If you dream of selling cotton candy or your own special recipes at festivals and fairs, you’ll need to know a few requirements before you go out and start your own food trailer…..

Craft shows can be a great opportunity to really get your name out, as well as your products. You can create a good following, but you need to do your homework first and be prepared before you send in your vendor application and put up a booth.

More and more people are looking for jewelry that isn’t mainstream. They want something that’s unique and stands out. There are a variety of new jewelry trends as spring approaches.

There are many ways you can make calligraphic or hand letter items to sell, but with such a saturated market, “outside the box” thinking is in order. These suggestions, above, are sure to help you make the most of the ongoing, hand lettering trend in your crafting business.

When people visit a fair or a festival, they tend to think of the same types of fair foods - corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, etc. While it is great and very profitable to sell these traditional fair food items, they don’t exactly make you stand out from the crowd.  It’s always a great idea to go a little non-traditional and sell your own creations.

Arts and crafts shows can be great events for artists everywhere to showcase their pieces, building a fan base, and making some great money. Preparing for the show is very important, especially if you’re an artist just starting out.

Many artists, looking to make some money while doing what they love doing, rely on arts and crafts festivals for their livelihood. While some artists only want to make some extra cash for the holidays, others make a full-time income selling their crafts at these events.

Selling at arts and crafts shows can be pretty overwhelming to new artists that are looking to showcase and sell their products. Arts and crafts shows can range from tiny to huge, and from diverse to very targeted. Here’s what you need to consider before committing to a show as a new artist.

Are you an artist interested in selling your crafts through arts and crafts shows in your area? Are you wondering whether you should get that booth at the next big event in your city or if should you start at a small show?

Arts and crafts shows can range from very small to huge. With big shows comes big competition. As an artist, you want to make sure your booth stands out and catches people’s attention. Otherwise, you might be missing out on potential sales and missed opportunities to build a fan base.

You have spent numerous hours creating beautiful and meaningful items, spent your money buying a booth and all the accessories you need, and planned all the details to set up an eye-catching table at your next local arts and crafts show. All that work to realize that, ultimately, very few people bought your items and you were left with just the tiredness and a full stock of your inventory.

In 2015, new trends are coming in, many different from the past years. Artists can take into consideration what’s going to be hot this year and prepare their crafts and designs. That is not to say that artists shouldn’t get creative and run with their own ideas, but by adjusting a bit to what people want, artists are sure to make more sales and to encourage event visitors to do some word of mouth advertising for them.

When you participate in an arts and crafts fair, you will be surrounded by other vendors selling similar wares. You need to figure out a way to increase your visibility so the consumers come to you and not your competitor. Don’t get lost in the crowd by not putting the same amount of effort into your booth aesthetics as you do your merchandise

Not all arts and crafts shows are open to all vendors. There are some that require you and your work to be put in front of a jury to decide which ones will get accepted and receive a booth space. It could be due to limited space or simply a desire to remain exclusive. These types of shows have a tendency to improve your visibility in a more professional aspect and are an excellent reference when embarking on a journey to opening your own business. Juried craft shows can be incredibly competitive, so you want to do everything you can to improve your chances of being selected.

As with any retail business, craft shows require a certain level of etiquette to ensure you are bringing in as many sales as you can. It isn’t enough to be talented; you also need to be aware of the other aspects of this industry that can result in higher profits. They say you catch more bees with honey than vinegar, and the same rings true in the world of craft shows.

Once you have created a product you are proud of and are ready to sell, it’s time to start thinking about your business plan in regards to craft shows. In the world of arts and crafts there are two major types of events to consider attending; retail and wholesale. There are quite a few different things to consider when picking the type you want to attend.

We all have to start somewhere. No one is ever perfect on their first try; no matter what it is they are attempting to do. You are bound to fall on your head a few times when trying to perform a cartwheel for the first time. So, it’s safe to say that in your first foray into the world of arts and crafts fairs you may experience a serious faux pas or two. It’s okay; everyone does!

Arts and crafts shows are like snowflakes; they’re all completely different from one another. There are shows that are small and locally operated and then there are festivals that can boggle the mind with the amount of vendors attending. You may find yourself trying to figure out which ones to attend and which ones to sit out this year and there are some signs to look for in each.

Now that the New Year is upon us, it is time to start thinking about the new trends that will make this year better than the last. Arts and Crafts shows tend to draw an eclectic mix of vendors and consumers so it pays to stay on top of the game in terms of popular trends for the industry. This means you should find out what the consumers want in the upcoming year in regards to merchandise as well as the business trends that will put more money into your pocket.

Crafters are the nicest people you’ll ever meet! I’ve never run across a fellow crafter that didn’t do everything they could to help me (this included making ice cubes for an odd job). Still, it’s best to be prepared and you’ll need an event planning checklist to help you out. You are already going to be overwhelmed with creating your fabulous product.

Growth is such a positive word. We like to see our gardens grow, our children grow, our circles of friends and families grow, and if we are in the business of “handmade” or artisan goods - we definitely want to see that business grow too. Naturally, if something is to grow effectively, it has to be nourished.

We walk before we run and we tend to be encouraged to do most things in life with “baby steps”. This is a good analogy and should be used as a great illustration for business owners of all kinds. Unless you grew up going to arts and craft shows with a family member or friend who was a great success, you will not have the “know how”, networking, and skills to achieve instant success.

As someone who is currently generating income from crafts or intending to create a business making crafts, you should have a firm budget in hand. This budget is going to show you the actual, total, costs associated with each item sold. It must take into account the cost of the supplies, the cost to market the goods (this can include the fees associated with a show but also with things like a website or blog), the costs associated with traveling and registering for shows, and more.

As the winter comes to an end, more and more crafters are starting to think about the upcoming fair and craft show seasons. Obviously, there is not just a “summer season”, and that puts a spotlight on one of the most interesting developments in 2012 fair and craft show trends as well, and this is the fact that some crafters have decided to attend only some of the shows rather than all of them.

If you have already started participating in art shows and craft fairs and are hoping to boost your sales, or you are just beginning to learn about the opportunities that these shows and fairs provide, you should know that you can make good money doing these shows. Below are some top tips on how to make money at art shows and craft fairs

What “sells” at the small and large arts and crafts shows and fairs? If you are asking this question because you want to start a business that is a “sure thing”, or even if you are already working the arts and crafts shows and festivals and are doing market research, you should know one thing - there is no firm answer to the question.

Everyone with products to offer has been and continues to be a customer on certain levels. Even if you’re so busy that you have no time for shopping other than the occasional trip to the grocery store or a quick foray into online shopping, you are a customer. As such, you know exactly why you buy the things you do, which means that when it comes to influencing customers and driving sales skyward, all you need to do is provide a little positive push in the right direction. By taking advantage of the time-honored skill of appealing to customers’ emotional side, you can influence their buying decision. While it is true that great products sell themselves, there are often many wonderful choices available at fairs and shows, meaning you need some kind of advantage over other vendors. Here are five quick tips designed to help you influence customers and enjoy increased sales.

You are packing up your goods at the end of another bad day. Only one or two sales were made, and you did not even “break even” on the space rental. What is going on? There are many reasons your crafts may not be selling, and we want you to consider the issues and solutions below in order to remedy this

Starting any business alone can be daunting; starting a craft business alone is downright terrifying at times. Searching for business advice and guidance is scattered and in some cases outdated. Very few large resources cater solely to the craft business owner. Not knowing any better it’s easy to get suckered into paying hundreds of dollars for information you can get for free if you use the right keyword search. It’s for the most part, a drawn out system of hits and misses that help you figure out what works best for you and your product. Here are 5 simple craft business social trends for 2013 that begin to change all that.

Art festivals and craft fairs can represent wonderful opportunities to meet new people and make some terrific connections in regards to your art. However, it’s important to note that there is a certain etiquette that should be followed in order to ensure that you and your neighbors both have equally pleasant experiences. Make sure you keep these simple directives in mind so that your experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Whether you’re more about arts and painting or handmade crafts, showing your work at art shows and festivals is a critical part of getting your work seen by a larger audience, as well as getting it sold to interested parties. However, there are certain parts of the process that can make the experience more of a pain than a pleasure

Getting things off the ground when it comes to selling your arts and crafts at festivals, fairs, and craft shows can seem incredibly confusing to a newcomer. It’s hard to know right off the bat what you really need in order to get started, as opposed to what can wait until later. However, everyone – whether they’re a painter, a photographer, a jewelry maker, and so forth – needs to consider getting the same basics together before they begin.

Everyone loves the holidays. However, for artists, craftsmen, and other creative vendors, it can be a difficult call whether or not to spice up the look of their booths for the season. On the one hand, spreading holiday cheer always makes for a wonderful time and an atmosphere of fun… but could it possibly hinder the shopping experience for the customer instead?

People who are new to the world of arts and crafts shows often have a number of questions as to how to approach the experience. One of the most burning of these tends to be in regards to whether or not to put price tags on their work.

Doing well at a craft show is always about striking the right balance between offering something that is uniquely you and something that is in high demand at the time. This is never more true than during the holiday season, so crafters planning to attend holiday or winter shows should definitely make sure they take the seasonal shopper’s needs into consideration.

If you’re new to art fairs and craft festivals, then it’s only understandable that you may have some questions at first. After all, it takes time and experience – as well as a bit of trial – and error to strike just the right balance. One of the main concerns artists and craftsmen have in regards to their fair experience is how to set up their booths to be as appealing as possible. How much merchandise is too much?

Making a full-time living solely via their artwork is something every creative person dreams about. After all, what could be more fulfilling than spending all of your days doing something you love as much as you love your art and getting paid a living wage in return? However, knowing you’d like to make a living by showing and selling at art & craft shows and actually doing it are two very different animals altogether. Is it possible? If so, then what does it take?

With the recent financial upheaval the world’s economy has experienced, competition between crafters and vendors has become more intense than ever. Customers come to us looking for bargains on well-made items to enjoy themselves or give away as gifts, and some of them expect us to nearly give away our work, not realizing the amount of time and money that goes into our crafts. Here are five simple tricks you can use to maximize profit, even during this era of shaky finances.

If you are brand new to the world of crafting as a way to make an income, then you may begin to feel a bit discouraged the first time you experience poor sales at a show, or find yourself wishing you were back on a nine-to-five schedule, working for a company that offers a 401k and health insurance. These doubts and discouraged feelings are normal, especially when you have not yet made a name for yourself. Here are some helpful tips for overcoming doubts that might otherwise undermine your efforts at success completely.

You’ve used the best possible materials and put loads of effort into your crafts; now, it’s time to give your booth what is probably a much-needed makeover, in hopes of attracting more customers and increasing sales dramatically. While your booth may not be an outright mess, and while it may even look attractive, there are some things marketing experts know that can help you make over your booth without spending loads of money. By following these five simple tips, you can renew your booth quickly and easily.

Crafters and vendors who enjoy making a living traveling from one place to another have much to look forward to this year. One of the most important ways to keep your business thriving and growing is to find out what is popular for the upcoming year, and to be prepared well in advance for seasonal shows. At the same time, you don’t want to offer the exact same items as other crafters have on sale, and if you are selling supplies, you want to be sure that customers feel they are getting a great value on the things that they need to create their own craft items. Here are some additional tips to help you prepare for what is certain to be one of the best years yet for crafters and vendors alike.

Whether you are brand new to the world of selling goods at fairs and craft shows, or if you are a seasoned expert, today’s economy dictates that just a bit more legwork is required in order for crafting to be profitable. It stands to reason that you must have a quality product or group of products to sell, plus you must take some time to decide which shows are going to be most profitable for you, even with travel factored in. Read on for some important tips that can help you make every craft show a winner.

Despite the fact that crafted products are readily available online, people from all walks of life continue to enjoy going to craft shows to shop in person. Taking the products you make to shows of various kinds can help you make a name for yourself and provide you with a great income if you go about things the right way. Here are some simple tips to help you enjoy success with craft shows.

What makes a craft show successful?  Ask a dozen vendors and you may get 20 different answers - all of which are right from their perspective.  Don’t let their definition of the success of a craft show affect your perspective.

Before you go to a craft show - even before you apply - set a goal (or even multiple goals) for the show.  This goal depends on you.  Here are all examples of different goals for different types of vendors.

What is artistic licensing? In its encyclopedic definition, and in its broad sense, it is the ability of an artist to take certain liberties when performing or when writing or when creating. In other words, it is understood that it is okay for a artist, a writer, or someone engaged in creative endeavors, to be allowed a certain amount of freedom in the pursuit of their art.

So you decided to go to your first outdoor show.  Outdoor shows are different from indoor shows - you must worry about the weather.  Not just bad weather, but heat, sun, wind, etc. Selecting the right tent is imperative.  But which one is right.

With the downturn in the economy, it seems that almost everyone has suffered. Of course, fewer people are spending money in order to avoid greater debt. This means, for people who depend on consumers for their livelihood, their business has been hurt. This can be seen in a larger way in the form of the art fairs and festivals. Fewer people are willing to spend money at these festivals. This results in fewer customers, and eventually fewer vendors. It leaves us all with the question. Are art festivals dead? Have we seen the end of these shows?

When you think about the last craft show that you attended either as a customer or as an artist, what do you remember? Did you enjoy strolling through one artist’s booth after another, stopping to view the unique and one of a kind pieces that you can only find at these events? Did you enjoy the aroma of home baked goodness wafting from the food area? What about the raucous and loud sounds of the man yelling at you to stop and buy a raffle ticket? Chances are, the hawkers at the art show are not something that you remember fondly, especially if you are an artist whose booth is next to one of them.

As an artist who attends craft shows, one of the things that you will have to remember above all else is that you will not be a success if you do not gain customers. Many artists and vendors think that they can simply put their products out there and people will buy them. However, there is much more to consider when trying to sell at craft shows and festivals. You must consider competition. After all, to gain customers, your customers have to pick your booth out of the hundreds surrounding you. If your products and your displays look just like everyone else’s, then you will find yourself drowning in the competition.

Most likely, one of the most widely debated issues when it comes to selling methods of artists at craft shows, fairs and festivals is the issue of fair price. How does an artist determine what a fair price for their products actually is? There are so many ways to determine price for items that it can seem confusing, and it can lead to pricing ranging greatly from one artist to the other. However, when you are trying to determine what the fair price for you to charge for you artwork actually is, there is much you will have to consider.