My Top Tips for Selling at Arts and Crafts Fayres

Are you selling you artwork/handmade crafts/goods for the first time at an arts and crafts fayre, or local community event? Need some hints and tips on what to do on the day? Here are my top tips for selling your work at an arts and crafts fayre!

1) Arrive early to set up and get yourself prepared for the day.

When you arrive, give yourself plenty of time to prepare your stall. Ensure that you have a seat, a flask of water/coffee to keep you going, you have your containers with change, and everything you need for the day. Get yourself ready for the day; it will be a great experience!

2) Befriend those around you.

There will be times at the fayre when it goes quite/has a dip in attendees. Talk to the people on stalls next to you—find out what they do! This is a great networking opportunity, and a chance to make new friends when running a stall. Also, it helps if you’re friends with the people around you, as they can watch your stall if you need a quick rest break.

3) Hand out business cards.

Business cards are a great way for you to expand your business/art networks with the people you meet, and engage with members of the public who may wish to buy from you in the future. Also, there is the off-chance that people may become your clients when they see your work, and have your business card.

4) Take lots of loose change.

Take lots and lots of loose change to cover your back. When a customer hands over a £20 note for a £5 item, at least make sure you have enough change to give back… This happens sometimes; just be prepared for it. It will make the day so much easier for you too!

5) Displaying Your Work

Remember to take a table cloth with you to cover your table and display your work on top. As a freelance artist, I find that I have loads of canvasses and pieces of work, which, therefore, may not all fit on the table. Especially in cases where you have canvasses/pieces of work of varying sizes and you need to work out an appropriate way of displaying your work.

When I did my first arts and crafts fayre, I rotated some of my canvasses after some sales had been made. If you find that you have too many items to fit on the table, that’s fine! When you make a sale, replace it with another piece of work/take your own extra displays if you can (if permitted).

6) Make sure your display is neat, and all prices are labelled clearly.

Make it easy for customers to view your work and the prices of everything without making them ask too many questions. Clear signage helps the customers to be able to see you work and what the cost is of each product(s).

7) Promote all your social media accounts, and post what you’re doing on them.

Take photos of your stall and promote them on your social media feeds – let your current followers know you’re selling at a fayre, whilst expanding your own social media networks with the people you meet on the day. Promoting your social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc), can help you to grow your online presence, and encourage those you meet on the day to follow your accounts too!

8) Enjoy yourself!

Selling your work at arts and crafts fayres are enjoyable; you get to meet new people, expand your business and make sales! Tell people about your work, promote what you do and make some money on the day.

Good luck!