Hi, looking back through my old blog posts I realised that I’ve come a long way since I last posted about markets and craft fairs!
Hopefully this post about how I have developed my display is useful, but my original post “How to Survive a Craft Fair” still has a lot of basic “good to know” tips for beginners so take a look at that too if you’re just starting out.
February and March 2023 saw me at two new (to me) fabulous and popular Markets in Liverpool, Good Market at Penny Lane and Mossley Hill Makers Market.
What have I improved on since the beginning?
Apart from the obvious change in quality in my creations, the natural progression that is seen when you work at a craft for many years, the appearance of my stall has improved. Here are a few (useful I hope) tips based on things that I have learned since I started out.
Display It’s good to have variety of height in your display. I have resourced and twiddled with boxes, shelf units and branches in my displays over the years to achieve variation in height so that some items are nearer eyeline. To keep a clean look, all my additions are white.
Think about investing in one of those stretchy table covers that helps to hide what you have stashed underneath the table. It can help your stall look more professional and together.
Have a display item that helps people stop and look. Have a talking point – I put some of my felted dogs in a small crate labelled Dog Rehoming Centre with the name of the area in front of the title. It makes people stop and smile and talk!
Don’t put too much out! Hold back from putting out everything you have ever made. It can make it too busy and confusing. Group in themes, keep it simple and pleasing to the eye. I have a box of additional items with me so that I can put extras out as items start to sell, or maybe change a couple of items part way through if something isn’t working. Watch what people look at, if some items just aren’t catching people’s eye, try something else. Use this craft fair as a chance to do valuable market research.
Practice your layout beforehand. If it has been a while since your last market, if you have a lot of new products, and definitely if it is your first ever craft fair, have a run through first. Measure out the space you will have on a dining table, workbench or even floor, and work out how what you will put out and where it will go for best effect. View it from different angles. Get a second opinion. Take photos! This can help you feel much calmer and more confident on the day.
Price points I have learned what items catch people’s eye and causes them to stop and look, and the sweet spot where they are likely to make a purchase.
You might have a quality item that took you hours to make and that you have priced accordingly, that might not sell in the venue you are in, but, it shows your talent and what you are capable of, and people will stop and see what else you have. They may just take a business card and bear you in mind for that special birthday or Christmas present.
Your sweet spot price point will vary according to the particular market, season and area. It might take you a while to figure out what it is, but when you do, aim to make lots of items at that price point. For me it meant thinking about my designs and how I could make items more quickly. But do have a range of prices, I sometimes have “stock clearance” type baskets with sale prices of items that I made a while ago and just have not sold. People do love a bargain and it will help you make your table cost back and clear some space at home!
Venue Before applying, do a bit of research first. What have previous markets been like, who has sold there and how have they found it? (Instagram posts and comments can help with this!) Is it indoors or outdoors? I know I could never have an outdoor stall as my items are so light they would blow away on a windy day!
It can be disheartening to have a stall at a fair with a very light footfall so how well advertised is it and is it in a busy area with lots of people about who are likely to pop in?
Future markets Popular markets have an application process and they may want to see what your usual display looks like. So when you are all set up and your stall is looking gorgeous, don’t forget to take lots of photos to use in future applications and to show off on social media.
What about you?
I’d love your feedback on what has worked for you! Or maybe from a customer’s point of view if you love visiting craft fairs and makers markets. Please comment below.
Felt Fabulous 