Light at the end of the tunnel

Well, my first year of craft fairs and shows is coming to an end.  One show left!!  December 9th, I will be at the Framingham Aux Police Craft Fair at Keefe Tech in Framingham MA.

I participated in many shows this season and learned quite a bit.  With my craft, hooded towels and embroidered items, I have a certain target audience for my main items.  I believe my items are  appealing to parents with younger children or grandparents.

Next year I will be more selective on the shows that I attend.  This year there was a huge learning curve, some shows were great,  a couple (one in particular) were very bad. 

The cost to participate in a show varies a great deal.  I was involved in the Bellingham Harvest Festival, over 200 vendors, that was FREE!  I also did 5 or 6 events down on Cape Cod that ran me $250 - $350 for the weekend.  School PTO events ran between $25 and $55.  The Franklin Newcomers cost me $85.  These costs figure into your break even point.  Some events, all I need to do is sell one single hooded towel and the rest is profit.  Some events I don't start making any money until I sell 15-20 hooded towels!!

I will share more on my experiences after my season has ended and I have time to sit and evaluate the whole picture.

Hooded Towel Designs

This craft fair I am showing at is on Cape Cod.  I believe the many of the people attending will be on vacation so many of my designs will be ocean themed.

 

 

 

 

 

And some of my regular designs

 

 

 

 

 

I still have quite a few to make before the big weekend!!

Second Crafts Fair Fast Approaching

 

Well, I'm prepping for my 2nd craft fair, 1st major one.  I attended a local show a few weeks ago and ended up selling 4 of my hooded towels.  It was more of a vendor fair than it was a craft fair, live and learn. 

I inquired about a show in Hyannis, Massachusetts through a promoter Castleberry Fairs that does quite a few on Cape Cod.  I have attended a few of their shows in previous years and was impressed with the whole setup.  It is a juried show so there are no vendors, strictly handmade arts & crafts.

I am planning on having a couple hundred of the hooded towels and perhaps some smaller items if time allows.

I bought a banner and updated my business card with Lighthouse Lane Crafts store from Vista Print.  I ordered a new Quik Shade Canopy with walls from Amazon.

I hope to do a couple or few more of these fairs on Cape Cod this summer.  After this first one I'll know if it will be worth my time and effort to continue.  I should also know which items and designs  to concentrate on for the next one.

Craft Fair Prep

Sunday funday!!  Between hooded towels my husband and I set up the 10' x 10' tent and displays.  Had to know if I was in for any surprises.

Hooded Towels

Still creating new hooded towels for the 2nd Annual Blackstone Spring Craft & Vendor Fair.  My new Redline Embroidery Machine hasn't arrived but should be here on Monday!!!

Redline Embroidery Machine

I've decided to upgrade!!!  This is the redline 15 head embroidery machine.  I should be getting it shortly (on order), I'll give the update when she arrives.

First Craft Fair

Okay, after this many years of doing crafts, I'm finally doing a craft show.

I'm starting small for the first one, small venue, not overly crowded and close to home.  I have an Etsy shop Lighthouse Lane Crafts.  I have an eCommerce store through Shopify Lighthouse Lane Crafts and sell on a bunch of yard sale sights through facebook. 

I will be bringing hooded towels, checkbook covers, dog poop bag holders, small purses, some hipster purses and hand sanitizer holders.

 I have a space that is 8' x 4'.  I am bringing a chair and a 6' table with a black table cover and a black floor length skirt.  I have risers for the table that will add height and depth to my display.  I have bags for some items and cake boxes for the hooded towels.  I have a paypal card reader to accept credit cards.  I have business cards. 

I'm bringing my phone and ipad also.  A money box. 


I know I'm forgetting something!!!!  That's why I'm trying one close to home, Hubby should be waiting by the phone, just in case!!!