Getting Ready for the Bazaar...

[appy_lover]

Is anyone interested in joining me for a CAL for items they are making for holiday craft shows, farmers markets, bazaars, or even online?

 

I am trying to get myself motivated and get some stuff ready, but it is hard to be motivated in the heat of summer to make hats, scarves, etc.

 

What are you working on? What are your goals? What sells well for you? Is this your first time, or are you a veteran craft show participant? Do you design your own patterns, or have you found some that work well for you and gotten permission to sell them?

 

I'm not big on rules, but it would be fun to post pictures, goals, and once the shows are completed share your success stories.

 

Please remember to respect copyrights for items you will be selling. There can be no discussion of selling items from copyrighted patterns without permission from the designer.

[alp1]

I have never done a craft fair of any kind but my sister-in-law and I are considering it. Would love to know what kinds of things everyone is making. if you are interested in sharing info I look forward to reading it.

 

Good Luck!

[emeraldjayne62]

am in on this our new year starts for Relay for life and I need some ideals on making items to sale at our fair in sept. this is my 1st time so any help would be great .this will be a on going thing for me to help raise money for relay so count me in:think:hug

[~Elise~]

I'm getting ready to go to a Scottish games...so I'm going to be looking for some tam patterns, get some dishcloths and bookmarks done. Since this is a last minute thing (less than a month away--I'm going to start hookin' it.)

 

Elise

[Jempast]

I am in. I have an art festival next month. This CAL is perfect for me!

[Jempast]

Here is what I have planned to make for the art festival:

 

• Afghan of My Grandparents (to try & win best in the show)
  
• Beanie Caps with Matching Scarf Sets
  
• Baby Booties
  
• Ice Cream Cone Purse (Pattern by CroJulee)
  
• Candy Cane Ornaments
  
• Purses
  
• Snowflakes
  
• Several Amigurumis
  
• Nativity Scene
  
• Christmas Ornaments
  

[Feederofthepack]

I'm in! DH has this "great" idea of selling at our annual flea market/craft fair. He makes hooks and stuff from wood and wants me to crochet tons of stuff for sale. You know the type-everything I have ever made he said "you could sell that!" Grrr! He wants to sell all the 12 Scarves CAL stuff I've made for Christmas presents! I'm not that good and he's turning my hobby into a chore! I doubt we'll sell much. So I'm making simple stuff. Scarves and hats in local school colors and novelty designs that I have come up with. It will really help to have a CAL to make this less of a chore!

[docmjfitz]

Jempast - I am wondering if you can share with or direct me to your pattern for candy cane ornaments. They sound interesting...Thank you, and good luck with your craft show!

Andrea

[appy_lover]

Thanks for joining me! My best sellers are hats..lots and lots of hats. Most of my hats are my own design, just whatever I feel like at the moment. I have what I call the "I hate working in ends earflap hat". It is made all in one piece, unless I add stripes. I also make lacey hats for girls/ladies, tam type hats, basic hats, hats in crazy colors, hats with plastic lizards sewn on them, and soft baby hats.

 

Scarves are great, and red was a big color for scarves last year. I sell them fuzzy, simple, lacey, made from anything from acrylic to silk/wool.

 

I've also made 2 pairs of leg warmers this year, with plans for a few more to see how they do. I sold one pair last year, and had several other requests so I wanted to have some ready this year.

 

I need to make a ton of bookmarks also. They are a favorite small item. I just make a strip with number 10 thread in a pretty stitch, and add a loop at the end. At the end I put a button or a charm, whatever I find that is cheap to make them personal. Then startch them up and use clear celephane I get from the dollar store, and some white cardboard to package them. I sell them for $3-5, depending on what they are like and how much time I have in them.

 

This year I also made a few shawls from ribbon yarn. We'll see how those sell before I spend to much more time making them.

 

Things I made last year with disappointing sales numbers--wrist warmers & cell phone/ipod cozies.

 

So my goals before craft show season--

25 bookmarks (have 23)

10-20 scarves (have 6)

45-60 hats (probably have about 47)

5-10 bassinet purses(none yet)

5-10 little girls purses/bags from scraps (have 8)

5-6 pairs of leg warmers in various sizes (have 2)

4-5 shawls (have 4)

 

Have a lot of wips & items needing blocking or finish work, but won't count them till ready to sell.

[Amy]

Just a reminder to respect our forum guidelines relating to copyright and trademark issues when discussing the items you plan to sell. You can only discuss patterns that specifically give permission to sell items you make or patterns for which you've received permission from the copyright owner to sell your items. (In this case, please be sure to mention in your post that the copyright owner has granted you permission to sell your items.)

 

As far as trademark goes, you cannot talk about selling any items featuring trademarked/copyrighted characters unless you've received permission from the trademark/copyright owner to sell your items. (For example, cartoon characters, company logos, sports team logos, etc.) Most trademark/copyright owners would require you to make licensing arrangements, which are probably much more expensive than the price you'd be able to charge for your finished item. Again, in this case, if you have permission, please mention it in your post.

 

Anyone who has mentioned specific items that don't fit with these guidelines should edit their post to remove such items from discussion.

[minicmi]

I'm planning on doing a few craft shows for the winter season. I'm making dish cloths, pot holders, amigurumi toys, baby blankets with matching hats and teddy bears. As soon as i get access to a computer that will let me post pictures I will have some up.

[Feederofthepack]

Sounds like you have a lot to do! I maybe 20 scarves and hats and a few other items. DH just decided to do this a couple of weeks ago and the market is in 1 month so I will have to get moving. I really hate what I call the "sweat shop" work. I don't want to get too creative because I think basic will sell better here.

[appy_lover]

Copyright note! The aforementioned candy cane and Christmas Wreath pipecleaner patters do have copyright permission on the designer's blog for sale of finished items. http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/07/crochet-wreath.html It is not posted under the videos, but rather at her blog where the written pattern is provided.

 

Please be super careful to take note of Amy's post!! This CAL could go off course easily if we aren't vigilant, and I'd hate for it to be closed!!

 

My "i hate working in ends earflap hat" and my little girl's leg warmers pattern are my own designs. Would anyone be interested in them? I would be willing to write one or both of them up for you, if anyone is interested. Right now they are kind of in my head, with a few notes in my notebook. I would in the spirit of this CAL allow for sale of completed items.

[appy_lover]

Feader of the Pack...I do have a lot to do. To keep myself motivated I will often rent movies and hook for two hours while I watch. (redbox is my friend!!) I also take a project with me all the time. Hats are great for that. I stick to basic stitches for some things, or use lacey shells in basic shapes for hats and scarves to keep things interesting. A favorite stitch of mine is the sweet pea stitch, or a basic shell. They look really fancy for a scarf, but turn out really quickly, and are just different enough to keep me from getting bored. Sometimes I will pull out books of basic stitches and choose new stitches to try and use that for scarves or the consistent rounds of a hat.

[goofy]

hey ladies! I sell items at my friends ice cream shop and could use the company and motivation of this group. Right now I have a bookmark, washclothes and some baby hats (hat pattern by me) in her shop for sale. I don't get alot of time to work on more things as my family is in the middle of a baby boom and I'm trying to get baby blankets made for them. But when I can sneak in some time I like to make more things so I will be joining you.

[Feederofthepack]

Feader of the Pack...I do have a lot to do. To keep myself motivated I will often rent movies and hook for two hours while I watch. (redbox is my friend!!) I also take a project with me all the time. Hats are great for that. I stick to basic stitches for some things, or use lacey shells in basic shapes for hats and scarves to keep things interesting. A favorite stitch of mine is the sweet pea stitch, or a basic shell. They look really fancy for a scarf, but turn out really quickly, and are just different enough to keep me from getting bored. Sometimes I will pull out books of basic stitches and choose new stitches to try and use that for scarves or the consistent rounds of a hat.

:hookGood movies to crochet by we call "crochet porn"!

I spend a lot of time in the vet hospital waiting room and they call me the crochet lady. I made a hat and another small item there yesterday.

This is our first time vending so it will be interesting. Anyone have any tips for the whole experience in general?

[CroJulee]

Ok, chiming in. Been reading this thread since it started. I love reading about what items people like to sell, their selling experiences and other crochet business related things.

 

One thing I always did when I was selling at a craft show is crochet. Nothing to intense. Just a hat, scarf, or dishcloth. I think that is a great way to draw people in. People really like seeing things made. It's a great selling point when a person see's something that they are potentially going buy, being built right before there eyes. Of course, when a customer comes up put what ever your working on down so you can pay attention to them but if you can put it down in plain view so other people will see it (you can advertise to one person while talking with another).

 

Anywho, just my 2 cents.

 

I've been thinking about stocking up again and finding a craft show to go to later this year. I miss mixing with people and selling my own items and talking (and talking, and talking). yeah, it plain wore me out but that was my fault. I really get into those sorts of things and talk about all kinds of subjects some I don't know anything about but I muddle through. Kinda tires a persons brain.

 

Julee

[natashaann]

I'm working on things for my first craft fair & I'm really nervous! I guess the only thing to do is try it. Hopefully I will do well and recoup at least my booth rental which is $25, $20 if I donate an item to their raffle.

I have made:

5 totes

dishcloths

hotpads

4 baby blankets

spa sets

 

From the posts above it looks like I better get busy on hats & scarves.

I'd like to crochet some fall leaves. Does anyone know of a pattern that I can make that gives permission to sell?

TIA!

[barbstitches]

My mom and I are wanting to start making things for craft shows also, but I'm always confused about what price to ask for things. Any guidlines for pricing?

[CroJulee]

My mom and I are wanting to start making things for craft shows also, but I'm always confused about what price to ask for things. Any guidlines for pricing?

http://qualitycrochet4fun.blogspot.com/2008/06/things-that-sell-well-at-farmers.html

 

The link above might help a bit.

[appy_lover]

Welcome Everyone!!!

 

I have so much stuff to make because my general plan is to hit 4-5 shows, plus some private stuff. I usually sell some at work and to family. My aunts & cousins generally go a little hat/scarf crazy after Thanksgiving dinner. I would feel guilty about selling at the family function if they didn't love it so much.

 

CroJulee--I would definately check out that show I went to last year at the Ponderay Fairgrounds. The booth was reasonable, and I made my sales goal. I would avoid the dishcloth/pot holder route there though because there was so much of that. I bet that dog sweater you designed awile back would draw plenty of interest.

[CroJulee]

Welcome Everyone!!!

 

I have so much stuff to make because my general plan is to hit 4-5 shows, plus some private stuff. I usually sell some at work and to family. My aunts & cousins generally go a little hat/scarf crazy after Thanksgiving dinner. I would feel guilty about selling at the family function if they didn't love it so much.

 

CroJulee--I would definately check out that show I went to last year at the Ponderay Fairgrounds. The booth was reasonable, and I made my sales goal. I would avoid the dishcloth/pot holder route there though because there was so much of that. I bet that dog sweater you designed awile back would draw plenty of interest.

I might have to check that one out. Sales would probably be much better in Sand point then it would here in Bonners. Do you remember how much it was for a booth?

 

I used to sell lots of potholders then I got really tired of them so I started making other things. I kept a few potholders around and accepted a couple of custom orders for them but over all they aren't worth the time it takes to make them. I did have one custom order for 7-8 pot holders at $6.00 a piece one time. Just the magic square about 7"X7". Didn't take much yarn to make all of those either.

 

Julee

[miss scarlet]

Hi

My DD and I do 2 shows a year. One the end of june and the other in Nov. The shows are 3-4 days. We pay for a booth, $285.00 - $450.00 depending on the show. Attendance is about 50,000 - 100,000 people. We are really busy. I have been doing shows for about 22 years now. I have learned not to work on things in your booth if it is just you. If there is 2 people then yes one can work.

Things I make

kids sweaters- own pattern

baby sets- own pattern

dishcloths- own pattern

towels with toppers- own pattern

slippers- own pattern

afghans- own pattern

 

I just find different stitches and away I go.

I love meeting different people and I love getting ideas from them.

 

Just my 2 cents worth

Thanks

[CroJulee]

Hi I have learned not to work on things in your booth if it is just you. If there is 2 people then yes one can work.

 

 

I just find different stitches and away I go.

I love meeting different people and I love getting ideas from them.

 

Just my 2 cents worth

Thanks

 

Our craft shows are pretty small here (def. not 50,000) so sometimes it's nice to have something to work on when things are a little slower. There were times when it got really busy and I had to put it down for a while but those times were easy to distinguish. It really did help draw in people. That's just my experience though.

 

Julee

[appy_lover]

I work on something small when it is slow, something I can easily put down and come back to. People do seem interested in what I am making, and in a way I think they like knowing they met the "artist" if you will.

 

I went home and counted last night, so I'll update the numbers in my post of goals. Long way to go. Last night I worked in ends, finished up 5 hats I had made over the weekend. After looking at my numbers I started another scarf. Plymouth Encore in a light brown, basic dc, figured it would be good for a man or woman. It is currently about 2 feet long.

 

Do ya'll buy special yarns, or stick with mostly cotton & acrylic? I've not had much luck with higher end yarns & wool, but they are so much nicer to work with. I decided I'd try again, but only if I got really good deals and could keep the prices down. When our local yarn store went out of business I stocked up on some silk/wool blends on clearance, as well as some higher end acrylics. We'll see how well I did.