Selling at Craft Markets: What to Expect from a Beginner

As a maker, when a new order notification pops up on my phone, I still get the same rush of adrenaline and excitement as the first time I made a sale.

When you make something, there's nothing more exciting than someone loving it enough to spend real money on it.

It's a weird sort of validation that the time and energy spent in your craft was worth something tangible.

 

Now, imagine that feeling times ten. Throw in a little bit of stress and anxiety and you've got yourself the craft market vendor experience!

 

 

It's a totally different experience when your potential customers are standing right in front of you. You're watching them examine all of the products you spent countless hours (and money) creating and making... sometimes into the early AM hours.

You'll start to ask yourself, "Did I price that item right?" You'll tell yourself "I should have made different colors." Or the ever popular "I hope they like it."

 

In my limited experience, most people are just browsing and killing time. They might have a friend or loved one shopping at a booth nearby and yours had some interesting stuff to look at for a few minutes.

But every so often, someone will be genuinely interested and really take a look at your products. 

 

In general, people are really nice. Having someone tell you that they love something you made gives you the feels. It makes all of the long hours spent crafting worth it.

You'll get the occasional "you should make this" comment. Or the not-so-good-poker-face "wince" of pain at the price. But don't take it personally, everyone perceives value differently.

 

 

What are the pros and cons of selling at a craft market or fair?

Like everything in life, there's always pros and cons. Selling or being a vendor at craft market is no different.

Pros

• Product Feedback - You know right away if something could use tweaks or improvements

• Meeting People - Not only will you meet potential customers, but you'll get to know other vendors, too. I received a lot of tips about other (better) markets and venues just from making small talk.

• Marketing - Bring business cards and have the ability to take notes and information down. I had a good amount of custom orders received after the last craft market.

• Reactions - Seeing someone's reaction to your crafts is 100% more exciting when they're standing in front of you.

• Time - Our oldest kid was really excited for our first craft market and asked to work it. He spent the day hanging out with me and it's time with him that I will always remember and cherish.

 

Cons

• Long Hours - It doesn't matter how many hours or days the market is in open. It'll be a long day (or days) no matter what.

• Booth Setup - You'll be spending time before and after the market setting up and tearing down your booth. 

• Transporting Your Goods - Depending on the weight and size of your products, this can be a pain. Especially if you're not able to bring your vehicle near the booth to setup and break down.

• Weather - Often, organizers will cancel and reschedule an event if it rains. We don't get much rain in Southern California, but we do get hot summers. 

• Booth Neighbors - For the most part, fellow vendors are all friendly and courteous and get an A+ from me. But we had one neighbor (that wasn't being rude intentionally) whose setup constantly was hanging over into our booth and even knocked some stuff over a few times.

• Internet Connection - This may or may not apply to you depending on if you accept credit card payments. I had to keep a mobile hotspot turned on to use my credit card terminal, which required me to keep my phone plugged in and charging.

• Uncertainty - We all hope to make a lot of sales or generate leads. But you never know for sure what type of crowd will show up or how the day will go.

Remember, everyone experiences life in a different way. What I feel is a pro or con, might be the complete opposite for you. 

 

What should I bring to a craft market?

Here are a few things I've learned to bring with me while selling at a craft market.

This list isn't comprehensive and is mostly tailored to what I make and sell, which is smaller sized woodworking and laser engraved gifts.

• Your Products - An obvious one, but one time I left an entire tub of goods sitting in the garage at home. Luckily the craft market was relatively close to home.

• Cash - Most people use electronic forms of payment but there will still be a few paying with cash. I brought about a hundred dollars worth of small bills, $1s and $5s, and was surprised when I ran out of singles. Especially since most of my goods are priced ending in "0" or "5".

• Ability to Take Credit Cards - At my first market, I accepted credit card payments via a free card reader from Square. I bit the bullet and bought a small handheld terminal for the next larger market.

• Folding Tables and Chairs - Some venues will provide tables and chairs, most of the time you will be on your own.

• Marketing Materials - Bring business cards, flyers, stickers, and anything else you might have to get the word out about your business. Stickers are a hit with the kids. As a bonus, they'll help advertise for you wherever they slap that sticker.

• Canopy or Umbrella - Most venues already require some sort of canopy or umbrella. But it's worth mentioning just in case, especially if you live somewhere that has killer sun in the summer months.

• Packing Materials and Bags - I bring things like tape and packing paper to wrap with since I sell breakable stuff. Also providing shopping bags are a nice touch. Bonus points if you have a sticker or stamp your logo on the bags.

• Office Supplies - I have a small tub holding things like scissors, tape (regular desk tape, masking, duct, packing, I bring all the tapes!), pens, paper, zip ties, small tools (screw drivers, pliers, box cutter, clamps if your displays need to stay in place).

• Chargers - I bring portable charging packs for my phone and credit card reader. I'm extra and have a tablet built into my display that loops a video of me making some products. I have a charging cable for that, too.

• Extension Cords - Some venues provide electricity and might require you to bring extension cords. Power strips are a nice way to get some extra outlets if needed.

• Lights - If your venue is operating into the evening hours, they'll probably require you to bring your own lighting. I happen to have inexpensive LED lights in our garage at home, so I borrow one of those when needed.

• Pricing - Depending on your goods, you will need either pricing sign/signs or tag your products individually. 

• Drinks and Snacks - You'll be there for long hours and make sure to bring some drinks and snacks. I've learned the hard way that I needed to bring more food when my kids are around. They eat like teenagers and at the last event, we were buying food as fast as I was bringing it in.

• First Aid - Your basic bandaids and pain relievers. If you have kids with you, somehow they always find a way to get hurt. After standing on your feet all day, the pain relievers are for you.

Hopefully this list gave you some ideas and makes your life a little easier at your vendor booth. Remember, each event is different.

You'll find your "core" set of stuff to bring... and then have a bonus list of things specific for that event!

 

What is the day like selling at a craft market or fair?

Typically, leading up to the event the organizers will send you information about hours, when they expect you to arrive for setup, when you can break down, parking, etc.

Setting up your booth usually happens anywhere from an hour to a few hours before the start time, depending on the size of the event. This past summer, the large fair that we were at allowed us to setup any time after 8am for a 12pm opening.

The organizers will usually have a specific time they want you to be ready by so you're not setting up while shoppers are milling around.

 

Even if you bring chairs, you'll probably be on your feet most of the day. I find that standing makes the booth feel more alive which can draw some customers to come check out "what's going on".

But you'll also have customers that want to be left alone. If I read the room correctly, I'll take a seat and give them some space.

 

Make friends with a neighboring vendor(s) because you'll want someone to watch your stuff while you take a quick restroom break. You should offer to do the same, they'll appreciate it.

 

After the event is over, you'll get the opportunity to break down your booth and pack up all the stuff you just unpacked a few hours earlier! Of course, hopefully there will be less to pack up than you started with.

 

At the smaller craft markets, you might get the opportunity to make some small talk with other vendors and network a little afterwards.

At larger events, like the 4 day fair we were at, you'll really get to know your neighbors after spending 10-12 hours with them every day.

After breaking down our booth, there were a lot of vendors hanging around afterwards on the final night (I stayed to chat even though it was way past my bed time).

It was really cathartic to be able to go over the experience with others that spent the day with you (and weeks or months leading up to it preparing their products).

 

After you get that last tub of stuff into your vehicle, the best part of the day awaits. When you get home, it's time to unload! Or leave it in there until the next day, like me.

 

Space Rubber Ducky Designs is a family owned business located in Southern California.

We specialize in custom woodwork, laser engraving, CNC milling, and epoxy resin designs. In addition to larger projects, we love working on gifts and stocking stuffers, too!

Occasionally, you might find us at a local fair or market. Stop by and say "hi" if you're in town.