Craft Show Question
 

Hello Everybody!

I am doing a craft show in November. The problem is the space each of us have will be very limited. I believe I only have a half a banquet table to work with. I have made up a bunch of things so far but i am wondering if maybe i should be putting my energy into somethings that would be more likely to sell or what seems to be the most popular you seen sythe craft shows this year. Any suggestions would be helpful? For example i did make up a few hot pads.. should extend on those and make more. My mind is going so fast and i just really at a lost of what to do! thanks everybody!

Sincerely
Rockie

Given the date for the show, you will attract a lot of Christmas shoppers looking for gifts. It really does depend on the location, but most folks are looking for something on the less expensive end of the scale, so the pot holders are a good idea. There are some good ideas in this recent post:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t231889.html

I would also look into getting something for your table that will add height to your display, and maximize your "sales area". Maybe a small set of book shelves... with the iPods being so popular, there are lots of CD racks at resale shops. These would be perfect for small items. Or if you have one of those cup holders, you could display your pot holders.

I don't know what sells these days (I stopped doing shows years ago although I am making some things for my church's show this November) but I was going to suggest you display "up". Since your flat table space is limited, arrange your products on different levels by stacking fabric covered or draped boxes. If they will let you (and you have one) have a screen (like a room divider) to the side or behind you to hang items on also. The more you can show, the more people will stop to look. My experience has been that most people 'browse' and won't take the time to dig through piles. Best of luck to you!

Paper Princess is right on target. A CD rack adds lots of display space taking little space...or a small folding bookshelf. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. Take a good look around the house to see if you can repurpose a few things for display. Love the idea of the mug tree for pot holders! If using a table cover, make sure that it is a solid color so that it doesn't compete for customer's attention with your items.
Good Luck!

Best sellers at our guild sale table at the last craft show were:

Grippers: I sewed the grippy shelf liner to a charm square.
Fridge/Freezer door handle covers.
Mouse pads. Old mouse pads with pretty fabric fused on top.

When I did Bazaars and craft shows, the one item I sold the most of were the small color book bags, that had the individual sections for the crayons on the out side of the bag. They were easy to make, and were always the first thing to sell, never had enough of them.

You may only have the table space that is flat, but you also have the drape space below the table surface and above your table for display. That will really increase the amount of display area you would have.

You can make something out of a poster board presentation folder or any number of things.

Like Paper Princess wrote: I would also look into getting something for your table that will add height to your display, and maximize your "sales area". Maybe a small set of book shelves.

Those snap bags made with metal measuring tape closures have been a great hit here.

Along with pot holders, how about glass koozies, mug mats, candle mats, and placemats.

I made some things that are quick and most people would give as a gift. Good luck !!

Just a comment .. if you make what everyone else makes .. you compete on price... If you make original designs you have no competition.

I've been doing craft shows for a couple of years and also find the space limited. Try putting some displays behind your table up high so the people can see them. If you have the space, move your table to the side so people can get to the display in the back. Its interesting to watch where people look when they pass a booth. Up or down?! I always keep my eye open at rummage sales for display racks. Use some height on your table to break up the space.

As for items you can make ... how about those cute fabric boxes that folks here on QB have been making lately. They're smallish and stackable so you can display quite a few at the same time.

makeshift shelves, wood framework covered with chicken wire to hang items with drapery hooks...I used to use a lot of peach crates..baskets work well..the more you can maximize your space the better..Remember the impulse buys need to be close to the customer

I love the ideas here and wanted to add the casserole covers/holders to your list of items to make. Mug rugs, I pod/pad cases ( envelopes), credit card wallets and definitely the pot holders.

I planned a booth at a craft show. Instead of selling gifty things, we sold gift wrapping things. Not at all expensive wrappings and present decorations but the kind of things that everyone would like to have for "ooh, isn't that pretty" present presentations. And miles and miles of assorted bows. Primarily red velvet.

We dressed "Christmas" and we talked to the people who stopped at the booth and we showed them things. And we smiled and laughed and wished them a Merry Christmas. Phoo on politically correct.

Note: we made as much as everyone else at the fair combined.

Pat

I did a craft sale and had some really great pot holders. I sold not a one. Pot holders are work intensive so I would think long and hard about making and selling them. Table runners and place mats are very popular. You could do one side in fall colors and the other in Christmas colors. They will sell. Keep prices reasonable. Good luck. I know how much work craft sales are. Oh! One more point to think about. People have a hard time imagining how things look or are used. For instance - if you make wine bottle cozies - put an empty bottle in one to show how great they look; if you make cloth boxes - show one with something in it i.e. napkins etc.

How about the "ten minute runner" in Christmas fabric? just google the ten minute runner and you can learn how to do it in ten minutes!

Since your space is limited what about placing some items in the display and having more hidden under the table to refill as needed.

Pocket tissue pack covers - you can make lots of them with small pieces (even leftovers) of different fabrics and pile them all in one basket, saving table space.

Given the limited space, go up with vertical shelves, bookshelves or whatever you can fit on your space. If you have a wall behind you, perhaps you could display your items on the wall, always ask first if that is allowed, as a couple craft fairs I've attended do not want you to put anything on the walls, or on the drape in front of the table. You could make tote bags, aprons, pot holders (with Insul-Brite and maybe Teflon (silver) fabric for backing), placemats with napkins, table runners, small baby quilts, anything that would make good Christmas gifts. I've always found that people don't necessarily want to spend a lot of money, but the reverse is also true. These comments may be confusing, however, there is no crystal ball that tells you what will and what won't sell, however, practical items usually do sell well in my experience. Also, be sure that your items are well constructed, no threads, open seams, etc., it shows that you are a craftsman and take pride in your work.

bowl buddy for microwave
 

an easy item to make that you won't see everywhere is the bowl buddy for the microwave. this is similar in construction to the fabric boxes but needs a batting like pellon wrap-n-zap which comes 45 " wide and 1 yard lengths. the cheapest i have found is at walmart.com with free shipping if you pick up at a walmart. $3 versus $8 at other suppliers.

i make a variety of sizes from 10 inch squares with 9 in batting to 14 inch squares with 13 inch batting and alter the size of the tuck to create different shapes. having a real bowl in each size lets the customer remember the size of the bowls they use at home and they can pick the right one. i do 14, 12 and 10 inch.
the small boxes are actually the same except that the tuck is much wider to make the side vertical.

you do need to use 100% cotton material and thread so nothing melts in the microwave.

directions are available online at
http://www.seamshappy.com/2012/08/13...wl-pot-holder/

I would vote for place mats, pot holders, mitts and trivets. It is coming on gifting season

There is an excellent tutorial for these right here on the board: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t144848.html

Whem working our church bazaar, I always use a clothes rack. Buy a couple of yards of a neutral fabric (cheap felt) and then you can attach any number of things to it, and the merchandise is high enough that it can bee seen across the hall.As far as craft tiems...how about paperbook covers.

I bought a child's microwave at Sears to do a demo with and use the Warm Tater batting made for microwaves. Usually have a quilt hanging on a stand behind me which is for sale. Made hostess gifts and small emery owl pincushion. Postcards and cards made with fabric and applique sells!

Hot Pads sell like crazy at the shows we do. We don't make fancy pieced ones instead we use interesting fabrics with themes folks have in their kitchen decor ie. chickens, apples. The fabric on each side coordinates but isn't the same. For example eggs on one side and chickens on the other. We put loops on them so they can hang up and insulbright batting so they can be used under hot dishes to protect counters and tables. Insulbright holds its shape well even with repeated washing

I've not seen them at craft fairs but when I make coffee cozies and give them to friends they're really appreciated and used. Not difficult to make and each can be made differently without any trouble.

Curling iron/hair straighteners covers, use insulated wadding ( can't remember the name) the stuff used in pot holders oven gloves, quilt with nice fabric, sells wells as little extras for xmas.