Teach Soap

I did my first craft show this weekend and I wanted to get everyone's opinion on how it went. I paid $20 to enter and made just under $250. I really didn't try to keep track of how many people were there, just how many people came to my booth. I would say around 300 people came to my booth and looked and/or purchased. I only had soap and it was mostly cold process but I did have some melt and pour. Was this good? Thank you.

I would say that's good!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Oh, that's just what I was hoping! I had so much fun doing it too! Thank you so much

Hi, Lisa, and congrats on your first craft show!

I did my first craft fair this weekend, too, so I don't have tons of experience or insight regarding them, but it sounds to me like you did very well! After taking out taxes, I cleared a little over $100 (my entry fee was $50 plus $8 for a table rental). The show I did is a popular one, but I get the feeling that it wasn't as busy this year as usual. Still, I was happy with my first time out. I had fun, learned a lot, and everyone was super nice. I've got another show in less than two weeks, so I hope to sell more because I've got a lot of soap over here!

I think $250 is great! That's twelve and a half times your entry fee! Congrats!

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- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
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Thank you and congrats on your show also!

I think you both did great. Good job!

Ditto BM---- both did great. I would like to add that I have noticed over the years there is a bit of a "trick" in getting sales at shows. First--- don't sit down unless no one is there. Second--- say hi to everyone even if they are just walking by. If someone has a cute purse or shoes I will comment on it or if they have a cute little one with them---- people who looked like they would have passed me up then stop and look. It's not always a sale but it gets you noticed. Third---- always point out what great gifts soaps make ( I only do soap and lip balms ). When you remind people of that a light goes off--- teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, fellow empolyees, bosses--- I tell them it's something different and something everyone can use. This time of year it's particularly relevant. My last show was my best ever. One woman bought 40 bars to take to her office!!! I shook her hand and thanked her for being my best 1 time soap sale in my life!

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You may be only one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person

Thank you so much - I am always looking for advice from more experienced people. There is always something more to learn

Sounds like you did fantastic good for you

Hi Lisa - CONGRATS to you!!

I did my "Spice of Life" Berkeley craft fair on Sunday (then whisked myself away for a mini-vacation for a few days) but now I'm back and can report on my fair to you as well.

I too made ~ $250+ (includes tax). I had all glycerin soap. I havn't done the final reconcilliation but on first blush before I had to leave that's what I determined.

Don't know how big your fair was, but this fair had thousands and fortunately I shared a booth with a friend who makes jewelery with polymer clay (my half was $75) so take that out of the $250 and I'm down to what $175. I'm not sure exactly how many people came (buying or not but after making 250 soaps (and dreaming of selling at least 100) and standing all day from 10-6 (literally) and finally took a bite of my sandwich at 2:00 - I think I was a bit deflated when I figured the inventory at the end. Overall, I had a great day, weather was perfect, meeting people was fun, talking about the business and becoming an "accidental entrepreneur", talking up my eco-friendly packaging (key in Berkeley and how I'd even with future purchases on-line eliminate the shipping fee to personally bike the soap to their house :+}) However - I figured this time at least I had a nice banner (which I did not have last time) and an Etsy website available to go to post fair - either by taking my busines cards or buying the soaps themselves. Now I have alot of soap on hand but will need to work hard on Etsy now (that's okay) and keep researching some more local faires/craft bazaars.

Here's some photos of the booths for all to see.
http://www.facebook.com/asliceofdelight ... 4125528492

The thing I like about this forum is how helpful and supportive eveyone is to keep motivated.

I called a mentor/jewelry friend/neighbor who does this fair (and actually fairs are his livelyhood) every year to get feedback from him and see how it was compared to years past.

My best,
Hilary

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

I think your booth looks great! I love the signs - I didn't even remember to get one.

I wish I had the patience to do more melt and pour. My heart is with CP but I think M&P has a delicate beauty that just blows me away sometimes. Hilary, I think your soaps are awesome!

Lisa-
I went with 2 fairs without signs before 'finally' plunking my funds down on that. I did it myself on Vistaprint. The smallest banner. So you too can tweek for next time. That's how we all get better, little tiny improvements. I think it did make a difference in terms of folks knowing for sure what I was selling (and not confusing with candy from afar). Or making mental notes to come back to my booth with almost 3 long blocks of booths on both sides most people like to 'survey' the landscape.

We are in awe of each others abilities with regards to each kind of soap crafting style. That's nice. Stick with what you feel good about because that has to come accross when you talk about the process and then your 'authentic' voice comes through to customers.

I think we both did respectfully well considering we are just on the ground floor. I think part of it too is finding the right venues (bazaars, craft fairs, farmers markets, small school events, big school events..etc..).

I did get back to my mentor and he said to me I did fine (maybe he was just being nice). He told me I might have done better if I had my own booth but with sharing it was still a small foothold to getting going.

Let me know if you think about a banner and I'll forward you some discount from Vistaprint that maybe helpful.

Do you have another fair lined up? I am going to attempt a high school crafts bazaar in Dec - small but local (indoors) and likely the right target market . The price like yours will be $20 but only for a few hours, not all day. While not ideal it will be an easy setup. Only a table. And a chance to get more local recognition. Thanks about the booth. It still needs some kind of 'lift' to the soaps. Like putting them on some type of stair stepping affect. Give it more dimension. I'll have to play with that.

Anyway - keep up the energy!!

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

Great start Lisa! You are right about the sign..... I still don't have one and people are always coming over trying to figure out what I have---- cheese, candies or candles I'll get a sign eventually!

Elevations on your talble are really a good idea. They add so much to the look and also gives you more space. It also puts your soaps at more of an eye level to start. DH made me several wood boxes that we have covered in fabric. You can also use sturdy cardboard boxes wrapped in cute wrapping paper... leave as is or add a large paper doily. Make all of your elevations different sizes and heights--- it will really add so much to your display. Just be careful how much weight you put on the cardboard boxes.

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You may be only one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person

I suggest that if you share the booth again, the two of you work out a way to blend your items, rather than splitting the booth down the middle. People are more comfortable walking by to look, without the need to step inside to see what is there. I would work out a way to put the tables across the front, and maybe a table in the back with excess stock, to fill it up more. If there is not space for 2 long tables in front, try one rectangle and one round. Even a patterned rug will help fill it up, visually. Also think about one or two big poster size photographs for the back wall, if you are going to continue to do this. I didn't notice if you had it there, but years ago, I use to sell soap by the slice. My customers loved to see it sliced. Some would even want a bigger slice, which is a plus!

If you begin to repeat the same shows those who had seen or bought from you in the past, will begin to look for you and sales should increase each year.

I SO want to do some fairs. I have worked as a display artist in my past, use to do several booths a year with my art, and approach sales as a game. I love to sell, and in this economy, it's a necessary challenge. My problem is physical (arthritis). If I can keep moving I'm fine, but standing in one spot on a hard surface is killing. I will probably try it next year anyway. Fingers crossed.

Good luck with your soaps. They are great. You should do well. Do keep us posted. We learn from sharing.

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Barbara at Oasis Soap Co.
http://www.oasissoap.com

wow lisa, well done! that is a great return on your investment, very worthwhile I would think.

I am starting soap making and would love to go to the National Craft Fair in ireland but the cost is €1500 (2200 USD) so the initial investment is a little high, not sure if it will be worth it, does anyone have an idea how I can ensure or do anything extra to make it a success?