You’ve been considering it for months, and you’re finally ready to do your first show. This is a big moment for any crafter or Etsy seller. That’s why I’ve decided to share my tips to make your first craft show a success — I want to learn as I go, too. I’ll be sure to post an update when I finally do have my first show!
It’s been a crazy few weeks for both myself and my Etsy shop. The start of autumn means my hat orders are beginning to trickle back in. I’ve spent the past two weekends seeing Elton John and road tripping to a Connecticut casino. And the most exciting news of all? I’m participating in my first craft fair in just one short month!
How do you find and apply to the best craft fairs for your goods? What are the ins and outs of finances and regulations? And how do you make a splash while you’re there? Let’s get into it!
Finding Craft Fairs in Your Area
Finding craft fairs requires some sleuthing because not all events that are accepting vendors use the same resources. You can start very easily, however, with a quick Google search for “craft fairs [your location].” When I looked in my area, the top result was PA-Vendors.com, which has a great collection of events and is aimed specifically at sellers like you.
If this is your first craft fair, some of the events listed on aggregator websites like the one above might be too big, however. It all depends on your needs. Since I wanted to make sure I didn’t make too much of a monetary investment my first time, I decided not to apply to the big craft fairs listed on the first website I found. They tended to have higher entry fees and more stringent application standards, which weren’t ideal for my test run.
Facebook was the winner for my search. Try searching for “craft fairs” and looking at some of the upcoming events in your area. These will be events of all sizes, and if you look far enough ahead, you’re bound to find some that are accepting vendors.
You may also be aware of craft shows, flea markets and other events by word of mouth. If you know about a recurring community event or your friend is running a show for their organization, reach out for more information about getting involved yourself.
Get Your Timing Right
One of the biggest factors in making your first craft fair a success is giving yourself enough time. Consider how prepared you’ll be for a chosen event. How big is your inventory? What holidays are you working toward? What does your regular workload look like?
Holly G Hats sells knit hats, so it tends to be a very seasonal business. October through January are my biggest months, with the holiday season really bringing business. Therefore, I decided to do my first craft show in November.
I also spent all summer stocking up my inventory. Summer is an off-season, so I had plenty of time to knit extra hats to prepare for a craft fair in the fall. You don’t want to be crafting for a fair with only one month to go! If you have other orders or obligations to deal with, you simply won’t be ready in time. Trust me.
Popular craft fairs and events may also fill up quickly and far ahead of time. It’s best to give yourself at least a few months to find the right shows, fill out applications before the deadline, and prepare your stand.
Applying To Your First Craft Fair
Did you find a few good craft fairs? Great! Now, you have to actually get accepted.
Some events will have more stringent standards than others. You should be able to find a little information about what the event is looking for. Some handmade goods, like knitting or crochet, jewelry or soaps, may be pretty competitive.
Make sure you stand out in your application. Hone in on what makes your business unique. Really celebrate your USP. I was able to look a little different from other fiber arts shops by focusing on the uniqueness of my hat designs — especially since the flea market I’m attending emphasizes local character. Bingo!
Decide How Much You Can Spend
Craft fairs cost money to attend. While the cost varies, most events will charge you for the space you occupy and possibly an application fee. One of the biggest craft fairs in my area, the PA Christmas Show, costs $735-$800 dollars for a booth during the 5-day event. It’s worthwhile for dedicated vendors — not so much for part-time Etsy sellers.
My first show is a community flea market. The space for a small table costs $20, and the application for a special events license from the city costs $50. If I sell 4 hats, then I can break a profit. It’s still a little risk, but it doesn’t put me hundreds of dollars in the hole. Plus, I can hand out my cards and gain more sales online.
Before you commit, calculate your spending limits. Add up the total cost of fees associated with the event. Estimate how many goods you’d have to sell to make up for it. Does it seem reasonable? Then this is a good first craft fair for your business!
Don’t forget the extra costs that come with preparation. If you’re thinking about how to make your first craft fair a success, you’re probably going to buy some extras to make a great display. I spent $10 on shiny business cards and $10 on three plexiglass sign holders for flyers with my shop name and information. You may also have to rent or bring your own table and chair. Can you swing it?
Take Care of the Logistics
I already mentioned applying for my special events vendor license above. You might not know it, but there are probably some logistics to take care of outside the initial application to your first craft fair. We all know bureaucracy can be sluggish, so stay on top of license applications or regulations to avoid hiccups closer to the event.
You will also likely need to charge sales tax, if you don’t already. You can get your EIN, or employer identification number, in a matter of minutes from the IRS — free and online. This resource can walk you through some of the state-to-state standards for selling at craft fairs. Make sure that you’re complying with the law — who wants to mess with the IRS?
How Will You Accept Payment?
- Decide on Cash & Cards
Accepting cash is a given, and definitely easiest on both ends. But we’re increasingly living in a cashless society. Seriously, I almost never have any dollar bills on me. It’s probably worthwhile to invest in a way to accept cards from potential customers.
Etsy sellers can use Square’s services to manage card payments. If you sign up with Square and sync your Etsy listings using this guide, Etsy will not charge you anything outside of its normal transaction and renewal fees. Square will charge you 2.75% on each swiped transaction once you receive and use the free magstripe swiper they’ll send you to attach to your phone.
Good news? You won’t turn away cashless customers. Bad news? More fees. Decide if using Square is right for you based on the price of your goods and your read on whether customers will be prepared with lots of cash.
- Plan To Bring Extra Cash
Take out plenty of cash from your ATM and have a variety of bills prepared so you can give change. Again, the last thing you want to do is be unprepared to accept a paying customer!
- Consider Online Payments
This will likely depend on the youthfulness of the craft fair crowd, but mobile payments are becoming more and more popular. You can accept payments via the Venmo app, for example, to make it even easier for participating customers to make a purchase. This also avoids extra fees.
Start Planning Your Display
This is the fun part. You want your stand to be the most beautiful and enticing one at the fair, obviously. Your branding has to be on point. Your goods have to look irresistible. Customers should stop in their tracks and make a beeline right for your handcrafted items.
Okay, maybe you shouldn’t put too much on your plate. But there are some simple things you can do to prepare for the display without breaking the bank.
- Display consistent branding
Make sure your business has its own uniform logo and color scheme. Make sure your tablecloth, signs, and marketing materials all fit it well. Your display should be memorable and reflect your business well!
- Create an aesthetic
Color, decorations and mood can all affect how customers perceive your goods. If you’re making candles or bath goods, make sure a lovely smell and relaxing feel emanate from the stand. Go for cute pops of color if you’re selling something girly or kid-friendly. Aim for sophisticated earth tones if you have more grown-up and elegant goods.
Is it possible to engage more than one sense? Go for it!
- Plan to showcase your goods
Your products are obviously what need to stand out if you want to make your first craft fair a success. How will you arrange your goods? Do you have enough stands, models, and shelves? What are your most popular products — are they prominently displayed to attract attention?
- Invest in pretty packaging
For a nice touch, and to inspire repeat customers and good feedback, add a little flair to your packaging. You can add a business tag, use a little ribbon and/or invest in some nice but inexpensive gift bags. Make sure you include a card with your business’ website and information so they can find you again!
- Stock up on takeaways
Speaking of cards, make sure you’re stocked up on to-go marketing materials, especially if you sell online. Get some business cards — they’re not expensive — or display your website and social media so customers can find you on the go.
Make Your First Craft Fair a Success
Lastly, start crafting the goods that you know will sell. Since I just moved to Pennsylvania, I’m probably going to make some hats featuring prominent PA sports teams to display. If it’s near a holiday, make some themed goods. Go through your best sellers and make sure you have plenty at the craft fair.
Plus, share where you’re going! Make sure you do your best to promote the event to any social media followers who may be enticed to attend.
Best of luck with this huge, fun step for your business! Do you have anything to add? Comment below!
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