I've been putting this off all week, because I don't really know how
to write about it without rambling like a crazy person...
but I'm just going to jump in. Bear with me, okay?
Last Saturday was the craft fair I've been working towards for a couple months.
I put a LOT of work into this. It kept me busy, & I sewed my heart out.
{I didn't have a real camera with me, but at least I did get a few pictures}
{me with my table. the bunting on the tent was one of my favorite parts!}
My mind works best when I make a list,
so here's a few things I wanted to share.
- make a list. {obviously. ;)} you don't want to get there & realize you forgot something important. make yourself a list, check it twice.
- it doesn't hurt to be over-prepared. I tried to think of anything that could go wrong, anything I might need to make things go smoothly, tons of dollar bills for change-making, extra price signs just in case, pens, sunscreen, water, snacks.
- be prepared for weather-related issues. I was able to borrow my tent from someone at church, and I am so grateful! the sun would have been brutal otherwise. bring sunscreen & plenty of water! we also had a few issues with wind; we actually taped down signs & displays so they wouldn't get blown away {I was very thankful I had brought regular tape + packing tape}.
- get someone to help you. I am SO thankful that my sister agreed to come with me! I couldn't have done it without her. She helped getting the tent & the table set up, talking to customers, staying at the booth so I could walk around, getting lunch, etc, etc. {Thanks, Jessica!}
- add some height to your display. my table was FAR from elaborate, and I actually did enjoy the simplicity of it. but, you don't want everything laid out on the table the same way...I used a plate stand, picture frame clip holder, baskets & a jewelry hanger to add some height & interest. I had one customer comment that she liked how everything had a specific place on the table. I think it made it less overwhelming to look through things.
- model your product. this one ended up being super important! I wore one of my new ruffled headwraps, and I was SO glad I did - the ones being sold were laying out on the table, and a lot of people didn't know what they were. It was so much easier to be able to show them being worn instead of just trying to explain it. {I said, "they just tie on, super easy & comfortable!" about a million times. ;)} my sister wore a bloom pin, so we were each showing off some product.
- don't be shy. smile! this is a big one for me. I am really shy, and I have a hard time talking to strangers. Plus, it can be kind of awkward, especially when an older lady doesn't want to take a business card because "I can make all this stuff myself." Oh. But, the longer I talked to people, the more confident I felt. I even made a new friend!
- remind customers about business cards. this was super hard for me, too, but, if we wouldn't have invited people to take business cards, I don't think anyone would have picked one up! It's also a good idea to share things like newsletter sign-ups {failed at this one} and any special pricing/deals you have for the day.
- don't get discouraged! there were definitely good parts of the craft fair. I got a LOT of compliments on my work, handed out quite a few business cards, got to interact with people, etc. But, as far as making a profit? Honestly, I didn't. And that made me really, really discouraged. As I sewed & prepared for the event, I had visions of selling a ton of my stuff, I made sure I had different price points so people would be likely to buy, & I even had some great deals going on. I just didn't sell that much. And that's hard. It's hard for me to admit it, hard to be positive about it. All that being said, I'm still glad that I was able to participate, if for nothing else than to learn.
I know that I'm not an expert on this,
but I hope that something in this post will be helpful for someone.
Thanks so much for sticking with me & reading through!
shop Petunia Blooms.
happy weekend, lovelies.
linking up with Alissa today because if we were having coffee,
this is definitely what I'd tell you about. :)
linking up with Alissa today because if we were having coffee,
this is definitely what I'd tell you about. :)
