I had yet another flop of a fair on Saturday, luckily I only paid £10 for the pitch so I did not have to make a lot to cover the cost, which thank god I did! Yet again the lack of advertising let it down.I came back from the fair a little deflated even though I had managed to achieve a lot whilst there in terms of making plans, and re-doing all my price tags. I just though to myself why bother! So I have made a promise to myself in that if all my fairs are a little disappointing this year I am going to bite the bullet and do 'The Country Living Fair' next year. I am looking at doing the Scottish one I think but I am not quite sure yet, so if any of you have any advice, tips on attending the CL fairs as an exhibitor they would be gratefully appreciated.
17 comments:
Oh dear,I'm so sorry. Don't be disheartened though, everyboby is going through bad times at the moment. Just perservere, go for what you want and everything will follow.
Jude
It sounds as though at the minute little craft fairs are just not the place to be - which is quite sad I think. At least if you do a big one next year it will give you plenty of time to make things
lisa x
Sorry sweetie that the fair s haven't been kind to you.
What a fabulous idea to do the Country Living Fair, Clarie from Made in Pixieland and myself would love to do one together because we've heard that they charge you for everything they can. And going harves on it would be better for us. It is a very good show to do, I've sold there and she's sold out of my items both times.
Wishing you all the best of luck, I hope you get to do it.
Many hugs
Catherine x
I'm sorry to hear that the fair wasn't good - I have one at the weekend, and I'm not expecting great things after the last fair I was at - I would really go for the CL fair chick - your work is lovely and I am sure it would justify the cost - echoing mollycupcakes - go halves on a stall with someone to lessen the cost (if you need someone to split it with I will be happy to as I wanted to do one next year but haven't got the guts!) x
Hi Vanessa,
we bit the bullet in 2002 and did our first country living fair and it was so scary. It is a great thing to do though and for a small company can be really useful to raise your profile and make some new connections. The down side is that it is expensive but the suggestions of sharing a stand would help with this. Also you would be able to share the running of the stall too. Molly cupcake is right when she says that there are extra charges after the initial stand fee. (lighting, phone lines for pdq machines etc are extra). I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about our experiences. Just drop me an email.
warm wishes
ginny
So sorry the fair wasn't great. Advertising is crucial and I do think that unless it is advertised professionally and the exhibitors are checked out for quality and suitability - your on a hiding to nothing really.
Having a go at the big fairs must be worth the outlay and to share makes good sense. Good luck & keep the dream.
So sorry to hear your fair wasn't a success, as other bloggers have said things are slow at the moment it is a bit of an in-between time as well, summer (what summer?!)over and people are not quite looking to buy for Christmas. I'm sure if you persevere you will do well.
Hey up .. i think fairs are a bit hit and miss at the moment !! Im sure they will pick up soon and you do well at Christmas time !!
Im sure we can have lots of chats about the CL living fairs (again) especially after next Monday ;0)
S x
Hi, no, dont get down about it, as previously said...It's Christmas soon and I am sure that you will get busier then! Keep your chin up! x
At least you made your money back, don't be disheartened as your items are lovely
: )
You see here I am on the blogs! and I just posted and siad I wouldnt be - but hey its not the weekend until Saturday!! Thank you visiting - we thought Filey was great and will definately be back - I used to go to Reighton Gap for my hols when I was little so I remembered it well
Don't get disheartened! Every time I attend a small fair advertising is top of the stall holders chat - although some have been a disaster even with lots of advertising. Building up a following and word of mouth seem to work, and unfortunately all these take time. I'm 'doing' the Scottish CL fair this year and I really have no idea what to expect in terms of sales - hopefully loads! It is very expensive but I am looking at it as a bit of a spring board for next year.
Good luck - all the Christmas shoppers will soon be out of the wood work!
L
x
Hi Vanessa
I'm sorry to hear that the fair wasn't good. I love your products and think your stall looks fantastic. I'm sure sales will pick up with christmas coming I think you should go for it and do the CL fair I think it would be great for you I'm sure you would sell loads there. Keep perservering you have a great little business there I'm sure things will start to pick up.
Sarahx
Awe Vanessa, so sorry.
But, how exciting to be doing the CL fair next year, wow! You go girl!
Sometimes it takes finding the right fair. I tried a couple last summer and I just decided to go with Etsy instead. I have such a hard time keeping a big enough inventory for fairs.
Best wishes next time!
Hello Vanessa.. thanks for your comment.
I would love to make it to the CL fair one day and did look in to taking a stand there last year but I would need to sell oodles of stock just to cover the cost of of the stand. I have sold items on another stall holders stand and I hope to do so again at the Autumn Fair.
I have attended some abysmal craft fairs.. but that is where the problem lies.. the word Craft can be a non starter for a lot of folk.
If you fancy giving our own bloggers Vintage & Handmade Fair a try next year just contact me. Our first fair is in November and I hope and pray it is a success for everyone there.. It has had some great publicity so far!
Good luck and please let me know if you are going to CL.. I'll come and say hello.
Michele x
Sorry, It didn't work,but I have been in this business for ten years and it is the worst year ever since I started...so hold on and wait for better days!I have done two xmas CL fair and this year will be my third, and I know my sales will not be massive this year, customers tend to make less impulsive purchases with the credit crunch!
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