Need Advice for a Craft/Homebusiness fair

[TupperwareinMisawa]

:help:
Hello all! I'm going to be participating in Craft Fair on Oct. 1. This is my first time having a table at one, so I'm looking for any tips you may have if you've done a craft fair.
Can you please tell me what's been successful, the best products to have on hand, that kind of thing. Also, if anyone has any photos of displays that you've set up and wouldn't mind sharing, I would love to see them. Please email me at misawatupperware@aol.com.
I also have to donate something from my table for a raffle they are having, what should I include?
Thanks in advance for any help!

[gems]

I do at least 2 a month, but what I am finding is make it colorful, add some fruit it could even be fake stuff from the craft store. Put it in a bowl or fridge smart on the tables, add flowers for the season or colored fabric to match the tupperware or the season. Add some height use boxes or now that I do so much I have shelving but I didn't when I first started. If you buy a shelving unit that comes apart you can ajust to the size of the fair or the size of stuff that you want to display. A table cloth to the floor is nice it keeps the booth looking neat and clean and then your bags and things can hide under there also.
As to what to have on display is always a guessing game. But go with what is going on in the season, summer grilling, eating at parks, the baking season will be here soon.
I always take the Thatsa and Mega bowls, Rock-n-Serve, I sell alot of the impression stuff but what to have on hand in the section changes everytime I do a show. Kid things I alway have the bell tumblers, sippy seals, Shape-O ball and the baby cereal store Jr. You will get a feel for what people ask for once you do a few. I would buy alot of inventory because you can get in over your head, but if you plan to do some all through the year you could sell cash and carry. I turn my inventory over very fast due to the fact that I find 2-3 vendor shows a month. Hope this helps.

[hartcollectibles]

Hi,

I started reading this thread and I love the idea of doing one of these shows...

A question for you!

Do you take orders or do you have the stuff on hand and when you run out your done? If you take orders...do you find that people have a hard time with paying up front or are they pretty okay with it?

Thanks!
Michelle

[gems]

As to have stuff on hand, when I first started doing these I had very little. As I had a few parties I used my commissions to build up. I would sell the things that I brought, all of it is new and never used for food, only displays. At first I didn't charge any shipping but then realized that is less in my pocket to build my business so now I charge shipping and tax on the spot they are just happy to get it that day. Also now I price all items with one price that is the retail price plus shipping and tax. So you don't have to do any calculator things (unless they buy more than 1 item) if they ask what is the price of this with shipping and tax? You will still get someone who wants to order something that you don't have on display. Just make sure to reinvest the money to build up more. I would then place a party and get the free and 1/2 price items to build up my kit also.

Make sure you talk to people that come by your booth, pick something up that you like to talk about or something they are looking at and tell them the benifits of having that item. Now is a good time to talk gifts, some of the older people stop at the craft show and tell you they have so much. Say "that is great! Since you love the product, don't you have someone for x-mas that would love to get tupperware?"

Hope this helps.

[annridout]

Great information! I especially love having the price include the shipping & tax. I'm doing a set up at an Open House here locally and now feel more confident on what to do! Thanks gals!


:co1