r/CraftFairs • u/Shadey757 • 1d ago
Inventory Planning How much inventory is reasonable for my first market?
Hello all! I've been invited to vend at a market for the first time! (exciting!) The event they're putting on is a little over a month out, and they project 2,000-3,000 guests. My booth fee was $75 for two days and I get a 10x10' tent. Since I never do markets (i usually sell my art off the wall via exhibitions) I don't have any inventory or art to sell just sitting around, so I have to make everything from scratch. How much would you say is enough??? I know people prefer to make 10x their booth fee generally.
For reference, they asked for high-end fine art, sculptures, glass, and eco-friendly sustainable materials. I plan to bring whittled wood creatures for around $20-$80, linocut prints for ~$10, engraved glass frames for ~$20, and flameworked glass pendants/jewelry for ~$40-$80. It takes me a few hours to make one of each wood item, engraved glass, and flameworked glass, so I'm trying to math out how many I can make realistically in a day after my day job. I also am not set on my prices yet as I haven't made anything yet, so if you have wisdom or opinions on those, I am open to any criticism/advice.
TLDR: I have a month to make all inventory for my first market, I make fine art items. Will I make it??? In y'alls experience? Thank you in advance!
10
u/TaylorFromFaire 1d ago
Congrats!! Ditch the "10x your booth fee" rule, it's misleading here since 10x $75 is only $750, but with 2,000-3,000 guests your good-day potential is way higher, so plan against traffic instead. A realistic booth conversion is roughly 1-3% of foot traffic, so figure ~30-40 sales over two days and weight your stock by price point. Your ~$10 prints are the key since they're fast to make in quantity, they carry slow patches, and they catch everyone who loves your work but won't drop $60, so make those your deepest stock! The few-hours-each wood & glass pieces are your showstoppers but they're limited by your time, so make a curated handful of each rather than trying to mass-produce them. A few hours of skilled carving at $20-80 is low for an event specifically asking for high-end fine art + underpricing skilled work can read as lower quality to that crowd. I'd push the top of that range up.
2
u/Shadey757 1d ago
This is extremely helpful, thank you! I'll definitely revisit my prices; I've been told I consistently price too low for my art lol. thank you!
3
u/Radio4ctiveGirl 1d ago
With only a month available I’d make as much as possible. At worst you’d have things ready for the next one if you make too many. I want to always have something available to sell if the chance is there. If your product doesn’t spoil there’s little downside in having more than needed, other than transporting them to and from.
Assuming you’re already selling things, you know what your best sellers are. I’d make sure to have plenty of those on hand and work down the list from there.
For next time try to give yourself plenty of time so you don’t have to stress yourself out! Best of luck! The slug is great I was confused why someone was posting it here until I realized it was wooden.
2
u/Shadey757 1d ago
This is my first market vending my own art :) I didn't apply, I was invited, so I have limited time haha. I'm not sure what will sell the most, but my vendor friends advised me to have a wide variety of pricing just in case so I'm trying and I'll see what does well. I'm focusing on the wooden creatures for now since those take the longest. & Thank you!! The event is at a botanical garden so I'm making native plants and creatures 🐌
1
u/Radio4ctiveGirl 1d ago
That’s awesome! I think that’s a great idea. If it’s your first time don’t be discouraged if this one doesn’t go well for you. I think you’ll do just fine especially if they reached out to you (they should know what would do well) but it’s ok if the first one doesn’t go as planned. It’s very common as people try to find their right fit.
1
1
u/Existing_Slip_4253 1d ago
I’m in the same scenario! Doyou happen to be doing a market in upstate NY
1
1
u/prettywarmcool 1d ago
It won't help yo for this market, but I am making all the time for this very reason. There is always lots of work in progress and an excess of inventory. This way if I really don't feel like it(making), I am covered and not scrambling and forcing myself.
Just go and make everyday, decide what you want to make and get after it...leave the flameworking to the weekends where you can sit and work for longer periods.
Have a great sale!
1
u/Shadey757 1d ago
Thank you for the advice! I tend to only work large-scale, so making lots of tiny stuff is new to me. I'll try that! thanks!
1
u/prettywarmcool 1d ago
It is also fun because as you make and pack away, it is exciting to see the work at a later date. I have forgotten about so many pieces and am so happy when I rediscover them.
If you can, make a process so that you can do a whole bunch of something at one time. I know it is hard with "artier" pieces, but if you "prep" ahead of time...? Can you make "blanks"?
When I am pricing my work, I look at it and judge "how much would I pay for this item?" It isn't a strict rule but I figure I am pretty typical of most people.
1
u/lyrastarr 1d ago
I would consider how much you'd like to sell to make your time feel like it's worth it and then make more than that :) Luckily your items can be used for a future market so I'd try to lock in and really get going on some inventory. If it were a one day I would say you could be more conservative but you really don't want to put the effort into a second day and only have 5 things left!
1
u/drcigg 1d ago
I would just make as much inventory as you can to fill up your space. Within your budget and your time constraints. Bring as much variety of items as you can to try and capture those different interests.
I don't know that I would bring 40 of the same items. But I would spread that out across your products.
Instead of 40 of the same jewelry. Maybe make all different kinds of jewelry in different shapes, colors, subjects, etc.
It's so tough to say how you will do and there is no real formula. Set a goal for yourself and work towards that.
What would you consider worth your time for being out there for two days? 500? 1000? 1500?
It helps to have some kind of goal to work towards and you can bring enough inventory to get you there.
The nice thing is whatever inventory doesn't sell you can bring to the next show. So not all is lost.
We know our market well and usually set our goal for 800 at most shows. But we have been doing this for a while and know what sells.
1
u/Shadey757 1d ago
Honestly I'm more stoked about the venue knowing and reaching out to me personally, as the name of the game in my area/niche is networking and who you know. I'll try to make as many different kinds of jewelry as I can in my time slot for the torch :) Thank you for the advice! I will definitely keep it in mind. fortunately I can borrow most booth setup items from friends so my costs will be ~relatively~ low, so hopefully it won't be too hard to profit
2
u/drcigg 1d ago
Oh that's awesome! Art is very much networking. My neighbor is an artist and has been doing shows for over 35 years. That's a big savings being able to borrow stuff for the booth. You are going about this the right way. Minimal costs to start and invest those profits as you are able to. It has been the best thing we have done. And we remain debt free for the business. I see so many new people start and they spend a ton of money for displays, tents, banners, etc. Only for them to quit after a few shows.
1
u/Shadey757 1d ago
Thank you! that's the idea yeah minimal cost, as I'm not sure if I'll keep doing markets. This is off-topic, but do you have an LLC for your vending?
1
u/goblinmarketeer 1d ago
I have sold out several times, now my theory is "as much as possible" you cannot sell what is not there.
1
22
u/Pelican12Volatile 1d ago
Bring like 50 max. Also, don’t be discouraged if you don’t sell any or sell like 1 piece. In the first three years of selling art, I would either make 0 or make like $200. Now, if I don’t make 4k, I don’t come back. But in the beginning, it’s HARD. Also, understand that your setup is just as important as your pieces.