As you may already know, I spent this weekend doing a fair. A Winter Market, organised by Bird in Borrowed Feathers.
It was a lovely event, held in a great venue.
I really enjoyed myself, not least because I was able to do a bit of browsing of some great makers’ wares, and to spend time chatting with my friend Maria, of Sunshine – lovely vintage stuff for you and your home, whose fab stall was next to mine…
There were loads of great stalls actually, some of which I managed to photograph.
Everyone involved had put lots of time and energy into making their stalls, and the event, a success.
And a success it undoubtedly was. People enjoyed themselves. Money changed hands.
But nobody ever really talks about the money they actually make at events.
Ask any stallholder, at any event, how it’s going and the chances are they will say that they are doing well, or at worst, that trade is “steady”.
We none of us ever want to admit that actually, trade was slower than we anticipated. Or that people spent less than we hoped.
Or that for all the hours of work and preparation we put in, what we made didn’t really cover it.
We all have too much invested.
I like doing events.
But they are tiring and they take a lot of time, and energy, and preparation to make happen.
I don’t know where I’m going with this post really.
Other than to admit that there’s nothing quite like the feeling of selling your goods and receiving great feedback about them from real customers.
Or conversely, of spending hours watching people file past not buying the things that you have made with your heart and soul, or trying to maintain your smile whilst someone takes twenty minutes to decide whether to buy that £1.50 hair grip.
I always find it a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.
I wonder whether anyone else feels the same? ♥
What a great post – I’ve only done 2 craft/vintage fairs and I took between £200 to £250; I have no idea if this is ‘steady’ or good or what as it’s difficult to ask other stall holders this directly. The fairs were quite small and I was thrilled with what I took, but of course that does not account for the hours spent setting up/taking down/ironing linen/washing and packing delicate vintage glassware etc etc or my pitch fee – it’s hard to work out my profit and I’m not going to get rich but I see the money as a little extra rather than paying the bills. But, the best experience is meeting with other stallholders and customers, which I love and it ends up feeling like a rewarding if tiring experience.
I think you’ve done really well to take that much at small fairs! Obviously it depends on what you’re selling – the jewellery stall opposite me at the weekend had items ranging from about £50 to over £300 each and freely admitted she has a huge profit margin, so one sale for her would have covered her costs for the whole weekend. Whereas I had to work really hard to make a reasonable profit selling mainly things that retailed at £1.50 each!
Did one two weeks ago….soul destroying….worst I have ever done. Have a 2 day event coming up next month so trying not to feel negative before I start…..it is a roller coaster but I have learnt not to take it personally.. Thanks for your honesty
I do try really hard not to take it personally. But my natural insecurity comes through sometimes when I start thinking that everyone else is selling but me. Not helped when you chat with other sellers saying it’s a bit slow, only to have them respond that they’re doing really well!
I quite often really admire and lust after things that other people have made for their craft stalls but don’t actually buy anything because I think, ‘I could make that’! Even if I couldn’t actually make it half as well, I convince myself I could – also, I confess that sometimes I have a jolly good look at other people’s stalls without buying to give me inspiration for my own crafting. The things you make are wonderfully detailed and individual and I only wish I could visit your stall!
Thank you!
I like to support other makers and now make a point of buying presents and treats from their stalls whenever I can. It’s nice to share the love and many other makers I’ve met seem to feel the same – there’s quite a lot of swapping and mutual discounting that goes on between makers, I find!
take courage and good luck for your next event! It’s a brave thing to start selling things you’ve made and well done for giving it a go – fingers crossed it will be a success for you 🙂
I have not begun to take part in events yet, but I am glad to read an honest post about them. So much work, and the outcome is so uncertain! However, good to know that positive things can come of doing them too.
This is why I have virtually given up doing fairs. I used to do lots, but they can be so hit and miss. I grew up doing craft fairs with my dad, who was a Sussex trug basket Maker – such happy memories. But I know he struggled too and people can be quite insensitive about the things you’ve poured your heart and soul into, often pointing out that they are overpriced, or inspecting things to see how they are made and then commenting to their friend that they could make them instead. I have been wondering lately whether I should get back into doing some. You seem to find lovely fairs to be part of! I don’t know what the answer is – apart from to encourage you that your things are beautiful and very original and I bet it’s fun to be the stall next door to Modflowers! xx
Aww, thanks Naomi. You must have really special memories of spending that time with your dad – so many girls don’t get to see their dad that much.
I often see stallholders with kids in tow, although most have electronic entertainment aids to help them pass the time these days!