Craft fair - 1 day countdown

I have been waiting 9 months for Xmas craft fairs and just realised my first almost Xmassy fair is in a month!! So exciting!!
I attempted to sell at an April fair nd made 1 sale so Im hoping Xmas time will be as good as last years sales.

Anybody else getting ready for the Xmas fair run up? Or have you alredy started?

I never allow enough time to get ready for fairs. It’s the gift boxes and pricing labels that catch me out consistently. I’ll have to allow more time in future!!

I’m planning what I will make and am ordering in supplies, the minute my daughter goes back to school on the 8th September I will leap into action, my fairs start first weekend in Nov.
I have to leave enough time to send all the stock off for hallmarking , and get it back for finishing, so it gets a bit fraught . September and October are always my most frantic months of the year.

I got booked into a fair which was just out of luck, the organiser advertised on Facebook that she’d had 2 cancellations, so I emailed her and I managed to get a place. That event is happening on the 23rd of November and then hopefully I will be booking my spot at our local Christmas Cracker in December, but unfortunately that’s run by our council and they are always very slow in sending out details. Every year that I’ve attended I’ve always had to email them first. I never want to miss out on this one because its been really good for me each year that I’ve done it.
As for stock I’ve always got Christmas things on the go.

Theres so much labeling I could have updated for this year, Ive had 8 months to do it in, do you think Ive done it, nope.

I’ve been preparing stock since March as I am a chronic procrastinator :slight_smile: Still not done though!

Hi, I have 7 craft fairs booked from October to Decemeber. First one is 4th October. I’ve just started my Christmas makes this weekend, I’ve been planning and designing bits before and I’d hoped to start earlier as I never leave myself enough time! I’m always more productive with a deadline.

With a holiday in September I have 4 weeks to get sorted, eek!

Good luck everyone with the prep :smile:

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Deadline pressure works for me too !
I have now written a list , and put in a huge metal order - feels like I’m half way there :smile:

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Im panicing about money now, as my funds are tiny Im wondering how much float I should take. I usually take £20 in 2 x£5 and 10 x£1 coins. Im thining I should only take £10 change now. How much do you take?

I usually keep about £50 in change in my tin, I know that’s probably too much but in the past when I’ve run out of change and gone to other stall holders and they are reluctant to hand any over.

Hi, I have a blog post offering advice on selling at craft fairs, this is from my and twitter friends experience, you might find this useful (I hope) http://fizzijaynemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/fizzjaynes-top-tips-4-selling-at-craft.html :slight_smile:

I always take more than what is needed. Usually £50 worth. Depends on the value of your products and price points will depend on what change you need. Also take into consideration that people may have just been to the cashpoint and won’t have change. I would advise more is best.

Hi, getting ready for guest spot in a local shop as well as 2pop up shops in Oct and Dec. knitting like crazy! Liz

I don’t think there’s such a thing as too much change! But your float should be appropriate to your prices:

If you charge £2.50, £4.50, £6.50 sort of prices then you will need
lots of £1’s and 50p’s, and assume you will need change for two out
of three sales.

If you charge £15, £20, £25 sort of prices you will
need £5’s and £10’s for at least one out of three sales.

If you charge £50, £70, £100 sort of prices you will need a credit card
machine and only enough change to buy yourself a cuppa :smile:

Thanks for replies,Im trying to take items priced at lower end scale. I dont thile like t spend loads of money at craft fairs, so most will be £15 or below and Il have 1 thing or £20.

23 days to go and Im still procrastinating as I have loadsto do but cant seem to make decisions.

I made 2 make up bags this morning one went stupidly wrong, total error of judgement on my part, clealry my cornflakes havnt woken me up.

Ive just made these for the fair.

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3 weeks til my next craft fair. Mums lending me money bag as mine fell apart earlier in the year. I did some work this morning but still need to print out lots of labels so people know whats availabel and how much the items are

2 weeks to go, still procrastinating about lots of things, especially display bits and float.
Ive been making these, little gingerbread men and a soldered decoration.

Im on track getting ready for craft fair on the 27th, blaring Madonna out of the stereo at full blast helps. #dancinginthekitchen

Anybody else selling this weekend?

1 day to go and Im 95% ready. I need to pack up the car and get some food for tomorrows lunch. Its hungry work this craft seling.

Anybody else selling at a craft fair this weekend?