How to Increase Your Sales at Arts and Craft Shows

Articles

How to Increase Your Sales at Arts and Craft Shows	April 2015
	Fairs and Festivals Staff

Image Courtsey: ozimanndias8

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.

Seasoned artists who attend these events on a regular basis have mastered the art of not only their craft, but also that of selling. But new artists may be clueless about why their beautiful items didn’t sell like they expected.

Here are a few suggestions to make your next arts and crafts show booth a raving success:

- Come up with a mildly priced piece to be your showpiece. You should have a piece in the most visible area of your booth that causes people to say: “Wow!” That way, you can sell people your skill set and talents just by them looking at it. This will attract many more people by word of mouth. People will often ask you how much the piece costs, and you may end up making your first sale there, if you price it right.

- State which materials you use to create your crafts. People love to learn more about what’s behind each piece of art. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a home décor item, people want to know what you used to create it and why. Very few things sell more than a story. Tell them a story, and they will cherish that item even more.

- Cash is old school. Consider taking credit cards. Nowadays there are so many ways for even the smallest vendors to take credit card payments for such affordable rates that you’d be crazy not to take them. If your items are priced over $20, consider taking the plastic as a method of payment, and watch your sales skyrocket.

- Price everything from the start, especially if you are selling a lot of smaller items like earrings. Imagine you having to memorize hundreds of items’ prices and having to tell visitors one by one, hundreds of times a day, what an item costs. Invest in the little price stickers, and put a price on everything. It will save you lots of time, and people will thank you for being upfront about your prices.

Arts and crafts shows can be a great money making opportunity for many artists out there to support themselves while doing what they enjoy doing. If you’re getting started at these shows, take into consideration the information in this article to help you boost your sales and increase your bottom line.

Comments

Thank you for the suggestions. I’m doing my first craft show this coming Saturday.

By Rich on April 19, 2015

Helpful! I’ll attend a few shows first to get a feel for it.

I’ll sell books and jewelry.
Elaine Masters

By elaineomasters@gmail.com on April 30, 2015

Hi.

Please kindly give me information on how I become a vendor at some of these fairs and vendors.

Thank you
J. Sheriff

By Jehangir Sheriff on May 7, 2015

HI! I would like an itinerary of upcoming events and the entry fees for them please? Thanks in advance.

By Suburban Soul on May 13, 2015

please send me information on how to become a vendor at the events.
po box 5943, pikesville md 21282

By Cynthia"s Precious Accessories on June 1, 2015

How do i sell My soaps at a Craft Show. What Do I do 1st need help I live in Manhattan Lower Eastside,
I what to become a vendor but don’t know how to start
Thank You
for taking time out of your busy day to read this

By Glennceria Lyles on June 14, 2015

my husband and I have been doing all size and types of shows in the past 20 plus years, and we don’t know everything but we can offer some tips that will make a diff. Start with your booth and presentation, professional table covers that go to the ground on ALL
sides, hide your empty boxes etc. Look alive and talk, don’t sit in the back and read or eat,, keep your drink and snacks away from your
quests sight[, it took us years to finally find an arrangement in our booth that does all we want it too do.. Set up your tent and booth in your driveway or backyard, and see from everyone’s point of view how it works, looks, traffic moves, etc. Use a white tent, keep it clean, just pretend you are passing by, and WHAT WILL ATTRACT YOU, ENOUGH TO STOP. you only have seconds to do that, dress
like a professional in your field., keep smiling and look approachable,
don’t just smile when they are in your booth. good-luck to all, see you out there MOTHER NATURE and US, always help your fellow crafters if they are in need, your time will come!!, GABBI

By gabbi weiner on July 19, 2015

Thank you for your suggestions. I have been to many shows and never sure why things don’t go like I’d like them to. This gives me a clue.

By Caolyn Cousar on August 5, 2015

I participated in the craft fair for 3 consecutive years .
I would love to participate this year , but have not received any
Information on it . I don’t know what has changed . Hopefully someone
Here can help . Thanks

By Sherbi S on August 17, 2015

How many vendors do you expect in the show?
How many years has this been going on?
Who can I contact for more information?

By Barbara Bernstein on October 6, 2015

We just started this journey. I have a degree in Business and Marketing. I am now unable to work. My husband and I are very Crafty with many crafts and woodworking. Any ideas and suggestions would be helpful. I am searching for a schedule for Western NC and NE Georgia. Where can I locate a schedule for. 2016? We want to and are prepared to make this full-time. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you, Sharon Madray

By Sharon Madray on October 7, 2015

You have to sign up for a membership for the site (19.95 for 3 months). That will allow you to download vendor information . But you can still search by state for events. It will have the name and the dates. I have been a member for 6 months and it has really helped me plan what shows I will be attending.

By Katie on October 8, 2015

I’m starting my Handmade Jewelry Busniess, just being in one show, and reading this has give me lot of ideas…..THANKYOU.

By Carmen del Valle on October 24, 2015

Thank you for your comments and advice is my first time not yet, if the jury approved me for the show on November 23, but their advice is very wise and helpful for the beginning and the future sales at fairs, thanks, I dedicate to wing woodwork for home decoration, and for sure I will succeed with their tips

By Jorge Luis Fumero on November 4, 2015

I am just starting out in the craft world and I have not been to a show yet. I don’t want to sign up for membership because I will probably only be able to attend a few shows but if anyone knows of any events on Long Island in 2016 I would appreciate if they could email me the imfoemation.
Thanks,
Alexa

By Alexa on December 15, 2015

This will be my first season for craft fairs, look forward to showing my beautiful photography , some matted, some framed.
Guess I’ll have to breakdown and subscribe to the official booklet that provides locations and vendor fees.
Bev Maeceline

By Beverly M. Marceline on February 7, 2016

I am new to this. You commented to collect sales using plastic. How do you get one of the card readers and what service must I purchase to use it?
Thank you,

By Joan White on February 26, 2016

Please recommend a company that will allow me to take credit cards as payment. I need one that does not require me to have a website. Thak you very much.

Carole

By Carole Rosenberg on March 24, 2016

Thank you for all the hints. I have just started my business at flea markets, and each market area is different. I’m hoping to travel around FL. to all the craft fairs

By Tillie Caputo on December 31, 2016

I am a vendor and have participated in some show and would love to come to McMinnville to participate in and art and craft fair or show. Plz send me some information about you city, some I can participate.

By Venus stegemoller on February 16, 2017

I make braided rugs and other braided items. I would love to find a nearby craft show where my goods wold sell.

By Carol Rizzo on November 30, 2018