If already a member Click here to Login

Growth is such a positive word. We like to see our gardens grow, our children grow, our circles of friends and families grow, and if we are in the business of “handmade” or artisan goods - we definitely want to see that business grow too. Naturally, if something is to grow effectively, it has to be nourished.

We walk before we run and we tend to be encouraged to do most things in life with “baby steps”. This is a good analogy and should be used as a great illustration for business owners of all kinds. Unless you grew up going to arts and craft shows with a family member or friend who was a great success, you will not have the “know how”, networking, and skills to achieve instant success.

As someone who is currently generating income from crafts or intending to create a business making crafts, you should have a firm budget in hand. This budget is going to show you the actual, total, costs associated with each item sold. It must take into account the cost of the supplies, the cost to market the goods (this can include the fees associated with a show but also with things like a website or blog), the costs associated with traveling and registering for shows, and more.

As the winter comes to an end, more and more crafters are starting to think about the upcoming fair and craft show seasons. Obviously, there is not just a “summer season”, and that puts a spotlight on one of the most interesting developments in 2012 fair and craft show trends as well, and this is the fact that some crafters have decided to attend only some of the shows rather than all of them.

If you have already started participating in art shows and craft fairs and are hoping to boost your sales, or you are just beginning to learn about the opportunities that these shows and fairs provide, you should know that you can make good money doing these shows. Below are some top tips on how to make money at art shows and craft fairs

What “sells” at the small and large arts and crafts shows and fairs? If you are asking this question because you want to start a business that is a “sure thing”, or even if you are already working the arts and crafts shows and festivals and are doing market research, you should know one thing - there is no firm answer to the question.

Everyone with products to offer has been and continues to be a customer on certain levels. Even if you’re so busy that you have no time for shopping other than the occasional trip to the grocery store or a quick foray into online shopping, you are a customer. As such, you know exactly why you buy the things you do, which means that when it comes to influencing customers and driving sales skyward, all you need to do is provide a little positive push in the right direction. By taking advantage of the time-honored skill of appealing to customers’ emotional side, you can influence their buying decision. While it is true that great products sell themselves, there are often many wonderful choices available at fairs and shows, meaning you need some kind of advantage over other vendors. Here are five quick tips designed to help you influence customers and enjoy increased sales.

You are packing up your goods at the end of another bad day. Only one or two sales were made, and you did not even “break even” on the space rental. What is going on? There are many reasons your crafts may not be selling, and we want you to consider the issues and solutions below in order to remedy this

Starting any business alone can be daunting; starting a craft business alone is downright terrifying at times. Searching for business advice and guidance is scattered and in some cases outdated. Very few large resources cater solely to the craft business owner. Not knowing any better it’s easy to get suckered into paying hundreds of dollars for information you can get for free if you use the right keyword search. It’s for the most part, a drawn out system of hits and misses that help you figure out what works best for you and your product. Here are 5 simple craft business social trends for 2013 that begin to change all that.

Art festivals and craft fairs can represent wonderful opportunities to meet new people and make some terrific connections in regards to your art. However, it’s important to note that there is a certain etiquette that should be followed in order to ensure that you and your neighbors both have equally pleasant experiences. Make sure you keep these simple directives in mind so that your experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Whether you’re more about arts and painting or handmade crafts, showing your work at art shows and festivals is a critical part of getting your work seen by a larger audience, as well as getting it sold to interested parties. However, there are certain parts of the process that can make the experience more of a pain than a pleasure

Getting things off the ground when it comes to selling your arts and crafts at festivals, fairs, and craft shows can seem incredibly confusing to a newcomer. It’s hard to know right off the bat what you really need in order to get started, as opposed to what can wait until later. However, everyone – whether they’re a painter, a photographer, a jewelry maker, and so forth – needs to consider getting the same basics together before they begin.

Everyone loves the holidays. However, for artists, craftsmen, and other creative vendors, it can be a difficult call whether or not to spice up the look of their booths for the season. On the one hand, spreading holiday cheer always makes for a wonderful time and an atmosphere of fun… but could it possibly hinder the shopping experience for the customer instead?

People who are new to the world of arts and crafts shows often have a number of questions as to how to approach the experience. One of the most burning of these tends to be in regards to whether or not to put price tags on their work.

Doing well at a craft show is always about striking the right balance between offering something that is uniquely you and something that is in high demand at the time. This is never more true than during the holiday season, so crafters planning to attend holiday or winter shows should definitely make sure they take the seasonal shopper’s needs into consideration.

If you’re new to art fairs and craft festivals, then it’s only understandable that you may have some questions at first. After all, it takes time and experience – as well as a bit of trial – and error to strike just the right balance. One of the main concerns artists and craftsmen have in regards to their fair experience is how to set up their booths to be as appealing as possible. How much merchandise is too much?

Making a full-time living solely via their artwork is something every creative person dreams about. After all, what could be more fulfilling than spending all of your days doing something you love as much as you love your art and getting paid a living wage in return? However, knowing you’d like to make a living by showing and selling at art & craft shows and actually doing it are two very different animals altogether. Is it possible? If so, then what does it take?

In part 1 of this series, I discussed the different types of tents available for craft shows.  In the conclusion of this series, I’ll discuss other considerations in choosing the type of tent for your booth.

With the recent financial upheaval the world’s economy has experienced, competition between crafters and vendors has become more intense than ever. Customers come to us looking for bargains on well-made items to enjoy themselves or give away as gifts, and some of them expect us to nearly give away our work, not realizing the amount of time and money that goes into our crafts. Here are five simple tricks you can use to maximize profit, even during this era of shaky finances.

If you are brand new to the world of crafting as a way to make an income, then you may begin to feel a bit discouraged the first time you experience poor sales at a show, or find yourself wishing you were back on a nine-to-five schedule, working for a company that offers a 401k and health insurance. These doubts and discouraged feelings are normal, especially when you have not yet made a name for yourself. Here are some helpful tips for overcoming doubts that might otherwise undermine your efforts at success completely.

You’ve used the best possible materials and put loads of effort into your crafts; now, it’s time to give your booth what is probably a much-needed makeover, in hopes of attracting more customers and increasing sales dramatically. While your booth may not be an outright mess, and while it may even look attractive, there are some things marketing experts know that can help you make over your booth without spending loads of money. By following these five simple tips, you can renew your booth quickly and easily.

Crafters and vendors who enjoy making a living traveling from one place to another have much to look forward to this year. One of the most important ways to keep your business thriving and growing is to find out what is popular for the upcoming year, and to be prepared well in advance for seasonal shows. At the same time, you don’t want to offer the exact same items as other crafters have on sale, and if you are selling supplies, you want to be sure that customers feel they are getting a great value on the things that they need to create their own craft items. Here are some additional tips to help you prepare for what is certain to be one of the best years yet for crafters and vendors alike.

Whether you are brand new to the world of selling goods at fairs and craft shows, or if you are a seasoned expert, today’s economy dictates that just a bit more legwork is required in order for crafting to be profitable. It stands to reason that you must have a quality product or group of products to sell, plus you must take some time to decide which shows are going to be most profitable for you, even with travel factored in. Read on for some important tips that can help you make every craft show a winner.

Despite the fact that crafted products are readily available online, people from all walks of life continue to enjoy going to craft shows to shop in person. Taking the products you make to shows of various kinds can help you make a name for yourself and provide you with a great income if you go about things the right way. Here are some simple tips to help you enjoy success with craft shows.

What makes a craft show successful?  Ask a dozen vendors and you may get 20 different answers - all of which are right from their perspective.  Don’t let their definition of the success of a craft show affect your perspective.

Before you go to a craft show - even before you apply - set a goal (or even multiple goals) for the show.  This goal depends on you.  Here are all examples of different goals for different types of vendors.

What is artistic licensing? In its encyclopedic definition, and in its broad sense, it is the ability of an artist to take certain liberties when performing or when writing or when creating. In other words, it is understood that it is okay for a artist, a writer, or someone engaged in creative endeavors, to be allowed a certain amount of freedom in the pursuit of their art.

So you decided to go to your first outdoor show.  Outdoor shows are different from indoor shows - you must worry about the weather.  Not just bad weather, but heat, sun, wind, etc. Selecting the right tent is imperative.  But which one is right.

With the downturn in the economy, it seems that almost everyone has suffered. Of course, fewer people are spending money in order to avoid greater debt. This means, for people who depend on consumers for their livelihood, their business has been hurt. This can be seen in a larger way in the form of the art fairs and festivals. Fewer people are willing to spend money at these festivals. This results in fewer customers, and eventually fewer vendors. It leaves us all with the question. Are art festivals dead? Have we seen the end of these shows?

When you think about the last craft show that you attended either as a customer or as an artist, what do you remember? Did you enjoy strolling through one artist’s booth after another, stopping to view the unique and one of a kind pieces that you can only find at these events? Did you enjoy the aroma of home baked goodness wafting from the food area? What about the raucous and loud sounds of the man yelling at you to stop and buy a raffle ticket? Chances are, the hawkers at the art show are not something that you remember fondly, especially if you are an artist whose booth is next to one of them.

As an artist who attends craft shows, one of the things that you will have to remember above all else is that you will not be a success if you do not gain customers. Many artists and vendors think that they can simply put their products out there and people will buy them. However, there is much more to consider when trying to sell at craft shows and festivals. You must consider competition. After all, to gain customers, your customers have to pick your booth out of the hundreds surrounding you. If your products and your displays look just like everyone else’s, then you will find yourself drowning in the competition.

Most likely, one of the most widely debated issues when it comes to selling methods of artists at craft shows, fairs and festivals is the issue of fair price. How does an artist determine what a fair price for their products actually is? There are so many ways to determine price for items that it can seem confusing, and it can lead to pricing ranging greatly from one artist to the other. However, when you are trying to determine what the fair price for you to charge for you artwork actually is, there is much you will have to consider.

There is something that has been going on at craft fairs and festivals all across the United States. It is a problem that stems most likely from the decline in the economy, but it is a problem that can be overcome with a little work from you. The problem is that fewer people are attending these festivals, and this drop in attendance is taking its toll on vendors everywhere. Whether the attendance problem is based on the economy or it has to do with how the show or festival is being promoted, it is a problem for everyone involved in the event.

For crafters and vendors who make their living offering their artwork at craft shows, fairs and festivals, there is much to be learned about trends and expectations each year in order to make the most of each event. By keeping aware of what is expected to be popular, both in handmade items and sales methods, you can make sure that your artwork has a step up over the competition.

As an artist or vendor, you will find that you need to attend craft shows and festivals of all types. If you are just beginning your career as an artist and a craft show vendor, you may be wondering which is better to take part in, the indoor or the outdoor craft show. To answer that question, we will need to compare each. Take a moment to consider each type of show and think of both the positives and the negatives of each. Once you have done this comparison, then you will be able to see your answer. Read on to learn more about both the indoor and the outdoor festival, fair or craft show.

When I started researching selling at craft shows, I was a little overwhelmed by all the information. There are just so many resources out there! I didn’t know if I could take my handmade pottery to shows and make a success of it, but I decided to try. I started out around December with a small arts and crafts show and charity benefit at a local school.

Choosing to accept credit card payments from your art show and craft festival customers can be a great move for your business. Many people don’t carry anything but plastic anymore. If lots of people without cash or checks on them come through your booth, you’re likely to lose their business by not taking credit cards. The process of actually taking credit cards during shows and festivals isn’t that hard, and it’s certainly worthwhile for your business.

There’s nothing more frustrating than spending months and months working to get ready to an art show or craft fair only to find that other booths are full of pre-made items. You work hard on your handmade crafts and art, and you spend a lot of time working on these things. It’s annoying when other people can undersell you with cheap items they’ve imported or bought from wholesalers. If you want to keep art festivals and craft shows handmade, there are some things you can do.

Many artists are under the misconceived impression that their work is solely about creating original works of art. However, the artist’s job is not solely about artistic creation. When the time comes to seek exposure and monetary remuneration for their artistic work the artists’ role becomes an amalgamated role that encompasses that of the lawyer, the artistic agent and the businessman.

One of the most nerve wracking parts of setting up for a craft fair or art show is just getting your handmade art to the show. You’ve worked hard on your paintings and sculptures, and you need them to arrive in perfect condition. Here are some tips to help you safely transport your art to the show.

Original work is protected under the Berne Convention, Article 2 (2), in any country that is a signatory to the convention. Only a few countries have a system of registering copyright. Although registering a copyright is not compulsory, there are some advantages. Copyright details are on public record and the author or creator has a certificate. In the US, if an author registers their work no more than five years after publication, it automatically qualifies as evidence in court. In the event of a successful court case, the author can get legal fees and statutory damages paid.

One of the best ways to expand your personal arts and crafts business is to sell your products online using various websites. There are many different ways that you can do this. Two of the best are selling on a collaborative website that gives you all the tools you need and setting up your own website. Here’s how each of these options could work for your needs.

Copyright laws safeguard the exclusive rights of the creator of “original works of authorship” that are created in a “tangible medium of expression”. The exclusive rights of the creator encompass the rights to reproduce, copy, amend and distribute the work.

The Poor Man’s Copyright is a bit of a myth in that it is not actually worth anything more than a false sense of security for the possessor of the material. Why do I say it is a false sense of security? Because if you were to try to actually prove that you had created a work using the poor man’s copyright, you would quickly learn that it is so unreliable that I know of no instances where it has ever been successfully used to prove copyright of any work. So, if you do desire to use the Poor Man’s Copyright, how do you do it?

From a FairsandFestivals.net member: ” I just hung ornaments on my tree that I made 30+ years ago. My mom was organized enough to save them all for me. Make these with your kids and save them, they will really appreciate it someday.”

One of the toughest parts for many crafters about selling their wares at craft fairs and festivals is setting up their displays. If you’re having trouble getting your display organized, here are some tips to help you do it.

In the United States, a copyright originally was in effect for the duration of the life of the original author, plus fifty years after the death of the author, or other person holding the copyright, as established by the Berne Convention. Cinematographic copyrights also lasted fifty years after the death of the original author, but photographic copyrights lasted twenty-five years after the death of the original creation of the work. There are several contributing factors that determine the length that a particular copyright will remain in effect, however.

Copyright is the form of intellectual property protection which applies to original works, such as digital art. A copyright gives you, the creator, the exclusive right to use your original digital artwork as you see fit.

A holiday gift basket, can accomplish two things for the craft vendor: move product volume and increase exposure to your products. Ever had a time when you received a gift basket only to eat all the water crackers and left the onion cheese spread?

The solution is simple: give yourself an edge that no retailer has by customizing gift baskets to each customer. Ask them what they want! As a result, you can put just the right collection of gifts together that will appeal to the recipient.

If you’re a food vendor at festivals and fairs, you might be in luck right now. Although many arts and crafts sellers are feeling the effects of the economy, some food vendors have been able to expand during these tough times. People are still going to craft fairs to browse, but they’re more likely to pick up a bite to eat than a luxury to take home with them. Wondering how you can crank up your business for festivals and fairs? Here are some tips to help you.

When you first sign up for a craft fair, you’ll probably see a spot on the form for booth size. You can probably opt for a single booth size or a double booth size. Which one should you choose? It might depend on your products, the volume of products you have ready for the sale, and the goals you have for a certain fair. Here are some considerations to make when you’re deciding between these options