Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Apr 20, 2007 04:42pm | #1

   It's worth a shot, but don't expect too much.  My wife has been a serious "crafter" for most of our marriage (36 yrs this month).  She and her crafty buddies ran an annual boutique for about 20 years and sold several thousand dollars worth of "stuff" during the four day weekend it ran each year. 

   Unfortunately, the stuff that sold well was usually pretty inexpensive ($15 - $20) and higher cost items seldom sold. 

   Before you commit to making anything, you should visit a few of the fairs and see what sells - and at what price.  From my experience, the buying decisions were based on:

   1. It's cuuuuuute!!
   2. It's cheap!

   On several occasions, I dared my wife to track her time and materials costs but she wouldn't do it.  My own guess was that she never cleared more than $1/hour.

2. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 20, 2007 04:50pm | #2

   I've found that 99.9% of peeps what go to these shows are looking for cheap bargains. Choose shows in trendy high money areas. If you can find juried shows, they're even better.

3. 
   ASK | Apr 20, 2007 04:51pm | #3

   While in London in February we stopped in to the Linley store and noticed a simple wedge shaped door stop with a finial handle. I had some leftover bubinga from the dining room table which I cut into wedges and my wife painted some finials I bought cheap from Rockler. Made them for friends and family but the wife is going to take some to the local overpriced crafty store in town and see if they want to try and sell them. $15-$20 maybe.

   As was said cute and cheap.

   ASK

4. 
   dherzig | Apr 20, 2007 04:54pm | #4

   I have made a number of small end tables that I have donated to local charity auctions. It was an opportunity to judge the interest and response to my work. It was interesting to sort of hang around unobtrusively and overhear the comments as they evaluated the pieces.

5. 
   outyonder | Apr 21, 2007 02:43pm | #5

   If you want to try better high end events, festivals, and shows etc. Check out this web site [email protected] most all your better show now use this site for applications and judging. A good show look for 50,000 + people to attend. With zapp you can get on there e-mail list and they will sent you weekly up dates on shows coming up and dead line to apply etc.

   Don 

6. 
   4DThinker | Apr 21, 2007 06:22pm | #6

   I did a few shows, and if took anything priced more than $50 I never sold it.  Clever, original plant stands from $20 to $49 almost always sold well.  The most clever thing about them will be how you made them to sell for that low price and still made a profit.