Comments on: Will the Economic Downturn Negatively Affect Indie Craft Fairs? http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/ DIY for Environmentalists: Crafting, Making, Project How-to's, and more! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:37:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: A Crowd Ready to Rally | handmade in PA http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/comment-page-1/#comment-24206 A Crowd Ready to Rally | handmade in PA Wed, 20 May 2009 05:04:03 +0000 http://craftingagreenworld.com/?p=1715#comment-24206 [...] your experiences and strategies with other crafters, such as Crafting Green World’s post on the impact of the economy on local craft fairs, and be open to exploring new ways to market your products, even if it means creating your own [...] [...] your experiences and strategies with other crafters, such as Crafting Green World’s post on the impact of the economy on local craft fairs, and be open to exploring new ways to market your products, even if it means creating your own [...]

]]> By: Nicholas http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/comment-page-1/#comment-22994 Nicholas Sat, 02 May 2009 14:52:15 +0000 http://craftingagreenworld.com/?p=1715#comment-22994 What a great topic!!! A year ago I had personally started to see a slump in sales at the craft fairs. Thinking that I had the corner market or niche in selling fishing lures (Handcrafted by ME) I would be able to survive. Wrong!!!! For the most part I have had to pull out of craft fairs as the table/space money was way to high for the $1.00 - $5.00 items being sold. Thank you for sharing your insight! What a great topic!!! A year ago I had personally started to see a slump in sales at the craft fairs. Thinking that I had the corner market or niche in selling fishing lures (Handcrafted by ME) I would be able to survive. Wrong!!!! For the most part I have had to pull out of craft fairs as the table/space money was way to high for the $1.00 – $5.00 items being sold. Thank you for sharing your insight!

]]> By: tremundo http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/comment-page-1/#comment-22935 tremundo Fri, 01 May 2009 13:35:34 +0000 http://craftingagreenworld.com/?p=1715#comment-22935 This is a great topic that I think so many sellers are too afraid to discuss. I've been doing shows longer than I care to admit. Just when I think I might have figured them out, something changes, so know there's no rhyme or reason. Where I live, some areas I sell like you wouldn't believe, couple blocks away (with more attendees) nothing, zilch. I think in the current times, it's a matter of each seller selling where they feel comfortable. Choosing shows is never easy. I can't take some of the risks I did in the past (since being laid off from my FT job) I am choosing shows that first have other events going on at the same time (such as a derby), going green, etc. and with reasonable fees. Although higher fee shows in the past also had more attendees, those same attendees are feeling the financial squeeze too. I think it's going to be a slow year. It's going to be important to do the follow up...hand out info to everyone, have a sign up sheet and really push the handmade and supporting each other. If you have an online shop, offer a coupon for free shipping to everyone who stops by your table. Maybe they won't buy with cash that day but they will with credit online. Who knows except we don't know if we don't try....and keep trying! This is a great topic that I think so many sellers are too afraid to discuss.

I’ve been doing shows longer than I care to admit. Just when I think I might have figured them out, something changes, so know there’s no rhyme or reason. Where I live, some areas I sell like you wouldn’t believe, couple blocks away (with more attendees) nothing, zilch.

I think in the current times, it’s a matter of each seller selling where they feel comfortable. Choosing shows is never easy. I can’t take some of the risks I did in the past (since being laid off from my FT job) I am choosing shows that first have other events going on at the same time (such as a derby), going green, etc. and with reasonable fees. Although higher fee shows in the past also had more attendees, those same attendees are feeling the financial squeeze too.

I think it’s going to be a slow year. It’s going to be important to do the follow up…hand out info to everyone, have a sign up sheet and really push the handmade and supporting each other. If you have an online shop, offer a coupon for free shipping to everyone who stops by your table. Maybe they won’t buy with cash that day but they will with credit online.

Who knows except we don’t know if we don’t try….and keep trying!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/comment-page-1/#comment-22822 Elizabeth Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:02:30 +0000 http://craftingagreenworld.com/?p=1715#comment-22822 I'd say the economy has had an effect on Craft Fair sales. I had my first show of the season two weeks ago, and barely made expenses. I had intentionally stocked my booth with a fairly low price point - $10 - $20. Several of my neighbors who had a higher price points $50 and over sold nothing. Sad. I’d say the economy has had an effect on Craft Fair sales. I had my first show of the season two weeks ago, and barely made expenses. I had intentionally stocked my booth with a fairly low price point – $10 – $20. Several of my neighbors who had a higher price points $50 and over sold nothing. Sad.

]]> By: Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/28/will-the-economic-downturn-negatively-affect-indie-craft-fairs/comment-page-1/#comment-22804 Becky Striepe Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:46:41 +0000 http://craftingagreenworld.com/?p=1715#comment-22804 I'm wondering the same. My first show of the season was also last weekend, and it was on the slow side. Not terrible, but not stellar either. Maybe wait and see is the best strategy right now....there are more fests coming up, and maybe this first one was just a fluke? And it totally sounds like you found your niche with those Derby gals! I bet they'd let you set up at their games if you asked. I have a friend who's vended at a few in her town, and she does pretty well there. I’m wondering the same. My first show of the season was also last weekend, and it was on the slow side. Not terrible, but not stellar either. Maybe wait and see is the best strategy right now….there are more fests coming up, and maybe this first one was just a fluke?

And it totally sounds like you found your niche with those Derby gals! I bet they’d let you set up at their games if you asked. I have a friend who’s vended at a few in her town, and she does pretty well there.

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