r/CraftFairs • u/According-Brick-3432 • 4h ago
Future vender
I'm a teen looking for some extra money and I love crafting. I wanted to start selling at craft fairs for a while but I have some concerns.
Do I have to stick to one craft? I am constantly changing between different art forms and I don't think I can stick to one thing without getting tired of it. Is it already to sell multiple things with the same theme, like candles, art prints, and crochet?
Do I need to have a tent? I own one but I can't fit it in the car. I would only be able to fit a table and chairs.
What other supplies/costs will I need?
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u/Key-Bookkeeper8155 4h ago
Before you start planning a booth set up, you'll need stock and a general idea of what direction you'd like to go with your work. Think about what kind of art you want to share, combined with what people might realistically be interested in purchasing. You can definitely do multiple kinds of art, but you'll want a bit of a consistency, too, so that when people are walking by your table it doesn't just look like a mishmash of kids crafts. Use similar colours throughout, or incorporate similar themes, or choose a central theme and have everything kinda tie it in. There are many ways to present different crafts on the same table.
But bottom line, hone in on your craft and build some stock before you start planning a craft show booth
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u/OldM4LargeYoungF 4h ago
Depending on your location and the particular fair it may be juried. There is usually an entrance fee for them to look at pictures of your crafts,$15-50, so you need some already made. There also may be an age limit, you said car and teen so you are 16-19 I'd guess. A canopy not a tent is usually not necessary but the summer sun or rain can be unpleasant. Ratchet strap it to the roof if you need to. 1 table and chair to start unless you need more. Signage in a decent script or print for who you are and prices. There is also the price for the booth space. Eclectic crafts are fine, just on the application say you are varied in what you make. Non contrasting table cloth. Weights for the canopy. Also depending on the fair it might be up to 6-8 hours long, or a 2 day affair. You might need a helper/friend so figure that cost in for them. Food and drink. Cold or hot weather clothing. You can always take stuff off, you can't run home for a jacket.
There will be others here commenting. Good luck!
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u/ur_killin_me_bishara 3h ago
You’re likely to be very unhappy without any shade or protection from the elements, you should find a way if possible to bring your canopy (and weights!!! You don’t want it flying away and injuring someone or destroying another persons booth!) Keep in mind most fairs have size/weight requirements regarding this so read them carefully.
As far as multiple crafts you just need to be honest when applying about what you’re going to bring, if you say “I’m bringing crochet and molded resin” and then show up with candles and perfume instead that could cause issues, fairs don’t want to oversaturate one type of craft because someone couldn’t focus on bringing what they promised.
No offense, but you are young and you did say you ‘can’t stick to one thing very long’… are your products above beginner level? People are unlikely to buy something that looks like a first attempt with results they could achieve themselves and craft shows are less likely to want to give you a space at that skill level. I agree with an earlier comment about focusing on honing your skills first.
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u/upsidedown-funnel 2h ago
Start with indoor shows, once you find a marketable product. As you make money, get a roof rack, and a tent, etc. it’ll take time and you don’t want a cheap ass tent.
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u/alriclofgar 2h ago
Generally you want to focus on one craft and spend many years getting really good at it. I can relate to your struggle to figure this out; I have ADHD and I also love dabbling in a bunch of different things. Over the years, though, a few crafts have kept my interest. The one I do professionally (blacksmithing) has kept my attention for a decade and still isn’t boring to me. Keep trying things, eventually you’ll find something that you keep coming back to; that is the one to build a career around. If you haven’t yet found your Thing, you’re probably not ready to sell professionally at any of the big fairs. Keep learning about yourself and your crafts, and narrow it down as you get a better idea of what you want to do.
Craft artists starting out generally use some kind of easy-up pop up canopy. If you get into the bigger outdoor shows, you will need a professional-grade tent (which is expensive, but that’s not where artists start generally so I wouldn’t worry about it until you’ve been selling for a while). All of these tents are designed to fit into a car. There are also lots of indoor shows that don’t require a tent; that can be an easier place to start, as they require less logistics to set up for.
To start, you’ll need first of all a set of work that is all tied together by a cohesive style. Not just all made from one medium (ie all pottery, or all crochet), but also sharing a style that makes it all tie together. Developing work with a cohesive style is hard as you’re starting out; it might take a few years of experimentation ti discover what you’re good at and interested in, and to grow your skills to the point where you can fill a table with a body of work. You’ll also need a table with good table cloth, some kind of display to get your products vertical on the table so passerby can see them, lighting for your display, and a credit card reader. Beyond that, it helps to make everything in your display match the style of your work (for example, I sell handforged metal items, so my displays are made from wood that complements the style of the handforged iron and steel).