selling at arts/crafts fairs, how to?

mountaintramp · Feb 17, 2011

i'd like to start selling at some art/crafts fairs. i know people here have done it. i'm in soCal so want to stay in the CA/AZ area. also i'd like to do this during the winter as well as summer. does anyone know of a good web site that advertises these events? also any other info will help a lot.

dragonflyinthesky · Feb 18, 2011

I use this site, state by state.  If you pay you can get all the reviews for each show.  I'm cheap, although I would like to know more but it gives you enough info to figure out where the show web sites are. Reviews would be great though, also traffic flow. <A href="http://festivalnet.com/fairs_and_fe...mp;back_link=/indexes.html&State_local=az" target=_blank>http://festivalnet.com/fairs_and_fe...mp;back_link=/indexes.html&State_local=az</A>

dragonflyinthesky · Feb 18, 2011

Is the hematite, orange agate stone you pictured on one of your posts still available?  It is between the arrowheads.  How much?

mountaintramp · Feb 18, 2011

thanks for the link dragonflyinthe sky, i'll check it out. i'm cheap too! and broke, so also probably won't be joining. i do still have that necklace. i've been offering these necklaces for 20 bucks when i sell at swap meets. since when selling online i don't need to pay for a spot, i plan to sell them 15 bucks + 6 for priority shipping. i'm slowly working on a web site right now, where i'll have many more avalable. i've been making them way faster than i've been selling them. what do you sell at the shows?

akrvbob · Feb 18, 2011

Can you repost pictures of some of your favorite and most popular work, including the arrowhead? Bob

dragonflyinthesky · Feb 19, 2011

Mountaintramp, I do want the orange one, unless you have someting else I may be interested in. I see Bob is interested too. Some really nice design work.  You may email me <A href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank>[email protected]</A>

dragonflyinthesky · Feb 19, 2011

I mainly sell in galleries but so many long standing galleries have closed due to the economy that I have had to reinvent myself.  Now I need to keep work below 20 bucks it seems. I keep the fine art higher so as not to cheapen it and it does sell, not nearly as fast as a few years back when people had disposable income. After all, we need to be honest, art is not necessary. Food for your kids and a roof over your head comes first.  I now make cards out of my art, good bread and butter money. People really want to buy but many just no longer have the means so they will buy the 3 to 4 dollar items. I have some real cool hummingbird feeders that are taking off in a few low end galleries, made of beer bottles.  They sell well for 20.00-40.00.  I have not sold at fest. for several years, I will be this fall/winter though after my camper/house/property is in order.  I am pursuing my dream to sell my book I have written-most of the way and illustrated.  Very hard to get this book thing together though.  You can see the gist of it at my web site, I still am dealing with copyright and tons of other stuff involved. I am stumbling along learning. I don't really have the resources to pay someone to hold my hand thru this process. Diane at   <A href="http://www.dragonflyinthesky.com" target=_blank target=_blank>www.dragonflyinthesky.com</A>

mountaintramp · Feb 19, 2011

i'll take some pics and post them a little later. i have many and need to get pics for my hopefully soon competed website. thanks for the interest. pete

mountaintramp · Feb 20, 2011

here are a few, mostly arrowheads right now. i need to find some good agates for pendants. hopefully at next months rockhound event i'll pick some up.  i also need to get some beads at a gemfaire in costa mesa. then i'll make some necklaces that aren't as stuck in the '70s as i'm currently making. they'll still be the same basic style, just using different materials than  turquoise and corral. not everyone's into those, who'da known? the ones with the extender are 16" , and the extender will add up to approx. 3". the ones without an extender are approx. 18", which is about right for how i like to wear them. i still have about 5-6 arrowheads to make necklaces with, just don't want to get too carried away because i already have a bunch made, and need to spend time working on my marketing techniques. the pics didn't come out great. i don't like using one background on all, but we got about a foot of snow last night which buried all my good props. usually taking pics outside shows colors better that indoors. it was funny yesterday, i went to a newly opened leather/western store in my area to see if they'd want to buy some of these. she didn't but when i showed her a stand i made out of manzanita (sp) she was real interested in having me make her one. it's funny how one thing leads to another, probably happens all the time, we just don't always pick up on it.  <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55001.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55002.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55003.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55004.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55005.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55006.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55008.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55009.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55010.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/55011.jpg">

polecat77 · Feb 20, 2011

Hey, mountaintramp was wondering if you would like to wholesale some of the arrow head necklaces? If so send me an email or private message here.

mountaintramp · Feb 21, 2011

PM sent

johnny_canuck · Apr 16, 2011

Wire Wrapped Rings I used to travel with a small cargo trailer. Easy towing easy to live in. Now I am in the midst of completing my truck cap for traveling.  For the past 4 years I have been making and selling wire wrapped rings, sizes 4-9 with semi precious round beads. I wholesale to small stores wherever I go. I have it down to a science. I can make 15-20 per hour while relaxing in the evening. I wholesale a tray of 36 rings for $72. ($2. ea.) and the suggested retail is $5. each. As with everything, make a really good product that the ladies like. Keep the price low so they don't have to think about it. I also mail out repeat orders for $1.50 per ring, plus shipping. I include 5 free rings to cover the cost of shipping, which works out to a retail value of $25. I also have people who buy from me that sell at craft shows and stores too. Anytime that I'm stopped at a restaurant or coffee shop I'll even talk to the ladies and let them know that this is how I make my living. Pays the gas and lunch! I carry a haversack with a nice white jewelry box with the tray inside. Presentation is everything. You can't be shy when working for yourself.  So it is possible to make small items that sell easily.

mountaintramp · Apr 17, 2011

you do the fancy type of wrapping. i think the ladies like it done that way. it looks great! i do a style called "hippy twist" which is a bit more free form. i started making necklaces using some dummy rounds i made up, doning pretty good selling these. i can't do high production as my wrists start to get sore and it lasts for days. i'm not very good at selling the way you do, although i'm working on it, since i need $$$, who doesn't? i've also started making survival bracelets using paracord 550. soon i'll be making dog collars,leashes,rifle slings, belts.... right now paracord items are popular with preppers, because you wear them, and when you need some really strong line (550 # tinsel strength) you unravel the item and use it. <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/bullets005.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/223002.jpg"> <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/paracord/IMG_0001.jpg"> also started making hammered aluminum ear rings, which are way lighter that they look. i've got a bunch of things i do which all adds up, and is less boring that concentrating on just a single item. if i can get these things going during the summer i'll be ready to full time at least during the winter months, that stay at my cabin during the summer. <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/weebly4sale/er1001.jpg">

johnny_canuck · Apr 17, 2011

I like what you've made. A lot of people who go one the road still have not changed their mindset. You only have yourself to depend on. I know people who work the festivals renting craft tables. Lots of people go to these. I'm sure their is a listing on line somewhere that anyone can find the locations, rates, etc. I know that not all vendors show up. I've worked craft shows before and noticed that several tables were empty. Usually you can leave your van in the parking lot for the duration. If anyone is interested, go to the craft shows and see what is selling. Take some courses and give it a try.

mountaintramp · Apr 18, 2011

i've always loved making stuff, mostly for myself, until now. it's really amazing how many ideas come into your head when you have time to think. i love having the time to do many things. i also do metal sculpting. i made these for my daughter and her husband, using junk i scrounge along RR tracks. <img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/ezzpete/01.jpg">

Guest · Apr 18, 2011

I don't blame that RR girl from running! Yikes, what a spike...<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> Bri

Guest · Apr 18, 2011

Oh man, I don't know....she sure is running fast!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> Bri

TrainChaser · Jun 23, 2016

Why can't I see the photos? *whine*

highdesertranger · Jun 23, 2016

probably because the post is over 5 years old. highdesertranger

Electric Mayhem · Jun 26, 2016

If Mister Canuck is still hanging around, I'd be super appreciative to find out if he still does this and what his strategy is for finding stores to buy his product.

selling at arts/crafts fairs, how to?

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