When I do craft fairs I tend to favour the events that are run by other crafters who’ve branched out into running regular craft fairs. Although the one-off events run by schools and local organisations are often much less expensive for table hire than the regular craft events, I’ve always avoided them, assuming that the people who go to them are less likely to appreciate the value of handmade and won’t want to pay the prices. However, I’m wondering if this is really the right approach - am I being too ‘snobbish’ about it?
Do other people do the school-type events and, if so, how well do you do at them? I just wondered really what other people’s experience was of different types of craft fair and how they compare to each other.
I think it entirely depends on what you are selling. I have done both types of event in the past. I think if you have plenty of lower priced items with some that would appeal to children then school/village fairs can be quite profitable but if your items are “higher end” then you probably won’t do so well. I find people like to buy at these fairs in order to support the school/village but are not necessarily wanting to “go shopping”! I used to do quite well when I sold lots of little trinkets but now I have moved on to larger/more expensive items I no longer really bother with them. If you have a lot of items selling at £5 or less then it can take quite a few sales to pay your table fee and move into profit at the more expensive events. Having said that I do like to support our local village fair when I can and usually do OK at Christmas time whatever the event.
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I do a couple every year for a Nursery (one in summer and another near Christmas) they’re the more general fairs with a cake stall, tombola there are usually a couple of other craft stalls and Body Shop, Usbourne Books etc. I find it works for me as there are no other card makers there (although one year I had to compete with a Phoenix cards seller but she didn’t like the fact she only made a small profit so didn’t come back)
I do make some things that attract the children that I don’t sell online (bookmarks from odd pieces of card/paper that might just get thrown away and sell them for 50p and cover small plain drawing books to sell with a pack of pencils for a couple of £ and Santa letters for the Christmas fair)
I see it as a way of getting what I make noticed locally rather than a big money maker (I have found out about other purely craft fairs from people I’ve seen at a school fair) and have had people take business cards to look online later.
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I recently did a children themed craft fair. I did sell a few items, but the best bit was a mum who looked inside one of my girls’ handbags and commented on the lovely lining. She then went on to buy said bag.
I felt great about the comment, better than the sale.
So I would try and see how you go on, you might get a surprise.
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hello! I’ve tried all types of fairs but I think the issue is that many are not really craft fairs anymore. Was at Spitalfields today and 70% of the shops look like the got their stuff from China - Urgh!! (and I’m Chinese myself :P) - it’s really annoying that there isn’t a place for proper handmade unique stuff anymore ;( So I’m starting my own pop up (and potentially permanent store) in Shoreditch for British handmade- wish me luck! 
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Good luck- and well done for starting it up.
I just wanted to answer the title - “the best type of craft fair ?” with
A craft fair where there are at least 10 times as many buyers as sellers, where the table fee allows you to make a profit and most importantly where you sell lots of lovely things to friendly customers.
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Ha ha Joy, @JOYSofGLASS, I reckon you’re spot on there!! 
@Wanderings, good luck with your store.
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