What Type of Craft Should You Sell at a Craft Fair?

It is most important to choose a craft that can be produced at a low cost.

Keep it simple. Since you are likely going to produce items in large quantity, you don't want to go overboard and spend more than you will make from profits.

It is also very time consuming to produce a craft. It is a good idea to allow yourself a steady production pace and establish a goal for how many items you want to sell.

Possible craft ideas for crafty entrepreneurs include:

• Clothing - Sweaters, shirts, dresses, socks, vests
• Accessories - Hats, mittens, scarves, belts, slippers, bags, purses, wallets
• Jewelry - Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, anklets, pendants, pins, watches, jewelry holders/stands
• Stuffed Animals - Dogs, cats, bears, horses, bunnies, cows, pigs, ducks, birds, wolves, lions, tigers, elephants, penguins
• Toys - Dolls, puzzles, trucks, cars
• Decoration - Candles, candle holders, stained glass, bowls, plates, vases, lanterns, lamps, holiday ornaments, wreaths, flower pots, paintings, picture frames
• Furniture - Tables, chairs, stools, shelves, chests, benches, mirrors, bookcases, coat racks
• Miscellaneous Items - Books, quilts, embroidery, blankets, towels, photo albums, notebooks, tool boxes, bird houses, bird feeders, wagons

How to Sell Your Craft

When starting a crafts business, there are certain things you should do maximize your chances of success:

• Tout the benefits. No matter what type of craft you chose to produce, let the consumer know it will be useful to them. This is your chance to talk to each individual and tell them why they should buy your craft. The success of such interaction serves as a test of your customer service and sales skills, an essential building block for any would-be entrepreneur.
• Don't limit your audience. If a senior citizen approaches you at a craft fair where you are selling toys, tell them it would make a great gift for a grandchild. If a teenager approaches you at a craft fair while you are selling lamps, tell them it would be a great gift for an older relative. Crafts make great gifts because of their originality, which is what many people look for in a present.
• Think of your craft as a collectible. There are also many people who are interested in buying handcrafted items for themselves. Promote your craft as a way for someone to start or add to a collection. This could possibly help you create a long-term customer following.