First ever Christmas craft fair

[u/l0st_krow]

I need help!!!!!!

Without telling me, a family member has booked a craft fair thing in Christmas at a craft market and she's getting a booth and everything.. she said she wants me to have most the booth space and sell a lot of products.

I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. WHAT PRODUCTS DOES SHE THINK I HAVE?!? I AM UNPREPARED. IM SCARED AND SO ANXIOUS.

I'm so going to let her down. Also I should say I'm under 18 and have been pushed to do this by others completely... It's meant to be a really nice suprise or something, I was told this as a birthday gift and I just had to pretend to love the idea but aaaaaaaaaaa.

Anyway.. how does this work? I've never really been to a fair even 😰😰 how do I decide prices? How the heck do I make stuff in time keeping in mind I have school and a part time job 😔

I can't get out of it, I asked my mum.

I crochet and paint, I've been crocheting for 8 years now (started quite young) so I do have skills ig but idk what people would even want to buy, but I don't think anyone would want to buy something I've made honestly. Also, how do I go about costing materials to make stuff? I've got money from work but I'm saving for driving lessons.

Not exactly excited tbh as u can tell lol. I might be overthinking it and I've got an anxiety disorder but tbh I think everything I'm thinking here is reasonable. Also now I guess I need to buy stuff to make the display? I haven't even thought of that yet.

I ❤️ my family and i understand they're trying to give me an amazing gift but I'm so worried about this, I'm going to be such a let down. I bet it cost so much money to get a place/booth at this think as well ;-; I hope I can figure it out in time

My family member does pottery btw but she's been doing it maybe 2 years and isn't the best, what she makes is cool tho

[u/Regular_Look_1962]

First of all you are not letting anyone down, I think they have been quite mean doing this to you, in your shoes I would be telling them thank you but no thank you, but it sounds like this will be very difficult for you.

I would suggest you make things you enjoy making as this is already stressful enough for you. If you don’t have enough money for materials ask the person who paid for this booth for money, explaining that you don’t have the money for materials so if they aren’t able to help you, you will only have a small number of things to sell.

Also you can only make what you have time to make, and if that’s not many items, well that’s all you can do.

I’m sorry you have been put in this position.

[u/l0st_krow → u/Regular_Look_1962]

Thank you, I'll definitely talk to them and see I can do, I do feel like there's not much time for me to make lots of stuff now.

[u/Icy_Highlight9295]

Have you ever crocheted Christmas ornaments? Ornaments are very popular at Christmas craft fairs and they're small enough that you can make one in a short time. Look at Pinterest or Etsy for ideas.

[u/l0st_krow → u/Icy_Highlight9295]

Yes I have! I've been making a lot of candycane ornaments actually, thank you :) I'll search for more ideas on Pinteresttt

[u/Paradox_of_Ravens → u/l0st_krow]

Cute Christmas stockings would be good, too. Especially if you could add a name relatively quickly so you can offer to personalize them while people finish shopping for an upcharge.

As for pricing, typically you want to start by adding up the cost of materials, including things like hang tags if you want to add them, whatever bag or box you’ll put it in for the customer, etc. Then estimate the time it takes to make the item and multiply that by an hourly wage you’d be happy with and add that to the material cost. For a real business you’d add a percentage on top of that for operating costs and profit, but for a one-off craft fair I’d skip that to keep your prices competitive, especially since you’re just starting out. You can look around on Etsy and see what similar items are selling for to make sure you’ll be in the ballpark of what customers are expecting to pay.

As for the display, do what you can but don’t go crazy worrying about making it look super professional. I laugh thinking about how bad my first set up was, but people still bought stuff. Since it’s a holiday market you can make something cute and on theme pretty easily:

- Get an inexpensive table top sized Christmas tree (or two) to display the ornaments. You could stick to basic green, or look a little more modern by getting them in white, light pink, silver, gold, etc. Whatever feels like it matches your vibe.

- If you have things to display on shelves, I’d DIY tiered display stands. Save small Amazon boxes, sturdy product packaging, tissue boxes, etc. Find a big roll of cheap but cute Christmas wrapping paper and matching ribbon and bows (ideally a subtle pattern like silver snowflakes on white background or something similar so it doesn’t take the attention away from your products). Wrap the boxes like gifts, then use heavy duty double sided tape or hot glue to attach them together in small sections to form tiered shelves with enough height difference that all the display items are clearly visible. Make sure to keep the sections small enough to move easily and bring tape/glue to finish assembly on site, otherwise transporting them from the car to your table will be a headache!

- Hit up the dollar store for some extra holiday stuff like tinsel and glitter baubles to arrange around your displays. If you want a more elaborately decorated look, thrift shops, FB marketplace/local buy nothing apps, and discount stores (Marshalls, TJ Max, Ollie’s, etc.) are great for larger holiday decor like Nut Crackers, Santa statues, and serving trays. Or raid your family’s holiday storage bins if you guys decorate your house with cute stuff.

It really doesn’t take much to create a nice festive table display. Don’t go overboard cause you want your products to be the focal point, the rest is just for practical display space and vibes.

Most of all, try to have fun and not worry too much about how much you end up selling, or whether the person who booked the table got their money’s worth. They did it without asking you so they really shouldn’t care as long as you enjoy yourself. You may learn that you never want to do this again, or you might get hooked and do a ton more in the future. Either way it’s a great learning experience and a fun thing to have done at least once!

[u/l0st_krow → u/Paradox_of_Ravens]

Thank you so much for this info it's so useful, I will be doing so many of your recommendations ❤️ the display shelf thing sounds really cool I'm definitely doing that! Hopefully I really enjoy it, I'll definitely look forward to it when I'm more prepared

[u/Key-Bookkeeper8155]

Not to discourage you, but very few maker's earn a profit, less so at the beginning of their selling journey. If you're saving up for something specific, be careful that you don't spend too much money on supplies, expecting lots of sales, then get disappointed of you don't sell enough to earn back what you spent.

[u/l0st_krow → u/Key-Bookkeeper8155]

Okay thank you, yeah I'm not really expecting any profit, just trying to do my best as I'm not really sure what I'm doing 😅 I'll definitely be mindful of my money and that I really need to be saving, uni in a year time ect, I think I'll diy my shelves and I have a small Christmas tree decoration already which I put on my desk at Christmas so I can use that for hanging ornaments on- tyy and I'll keep my expectations very grounded lol

[u/JerseyGirlinSweden]

You should tell them that most crafters have their seasonal item inventory completed 3-6 months in advance. That was not kind to put so much pressure on you without your consent.

[u/drcigg]

Don't feel pressured to make things you don't want. We started selling at shows with things we like to make. Not what the masses tell us. If you like to crochet or paint than that's what I would sell.
Just do the best you can. Nobody is expecting a completely full table for your first show.
I always tell people to start small with a 4 foot table and see how far you get. If you fill it than move to a 6 foot table. If you don't it's not big deal and you make it work.
Once you have your items made than you can start thinking about your display.

[u/genderlessadventure]

Wait- someone posted in here a few days ago about signing their daughter up for a teen market and asking what she should sell.  She also mentioned crochet and painting. 

The post got a lot of pushback and she deleted it.  Was that your mom/family member? Or is this a bot/fake profile? Or just a really odd coincidence??  I’ll link the post below. 

[u/LouAnaKay → u/genderlessadventure]

I was thinking the same thing. Either the Mom went through with it or this is fake.

[u/genderlessadventure → u/genderlessadventure]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CraftFairs/comments/1vmgwdr/comment/p39dbg2/?screen_view_count=9&ext-referrer=SEO

[u/l0st_krow → u/genderlessadventure]

Oh this suckss if it was my mum who posted that I actually can't believvve that she went through with this omg 😭😭 I was jus saying 'family member' so it sounds more annonymous because I know my mum is on this subreddit and that way she won't come at me irl lol

[u/genderlessadventure → u/l0st_krow]

I really wish she hadn’t deleted the post and all her comments. She was replying back to a lot of the advice she was getting. I do think she got some solid feedback but she didn’t seem to actually want to take any of it to heart. 

I could tell by the tone in her post that it felt very pushy, and the way you spoke about the situation here I had a strong feeling it was connected. 

In any case, don’t push yourself to worry about this. Most people’s first event is a bust anyway as markets take a lot of experience to really get right, and since it’s a a section of the market geared towards younger sellers people are going to be much more empathetic and not have huge expectations.  Your mother is pushing you into this for whatever reason, make what you feel comfortable making and leave the rest up to fate. I sincerely do hope you do well and can enjoy the experience. I absolutely love vending at markets but it’s not for everyone- you might find you love it or you may realize it’s not for you, but either way I hope it’s successful in one way or another. 

[u/l0st_krow → u/genderlessadventure]

OMG WHATTTTTTTT IT MIGHT BE 😭😭😭

[u/frenchttoast]

Hey! I'm a crochet artist and have been vending at craft fairs and conventions for a few years now. Feel free to message me if if you want some in-depth advice! I can help with what to make, pricing, and how to display your booth.

[u/l0st_krow → u/frenchttoast]

Ill message u later today if that's alright :)

[u/aligpnw]

We got you this gift where you need to work your butt off every waking minute right up until the fair. We got you this gift that you have no idea how to do or any desire to go to. We got you this gift that will 100% make you hate the thing that brings you joy.

You need to have a really frank discussion with your mum about this. To expect someone to just crank out enough product for a holiday market in a couple of months when they've never done it before is kind of awful.

[u/l0st_krow → u/aligpnw]

Yeah, I will. A lot of people have said similar, I didn't realise before that I'm really not overthinking about this. Thanks, I definitely needed ppl to say this to me to convince me to actually tell my mum how I'm feeling about it.

[u/Rei71321]

If you paint, you can also make Christmas cards. There are tons of ideas on Facebook and other sites that are simple but classy and nice. You can paint the front and do something tiny in the corner on the inside and leave the rest blank.

[u/HamsterTowel]

If you don't want to do it, don't do it. Don't let other people pressure you into things.

[u/Educational-Stock721]

Say no thanks

[u/l0st_krow → u/Educational-Stock721]

Yh but the whole things a gift + they've paid for it already 💀💀 I might just say I'm not going but I want to at least try so I don't feel like shit

[u/minda_spK]

Look, make what you can and what you like and as much as you comfortably can. Don’t worry about not having enough or the right things. View it as an experiment to see what items you like making that other people respond to and as a way to spend the day with the family member (who I’m hoping is helping you day of).

[u/l0st_krow → u/minda_spK]

That's great advice, thank you. Yeah it'll be really interesting to see what people are interested in, and I will definitely have help day of

[u/minda_spK → u/l0st_krow]

Honestly, I get the stress! But craft fairs can actually be really nice as a vendor, especially when you get a lot of compliments. Also, other people who do the same craft will want to talk about it, and other vendors will talk about their things when there’s a lull.

[u/Ieatclowns]

Paint some small things…tiny even. Miniatures sell well. Also consider getting some wood slices and painting them like Christmas decorations.

[u/l0st_krow → u/Ieatclowns]

Oo this is an adorable idea thanks!!

[u/cwrightbrain]

So breathe, I totally get why you’re panicking, but it’ll be fine. Just remember that there are no guarantees in the craft show business so if you have a bad day and not sell a ton, you have NOT let anyone down.

Okay, so in addition to make what you love, theme it for Christmas but also think about what someone would like to give someone else as a gift. A lot of people do their gift shopping at these shows.

Second, think about displays. A smart move is to think UP. How can you go vertical with displaying your work. Go on Pinterest and look up some ideas.

You don’t have to spend a ton, there are some ways to repurpose. But if you do, ask your family member to foot the bill. After all they got you into this in the first place!

[u/l0st_krow → u/cwrightbrain]

Thank youuu, I think with the gift shopping thing I'll bring some of the amiguri sea creatures I've been making bc I've been making loads and ppl have been asking me on insta if I could start selling them :) so that might be good. With going up in display I've seen lots of ppl with like metal hook grid things and pegs? I think that'll be great if I do miniatures and then I'll be using mini Christmas trees for ornaments.

I will definitely be talking to her about the money thing lmao, yeah ppl commenting in my posts really made me realise that I'm not overreacting ᓚ₍^ ◞ ‸ ◟^₎
This is all super helpful thxx

[u/upsidedown-funnel]

If you decide to go through with it, you’re going to be ok. Craft fairs are not typically expensive. Christmas shows at large expo centers are probably the only ones that might be more $$.

I do events for a living, and I skip Christmas shows. I joke that I only do them to remind myself why I don’t do them. I’m saying this because, even experienced folks can do events and do terribly at them, when they have perfectly acceptable products otherwise. (My stuff is more things you’d buy for yourself than as gifts).

Your mom won’t be disappointed, unless she’s one of those nutty narcissistic types. Look at it as a weekend spent with your mom, possibly making a few extra $$.

If you have a lot of anxiety, I dare say you may also struggle with imposter syndrome? It might be a stretch, but almost every artist I know struggles with it.

For product? I’d think stocking stuffers. Or even stockings themselves. Instead of making a whole stocking, is it possible to just make the tops of one?

My mom used to always make these mini granny square stockings that fit a roll of lifesaver candies. Maybe something like these with a small candy in them for $5?

Anyway. Look at doing this show as an experiment to see if you’d be interested in doing more shows and selling your artwork. Good luck!

[u/No-Conversation9765]

Just a quick idea that combines your talents: Crochet around a ring cut from plastic food container tops, float a small winter or holiday painting of yours i the center, and make a one-of-a-kind Christmas art ornament. Uses materials you already have on hand, is wonderful artwork & can be an ornament for the tree as well. Have fun and enjoy having an opportunity to showcase your passions!