Craft Fair Tips & Tricks

Hello!  I haven't formally introduced myself yet.  My name is Ashley, I'm an avid crafter and lover of paper.  You can see some of my past work at Joyful Creations.  I hope to bring you some fun tutorials very soon.  In the mean time I'm preparing for my 1st craft fair.  I've been in search of lots of tips and tricks from others that are more experienced with fairs.  I thought I would share what I've learned and some of my own thoughts.

Things to have on hand at your craft fair:

Price signs - use clearly marked price signs with a description of your item and the price.  A great way to up sale is to list it like "1 for $5 or 2 for $8.50".  It gives the customer an option to buy more and save some money but in all it will put more cash in your pocket.  And usually when someone buys multiples of handmade items they will be gifting them.  This brings me to my next tip.

Always include your brand info on your handmade product.  Put a label on your product somewhere so that if the item is gifted to someone they will know how to contact you in case they want more.

Guest book - encourage your onlookers to sign the guest book even if they don't buy anything.  Host a small giveaway as an incentive for them to sign it.  Include space for name and email address.  Let them know that you will contact the winner by email.

Business Cards - enough said!

Calculator - add up that money, but you want the transactions to go easy so price your items so that adding is easy for you and your customer.

Notebook & Pen - take notes during down time.  Jot down the pros and cons and things that you may see from other crafters around you that inspires you for your next show.  

For more ideas on what you might want to have on hand check out 160 Things to Bring to your Art or Craft Show.

Things to do before your craft fair:

Take inventory of everything that you will be selling and the price you will be listing it at.  After the show it will be easy for you to take note of your best selling items and keep track of your income.

Test out your display before the big day.  Set up your table, play with risers, screens, table clothes, shelves and your product.  Figure out exactly how you want to set your table.  When done, take a picture of it or map it out.  Print the picture or be sure to have your table map with you on the day of the show so that set up is a breeze.

Display tips:

Use either white or black table clothe to cover the table.  Use smaller scraps of fabric in brighter colors to highlight your products and draw the eye to different areas of the table.

Photo Source: PaperSparrow

Don't underestimate the power of risers.  Use different sizes of boxes or even a small book shelf or re-purpose a spice rack.  If you use random boxes, cover them in pretty paper or slip them under the table clothe and adjust how the clothe lays on it.

 Photo Source: Flapper Girl

For more tips and tricks on your displays check out Craft Show Display Tips & Must-Haves :: Etsy Blog.

So, there you have it.  Please, feel free to share your ideas and tips in the comments below.  I will share my personal experiences after the fair on March 26th.  HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Sew Serendipity GiveAway

Happy Valentine's day everyone! AllFreeSewing.com is currently having a book giveaway right now. You can enter to win a copy of Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt. The book includes patterns and tutorials on how to make various garments such as skirts, dresses and jackets. Why not enter to win today? The book is a great resource and would be a great addition to any sewer's bookshelf!


So enter today, tomorrow, and the day after that! And while you are visiting All Free Sewing sign up for their mailing list, and look at some of the great craft tutorials they have! It is a great website!

Don't Forget to Pre-Shrink!

Everyone who has ever learned how to wash laundry, most likely knows that certain fabrics are prone to shrinking. Most of those fabrics just happen to be natural fiber (no not the kind of fiber you need as a part of a healthy diet) fabrics like cotton or wool. I am a huge fan of using cotton and/or silk when I sew. Now as with any fabric, before you sew, or work with it in any way, it is a good idea to pre-shrink and (if needed, which is most likely needed when working with natural fiber fabrics) press the fabric before sewing or cutting it. Hey Tasha, Why do I need to do all of that? Can't I just wash it after I am done sewing?
The problem with sewing then shrinking is that thread and the stitch, won't shrink like the fabric will. Therefore you will have fabric that has shrunk, but not the stitch or the thread. It leaves your project looking rather poor. As far as pressing, it makes your projects look more professional and makes for a straighter more even stitch. It also makes the fabric and the stitch a little easier to work with.
Keep in mind, however, that different fabrics have different care instructions. Some you can wash like you wash the rest of your laundry. Some must be washed in cold water on delicate cycle and then tumble or line dried. Some must be dry cleaned. Don't fear though. When you buy fabric at any fabric store, the end of the bolt has the care instructions as well as the other information regarding the fabric. I suggest writing this information down when you are purchasing the fabric so it is on hand.
When you get your fabric home, go ahead and pre-shrink it. You don't have to press it right away, because odds are you will need to press the seams during the sewing process anyway. Pre-shrinking it right away will remove the "Did I shrink this or not?" problem before you begin your project.
And just a general word of advice. I suggest that when pressing your fabric, use a press cloth (I like to use cloth diapers. Not only are they cheap, but they work wonderfully). This helps keep the fabric from getting too hot or getting damaged by something that may be on the iron that you did not see.

Meet Cindi Penni!

There is someone very important that I want you all to meet. This is Cindi Penni.

Cindi Penni is a Brother CP6500. No she is not the best on the market, nor is she the worst, but she is my dear friend. She was given to me by my Marmie (what I call my mom) for Christmas.
I haven't told any of you (in the internet world that is) this yet, but Marmie recently suffered a stroke. The doctors say that she is going to make a full recovery and she is going to be just fine. Being a child that grew up in the military, I didn't have very many constants in my life. She was one of those constants. Marmie saved and did everything she could to get Cindi Penni for me because she knew it was the one thing I wanted more than anything for Christmas. I had been asking for one for as long as I could remember. Because of this, Cindi Penni has become of one of my most prized possessions and dearest friends. I am going to love getting to know her and create beautiful things with her! Our first creation together is going to be a quilt for Marmie. After her stroke, we feel that she needs something from the heart that was made with the deepest love that only a daughter can feel for her mother. Marmie, you have been my rock my entire life, and I will be here for you for the rest of our lives and beyond. I love you!