moonrise

I do craft fairs myself, so what I buy are things that I either don't know how to, or don't want to, make for myself. More specifically, I've bought a painting, handmade soap, and quite a few food items.

Quality is a big thing with me. I've seen some incredible workmanship and talent, and I've also seen things that were so poorly made that I wondered why the seller even bothered. At my very first fair, a lady across from me had made some wreaths, and was showing one to a customer. One of the wreath's decorations fell right off and hit the ground. The seller awkwardly tried to reattach it, but couldn't. How embarrassing! At the same fair, the lady beside me had some wood decorations she'd painted, but to be honest, it looked like a kindergartener had made them. I overheard at the end of the fair that neither of them had sold a single thing.

Kira Adare

I will buy something for gifts for family/friends, or if it catches my eye and I like it. I also will buy something for a template if its something I'd like to make in the future. I've done craft shows for years, and I absolutely *hate* those folks who will either stand there and say "well I can make it cheaper" in a snooty voice or stand back and take a picture of my stuff when they think I'm not looking. So I will be respectful of a vendor who put some time into a project and just buy it.

sewingsuz

I am a vendor at a couple of craft shows and I do know that a lady in Phoenix that makes the pot scrubbers charges $1.50 and the people that put the show on take some of the profit and you also have to work at the pay station. They take their money and send you a check. You have a code on your price tags. This lady sold 1000 of these so she did real good. Who in the world has good enough hands to make 1000 of these? Not me. I made about 70 potholders and don't want to look at another one.

Neesie

I usually look for wood carvings or other wooden items. If the price is affordable, I'll buy. If it's too expensive for me, I'll oooh and ahhh over the items, then tell the vendor I wish I had more to spend (in most cases, the items are well worth the asking prices).

Sewnoma

I don't go to these often, so when I go I tend to buy stuff. I like chatting with the vendors and seeing what they're up to.

I love "upcycled" stuff and if it's something creative I'll often buy it even if I can fairly easily reproduce it myself. I like to encourage that sort of thing and consider it a way to help support artsy/craftsy people in my community.

I like handmade jewelry, especially if there's some kind of local materials used - I have a favorite pair of earrings that are hoops of glass made by slicing rings out of used wine bottle necks and "slumping" them in a kiln to soften the edges. I LOVE those earrings even though they look a little boring...they're "upcycled" AND have local flavor (I live in wine country).

I used to be a soapmaker but I am not anymore - I buy handmade soap at craft shows all the time because I know how much superior it is to grocery store soap bars and it's just too much work to make a single batch of soap for myself. Plus, I like to support the soapmakers! I'm really disappointed when I go to a craft show and there's not a single soaper.

If I'm on vacation and spot a craft show, I like to buy locally-made things as my souvenir for the trip. I look for crafters that are local to wherever I am and usually find some little treasure to take back home.

Right now I'm in the market for a new purse...I'll be hunting around at craft shows looking for a good homemade purse soon. Looking for something unique, creative, functional, and locally-made. I COULD make one myself...but as someone posted from that sign... "when"?? Besides, someone else might come up with a truly brilliant or creative design that I'd never think of on my own. Plus, it'll be a fun hunt!

And sometimes, if I see a booth that is lonely and the crafter is looking low, I will go and try my darndest to find something I want to buy. At the least I'll go strike up a conversation for a bit - I have been on the other side of the table at slow shows and I know how boring and depressing it gets when nobody is visiting your table. I'm particularly outgoing if the crafter is really young and/or I think they might just be starting out. I have even offered a few tips for making their display more interesting, but only when it has seemed welcomed and/or it comes up naturally as we're chatting. (I try not to be THAT lady...) I ended up with a little side work way, actually - we ended up doing a swap where I helped develop her marketing (including fixing up and expanding her website, drawing up a new logo, sourcing cheaper packaging and developing a better booth setup) in exchange for a bunch of her homemade jam. Best swap I ever made, she was super easy to work with and that was some REALLY GOOD jam! LOL

I love crafters, and craft shows. Neat people, neat stuff. I'm always happy at a craft show.

Barb_MO

Makes sense to me. I do the same thing. I think I spent more at the last show that I made with my booth.

Onebyone

I bought a hand embroidered red work with red and white patchwork of a Christmas scene table topper/wall hanging for $100 last weekend at a craft sale. I thought it was a very reasonable price for the quality and I know the lady that made it. Another item I really liked. Fridge handle covers. They are so simple but oh so useful. I paid $20 for the pair. I pass on items that look homemade using cheap fabric or supplies.

carolaug

This is an interesting post...after hearing so many say they sell baby or lapquilts for 350.00. i also know how much time we put into the items but I also would not pay that much. I do like to buy items at craft fairs that are made well, but I also do not pay more then 50.00 and most items that are under 20.00. I mainly get towels or Christmas items.

Lori S

I am a seller a a few shows , and if time allows I love the look at the other sellers booths. I look for anything I can't make myself. Leather goods, hand blown glass, and beautifully turned wood.

Onebyone

I'm in the group of the spenders. Really I haven't been to any craft fair that any one item has been too expensive to buy.