Craft Fairs for Beginners

Yes, it's only August, but you may have noticed certain decorations in your favorite craft store. It's time to start thinking about the holidays. (And no, this is not too early for us. It's too early for stores to put out their Christmas stuff, but not for us makers to start making it.)

ohmay's Holiday Table

And the holidays bring out the craft fairs.

Craft fairs are a great way to get out into your local community and show off your wares. Online we're beholden to the search. Is someone searching for just what you make? But at a craft fair, you get people stumbling upon you. Perhaps they'll discover that you have just what they never knew they needed.

Allie's Adornments (currently on vacation)

But where do you begin?

Many sellers on our team have done craft fairs, and they're a great source of advice. I think the hardest part is just getting started.

Getting started includes research. This is the fun part. A great way to do research is to attend any local craft fair you can find.

Show up. Take a look around. See how various sellers set up their booths. Do a little shopping.

Talk to the sellers.

cserpent designs

There are many places that hold craft fairs. Schools. Churches. Community centers. There are even some people who hold home boutiques. The only way you're going to get a sense of where you'd fit in is to take a look at a bunch of these.

If you find a fair that you think would be a good fit, ask around and find out who runs the thing. That person is usually on site. Most of the sellers should know who he/she is and can point him/her out for you. Even if the event is a once-a-year thing, you can get on the mailing list for the next year.

Know of any good craft fairs? Do you have any advice for someone who has never sold at one?