Well, this weekend has been a big learning experience, to say the least. I had fun, but I am pooped. I do not see how people can do this weekend after weekend. Loading everything up, unloading everything, setting up everything. It's a lot of work. I did have fun though. Next week I will have to change some things around in my booth. I have a canopy that we had hung a pretty shower curtain as a background for my soap table. And I have a wooden window with no glass in it to hang my candle holders on that needs to bu hanging up on the canopy. So I need to take the top of the canopy off so it's not so dark inside. And according to more seasoned market vendors, people don't like going INTO a booth. They would rather be on the outside going around the tables. Who knew? SO I have some work to do next week to make it more inviting to people.
I did sell a lot of soap and wash clothes yesterday and one candle holder. Also took an order for a special vase. Today sold a lot of jars and candle holders. I was very happy about that. One lady bought $50 worth. And a lot of soaps. So a good day today. I hope next week is a lot better.
Does anyone else do these type of crafty fairs? And do you actually make money at it?
This market costs $100 per weekend. And I thought that was all the costs. But yesterday, several of the venders around me had white envelopes they were getting ready to take up front. I asked about it and they said it was the envelopes we are supposed to put our 10% of our sales inside. I didn't have one nor had I heard anything about this. So went up front to ask and they said it was in the application online. Well, didn't see that.
Then this morning, a lady stopped at the desk before going in. So I thought I had to as well. I asked what I was supposed to do and they said something about sales tax and then a business license. So I had to pay $4 for this weekend and then $5 more next weekend for the business license, which they were out of. It just seems like they are not all together here. And then I had to ask for a receipt for the $4 I had just given them and he said he thought he had given me one. Nope. Anyway, seems like a lot of money for this and that that I was not aware of when I got into this. It just makes me wonder if people actually make any money doing this.
I have not participated in any craft fairs but this one sounds like a BIG rip off. I would think all fees would have been included in the $100 fee except maybe the sales tax part. I would check with other vendors and other craft fairs to make comparisions. Good Luck, hope you make enough money to make it worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI hope you made enough to cover expenses. Doesn't sound like you covered your labor!
ReplyDeleteNo way have I made back what I have put into this little venture. Nor will I this next weekend either. But I have learned a whole lot about this lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI already have ideas about this next weekend and what I can do to make my booth more inviting. It certainly is colorful! And I have some more things I will be making to sell. Anyway, it's a little jingle in the pocket.
That seems like a lot of money for a weekend. I have done one fair in November each year and its one day only. They charge $10 dollars for the table and they provide it.I know the weekend festivals can range from $50 to $80 dollars.
ReplyDeleteI would add up your expenses and see if you are making that money back after the weekend including your gas. You work very hard making your wonderful soaps and stuff. I hope you make money in this venture. If not save it for the farms markets.
I will definitely take my soaps to the farmer's markets. I have done that. There are 2 or 3 other soap makers at the Brainerd market so since I am new, I can only sell soap there if a few of the others aren't there. But at the Main St. market I don't think there are any soap people.
DeleteAccording to the market managers, this is a cheap price.