Travel hand craft fairs

[Crowning_Glory13]

Does anyone sell crafts at shows? Your hand made items at a booth? I know some do this with ponies, but I want to start doing shows with my knitting and other crafts. My dream is to makmake a living off my projects. I do on line sales, but some items are way too big. Or even heavy.

I could use some advice. I am not talking jump ship now, but things to be aware of. Things to have prepared.

I have been floundering with this idea for years....looking to do some flea markets, or craft shows. I like to plan. So I start looking at all options:)

Sorry if this is not worded right. Not sure really how to ask how people work from home.

[banditpony]

My advice to anyone is "don't quit your day job" -- at least, not yet. I think it can take a few trial and errors before you can get your groove.

The biggest thing is finding a product that people want to buy, and that you can turn a profit on. Finding your niche.

related -- in the long run, how do you keep it fresh. If you keep going to the same places (or within the same driving distance), the customers might be the same, and if it's a product they might buy only 1-2 of then your sales will drop off.

The next thing is marketing yourself. You should have a strong online presence and should be active on multiple social medias (especially instagram). A lot of places want to see this, especially if it's a juried show.

Both of these things you need to work on now, not later. It takes time to develop...

[Crowning_Glory13]

Awesome thank you. Yeah this wont take over a day job yet. I would do part time before I have no job....just ready to be my own boss:) thanks for the insight.

[banditpony]

We have a contemporary flea in my area, that is much more like a maker market then a traditional flea, and it has business incubator classes. Maybe you can find a program like that.

[Crowning_Glory13]

I might have to look. I might be moving so nothing right away. Any insight, how to prep, costs that come up...online presence. I do facebook and ebay, but not sure where to branch out. Tried to figure out instagram... haha

[banditpony]

How to prep?

You should set a schedule to dedicate time to your craft. Set up a location that is comfortable to work with minimal distractions. Stick to it, no excuses, like a job.

Instagram isn't hard -- you take pictures. You socialize and market yourself by being active. I mean cost is whatever, but you need to be active, there will be a time for that as you gain traction. Make things. Take pictures of those things (tag them). Be /social/. Collaborate with others. Get others to take pictures of your things and tag you. Both on instagram and facebook.

No one is going to know you or your product if you don't put yourself out there. I mean, at this point I don't even know what you plan to sell. so I can't be more specific. :/

[Crowning_Glory13]

Selling knit projects, pony/toys I find out an about but mostly knitting projects.

I make accomplishments for the new year instead of resolutions, but one accomplishment I want to achieve is to have stock of my projects for sale. Not looking at a 100 pieces but reach 25:)

[banditpony]

Hm.
I'm trying to make you think about this. I still don't know what you are going to make. I know the material you are going to use.

What I want to say is how is your product going to differentiate itself from what's already out there. How is it unique?

If you are making a scarf... ok, what about it is going to make it a "must have" for someone. Most people just wanna buy a cheap scarf at the store.

Dolls are a bigger hobby then ponies. The pony collector market is small, and people who like fashion wear is smaller, people want to buy handmade fashionwear is smaller yet, and people who will KEEP buying handmade fashionwear... well , you get the picture. There's a lot of doll people out there tho, and always will be. 

My favorite person to buy from etsy took down her shop... but she hand knitted doll fashion and it was amazing. I think things were priced from $30~$60
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiajiadoll/8513985956/in/album-72157632875802608/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiajiadoll/3882470683/in/album-72157621283692602/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiajiadoll/3636152136/in/album-72157613374917842/

I thought the sense of style, and quality were down right amazing.