Teach Soap

Hey, YummyMummy,

I was thinking about you this weekend and wondering how your craft fair went.

Sounds like it went okay but could have gone better. I know it must have been frustrating to have such a cramped space, and the other going-ons that disrupted things a bit. And so sorry about bath-bomb lady. Hope it didn't turn you off of craft fairs ... I have had people say strange or rude things to me before at a craft fair, but it has happened only a couple of times and I just shrugged it off. Sounds, too, like it was a small craft fair - you should get more traffic at your larger ones later in the year. I'd keep an eye out for other fairs - I've had a craft show end up being a bust before (I didn't even make my booth fee back), so I just know for the future that that one didn't work out so great and to focus on the ones where I do better. I'm still trying to learn which shows are good, and which ones aren't worth the hassle. Don't know 'til you try, though!

I'm glad to hear that you had some sales, though, and made some contacts. The craft fairs I did last October-December were really good, so I hope they're good to you, too. People are in holiday-mode then, and soap and B&B products make such great stocking stuffers or little gifts for friends and whatnot.

Your products look really good, and your table is nice! I wouldn't have been able to resist buying something from you!

Best of luck with the online side of things and with your future craft shows! (And your son is super-cute!)

_________________
- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
Follow me on my

Hi, I have been doing craft fairs for 1 year now and I know exactly what you are experiencing. I am very shy and it is only my love of my crafts and desire to share them with others that pushes me to be outgoing when I sell to the public. You will have to try a couple of different venues, farmers markets, fire house craft shows, etc. to discover where your best customers will be -- you will always have a couple of people who seem to make a hobby out of negative comments, I just smile at them until they leave the I say "have a nice day!" Drives them crazy! Your table looks great! Your products are very professional looking. I like the yellow table cloths, very inviting. The "steps" for your jarred products are very creative. I think you will do very well at craft fairs.

Hi YummyMummy - I agree with the other comments. You can get some people who really enjoy being negative about things - I personally feel this is because they are jealous and know they could never make anything "special" themselves. I'm with MaryannL - smile sweetly and wish them a cheerful farewell - it really does do their heads in lol!!
Your stand and products look beautiful! I agree with soapbuddy that the yellow is a bit WOW! I went to a local fabric shop when they were having furniture fabric sales and got a deep blue/purple for mine at $3 per metre (it's just sheeting fabric). It's supposed to be purple really but in the sun looks like a navy blue. It makes the products the feature. Sheets are also a good idea as soapbuddy said. I couldn't use a white or cream as I'm outdoors and it would be obviously filthy around the edges in about 10 minutes!! At least with the deeper colour you can't see the dirt ha ha. It's hard to figure out where you're going to do well. Our first market in the town where my daughter lives was slow and miserable We persevered and now we do it every month and we have a lot of repeat business and people are friendlier because we are familiar. I think people assume you are coming in to take their money and then they will never see you again! Having said that - you can also get some groups (like the one you were at) who are cliquey and not welcoming because they are a 'closed shop' and need you there for your fee but don't really want you there.
I second everyone else - your little boy is gorgeous! Keep on smiling!!

_________________
Soaper from Melbourne Australia
Founding member of Melt & Pour Soap Crafters ... find us on Facebook - we'd love to see you!

I love this post Anne-Marie did over on the Soap Queen Blog last year with some great recommendations for how to deal with a disappointing craft show. Sounds like you did a great job! But here are a few more ideas.

_________________
Bramble Girl
www.brambleberry.com