www.craftstravaganza.com
Twitter: @StPaulCraft
Date/time/location of market:
One week before Mother’s Day weekend. This year it was from 9-5 on May 2. It is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the Fine Arts Building.
Basic description of market:
We describe it as a “Punk Rock” Craft Show to celebrate the diversity of DIY art, inclusiveness of all kinds of people, and revolutionary spirit of the new craft culture.
What made you decide to start your market?
When we started planning the first show in 2006, there was really nothing else like it in the Twin Cities or in the entire state. We made the show that we wanted to attend. Turns out a lot of other people were waiting for the same thing!
How are artists selected for inclusion in the market?
There’s a juried process that selects for quality, variety, and affordability. We want our shoppers to see an excellent assortment of reasonably-priced crafts.
What advice can you give to artists who are hoping to get their work featured at craft fairs?
- Make something unique and amazing. This is the hardest step.
- Realize that we get lots of applications and half of them are for the same thing. Demonstrate how you are different with a detailed description and professional-quality photos. If your product is not unique and amazing, go back to step one.
- Once you get into a show, your work is not done. If you want to get accepted to the next one, do your best to impress. Sell what you applied with, run an attractive booth, and be courteous (to everyone: organizers, volunteers, shoppers, and other vendors). Side effects to running a pro booth: higher sales to customers, wholesale opportunities, and invitations to more local events.
What, from your observation, makes for a successful crafter booth? (Include merchandising, marketing strategies, customer service strategies, selling strategies, etc.)
We could write a book, but we’ll keep it to five things:
- Our most successful vendors promote the show in advance. Send out emails, advertise on your blog, send out tweets. If you don’t have a mailing list, website, blog, or Twitter/Etsy/MySpace/Facebook account then get one! Advertise where you will be and consider offering a coupon or special discount.
- Recognize that “indie craft” is a huge industry now. You are not just competing against other vendors in a particular show, you are competing against what your shoppers found on Etsy this morning. Do some homework to find what else is out there and price your goods accordingly.
- Presentation is crucial. Your booth must catch the attention of shoppers, or they will just walk on by. Use vertical space when possible. Make pricing visible so people don’t have to ask, but be ready to answer questions. Engage the customer any way you can (which brings us to our next point).
- Some of our vendors have are new to shows or selling in general. A retail background helps with the actual customer service side. If you’re not good at selling or dealing with people, find an assistant to help work your booth. Find an assistant anyway because it’s no fun to be alone all day.
- Make it easy to spend money at your booth. Work out details like sales tax in advance so you’re not wasting time at the show. Bring small bills and change, way more than you think you will need. Find a system for processing credit cards. Consider whether you want to accept checks, though (checks can bounce).
What are the biggest trends you’re seeing at your market? What types of items are most popular, etc.?
We are always surprised by what sells and what doesn’t. There is a winning formula though. It almost doesn’t matter what you make as long as it’s the best of its kind, and you are selling it for a fair price. We might sound like a broken record, but we have found this to be true. Don’t try to chase trends, just focus on quality and presentation.
How can interested vendors apply?
We’re in the very early planning stages for our next show, but instructions will be announced when details are available. (Join our mailing list or follow us on Twitter for updates).
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think we covered nearly everything! Thanks for the opportunity to speak with Indie-Made.
Recycled Tie Wallets from Craftstravaganza in St. Paul
