I been told by quite of a few of you that you are going to sell some of your craft items at a Christmas fair. This is great especially as Christmas is one of THE most lucrative times of the year for selling in markets. In the run-up to Christmas people are in the mood to buy and they are often visiting the markets with the intention to buy (rather than just ‘window’ shopping).  Christmas fairs attract large amounts of visitors as the markets are dressed in a festive way, jolly music is playing, and the smell of mulled wine and Christmas cake add to the atmosphere.

Here is a list of items that I used to bring the Craft Market where I had my own stall:

1. Change in bills and coins - which I stored in a market stall holders apron (which I sewed myself - in fact I ended up selling 30 of these aprons to other traders because I made my apron pretty and I made it from dotty oil cloth…just a thought).
2. Flask of hot choccy, or coffee. Tasty pack lunch and snacks - you could of course leave your stall to buy your lunch from a shop, but I always thought that leaving your stall was not ideal, even with another trader watching the stall for you.
3. Fold-up chair and cushion - cushion is important, believe me! Happy bum = happy trader.
4. Stationery - pens, scissors, bull-dog clips, strong tape, cleaning cloth, rubber bands, string, stapler, plastic bag for rubbish, lighting (if not supplied by the market) bags for customers to carry their items, and a note pad (for recording sales and for making notes, I also made notes about things like observations about customer behavior, what seems to be popular, idea for selling new items etc.)
5. Marketing materials - business cards (placed in attractive box), small signs (i.e to advertise the material content, or special offer, etc.) a large sign displaying your company name and logo, with website, and contact details to put in front of your table.
6. Extra inventory to re-stock your table - I always thought it was best to have a well stocked but not full looking table. It’s best to re-stock you table rather than put everything you have for sale on display (or it might look as if you have loads to sell, but it isn’t selling!)
7. Bring some WIPs - that way you can sit and make stuff during quiet moments. Passers by like to see the artist at work because it gives your handmade items more credibility. I thought that making more craft to sell looked better than reading a newspaper or a book.
8. Stall Decorations - it’s a nice idea to pretty up your stall; it will set your stall apart from other stalls and it will add warmth and personality to you and your products. Choose a few (too many and you’ll create clutter) props that relate in some way to your craft items.
9. Stall accessories - lighting and multi adapters (if not supplied by the market. If you can have a spotlight or two than you should because a well-lit stall attracts passers-by and your products will look better in the light), lots of big sprung clips (great for keeping awnings, and table cloths under control) a tablecloth, and if necessary fabric for a roof and walls, or a tent (I’d keep it plain so the focus will be fully on your products and not on the patterned cloth), table, display racks or shelves as necessary.
10. Personals - headache pills, plasters, hand cream, tissues, seasonal clothing (hat, mittens, scarf, etc.) camera to take cools shots of your table (to put on your crafty blog of course!)

The first place in which I sold my crafts, Greenwich, in London. There is where it all began for me…

Have fun at the fair!

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