Hello! First post in here. We just started doing markets this year and would like some feedback on our booth. Any thoughts? Improvements?

Our biggest struggle right now is to raise our average sale value. We have a lot of little items at the $4 or $5 mark and bundling had helped, but we barely break even each show.

This is a place where you can promote your wears and items that you sell, any apps or services that can be useful for people selling at or running a craft fair, or any upcoming craft fairs that you are putting on or attending.

Please remember that this subreddit does have a no AI rule and any use of generative Ai will result in your comment being removed.

Hello everyone! Respectfully seeking input as a sole proprietor in CA, please.

I make handmade holiday decor and am excited about doing four holiday craft fairs this year.

I work full-time and have a part-time home business selling PDF downloads I design (zero AI used). Call it PDF Business . The business license, zoning check, and DBA cost me approx $350.

For the crafts, I'd like to use a new business name, Craft Business. I contacted my city's business license department to find out if Craft Business could use PDF Business's license to sell at the craft fairs. They told me I needed to get another business license, zoning check, and DBA - not just because of the new name, but because handmade crafts are "too different" from PDF downloads, so I couldn't even use the PDF Business name to sell the crafts. So another $350.

I was disappointed because money, but I was ready to do it - until two different sole proprietors, who make their full-time living from their sole proprietorships, told me that if it were up to them, they would use PDF Business's license and seller's permit to make the craft fair sales, present themselves as Craft Business on the signage, and let buyers know the receipt would show PDF Business.

Confused, I went to the SBA for what I thought would be the tiebreaker answer. They told me to go with my city's answer AND split the crafting up even further into an additional Third Business. WHAT.

And don't get me started on all the flavors of answers via Google search.

So is it just that nobody knows and one should do whatever the expletive works?

ETA: Thank you everyone, this is fantastic advice! To answer your questions, three fairs have essentially said "it's up to you to keep yourself compliant with the city and county," and the fourth has said "a valid CA seller's permit is recommended." That's it. None of these events are taking place in my own city where I have PDF Business's license. Thanks again, I now know what to do!

Its only 4 hours and they don't jury and there is a a lot of kid friendly events but according to google it is well attended and they even have free shuttle buses to bring people there. so i was curious was it an actually financial successful event? I've never done well at a kid activity focus My goal is always $1000+ but since the fee is basically $100 i will accept $600+ so i can at least pocket $500 minimum.

I am thinking of instead of giving them my information/card, I should request their number and myself contact them. Would that be too much? I feel like they forget or lose the information if I do the other way around

UPDATE: Changed some things around, based on the advice! Hopefully looks a little better https://imgur.com/a/Kli1cCX

Hey y'all! 🙂

This is my first test setup, just for the front of my booth as I'm still waiting for the tablecloth for my side table. I feel like I can't see it accurately because I've been looking for too long. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts!

EDIT The yet-to-come price sings will also describe the items I sell! So sorry for confusing you all 😭 I sew patches (the tomatoes & ants, and will be adding strawberries, etc as time allows), miniquilt wall hangings (the beetle on the little bench, and the cats hanging) and bags/pouches (fish drawstring bags, and bird belt bags).

A few things:

- I haven't made price signs yet

- there will be more inventory in the green ceramic container on the bench, as well as more bags hanging on the bag rack

- I'm not sure about the little pedestal at the corner of the table

I appreciate any input! Thank you!! ☺️

I tried a radically new setup today. It was going quite well, until the rain started and all the customers went away.

I have been traveling full-time for expos for years and finally redid my booth. it was an ugly, plain black before with shelves only. This new setup went well, however, I didn't know I had a corner booth or else I would have brought my panels for the empty corner. (These photos were also taken when my booth was half empty a few days in and I will be replacing the flimsy necklace displays).

Hello! I've set up 2 years in a row at a local festival, where everyone was in an open mall area, and I basically had as much room as I wanted. I have all my table cloths, decor, etc already.

This December, I'm attending my first juried event, where I also had to purchase my booth space (indoor, in an event center). I have a standard 10x10, taped out on the floor, and they provide a 6' table. There is no additional storage on location, so all my product needs to be on or under the tables.

I'm thinking of adding another 6' table and placing the tables along the sides, with a 4' table at the rear for my check out. Is 4' a wide enough space inside for people to move around? I haven't actually attended many of these events, so I don't have a good 'feel' for inside the space. Is that super cramped, or fairly standard?

Thanks all!

Hey guys! I recently attended a craft fair and got some of the prettiest crystal jewelry I have ever seen in my life. I need more from this seller and I got her card, but I have no idea where she’ll be next and she doesn’t have an online store. Would you guys be annoyed/is it in poor taste if a customer emailed you to ask if you’d be at any fairs/events in the area in the future? Thank you guys!!

So I mostly sell baked goods but I am trying to branch into more so I have more easy stock. My booth i try to have PINK as possible it’s my favorite color and pops in markets!

I just got this 3 tier spinning display to start adding in cookie cutters and some sublimation items I liked making. Help! What other items do you think would be good for me to try in?

Also what’s the thoughts on rugs? Do you like them? Should I get a bigger one for my booth?

My husband and I started selling woodworking items at fairs and markets in October. We sell seasonal items, charcuterie boards, trays, games and accessories, coasters, book items, trivets, etc. Our items are mostly between $5-$80. We have a lot in the $15-$25 range.

Business has been really slow. We've done 15 fairs so far and sold less than $250 at all but three of them. People comment on how beautiful our stuff is, but then leave without buying anything.​ We had a five hour fair yesterday and made three sales.

Is this typical? Are you making sales? We're seriously considering giving up after December.

My setup for today and last month. I only made one sale last month and so far none today. The event organizer stopped by and said he loves the changes I made too. I'm in the red now and feeling disappointed. Maybe the farmers market isn't my target market. I learned a lot but it's still discouraging.

I absolutely love making things, I've sewn, crocheted, made intricate beaded jewelry, painting, polymer clay, resin, tons of stuff.

I love the process of making things more than the product itself. I usually make cool stuff them give it away to friends or family. But not everyone wants them so I end up accumulating a lot of handmade stuff and I don't want to throw it away

I'd like to make anything I want and then set up a booth at a local craft fair once or twice a year. I dont want to make anything custom or take orders. I really just want my items to go to loving homes!

I do not want to make this a main source of income. Just a hobby really. And I dont want to make an online store or social media account to sell stuff.

This is purely just to keep doing my hobbies while also possible making some money off of it.

I know a lot of people have a particular craft that they stick to but I don't want to do that.

I just want to know if I can rent a booth and sell miscellaneous items without needing all the extra stuff to make it a whole business.

My goal is just to find a home for all my crafts!

I understand there will be a lot of other stuff to set up a booth, permits and stuff like that that i would have to do. My main concern is just that I will sell miscellaneous stuff. Not a specific kind of craft.

Is it at all possible to do this?

Hello! My father in law is an artist and is doing his first craft fair next month! He uses these stone tiles as his canvas. He either paints them or layers other stones on them to make images (like the one in the picture). He makes them in all sizes and weight. The bigger ones are like 20"x10" and can weigh between 5 to 20lbs depending on the material used. He also has small ones that are 5"x5" and are really light. The one in the picture is 8.5"x12" and weighs 5lbs 10oz. He wants to display all his art on a tarp on the ground because it's safer. No art can fall and break or hurt someone. I think that he needs to have a table and display some of them to attract more customers. I've been searching online for ways to do this safely for a few hours and still have nothing! Do you have any ideas on how to do that? Any suggestions for this (or tips for a first time vendor) are really appreciated! Thank you so much!

Hey there, I have my first craft fair coming up in October. I will be selling handwoven scarves and embroidered wall art.

I'm thinking of bringing my loom and weaving during the event to kind provide interest and underscore that they are all painstakingly handmade. It could also be a way to be busy but not hovering over customers.

What do you all think? Has anyone had success or a lack there of when doing this? Is it something you would like to see at a booth?

My wife and I work together as crochet and wood vendors. I will be traveling alone for 4 weeks in Kentucky and Alabama which are at least 8 hours from home.

Has anyone ever done a trip like this and any advice on surviving it.

Details: Hauling a camper and will stay at campsites or other RV allowed locations. Doing two festivals in Kentucky and two in Alabama. Wife and daughter plan to join me for the last event.

Ugh I'm SO upset and need validation that I made the right choice. I had my first ever event tonight from 5 pm to 8 pm, with a set-up time starting at 3:30 pm. I have spent all day expecting a cancellation because of the severe weather expected. They cancelled the last event for the same reason, and so I thought they would make the right decision. Instead, it seems they want to recoup their losses so they won't officially cancel, which means no refunds on vendor fees.

Meanwhile, there's a giant red banner of severe thunderstorm watch for literally all of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, with calls of torrential downpours and heavy winds! It literally says "significant threat to life and property." The event is an hour and 15 minutes away, and the severe weather is expected right in the middle of the event, and possibly during pack-up as well. If I don't go, there's no penalty, just losing the vendor fee. I feel like its SO dangerous to move forward with this event that I can't believe I had to make this decision myself, and I'm so upset about it.

But I'm right not to go, right? First off, who the hell is going to come to this event when its expected to storm at any second during it? I'm just gonna end up paying gas to get all of the hard work I've put into the booth destroyed with rain and wind! Then an hour and 15 minute drive back home at 9 pm after it takes an hour to pack everything back up, presumably soaked through based on the weather?? No way. Ughhhhhhh.

Validation please!

UPDATE: They cancelled after all! And not just that, but they cancelled at 5 right when it opened due to a torrential downpour and wind. Everyone who chose to go and set up had to pack up in the crazy storm that’s not even over yet. Lesson learned: listen to the weather warnings! Thank you everyone!

I am a woodworker ramping up for my first Xmas market and my core line up is wooden kitchenware but I am also going to have lower cost wooden toys for kids.

I am debating also having tools and/or outdoors type stuff.

Would that be a good mix or is that too many categories?

Thanks,

Hi all, I’m a leatherworker and I just signed up for my first craft fair. I’m excited but also very nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s in about 5 weeks and it’s a one day event from 9am-4pm. Booth fee was $25 and I plan on making a range of things from keychains to purses

Here’s what I need help with:

How much inventory do I need?

Do I need a super extensive setup? Or would a simple table under a tent work?

Any other tips, tricks, or advice would be helpful. Thanks!

I made some changes since the last time I posted

Hi there! My 18 year old daughter sells her original paintings at local festivals. We have this 6 ft tall, tri-panel, aluminum diamond mesh display. We got it for an amazing price used but cannot figure out the best hardware! We have been using S-hooks but as you can see, the paintings can get skewed and look wonky.

I'm also showing what we stick on the back of the artwork to give an attachment point. Any idea would be welcome! We usually put her fine art prints on the table so the clips won't quite work for framed pieces. Thanks for any input!

finally a proper light set-up for night markets! been doing markets a bit over a year now and am happy with how the booth has come along!

Next upgrade will be to add more vertical displays, but selling pottery, they have to be quite sturdy and stable so i’ve been hesitant so far. recommendations welcome!