If you enjoy making crafts, and love spending time at trade shows and art shows, you may wonder if becoming a craft seller is a successful business venture for you. Whether it’s a way to make some extra money on the side, or potentially as a new career path, selling art at art fairs can be seen as an exciting way to do something you love as more than a hobby. However, marketing at a craft fair can be a lot of work, and more time, effort; with the expense and commitment you may know.
This article is the first in a series I will publish on my experiences selling art over ten years. These articles will cover all aspects of selling art, such as setting up and displaying art, finding art shows, marketing your work successfully, security and safety, and much more. But the first thing that matters is whether the vendor’s product is really right for you, your hands, and your lifestyle. Please consider each of the questions below carefully before deciding if this is an activity you would really like to pursue.
1. Do you believe that the type of art that you can find on the market is quite unique?
In a narrow fair-value, origin goes a long way to getting attention – and potential buyers – for your product. work Certain types of art are quite oversaturated in today’s art market, especially jewelry. As a new seller, you may find it difficult to get into some art fairs if there are already many other, well-established sellers selling that type of merchandise at those shows. The juried auction, in which judges review applications and artwork before deciding which vendors to select, helps to level the field between new and emerging vendors by not only accepting applications on a “first come, first served” basis, but based on quality. the former But if you pursue a craft as popular as fa>reation, you’ll be sure that your work is original, unique, and well-constructed enough to impress.
If you like to make, for example, clothes, purses, or other fashion accessories, think about whether there is something special about your products that You can capitalize on promoting them and make them stand out as a seller. Do you specifically make clothes for pregnant women or babies, for example? Hand decorated vintage items with naenis to turn them into something new? Prepare decorative wreaths using only natural, “green” materials? Make soap and candles using herbs and flowers from your garden? Just think that your work is really one of a kind not only to the buyers, but to those who will be reviewing and receiving your space applications.
2. Are you content to focus on just one or two types of art?
Focus is very important for the result to show the salesman’s art. A seller who trying to sell many types of crafts will often sell very little of any at once. Shoppers like to see clean, direct display of goods, jewelry, beauty, baby clothes; wooden toys or boards, leather goods, etc. If you are artistic at home, but it seems like you always work in various projects, when you can focus, for example, soon Making 500 fabric ornaments for Christmas Trees can become very tedious, very quickly. You also want to buy yours in bulk to save on your material costs, so that your product line attention can help in that respect as well.
3. Do you want to devote your week to rest and family?
This is an important aspect of a smart salesperson to consider. Remember that most art fairs and exhibitions take place on Saturdays and/or Sundays. You may put in long hours from early morning until late evening to work on these shows, losing time otherwise spent with family and friends. If you are serious about making your artistic career and not just a part-time hobby, you will know that this will mean more than any weekend of the year to commit to performing works, at least or especially in busy times such as summer and winter holidays. In past summers, I used to show up to various agencies from June through September in Philadelphia, which required me to be there from 8am – 11pm on Saturdays, and 10am – 7pm on Sundays. I literally didn’t have a social life like all my friends at work “normal jobs” and only wanted to get together to do things on weekends – when I always worked.
Don’t think you’re going away with your family on Memorial Day or Labor Day or weekend. Such festivals often have some of the biggest art fairs and many great artist festivals. So expect many of your “holidays” to turn out to be working for you. If this is too much time to hand over to the person, than reconsider if the seller is something you would like to pursue.
4. Do you want to deal with things that are not just casual?
Once you get beyond the small church and school art shows, know that you have a great deal to start a business. Most major shows require you to be registered with a Sales Tax ID when the show is held in the state. means careful observation of your sales records, expenses, reports and payments tax returns, etc.
You should also look into accepting credit to increase your ability to sell your business by creating a website to help market your business and keep customers. being aware of your upcoming shows, setting up a separate bank account for your business, among many other things. Crafting is no longer just the fun and games you once decided to make it more of a chore.
5. Do you have an outgoing personality and are you confident enough to sell your work successfully?
A good salesperson should be a good salesperson. You just can’t sit back and wait for your merchandise to sell itself. You need to stop, my friend, and without being implacable. If you are nervous and don’t feel confident about interacting with strangers, you will find it difficult to be a salesperson. You, too, are sufficiently confident in your work – and in yourself – to be able to stand up to those who (as they believe me) come and insult your work out of jealousy, or inhumanity, or thinking that you are; Submit the price. The seller needs a thick skin, but hairy, soft and flexible. Marketing is a skill s you need to develop, but be aware of what you are – and are not – willing to accept for your goods.
Is selling the right product for you?
Only you will be able to answer this question. And you can try it first, before you know for sure, if it is something that you not only enjoy doing, but can also benefit from. I hope that the questions presented in this article have given you something to think about and consider before taking that first step into the world of art. fair vending
In the next article in this series, I will discuss the fixtures and mounting materials you need to place to make an attractive, safe and secure display of your art.
Sources:
* Personal experience
