Craft Fairs
If you are a crafter and interested in having a craft business of your own then you surely must consider marketing and selling your crafts through a craft fair, regardless of whether you are a beginner or not. Selling through craft fairs is a very old and yet are very popular tradition. But the truth is that it does involve quite a bit of travelling. So while it can be fun and adventurous it is not for someone who is pretty much settled in one place. There are several options available to you if you want to participate in craft fairs. It is up to you to decide the aggression with which you want to participate. There are certain fairs that keep travelling all the time while there are some that happen at major seasons and in major cities every year. If you do not wish to travel a lot you may wish to participate in the few select craft fairs to showcase your products. Participating in craft fairs happening in your own area will save you cost such as travel expenses and shipping.
If you are planning to have a booth for yourself to sell you will need to have a credit card merchant status so you can accept cards for purchases. This helps the matter what form of business you are running, to boost sales.
You must also be clear about the major concept of participating in a craft fair. Do not expect to make a great deal of money in your first few participations. Participating in the craft fairs in and around your area will help you develop a better network for a long-term business growth. You might also make important business ties and meet with key participants in this industry. The crafting industry in the United States of America has shown an amazing growth over the past few years. It has grown by almost 50% and as an annual turn over of more than $1 billion.
You will also gain insight and first-hand experience as to what crafts hotselling and what your competition is doing. The great thing about the crafting industry is that it is a fairly friendly and amicable community. People are ready to share their knowledge and experience. A craft fair can be one great opportunity for you to learn from other fellow crafters.
Here is a place to find craft shows:
Sunshine Artists Magazine
1700 sunset drive
Longwood, Florida 32750
West Art
P.O. Box 6868
Auburn, CA 95604
The Crafts Fair Guide
P.O. Box 5508
Mill Valley, CA 94942
This guide is put out four times a year, in time for you to apply to the shows. The crafters who attended the show previously critique every show in it.
Show Organizers:
Harvest Festivals
1-800/321-1213
Call for vendor information.
Steve Powers
619/731-9371
Call for vendor information.
