Dolphyngyrl

Maybe you can make a lot of small items that will price well, make-up bags, pot holders, table runners, tissue holders, change purses, pin cushions, placemats, purses that aren't too costly to make, maybe a few small baby items might sell, people are always having babies like diaper covers, burp cloths, small security blankets. These are things i could see being priced low enough to sell. I do agree with having seasonal stuff depending on the time of year. Lori had some awesome ideas to sit down and write up a plan

SherryCat

I did craft shows for about 5 years....silk floral arrangements. Keep in mind, also, if you go out of town, there is the cost of hotel, food and gas. If it is an outdoor show, you will need a good tent and the means of getting everything there. I had a small trailer we towed with my husbands truck. Good Luck!

Tink's Mom

i have done craft shows for over 20 years, too...Hen3rietta and Lori S have said almost all. I agree with everything they say. One thing...if you do an outside show...please make sure you weight down your tent...a gallon of water per leg is NOT enough...I have seen those tent rolling over the top of other tents.
With indoor shows...don't have too many different different types of things in 1 booth ( floral, jewelry, quilted items). The customer can't decide what catagory you are and often walks past.
The shows are not recovered yet from the recession...some are OK, others not good at all. I had one this year that I made the show fee back and my gas money...so, that means that I gave away my merchandise.

mucky

A friend takes old jeans and cuts them at the side seams, sews a wide ruffle around under where the crotch would be, puts a tie through the belt loops and sells them as aprons. Low price on them and they sell like hot cakes.

ckcowl

very seldom does a quilt sell at a craft fair---people wandering through a craft fair are not expecting (or prepared) to spend hundreds of dollars
items that sell well tend to be between $5 & $20
items like dishtowels with a quilted top (like the ones with crocheted tops for hanging)
potholders, placemats, mugrugs, fabric bowls, totes, purses...
there are many smaller items-
unless you have a good stash to work from it is hard to really make any money- unless you are really fast- and don't have to invest much in materials.
really check out your options when choosing craft venues to participate in- some you are lucky to make enough to pay for your space- others you may do quite well-

jlw

I just did two craft shows, and folks don't want to pay much for handmade items - too many quality items are imported now. Anyway, a couple things that folks were asking for (that I didn't have) - potato microwave bags (though I've always been concerned about flammability) and those little round jewelry bags that have pockets and close with a drawstring. You probably won't get your time out of it, but it may pay for your supplies.

pinkberrykay

eReaders are a huge seller for Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook). Since everyone seems to have these now an eReader case should be a huge hit.

Brandi

I would like to see some of her handy work. Can you post some pictures. Good idea.

Pat625

I was in the craft show circuit for 17 years, and had to give it up for a steady income and benefits when I got divorced. It is a rough market, especially with the imports and dollar stores. It seems people want a great baragain and it is hard to make money with quality items , because of the time input. I found the best items are usually impiulse cheap items that you can mass produce...I used to sell a lot os silly signs. These provided the bulk of my income, and the better quality higher priced items were like a "bonus"..Research your shows..You will pay top dollar for the good ones, and dont forget to figure in the gas, tolls, hotels etc in your expenses. Good luck to you. I loved my time in the business and made some great friends while doing shows. Unfortunately I can't speak for the economic status of shows now as I have been out of it for 12 years. I am recently out of work with disability, and really wish I could go back to doing shows.

hopetoquilt

Hey, just a thought... instead of doing shows, see if you can build a business doing t-shirt quilts. It has sparked an interest in almost everyone I have mentioned it to. You could work up a few samples to keep with you and take pictures of each of the ones you make to create a book or webpage for people to peruse. This would eliminate the need to pay for a booth, the gas to get there and the other associated costs. You could create a blog or page on-line so people could see your work and you could calculate costs based on the # of t-shirts/fabric and batting needed and complexity of quilting required. You could work at your own pace and the work times would be so much more flexible. Once you get going, I bet your name and reputation would spread like wildfire. Just a thought.