It's been a couple of weeks since my last blog post and unfortunately I missed last weeks Handmade Monday. Hello everyone, I hope you are well.
Since this blog is about my journey into running a small craft business I will be sharing with you the highs and the lows. I'm sorry to say that this post will be mostly about the lows.
I spent the week before last making some new handbags in preparation for a craft fair last Sunday. Unfortunately the fair was not very successful and left me feeling quite despondent.
I am trying hard to look at the reasons why it wasn't successful and turn those into positives that I can learn from, however I'm beginning to feel that the 'craft' in Craft Fair can be somewhat of a loose term.
I must admit I was very prepared in terms of my stock and everything I would need for my stall for the day, however what was lacking was my research of the actual event. Was this the right place for me to sell my handmade handbags? In the cold light of day, no it probably wasn't.
This particular fair had a number of sellers selling items which they've purchased from a wholesaler and then are selling on. I'm not saying there is anything necessarily wrong in that, however these are items which can be found on most market stalls in town centres these days and are certainly not individually handcrafted. In my case in particular there was a stall selling bought in handbags at very low prices. I could not possibly compete on price unless I was practically giving my handbags away.
However, I can compete on quality. I know my handbags are of good quality as I've had feedback which supports this. So the next question is, of the few people who actually attended the craft fair would they a) like my handbags and appreciate the quality and handmade nature of them and b) having liked and appreciated would they buy at the price I ask? On that particular day at that particular place the answer was a resounding no.
I will certainly be doing more research next time. I'm looking at some upcoming Craft Fairs which advertise as being 'handcrafted only' and where possible I will be attending as a buyer before committing as a seller.
I would be very interested to hear about other crafters' experiences. Please feel free to leave a comment.
As I always like to include a picture or two in my posts here are some of the new handbags I made for the fair.
A VW Camper Van Tote Bag and Cross-Body Bag. The tote bag is lined in the same taupe dotty fabric as can be seen in the photograph.
I also made a smaller version of the cute owl cross-body bag I showed you a few weeks ago...
I'm off now to check out what everyone else has been up to over at Handmade Monday
Have a great week.
11 comments:
Try not to be despondant. I think you are right about it being the wrong type of event for you. Though I haven't attended a fair as a seller (yet - 2 weeks to go!) I know from attending as a customer, and from listening to friends, that sometimes, a craft fair is a nice day out,and people don't necessarily go with the intention of parting with much cash. The quality of your bags could never be in question as they look amazing in your blog photos. I have made a couple of "larger" items for my stall but I have concentrated on small items really, as I think they are more likely to sell.
I'm so sorry to hear that the craft fair wasn't a success.
Although I don't sell things, from what I'm hearing from friends who do, it's pretty much a hit/miss game as to whether they're successfully.
Best of luck xx
Big hugs from me, it sounds like that particular fair may not be for you. What a shame to have to 'compete' against people who've just brought the items in, as opposed to people who've dedicated hours of their time to create things. Don't despair - the right fair will appear soon, because your bags are irresistable.
Thank you ladies for your kind comments. I will keep going & try to find the right events. X
that's a shame about the craft fair but you are certainly not alone in your experiences, i hear other crafters reporting similar ones all the time. I agree that the best you can do is research the event as much as poss before hand. Don't let this set back get you down - you have a high quality handcrafted product that lots of discerning people will be thrilled to find, its just a matter of finding them! x
I am really sorry for you. It must be very hard to try not to take things a bit personally. I think that it is right to be honest and to therefore learn from this. I hope that the next one is more successful for you. :)
I agree with Free Spirit - you do need to research fairs and find out whether they are for you. Rather than feel despondent, try to look upon this as a very necessary learning curve - you've gained valuable insight into a type of event you should avoid. Competing against "bought-in" is hard, but at the right event it can be done (you never should have to at a craft fair, but I know from experience how common it is). Probably my best-ever event was a VW show - as you have campervan(etc)-related stuff and are different to others, it might be a good one for you too. Best of luck in finding a niche for selling your lovely bags - there are customers just waiting for you somewhere!! x
I unfortunately had a similar experience a opulent of Christmases ago and I remember feeling an utter failure. All that time spent preparing and then nothing. I literally sold nothing.
I should have done more research, the organisers didn't publish the event well and it was very badly out together. I'm just glad I didn't pay for the privilege of being ignored.
Many people want cheap mass produced prices for handmade items and I think we've got to be careful with which markets we concentrate on.
Your bags are fabulous and I'd certainly stop to look at them. You haven't said what your prices are but is it worth looking at etsy and folksy to compare? You could easily turn your bags into on bags for baby wearing mothers - that's a massive market and you'd have a customer here :waves hands: if you did.
I'm ever so glad I found your lovely items via Handmade Monday and I hope to be a regular visitor.
Sorry to hear your fair didn't go well. You have a lovely product. Your bags look great and the fabrics are unique and pretty. I'd just put it down to experience.
Ali x
It's a shame that the fair wasn't successful for you, I don't do as many fairs as I used to but I still have my favourites. Other events I have dropped because of a variety of reasons, bad advertising, too many non craft items etc. Don't give up, you will find the good ones that suit you through research and trial & error.
Jan x
Cute bags! I really like the VW camper bags. That's cool fabric!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
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