share it all with you!

[@deniellepodraza7781]

What a bummer. Sometimes it is hard to find a good show. Your stuff is great. You should try again!

[@KarolinasKrafts]

It’s hard to tell how good a craft fair will because there are so many factors and you just never know! But I definitely want to try again, my first experience last week looking back after this one , was really great!

[@deniellepodraza7781]

@KarolinasKrafts I have been doing this for years. This is the first season that all but one of my shows was good.

[@shellyp8731]

Hang in there … you have created so many cute items, I think you just need the right venue. Hope your goodies sell well on Etsy! 🎅🏼💚🎅🏼

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you! I really appreciate the encouragement! Etsy has been good to me so far and most of the boxes sold, so I'm hoping more of my stuff will find new homes there!

[@pegasusnites]

Your items are so adorable, very creative, and well priced. I just can't understand the low sales. I was excited to purchase from your Etsy shop. I'm so sorry this was a difficult experience. I read some good advice in the comments from other crafters, so hang in there! You are so talented.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

It's tough when it doesn't go as planned, but I appreciate you saying all this and I truly appreciate your support as well! 💖💖💖 thank you!

[@suemitchell7739]

I do craft fairs as well, and I have found that it is on US to advertise on our social media. Right or wrong, we need to push the location where we are. Sad but true. That being said, I cant believe no one bought anything. Your stuff is great! I have made a lot of of your creations and they always sell. You were at a dud. Also, if this was their first show, typically, they have little foot traffic.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

While I agree we can post, I also disagree. I think the venue hosting really needs to advertise to make it successful. They’re doing a craft fair for a reason, to make money from the vendors. In order to make sure vendors want to sign up again, they also need to advertise. The school craft fair down the road had a ton of advertising whereas this one has just one sign near the location. Someone else said there was more ppl last year and I wonder if maybe this year the date overlapped with the other one and that’s why. It was their third year

[@suemitchell7739]

I 100 percent agree! But we also have our own followers and we need to post as well. Unfortunately, we can’t rely on the organizers to do their job!! They will eventually learn when they lose all vendors. Ha!

[@deniellepodraza7781]

On a side note. I love your inventory sheet.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you so much! I made it to keep track at my craft fair and it’s available in my digital etsy shop too (linked in the description)

[@littlegoldiesbooks]

I live in the Denver area, and it seems like every high school has a fair. They are well advertised, since they’ve been doing them for years, but they are kind of expensive to get a space. I’ve had pretty good success at recreation centers that have also had fairs for years, and they are reasonable for a space.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Yes the high school one down the road someone said was $500 for two days! I’ll definitely be doing a lot more research and asking more questions before I sign up for another !

[@AmazinGraceXOXO1]

Can I ask where you got that rotating greeting card holder?

[@KarolinasKrafts]

@@AmazinGraceXOXO1 of course! I got it off of Amazon, Here’s the link amzn.to/4fDHGqt

[@lynfinley1308]

so sorry things didn't go better, crafts fairs are like yard sales hit or miss, but the school craft fairs usually are very well advertised and attended, that would be your best bet.

[@brandiepoulin1771]

Usually the church and school craft fairs are highly advertised- if anything by word of mouth and outgoing flyers! Don’t give up! Get the next one before Christmas! 🎅❤️

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Haha I think I’m done before Christmas , that’s only one weekend left and I’m done hustling! Haha next year hopefully will be better if I sign up for more !

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Yeah I think I’ll want to try a school one the next time I do another! Definitely a hit or miss!

[@mariebinkin4365]

Karolina, so sorry about the poor sales at your second craft fair. Disappointing after all your work!! Your things are darling---people just missed out!

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Thank you so much! That lady that didn’t buy the card definitely missed out ! Haha, next time will hopefully be better, but it’s all part of the learning experience

[@jacrippin1]

My last 2 craft fairs sucked. I barely made my booth fee. I went to the same place last year, sold the same stuff and did ok. I was supposed to go to one more at the same place and I cancelled. Not sure what happened 😢

[@KarolinasKrafts]

From the many videos, I’ve watched, people have said they do the same craft fairs every year, but many have said when they have the same products, they don’t sell as well and to rotate those products every other year and make new things for the following year. Maybe that’s worth a shot for you if you do the same location every year !

[@createwithangela]

TIP You can actually set up Venmo to accept credit cards/top to pay.

[@abbylynn8872]

This is great to know. Off to research. Thank you🌸🌸💕

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I ended up finding my credit card reader but that’s great to know should I lose it again next time ! Thank you!

[@alesiayoung2160]

It’s so disappointing when a craft show is bad because it’s a lot mentally and physically preparing for shows and when shows especially Christmas (December) shows are bad to me it’s puzzling where else can you go and purchase wonderful handmade items for gifts and stocking stuffers and potentially spend under $10.00 for each item if you want, say you want to give a little something to the school bus driver or a neighbor maybe your favorite teacher/co worker tea bag holders and hot cocoa packs are great for this! I think this year it’s not so much about people not having the funds I am seeing a lot of people that are not in the usual festive holiday mood 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Yes people didn’t seem in the holiday spirit at this fair, not even the vendors. Sure their booths were set up Christmasy, but the holiday spirit wasn’t there. It takes certain kind of people to appreciate handmade goodies and to get them for teachers, coworkers, even the mailman (or mail women) and the sanitation workers! And I even thought this fair would be better than my last because it’s closer to the holidays and thought for sure people would need last minute gifts.

[@bbuunnyycc]

How disappointing. I’ve been there and it’s not a pleasant feeling. You’re right, do to the well advertised fairs. I hope you sell all your Etsy boxes. Good luck.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Definitely disappointing but also a learning experience! Thank you 💖

[@sandraspapercreations2025]

I did a vendor event this weekend and it was horrible. I only made $5 😢

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Ahh that’s so disappointing, so sorry to hear that 😫

[@sandraspapercreations2025]

@KarolinasKrafts it's so discouraging

[@tamarahaas212]

Sorry your craft fair was not good. I definitely would try to do the High School Carft fairs, especially ones that have been doing it for a longer time. They are harder to get in, but I've done soo much better at HS than elementary or "lodge" sponsored ones. I've figured out that having a card reader, like square definitely helps with sales.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I’ll definitely be looking into some school craft fairs though so far they seem to be really expensive. The one down the road someone said was $500 for 2 days ! I ended up finding my credit card reader but from the two fairs I did this year no one chose to pay with credit. I may try without the fee next time but we’ll see!

[@gaylefarmer5946]

From what I am seeing craft fairs are not doing so well anywhere! I got put of doing them a few years back. People just do no appreciate the time and effort put into the crafting of your items!! I am sorry this was so bad for you!

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I think it just depends on the fair, the location, and the time of year. My fair last week did much better than this one! And I’ve seen others videos and many did really well too though some not so well. I think there’s a lot of factors that play a part

[@sama.scraps]

I think there may need to be more activities than just a craft fair.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

Do you mean other activities at the fair to attract people? Like photos with Santa ?

[@JustMeOnlyMeIndeed]

I would never charge an extra %for credit cards. It’s a cost of doing business and is just rude and not professional in my opinion. If I didn’t take credit cards, I’d lose sales. I’d rather pay the % than to lose the whole sale. If you use Square, the fees aren’t that bad in the overall picture. People will tend to buy more, too, using a credit card.

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I don’t think it’s rude at all where in NY, many small shops, deli’s, contractors etc charge extra for using credit cards. It’s personal preference and up to what you decide and prefer. If it’s worth it to you to cover the cost then great but not something I wanted to do when in my opinion my prices were already low

[@JustMeOnlyMeIndeed]

@ And when I run into a shop like that on vacation, I walk out. So raise the price a tick if it’s an issue but it’s penalizing the shopper who has become accustomed to paying without cash. Many fast food places are only accepting cards now and not cash. But you are correct…it’s all in how we perceive things. Oh, I live outside of Chicago. When I go into the city, I’ve not run into this.

[@dwilloughby1969]

I don't think paper crafting is a good seller at craft fairs.

[@MinnesotaGardenGirl]

That has not been my experience.

[@abbylynn8872]

It really depends on the fair. No matter in the country I'm visiting I look for papercrafts at the fairs❤

[@KarolinasKrafts]

I thought I did fairly well last week so I can’t say that’s my experience !