Stuff For Crafts Fair

[NVLeatherWorx]

The pricing game is always a tough one and everyone will have a different method to it. When it comes to a standard, run of the mill, key fob I set my price for a stamped version at $5.00 and a carved & tooled version at $10.00; my price always includes my sales tax and for that I just add the highest rate for my State as I tend to travel around where each County has a different rate. However, that pricing is for what is on hand; in other words the Cash & Carry products. If a person wants me to make them a fob to their specifications then it would most likely cost more as there is almost always a bunch of extra stuff that they want. I have had one custom ordered with a stamped border around the edge, a Carved & Tooled Old English Monogram, and they wanted the edge laced. That one went for $25.00 plus shipping (no tax added here as it was to be shipped out of State).

That is the way I do things but one thing I always try to do when pricing my Cash & Carry stuff is to make sure that I cover my materials and a larger portion of my time. There is some truth to the statement "a cheap price often gives the impression of a cheaply made item" and I don't list my stuff cheap; I list it fair enough to gain a little profit but any time a custom order is made based on what is on display I always do a full work up and quote to the client and I explain to them going into it that the price for a custom item will be different than that on the display item and I tell them why. No matter what, never sell yourself short for anyone or for any reason.

[biglew]

thanks

[Stewart]

There is a lot of good information that's been posted here. Seems that the prices are inline.

My show was last Saturday. sold 2 fobs and order for one more and 2 orders for baseballs.

Those are to be seen yet. This was the second time the Market/ Craft event has been held.

So I am on the ground floor and my table is next to the check in table.So it's encouraging

that that's where they want me.

Only two crafters there. A lady with a spinning wheel doing sheep's wool into yearn and I.

The rest was made up of food vendors-Honey sellers and herbs for health.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Stewart

[NVLeatherWorx]

Neat little table arrangement there Stewart. However, if I may make a suggestion? Be careful doing anything that has a licensed Trademark or Copyright item (cartoon characters, official sports logos, etc.) as that is against the law (unless you have a written document from the attorney's who represent the Trademark or Copyright owner giving you permission to do so). I say this because it has become a common thing to find crafters of all types getting themselves in hot water over the use of such things and there are several cases where the crafter has lost all of their equipment, supplies, etc. plus hefty fines (even know of a couple that lost their homes in the lawsuits). Don't mean to rain on your parade but I hate to see fellow craftsmen fall into this trap and find themselves losing everything over a stupid yellow bird or some black and white cat that can't speak clearly.

The baseballs are a nice touch, do they sell well?

[Stewart]

NV. Thought of that. The Fobs and baseballs attracted a few looks. I think I overwhelmed

them with having so much out at one time. Next time I will be selective.

The crowd was few as being the second time as a Market. What did puzzle me was it was

at a Church and the Bible type stuff did not get a look at. The kids did not even check out

the baseballs. Had a feeling that they thought they were all import stuff.

[NVLeatherWorx]

It is strange that none of the Bible stuff got a look especially for being at a Church. There are so many "fakers" and "fly-by-nighters" marketing all of that foreign stuff or who are pretending to be an outlet for wholesale stuff (garbage more correctly) that it is difficult to try and introduce a new novelty item such as the baseballs. You will find that no matter what type of event crowd a market/fair may be directed towards or regardless of where the venue is that there is no fast and true method of determining what is going to sell. I have spent hours putting together a biker related line of products to have, in addition to my normal layout, in support of a biker's event and not one darn biker item sold. Had no issues moving anything else but not the biker stuff. A couple of weeks later I was participating in a local celebration (this is an annual event) for one of the historical mining towns in my area and moved just about every piece of the biker stuff that I had made for the other event. And the funniest thing of all was that none of the buyers were bikers nor were they buying for anyone who was.

Guess if we ever were to figure out how to forecast what will sell based on location and targeted attendance we would be making way too much money to be doing any of this stuff ourselves.

[DoubleC]

There is a lot of good info here and I'd like to add some more. I work at the same farmer's market all summer, today is my last one of the year. Our motto is 'if you don't make it, bake it or grow it, don't bring it.' So having been an ongoing market for years most people know that and don't think it's fake crap from China. I know a vendor who was going to be the only LW at a big show (not around here) and was told he'd better cram his booth since he was the only LW vendor. He did with Chinese purses and sold them as his own. When he told me that I was actually sick. That's one of the reasons we have to fight and claw for every dime we make.

I have a Christmas show next month and this year I'll take my inventory I already have built up and I will make several key chains and this year I'd like to have some magnets with little Christmas objects on the magnetic tape like stockings and doves and santa etc. Last year at this show I sold nothing but key chains and an art piece. I charge 5 bucks for my key chains because I wet the conchos I have for them, and stamp VT on them, then grab some dyes and do them in several colors. My other stuff I take will just be to fill up the booth nice but it didn't sell last year. I have a lot of 10.00 bracelets and will make some more easy ones so to keep the price down. That will be the three things I expect to sell mostly. The other suggestions given here about folding furniture etc. really comes in handy. Oh and the little simple CC holders with designs stamped on them.

I didn't get any custom orders last year but I usually do one a week or two at the farmer's market. I agree, especially this time of year go for the small impulse buys that are still nice that people can give for gifts.

You folks forgot one important thing. No matter what, have fun

[DoubleC]

Back from the FM, last one. And I have an order for a custom 140.00 belt, yehaw