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Patricia Mc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 10:08 am Post subject: How the Christmas Fair Went !

Well I was there at 10.30am leaving two kids and hubbie for the day.

Everyone was set up for the day when I got there.
There was some serious competition across the aisle from me and round the corner. There were 4 tables inc ours, that I saw selling cards.. I know I got my table booked in early, so it was a bit disappointing to see so many. Mind you she did say at the time that she had some card tables already. Embarassed

I was beside two lovely ladies selling paintings and some wood turners. THere was maybe 30 stalls.

I had brought 220 cards and sold 54... I didn't think that was a lot. It was fairly quiet a lot of the time. I did the 4 for €10 offer on the cards. The table across had 6 for €10. I don't think they sold as many as I did. I used boxes from a toy chest that I had gotten in Lidl for displaying the cards. These were great and as they were coloured they were festive looking. I printed up signs on my pc tellign what was in each box.

I found cards I made "For My Teacher" went down well. I don't think I had enough personalised cards like to my Nana etc but I offered to hand write the details on the card, and that went down well.
I sold some baby cards, but only about 6.

As the table cost €60 between us, it was an expensive outlay to sell so few cards.
Saw somebody there with the reindeer food idea, I can't remember who suggested that idea?

It was great meeting Aoibhinn and lovely to chat about cards, kids and what we do/like and love. Aoibhinn had some fabulous cards that were so elegant and some lovely pressed cornflowers and daisies that she had done herself. We had lots of thoughts on what we would do differently and how to present the cards. We had a lovely time talking and sharing ideas and talking about different... I finally got to see an embossed card!!

Have to say it was a long day and I had left a sick baby at home and another sick child appeared at 4am in the morning.. Confused

Does 54 cards sound a lot or a little to sell. For both of us it was a first craft fair so we weren't sure what to expect.

Am wrecked today after it!!! Embarassed

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Mammy to two mad things and loving it!!!

Dinosaur Boy April 2001
Fairy Princess July 2003

Deidre · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 10:15 am Post subject:

Patricia, congratulations on having your first fair done! Think of this one as a learning experience. It must have been very disappointing that to see the other card tables - but I bet yours were nicer Very Happy

!

Hope the babas are feeling better soon.
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Tigger · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 10:19 am Post subject:

I think you did very well considering that there were so many other tables selling cards......Well done Applause

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TIGGER'S RAMBLINGS

cook22 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:01 am Post subject:

It sounds a bit disappointing, but I suppose at this time of year there are a lot of cards out there - and it's all experience and learning. My sis does a market regularly, and there are just good days and bad days and no way of predicting. More power to you for giving it a go!

CraftyAis · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:27 am Post subject:

Actually I think that sounds pretty good considering. At one of the fairs I do, a lady there only sent one card one week! And her cards were good.

Given the competition, think it was very good. A shame there were so many card stands though - the organiser should have probably made that clearer - that's not so great....

ais.
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Patricia Mc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:32 am Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback...

Deirdre and Ais,
The table across from us had some craft Suplies bits on the cards, definitely reconised some of the stuff!!
I asked her did she buy from you and she said some of her stuff, but she sounded as if she didn't want to share.

THe organiser had told me that she had a few card tables, but I thought the fair would have been bigger... the venue was small and not so many tables.
Thanks Cook22 and Tigger... I guess I had visions of selling out and not having enough..

One thing the ladies who had paintings beside me said was that there are a lot more charity cards out this year .... you can't really compete against them. With the year and all that's happened maybe people are buying more charity cards as they are for a good cause..

Am bringing some into the office to see how the girls here like them..

Thanks for the feedback. I just wanted to let you know how we got on.. Wink

_________________
Mammy to two mad things and loving it!!!

Dinosaur Boy April 2001
Fairy Princess July 2003

Derv · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:38 am Post subject:

Well done on your first fair Patricia. Sorry the sales weren't wuite as hoped for but keep the faith :)

You were lucky you weren't at the one in Marley Park, it seemed like every table, no matter what they were seeling, had cards as well! I was quite dissapointed to see them quite so prevalent, can't really explain why - they are getting very popular & it kind of takes away from them a bit Confused

, anyone else agree?

Kate · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:54 am Post subject:

Patricia , well done Applause

Dont worry about not selling loads , it was your first fair and you will have learned a lot from it , like how to make your table stand out more and presentation and what kind of cards sell best. It was a great experience.

Card making IS getting REALLY popular , and I think scrapbooking is too. We'll just have to see it as a challenge to become as original and innovative as possible. Perhaps making sets of seperate wording on mini pieces of card that you could stick on any card on the spot would be a good idea. Or have alphabet stickers to personalise the cards with people's names.

You could also make little sets of card-toppers to sell , and Christmas tags for presents.....they would be quick to make and not very expensive. The thing is to offer your customers something different or better than the next table.

Patricia Mc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject:

Kate,
A good idea on the gift tags and toppers.. Wink

Derv,
Maybe we should look on the importance of handmade, but not imported.

To be honest, unless I get a lot of repeat orders, I don't see how it would pay to do a craft fair... unless this was a particularily small one!! To cover the cost of the tables alone would require a lot of cards.

To make matters worse, I'm sitting here withy one black and one brown boot on.. what does that say!! Wink

_________________
Mammy to two mad things and loving it!!!

Dinosaur Boy April 2001
Fairy Princess July 2003

Derv · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:13 pm Post subject:

Another idea - A hanger to hang on a bottle of booze?
"A Christmas Tipple for you"

I saw some lovely 3-d decoupage stick on gift tags in the €shop. Obviously mass produced but a nice idea.

CraftyAis · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:18 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't give up on it completely Patricia....Christmas is a particularly tough time to sell handmade cards, though the fairs, as you say, seem to have a lot of them at this time of the year. It's actually probably one of the hardest times to sell handmade cards because people need to buy so many cards for one occasion.

Other, more regular fairs can be very worthwhile doing - PARTICULARLY around occasions like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Paddy's day etc. - when people really want a very nice card. While there, they'll usually pick up some more too.

Also if you become a regular at a fair, you'll find customers will come back to you or "wait" to buy cards from you if they know you'll be there.

Honestly, I think this was a good start. I didn't sell that many at my first market!!

ais.
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cook22 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:22 pm Post subject:

Meant to say, my sis did 2 fairs a couple of weekends ago, as opposed to markets. One was good, one not. I suppose at least her items are higher priced, so it doesn't take as many sales to cover her cost, but she still reckons it's worth it, and a good chance to meet new and interesting people. So don't give up yet. (Hope your feet aren't too visible Laughing

)

Ringo · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:34 pm Post subject:

Patricia, I think 54 is great. If I cover my costs for my stand at my one on the 11th I will be content as it will be my first and I just want to see how it goes for future reference.Well done.Pity there were so many cardies there.
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Patricia Mc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

Ringo,
Good luck on the 11th! Where is it on ? THe table across from us had a lovely ribbon across the front with Santa pegs holding on cards!!.. an idea for presentation.

Cook22,
I suppose you just don't know what makes a good fair.
The feet are very visible... trousers not long enough and more visible at coffee time!! Ah well, I've truly given up any claim to street cred with odd boots on.. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Mammy to two mad things and loving it!!!

Dinosaur Boy April 2001
Fairy Princess July 2003

Kate · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:03 pm Post subject:

Patricia , do what DD does and declare it a " fashion statement ".