Is it possible to make money at craft sales or flea markets selling handmade goods?

Question

Okay, so I have a little talent. You may think it's only VERY little. I can knit. I can whip up adorable mittens in a couple of hours, knit socks, make cute beaded and wire-work jewelry, etc.

Does anyone ever REALLY make any money at craft fairs? My feeling on the matter is that unless you get your supplies for wholesale, you're unlikely to even recoup the cost of your materials (yarn, sterling wire, etc.).

I'm not looking to get rich. Just pay for my materials and maybe make enough for a few Christmas gifts or to support my continued creative habits. People continue to DO this type of thing, so someone must make SOME money out of it. Is there a secret to this? Certain things or price ranges that sell like hot cakes?

I'm very curious about this!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Let me clarify: I do NOT wish to quit my day job and make a living as an "artist." I work full time and plan to do so until retirement. In fact, I love my REAL job. I'm just wondering if I'd LOSE tons of money getting a booth twice a year or if I might actually make a couple hundred bucks.

Answer 1

The secret to this is PATIENCE!! My husband and I are both very crafty people. He & I both go to crafts fairs and farmers markets. some days are better than others. the first one we went to, we only "made" about $100. That covered the cost of our table, and very little of our aupplies. But we gained experience. We did a lot of research before we started to get ideas on pricing and what kinds of things sell. I still have most of the articles saves on my computer; I can send them to you if you send me your email address. One option that we also did was start a small business website. We sometimes sell more that way than through the craft fairs.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I always made a lot of money everytime I rented a table at a local craft fair,with only 2 exceptions. Once,I was stuck at a table in the basement right next to a woman that was selling giant wooden head shelf sitter dolls hand over fist. My product, decorated,musical teddy bears, was selling dismally when only months before I shared an upstairs table with a friend at the same fair and sold over six hundred dollars worth in one day.Another failure was an Easter craft show at a place I'd never been before and didn't even sell enough of my polymer clay Easter pins to pay for the table. At another fair I sold hundreds of pins at both Christmas and Easter. You can make money if you know which location has customers that will like and can afford your product. If the fair is on two levels,fight tooth and nail to get an upstairs table. Offer products unlike any other exhibitors. Price your craft as low as you can and still make money unless you are showing in a VERY upscale area then charge more or they will think the quality is poor even if it isn't....sad to say it but it is true. Present your product as professionally as possible. Jewelry should be mounted on cards...not the kind you can buy in jewelry supply catalogs because people won't think your stuff is handmade and most of the time walk right by. Rather make your own display cards and decorate with rubber stamps and tell a little about the product. Same thing with the knitwear...make unique hangtags that look handcrafted. Lots of the stuff you sell will become gifts and this professional touch makes the gift seem more important somehow. Make up business cards if you would like to do made to order because you may be able to create a client base this way and these people will come to any fair where they know you are showing. Its a good thing you don't want to do this for a living because most people can't,they just do it for the fun and meeting lots of new people and hearing admiring comments about your work IS fun.

Answer 4

I think it is possible to make money at craft fairs for sure! I do have a little advice about flea markets though. I tried selling my handmade items at a flea market (I make earrings, bracelets, barretts... just fun accessories) and I put a lot of work into having a nice display. At the end of the day, I was able to cover the cost of the place I reserved. I learned I probably should have scoped out this flea market, because the other stalls were secondhand things. There was another handmade business there, but they didn't seem to get too much action. I was able to get the word out though, so it wasn't a total loss, but just be wary of flea markets is my advice ;)

Answer 5

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Answer 6

My best advice would be to go to a couple of the local craft sales this fall in your area. Check out what people are selling, how they have things set up, which booths are doing brisk business, etc. See if what you make is available, if there is a demand for it, or if there are 10 other people selling the same thing. Then make a plan for next year. I think the most successful people make product all year long and then sell at two or three boutiques in the fall/holiday season. Talk to some of the people there and see what they can give you in the way of advice. And you may want to share a table or booth with a friend if the cost is high.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Yeah! Every time I go to the "Flea" Farmer's Market, there are people there selling handmade goods.If you are considering doing this, go right ahead.I would think that you would make a better profit at craft sales because people go to craft sales looking for stuff like that.Either way you will make a profit if your product is good.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

My mother made and sold dolls for a few years. She got a small business license and sold at craft fairs and shows. Most fairs and shows would charge a fee for a booth ($20-100) and her earnings were usually based on where she was selling. For instance, she would make more at a country craft fair (where buyers are looking for specific stuff) than say a non-profit fundraiser.

Try out some websites that sell items that are similar to what you make and look for trends in materials and styles. You can make some money in this business. But, you have to have patience and be prepared to give up your weekends. Also, check out local farmers markets, you can get a good start with your local market.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I have sold at a few different markets - know your market and know the type of customers who go to each market - in our area there are 3 major markets - 1 is a trash and treasure market - its full of new and used items - people haggle like mad at these places you can handle this in one of 2 ways up your price a little so you can bring it down OR know the price you want and stand by it - we had many a customer who would for example pick up an item that was worth $40 on ebay, you give a price of $20 and they say how about $10 you then have to stick to your guns and say no the price is $20 they may haggle more even stating that they could get that item for $10 elsewhere - we would then say well we cant let it go for cheaper than $20 (thinking but not saying - if you can find it for $10 at the other place - go there!) later in the day someone would buy that item for your asking price of $20. Another market sells mainly new items and they are priced more accordingly and they generally dont have much haggling there. The other market is a craft market - generally people dont haggle at this market they just accept the sellers price. Last week I actually went and sold at a childrens market - we had DVDs of the Wiggles and Bear in the big blue house etc that were used but in very good condition and I had them for $10 each - none sold - people wanted them for $2 - $5 each - I would rather keep them than sell them for that price as they cost me anywhere up to $36 - my point is know your price you want for each item - look around in the paper and ebay etc and get to know the market value of your item. I also agree with everyones statements of having your table in order - have a nice material over your table as it does look better than a bare table and somebody suggested above that some people will buy something cheaply from you after talking you down in price and then stick it on their own table - its happened to me and it can be a little upsetting when this happens so again my point - know what you want each item to sell for and stick to it :)