Saturday 21 March 2015

It's a funny old business

Today I had a stall at a Made in Yorkshire craft fair organised by friends of the local primary school.   Being new to the area I wasn't too sure what to expect but it was well advertised, with professional posters around the town, and in addition to the craft stalls there was to be a cafe, craft room for children, face painting, Easter egg tombola, sounded like lots of fun.
Firstly when I arrived my table was right at the back of the large room in a corner partial concealed by another stall.  I did manage to move my table to a more prominent position with the help of an adjacent stall holder who agreed nobody puts baby in a corner, OK he didn't say that but I couldn't resist.  
The fair was well attended though I got the impression mostly by mothers of the pupils and their immediate family who were treating it as a social event more than a shopping opportunity. Everyone was very complimentary about my knitting, happy to chat and handle the goods but very few people were interested in buying.  My little baby socks particularly got lots of praise but even at £2 a pair I got no sales.    Speaking to other crafters they felt much the same and we were all a bit disappointed with our day.  Nothing to do with the quality of the items, there were some lovely things, if I didn't already have masses of lovely cotton tote bags, toilet bags, felted bags etc I could have bought plenty more and been delighted with them.  
Maybe there is a limit to how many egg cosies complete with creme egg people want to buy in a lifetime and the public is becoming crafted out.   I don't make egg cosies but I thought we'd always need socks. Apparently not, I sold one pair and one pair of gloves, I won't be appearing on Dragons Den any time soon. Incidentally my neighbouring stall holder, a nice young cabinet maker who had some beautiful wooden items sold only two clocks and one of those was to his mother.  

12 comments:

  1. it is tough out there in the craft fair business, I have only done a few and then decided not to bother again....the internet and big supermarkets get the lions share of spending these days I fear....but never say never, we do all need socks I agree!
    xxxx

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  2. I know nothing of British craft fairs. In there are little school and church affairs, always a disappointment. I spent twenty years exhibiting at regional and national fairs. It was hard work, but a good living. And, good to retire, too.

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  3. Sorry you didn't make any sales, I think most people buy their craft items from Etsy.

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  4. So sorry to hear it wasn't a roaring success, Jenny - I think your socks look fab! From what you say, it probably wasn't quite the right demographic for handmade goods, if it was mainly young families. Better luck next time :)

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  5. Such a shame! Your socks look especially wonderful! Ros

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  6. Sorry your socks didn't sell. They are lovely. Hope you manage to find another way of selling them.

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  7. I've done craft fairs where people were there to have a cuppa and a blether rather than shop - very frustrating! Better luck next time!

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  8. I'll buy a pair of your socks - email me and let me know how much. I'd love a pair xxxx

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  9. I agree with Diane...I'd buy your socks! Now that I've finally retired I find I use socks a great deal more than ever I did when I was going to work everyday. Some warm hand-knit socks would have been lovely this winter when I was watching the snow fall with my hands being warmed with an afternoon coffee ! Coldest winter I remember for the number of days fare below the freezing mark. Ugh!

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  10. Such a shame when everyone has gone to so much trouble. I need a new pair of woolly gloves, though.

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  11. Seems like craft fairs and stalls are much the same the country over, which on the one hand is good to know, at least you know it's not just you!

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