I'm going to be a bit frank here.
I never have any luck at craft fairs. I did a whole bunch of them in 2011 and I can only think of one or two that went really well. I generally really enjoy myself, its a great place to meet people and hang out having a chat, particularly when I team up with the wife so I have company, but I am always a bit gutted afterwards when they really, do not go as well as I had hoped.
I feel strange admitting that here, because it feels like you are supposed to always be positive about this kind of thing and put up some kind of 'gung ho' happiness front at times when it comes to being an 'Etsy' type. I try and look on the bright side, and hey yeah I have a good time. But I feel like I spend days before the event making stock, planning table layouts (I missed my calling as a shop merchandiser, by the way) and promoting the event online - it takes a lot more effort then just sitting about all day waiting for people to come in. And then you get there, and its nice and you meet some nice people, but you struggle to make back the cost of the table and about 50% of the people are a bit up their own arses (thats the frank talking) and hard to talk to. One event in particular a woman actually recoiled in horror when I just said hello to her (Stoke Newington dare I say it) - totally unessecary when you just want to have a chat and be - god forbid - polite.
I think going forward I might cut back the amount of craft fairs I take part in, for my own sanity, and focus my energy on promoting my store online. 2011 saw
Dear oh Deer come along in leaps and bounds online, and I plan to carry that over in 2012. I think I'll keep doing the odd local craft fair here and there, but for the most part. I am just not sure they are for me. I never feel like my stock "fits in". Maybe I don't put enough brass bird charms or teapots on my necklaces, but I'm not ready to compromise my work just to try and be 'on trend' make a few bob.
In saying all of that I had a really nice day at WonderHill just before Christmas, met lots of lovely people and did some trades for knitwear! WonderHill is a really great market and KiKi does such a great job with it, I'll definitley be back for more Wonder!
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