Craft show ideas
 

I'm thinking about selling some quilted items at craft shows next year and am looking for ideas. I don't know what sells well and what doesn't - I'm sure a lot of it depends on the location and type of show. A couple of ideas that have gone through my head are table toppers/runners and small or medium pillow covers. I see a lot of baby bibs at shows and don't want to do those (too much competition and they really aren't my thing). And as much as I love placemats I don't want to do those either. What other smaller items are people looking to buy?

Is there a particular style that people are looking for that sells well? My tastes run toward primitive, rustic, civil war repros but can easily switch to another style if that's what someone wants.

My friend sells quite a few small change purse style purses with the little clasps. She does some embroidery work on the fronts, so they are a little fiddly to make, but you have the time if it is not until next year.

People seem to do well selling the bowl cozies for the microwave. I have never had any great luck with craft shows, so I'm probably not the one to tell you what to make. In our area, everyone likes to look at your stuff and not buy a thing. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/frown.png

You could - at least - put up a sign that says

"Of course you can make it - but when?"

The only thing I am willing to buy at craft fairs are those crocheted, nylon, pot scrubbers.

There have been a couple of things I would have been willing to pay for the instructions/pattern - the 9 x 13 casserole carrier, for one thing.

You could also put up signs saying - if you want to make it yourself, this is what it would cost - with a material and cost sheet posted.

So - sorry - I really don't have any helpful ideas.

But good luck with whatever you do.

Yes, they do have low prices but they aren't anywhere near the quality or uniqueness of homemade.

Good idea, thank you!

How about bento bags and gift bags? Is this anything people would buy? Bento bags are quick and easy to make and can be used for many different things. I'm feeling a little discouraged thinking that quilted items don't sell well.

I just did that for the first time this Fall. I stuck with quilted items rather than craftsy items. I made about 40 table runners in a variety of sizes, 6 sets of placemats, several lanyards, four baby quilts (really simple ones) and coasters.

It was odd what folks looked at. I did sell 22 runners. People wanted either really long runners or small runners/toppers. The ones that were more complicated I asked more money for such as Lemoyne stars and they did not sell and neither did the coasters. A few folks bought the lanyards and I sold two sets of placemats as well as 2 out of 4 Baby quilts.

My guess is that it will change form year to year and location to location but will do it again next year.

ummm....I have thought about making doll quilts, I think they might sell. I also have thought about making shopping bags that can be easily laundered but I do not know if they would sell at all....I know we were not supposed to use them during the pandemic as they could spread germs, I know my area just started charging 5 cents for each plastic or paper bag you use. I don't know what will be allowed. My local Target charges per plastic bag for my drive up orders but I can refuse the bags when they bring them to the car....so far just been paying the fee. Thinking about getting those plastic egg crates to put in the trunk but....I don't feel real good about them having to transfer my stuff to the boxes during rain or snowy weather and I don't know what they do with those plastic bags if I don't take them. The idea behind this was to cut down on the amount of plastic in our world. I see that somebody came up with a "garbage cleaner" that is floating around in large areas of our oceans. I also like the idea of fabric, reusable gift bags to cut down on the plastic and paper waste.
oh dear, just had a thought....if I get those plastic egg crates, will I just create even more plastic to get rid off?