Craft fairs are fantastic opportunities for artisans like us at MidRiver Woodworks to showcase our handcrafted wooden creations, connect with customers, and share our passion for woodworking. Preparing for a craft fair is not just about setting up a booth; it’s about creating an experience that draws people in and leaves a lasting impression. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps and tips to prepare for a successful craft fair.

1. Planning Your Booth Layout:

• Placement:
  • Not all craft fair organizers allow for vendors to request location for their booths, but if one does request a location near the entrance of the event. This allows for people to see your crafts immediately upon entering as well as before leaving. It also ensures the most foot traffic by your booth.
  • If you cannot request a location, no worries! Just make sure to make your booth extra appealing and inviting to customers. Consider selling a high volume, low price item for less than planned to bring people in.
• Layout:
  • Create an inviting layout with easy access to your products. Arrange your items creatively to maximize display space without overcrowding.
  • Layout is key! overcrowding of goods will make the space look too busy to potential customers and often results in people just walking by. A less crowded and inviting layout will result in more sales, even if not all products are actively displayed. 

2. Showcasing Your Craftsmanship:

• Quality Matters:
  • Ensure that all your products are of your highest quality. Craftsmanship is your best advertisement. If you wouldn’t buy the item being sold, don’t sell it. 
  • I would recommend against having a sale section or “bargain bin”. At craft fairs customers are often looking for gifts for friends/family and the sale items take up quality space for full priced product.
• Diversity:
  • Offer a diverse range of wooden creations, from furniture to pens and decor, to attract a broader audience.
  • I generally like to have about $1000 to $1500 in product at a single day craft fair. This will be divided with about 70% of the product in the $20-40 dange, 25% in the $40-100 range, and about 3-5 items above $100. I generally try to have a single “big ticket” furniture item that I think is likely to sell based on the timing / atmosphere of the craft fair.

3. Pricing Strategy:

• Fair Pricing:
  • Research competitor prices and set reasonable prices for your products.
    • Keep in mind that while you do not want to sell yourself short, you do want to make sales. I often see woodworkers at craft fairs with 5-6 wood slimline pens trying to sell them for $75, $100, or even $150 each. I make a lot of pens for craft fairs – the hardware can be imported cheap (same suppliers that Rockler or PSI use) and when batched out I can make a decent profit when selling for $20 each. Just because crafters LIST an item for a given amount DOES NOT mean they are actually selling for that amount – be realistic with prices.
  • Consider offering bundle deals or special discounts for the craft fair. 

4. Branding Your Booth:

• Signage:
  • Create eye-catching banners or signs with your logo for easy recognition.
  • I have no affiliation with VistaPrint – but have used them for both signage as well as business cards without issue
• Business Cards:
  • Have plenty of business cards on hand for potential customers to take with them.
  • In my experience it is very rare for a customer who has taken a business card to later contact me inquiring about making a custom piece for them. The few conversions that I did have were after I created a batch of craft fair specific business cards that offer 10% off of any commission that is placed within 14 days of the craft fair. 

5. Engage with Visitors:

• Storytelling:
  • Share the story behind your woodworking passion and the unique aspects of each creation.
• Demonstrations:
  • Consider live demonstrations or woodworking displays to showcase your skills.
  • Demonstrations likely require electirical access which may be an extra fee at some craft fairs. 

6. Payment Options:

• Variety:
  • Accept a variety of payment methods, including cash, card, and mobile payments.
  • There are many apps that allow for this. Square and Paypal are the most common in my experience. I have used paypal without issue for years.
• Fees:
  • All credit card processors take a fee – generally in the realm of 2.5% or so. You can offer cash discounts, eat the fee (generally what I do), or add a fee to any credit sales – just make sure to have very clear signage about your policy for customers to see
• Sales Tax
  • Many states require sales tax to be collected. Make sure that the tax that you are using is correct for the state/city/locality where you are selling. 

7. Inventory Management:

• Stock Up:
  • Ensure you have enough inventory to meet demand but not so much that you’re overwhelmed. I generally place about 80% of my inventory initially on the table and then restock as things sell so that the booth looks full for as long as possible. This also helps avoid overcrowding. 
• Organization:
  • Keep your products well-organized, making it easy for customers to browse.

8. Presentation and Packaging:

• Aesthetics:
  • Pay attention to the aesthetics of your booth. Use tablecloths, stands, and lighting to enhance the presentation.
  • Tablecloths are a key! even just the $2 disposable plastic table cloths make a booth looks much more inviting. 
• Wrapping/Bags:
  • Offer either a way to wrap any goods that customers buy or provide a nice handled bag to provide to the customer. These can be purchased on amazon (handled paper bags). This not only helps protect the item the customer purchased, but also provides them with a bag for other purchases which is often needed. 

9. Customer Interaction:

• Engagement:
  • Engage with every customer, answer their questions, and be approachable.
  • I have tried sitting in the front of the booth, mid booth off to a side, and at the back of the booth. To be honest, I do not think it matters where you sit to drive customers. I personally like sitting at the front to try to engage with more people walking by, but have had as much success sitting in back as it seems less “pushy” to many potential customers. Generally I start out in front and then read the atmosphere and move as needed. 
• Collect Feedback:
  • Ask for feedback to continually improve your craft and customer experience. Generally the fair organizers as well as other vendors are more than happy to provide feedback as well as tips and tricks for next time. 

10. Follow-up:

• Contact Information:
  • Collect customer contact information for future updates and promotions.
• Thank You Notes:
  • Send personalized thank-you notes or emails to show your appreciation – especially f you offer custom works that a customer orders at a craft fair for later delivery.

Conclusion:

Preparing for a craft fair is a labor of love that allows us to share our woodworking passion with the world. With careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to showcasing the beauty of our wooden creations, MidRiver Woodworks is poised for success. Craft fairs are not just about selling products; they’re opportunities to connect with customers, fellow artisans, and fellow woodworking enthusiasts. Remember, it’s not just about what you’re selling; it’s about the story, the craftsmanship, and the experience you offer. Best of luck at the craft fair, and may your booth be a memorable destination for all who visit!