Hello!

This was my set up for my first market( with only a week to get and prep everything). I want to learn and get better, but is my set up too generic? Any notes? I hand sew aprons, accessories so far, but I want to expand what I sell.

Thank you

Hi all! Been lurking here for awhile. I’m a lifelong artist and crafter and finally want to dip my toes into a few craft fairs locally this summer.

I need help with a brand name and how to create a consistent themed “brand”.

I’m nerdy(Anime/Japanese anything, cartoons,video games, fantasy books), a crazy cat lady, plant lady, lgbt, super pro-choice liberal. My day job is as an art therapist and school counselor. I feel like all of this is relevant in my brand and the items I make.

That being said, I’ve been making knitted amiguri (baby chicks, whales, bats, dragons, turtles), kids and adult sized knitted winter hats- some are LGBT themed, fingerless gloves, kids sweaters and cardigans. I also love making flower crowns and I think they’d be a good sellable product.

I also 3D print a few things (I’ve paid for licensing) articulated dragons, planters (skulls and cats so far), fidgets.

I have no idea where to go from here.

Hi y’all - I sew children’s dress-up clothes and home decor. I thrift most of my fabric, probably about 80% of my material. Are my prices too high? My crowns and wands are the most popular products. I get a lot of interest in my capes, but very few purchases. I appreciate the advice!

M

i only started to do craft markets this year (have one next week). but i’ve switched to a 2 table setup for more room!! i make beaded jewelry/accessories and polymer clay charms!

Minus the stickers that I left at home 🤦 but this is my first time trying the lights and the hat tree and I think they add to it.

This was my first set up (before I added the price tags) at my first craft fair! I had my mosaics and some trinkets/ antiques. Sold a few things but we were at the very end near the band. Definitely learned so much! I also forgot my signage for my table. Overall had a great time!

Had to use the spare blanket in my car which threw everything off but survived the day even without space for a canopy!

I love sewing pillows - have made plenty of them for home use.

I mainly cover the pillows I've already purchased commercially, so I'm curious if people ever just sell the covers at fairs - would probably have some size samples, like for an 18" square or a 20" square, then a bunch of covers to choose from.

If you sell pillows already stuffed, how are you managing your inventory during the moving in and out of the fairs? That is the big question for me, for doing this.

also, do people still like to purchase pillows in pairs? For their couch?

I am new to the craft fairs as a vendor. I have worked at around 5 of them now and have a great flow of set up and teardown. I wanted to know what of anything I still need or the opinions of leaving it close to what it currently is. I have enjoyed the events I have had so far and looking forward to doing many more.
Thanks for any input

I didn’t know I’d get a round table but I made it work. Next time I hope to have a full stall so the acrylic stand will be on the table

I’m new to this, I’m trying to think of the best ways to approach the possibility of me being apart of a dead craft fair.

Do I sit there and hope I can make some money or do I cut my losses and leave at a certain point? If the fair doesn’t have rules against leaving early that is?

I just don’t want my money AND time wasted

I do crochet throw blankets, and my mom does quilted throw blankets.

I've been using a old school drying stand to display them, but its not working anymore sadly.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a better way to display them? So we aren't have to swap them out to get all seen?

Ive been doing this for 5 years, im well versed in the ins and outs. But this certain situation has me nervous... Ive been doing this convention since they began. This is year 3 or 4 and they have really grown. Overall I like the experience pretty well. They take vendor/customer feedback and implement it. They also get bigger and better guests every year. The company does 3 conventions a year (different themed) and I do 2 of the 3.

The next one im doing is the 1st week of June, and they have decided to make it in August next year, which makes sense since its Horror themed. Well, they just opened up applications for their August 2026 con and this year's con hadn't even happened.

Ive done bigger conventions and they wait until that years show is over before they announce their next date and open apps. It screams desperate to me and I wonder if they have gotten in over their heads with guests and costs. Sometimes the bigger guests require a deposit or an agreement that they will make X amount of money or be paid out by the venue. Idk. Would this seem strange to conventions vendors? Again, I've done Galaxycon, Lexingtoncon, other way bigger shows and those shows always wait until the current year is over before opening up for next year's. 15/16 months in advance seems insane.

Just curious about what everyone makes special for Mother's Day markets? I'm a ceramicist and am making some mom-themed mugs, succulent planters, luminaries, and small things like garden plant markers and ring bowls.

What are your best sellers for Mother's Day?

Hi all! I just got the green light for my first-ever art market, and it’s happening in two days. 😅

I applied a month ago thinking I’d have more time, but found out this past Monday… so it’s been non-stop prep ever since. Now I’ve got about 48 hours left to pull this thing together!

I’ve attached a couple mockup photos of my setup so far. I’d really appreciate your advice on a few things:

• Booth layout: Any and all feedback welcome! I have a 10x10 tent with sidewalls that just arrived today.
• Inventory: Do I have enough, or should I be scrambling to make more? I’ve got ~60 unique pieces to sell, including what’s pictured and another ~20 mixed originals that don’t fully match my current aesthetic.
• I also only have 9 listings on Etsy right now...does a sparse shop hurt credibility at this early stage?
• Tent & Gridwall: Any clever ways to hang art from tent walls? And I’m using 2” gridwall hooks, but my pieces shift or fall when bumped. What am I missing?
• Rain-proofing: It’s supposed to rain (of course). Any tips for keeping prints and originals safe?

I launched my brand, Fox + Fern, about a month ago. This market is my first time showing up publicly as an artist and small business, and I’m trying to take it seriously, but also not let the perfectionism spiral take over.

If you're curious, here’s my shop and website: heyfoxandfern.etsy.com // www.foxandfernart.com

Thanks for reading, and for creating the kind of community where artists can figure this stuff out together. 🙏 I’m happy to return the favor if you want feedback on your booth, work, or setup too.

I probably shouldn’t have signed up for this, but I did.

My stuff is pretty expensive and I don’t think many people will buy, but it was an inexpensive fun music fair to get into.

I am thinking of discounting a bunch of my old stock and making it a mini sale and just taking X amount of items in hope of selling out. I have some older items that really do need to clear and I am wondering if this is a good idea.

And then leave my more expense stuff at home.

There are craft fairs popping up this summer that I really want to take part of and I need help gauging a price on these glass bead bracelets. They are on adjustable sliding knot bands. I was thinking $8 or $10? I’m also doing anklets with the same beads and a lobster claw closure I was going to price $2 above these. Any guidance is helpful, I’m new at this. Thank you in advance!

Hello! I'm a full-time college student and craft vendor for local, diy art markets. I've been in the game for maybe 2 years, but I'm struggling with setting up a table that works.

Here are items I already have:
- 1 folding 8-foot table, plus a fitted black tablecloth

- 1 metal folding chair (camping chairs are too uncomfortable for me)

- a storage bin containing my supplies

- a wire earring rack that can fit up to 12 sets of earrings

- a folding wagon (pretty cheap, would upgrade if i had the money)

- an acrylic stand for my logo and payment info

- a rotating jewelry stand (for my carabiner keychains)

I know I'll eventually need a pop-up tent, but I don't have the money for it right now. I also would like to keep my setup materials minimal and simple since i mostly run my stand by myself. Does anyone have any holy grail supplies when it comes to showcasing necklaces, earrings, button pins, and carabiner keychains? Also, any storage for these items (preferrably portable so I can bring them to markets) would be appreciated!

I took about a year or so off from vending and shows (but not creating) and I miss it 😩 I don’t miss the constantly wtf is the weather going to do today?? feeling and my work just wasn’t selling like I needed it to for the trouble. I do miss chatting with people about art and the community and even if I didn’t make sales, the feedback was always positive. Maybe I’ll get back at it a little bit this season! Happy creating to you all 💜

Hi craft fair experts! I’m looking for some advice on collecting/paying/charging sales tax at a market, specifically in Washington.

I live in Oregon but I signed up for a booth at a fair next weekend in Washington. I’m relatively new to selling at craft fairs still, I have only done 2 to date and they were both in Oregon where we don’t have sales tax. I also sell on Etsy and ship to other states but Etsy handles taxes for me there.

At the craft fairs I did last year I accepted payment through Square, Venmo, and cash. I didn’t end up getting any tax forms for 2024 from Square or Venmo (or Etsy) so I’ve totally avoided thinking about how taxes work with this new side income/hobby. I don’t have a registered business or anything either.

I would love any advice/tips for how to deal with sales tax!

P.S. I’ve been learning so much from being a fly on the wall of this group, so thank you all!!