A friend of mine called last week and offered his booth space to me at a local craft show. It’s kind of a big deal and he always does quite well, but he’s been laid up and has to go in for surgery, so he can neither make anything to sell or even be there for the show. (After the surgery he’ll be laid up until the first of the year – yikes!)
My question is, what kinds of things sell well at these events? I know a Philadelphia highboy would be a bit much, but I don’t want to make a bunch of cut-out trinkets either. I was thinking of a few small clocks with electric movements, some framed mirrors, perhaps a few cup/plate racks and that sort of thing but I’m not sure they’d sell. If you’ve got any ideas, please let me know.
Jeff
Edited 9/10/2002 9:08:57 PM ET by Jeff K
Replies
Jeff, i do craft fairs for a living going on 20 years and anything will sell; it all depends on the show and the market.
BUT--what concerns me the most is that i've never seen a show where a person could sublet the booth. Promoters like to keep control of who does the show and can remove you at will if you aren't juried into it yourself. You could be black-balled from ever doing this show again, and so could your friend. Most promoters keep the jury slides and hand them back at the show after checking to see that the vendor is selling the same stuff they juried with. At the very least, get permission from the promoter to do this.
Reflecting Splintie's post, there is a good chance that the show organisers have a reserve list to fill up booths unoccupied by 'no shows.' Do not accept the offer to 'use' your contacts booth until you have checked with the hosts that they will accept your work. Sounds snotty for a low rent 'craft fair' of 'knick-knacks'. Ha! you'd better believe it. Low rent 'knick-knacks sell like hot cakes at certain shows, and booth spaces are much coveted. Ask Splintie. Slainte. RJFurniture
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