I was just wondering what is actually selling at the craft fairs and shows, I went to a quilt show and things were so expensive. I can't see actually making a profit making anything for shows. If you recently have done a craft show, please post what sold and what kind of profits did you make?

I am interested, also. I made a few casserole carriers, two handed pot holders, round potholders and little quilted gift bags that I intend to take to a craft fair on October 8th. I didn't make too many of any one thing, as I don't want to be stuck with them if they don't sell.

not too much sadly!

Just went to one - only made booth fee due to family purchase of 2 items. :o( Too early in season?

I sold at only 3 fairs last year. I made just enough to cover my costs. Have a tote filled with things. I am going to mark them all down to get rid of them at a fair on Oct. 22. I also have been making some new things. :oops:

I will be interested to see what others have to say. I have a bazaar coming up in November and am wondering if I want to make the effort. If others are like me, I go to get ideas! Not a very helpful buyer, am I? :shock:

sadly with the economy what it is the only things really selling- and then not well are the really inexpensive items- things under $10---$5 is better-- so it is quite limited what you can sell and make any money at.
coasters (mug=rugs) pot holders, aprons, placemats, napkins, table runners, ornaments and stockings, glasses cases, wallets,are a few items i've seen seem to sell but not alot. it depends on the show itself- the location-
and how many people are trying to sell the same stuff-
baskets, fabric bowls, locker hooked hot pads...if you can come up with something there are not 15 other people trying to sell you have a better chance of at least covering your booth space fee...but i've seen that not happen alot in the past couple years- and it doesn't seem to be better so far this year. i'm going to another one in a couple weeks (not to sell- to look and spend) so i will post how that one seemed to do after the fact... craft fairs used to be much better for making some holiday extra money- but the last few years- at least in northern michigan it seems they are more of an expense than a money maker

Microwave potato bags, baby quilts and I sold 2 vintage quilts and 2 queen size seeds of time.

There were craft booths set up at our local fiddle contest weekend festival. I looked at one lady's in particular because her stuff was wonderful and reasonably priced (I even thought it was cheap)but it still wasn't selling. Perhaps late summer was just too soon to think of Christmas gifts? I think tht it is really hard to make $ on hand stitched items right now. The materials and supplies are not cheap and people just don't want to pay what it is worth.

People are just not buying...period. We were down in
Amish Country a few weeks ago....weather could not have been better, town was so crowded it took 10 minutes to go 2 blocks. Walking around you saw very few people carrying bags, people in stores were not buying, just looking. Of course the stores that were doing great were the quilt shops!!! It seems the economy does not affect fabric buying out there. LOL It seems people are spending money not on luxuries but necessities. If I was not a quilter and saw mug rugs and potato bags for $5.00 or $10.00 I would consider that not to be on my list of things I need. I used to own my own business doing counted cross stitch and we set up in the Malls at different shows. This was 20 years ago and it was a struggle even then, but today it is worse because people want to be paid a lot more than what some of their stuff is worth. (And Ii am not talking about quilts, but things they just add a doo dad to and call it a craft). Should we be able to charge hundreds of dollars for our quilts? Sure,..but how many would we really sell? The Amish charge that and much more for their quilts, but I keep seeing the same ones everytime I go down there, so they are not selling any more than anyone else is. Sad but true.

I have 3 booked for this year, hope to at least cover cost; only time will tell. I did pass on the one at the school this year, mainly because their table fee is so high.