It’s a brand new year and spring will be here lickity split. I’ve been working steadily on crafts to sell at my weekly farmer’s market which starts up in April. I thoroughly enjoyed the market I participated in last year and since several folks asked me what its like to setup at a weekly market, I put together this series of articles. I hope they encourage and prepare you to take a risk and setup a booth at your own weekly market.
This is all the stuff I learned the hard way by trial and error after six months of getting up every Saturday morning at O’dark thirty and setting up a booth. Much of the information is specific to a weekly market as opposed to a one time setup. For more details about what to bring to the market check out this groovy article and this one that includes a fabulous checklist.
Part 1 - Your wares
How do you decide what to sell? And how do you get customers to actually stop and look and perhaps buy your stuff? This is what worked for me.
Variety seems to be the key, both in pricing and in products. One type of item didn’t work for me. Initially I started out my weekly market booth with just my Fluffy Flowers creatures. Those of you who have visited my online shop know that I make handmade loveable plush creatures. But what I discovered at the weekly market was that although many folks did stop to admire their cuteness, not everyone wanted or needed my creatures. It struck me that I really had to expand my wares to include items that would appeal to a range of customers. Slowly I crafted and added dog bone squeaky toys, sweater catnip rats, and felted handbags. Many of these items sold well and I realized I was on to something.
In addition to a variety of products it's also important to offer a variety of price points. I discovered that lots of folks will pay $5 for something but not many will pay $15 or $20. So with that in mind, this year I’m making many more lower priced items to include in my booth.
Another way I figured out what to sell was by listening to my customers. These folks are the ones who helped me decide which direction to take my wares. Often they made comments on my stuff and asked if I had something in particular.
If this happens to you then don’t shrug it off! This is free advice that could help you improve your stock. The folks that wander by on the other side of the booth know what would make them open their wallets and pull out their money. Listening to them and acting on their advice could lead to more sales. I’ve crafted several successful products because folks have mentioned they’d love to buy one.
One thing I was not prepared for was how to handle requests for custom orders. They can be a tricky thing. It takes time and money to create custom orders with the possibility that the customer won’t want the goods in the end. There are several ways to handle these requests including politely refusing, taking a down payment, or just going for it with the hopes of adding it to your stock if the buyer changes her mind.
I usually just went for it. Some of the requests I received came from regular market visitors so I felt fairly confident they’d be back to buy it. But I can remember one occasion when a customer requested a product then never came back to purchase it. If you decide to accept custom orders it’s also important to follow through in a timely manner.
One of the most important lessons I learned was to consider my customers and produce items they would like. As much as I want to think of myself as an artist who creates unique products, ultimately it is the consumer who drives sales. Their opinions are valuable. Now with a new market season approaching I’m thinking about what I want to craft as well as what I think my customers want.
Part two of How to setup a craft booth at a weekly Farmer's Market will be all about Your Setup.
Great advice Felicia! Can you believe that April is right around the corner??? I can't!
Posted by: Karyn | January 24, 2008 at 06:57 AM
I love this post! I've considered a booth at our local farmer's market at some point in the future. You have really gread advice. I look forward to your other posts too.
Posted by: Jen | January 24, 2008 at 07:15 AM
very useful post, thanks!! :-)
Posted by: machi | January 24, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Thanks for stopping by!!! I have read your first page of your blog just now and I think you are greatly funny and talented too!
I will look forward to returning to read new and older posts and get to know you more!!
Amy
Posted by: Amy Wagner | January 24, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Excellent advice Felicia. Loved the pic of your booth with all the lovely smiley fluffy sweater kitties!
Posted by: Yolanda Elizabet | January 24, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Thanks for these tips! There are so many things I'd never think of, not having done anything more than custom orders and consigments (blech!). :-)
Posted by: Brandy | January 24, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Great advice! Thanks for taking the time to write the articles.
Posted by: Erin | January 24, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Very, very interesting. I've never set up at a weekly market, and this was very informative. I'd be likely to do it now. Thanks!
Posted by: jewelstreet | January 24, 2008 at 08:42 AM
What great advice! Thank you for sharing all of your info! I am planning on being in a weekly market this spring!
♥Lisa
Posted by: Lisa M | January 24, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Great advice. Thank you so much for sharing. We are hoping to get involved with local farmers markets this spring! Your information was helpful!
Posted by: Melanie | January 24, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Very good tips!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM
What a great post! I am looking forward to part 2:)
Posted by: Chara Michele | January 24, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Great post and sound advice. I'll be back tomorrow to read part two.
Posted by: teresa | January 24, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Cool article idea.. I'm interested in how your set up differs from the one I had when I was doing weekly markets in other states. I think that's the most interesting and fun thing about doing shows is learning from and watching how other vendors do things!
I took a supply deposit if it was something I wouldn't ordinarily make or thought would be hard to sell if a special order didn't pick up.
Posted by: Mouse | January 24, 2008 at 11:57 AM
This was great! I'm sure I will be referring back to it. Thanks for writing this!
Posted by: Marilyn | January 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Dang. I wish you were going to be at our farmer's market. Ours is fairly small - and NO crafters yet. I must call the city about that.
Good luck with your stand. I think it's fabulous!
Posted by: rani | January 24, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Oh you got it...it's important to listen to people, and then try things out. If things don't work for me in the shop, I can, with confidence then tell people why I do or don't do a specific thing...saving me the urge to jump across the counter and strangle the "know it alls"...oops! Tee-hee!!
Posted by: sadira | January 24, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Sounds like you are well on your way! Those things are definitely trial and error. When my volunteer group started selling crafts for fundraising, it took a couple years to figure what really works, range of price items, and marketing set up.
Good luck with your booth this year!! I can't wait to see how the new offerings will go over. I'm sure it will be fabulous.
Posted by: pam | January 24, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Very cool advice, Felicia. Thank you for taking the time to share. And those fuzzy wuzzy kitties are so cute! :-)
Posted by: m i c h e l l e | January 24, 2008 at 07:21 PM
I wish I had the guts or gumption to set up a booth or have a shop :( But I will bookmark this advice, just in case :)
Posted by: amy | January 24, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I really appreciate all of your wisdom on this as you are definately an experienced market person! You seem to understand marketing (hmmm... funny that the business term is the same) which is not so different from running a large company. I always say that everyone needs a business minor in school because we're all selling something, in some way!! Can't wait to read the second post!
Posted by: bethany | January 24, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Great tips! THANKS:)
Kari
Posted by: ArtsyMama | January 24, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Sound advice for success, Felicia. I'll be back to glean more of your knowledge from experience. Thanks!
Posted by: Katherine | January 24, 2008 at 09:45 PM
What a great post! This is great advice, especially since I plan to sell at a local farmers market this spring. Thank you for visiting my blog, I'll be back to visit you soon!
Posted by: Jenny | January 24, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Great article Felicia. I totally agree with all of it.
I too have added lower priced items. I try to take the customers' ideas to heart and I'm careful about orders.
Great stuff!
Posted by: iSew | January 25, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Great info. I might just try it !
Posted by: sixsisters | February 02, 2008 at 07:30 AM
This is great! I love all the points you bring up, and it's fun to read :)
Posted by: Liz - made in lowell | February 10, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Great advice. Thanks for the article!
Posted by: Kristin | February 19, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Thanks for posting this piece about weekly markets*
Great advice and well written*
Very helpful!
enjoy the market
Posted by: Twobeans | February 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM
thanks Fluff for the advice and tips, great info on the free advice from your customers!
Posted by: LoveMeKnot Creations | February 23, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Thanks for the great advice!
Posted by: Rebecca | January 23, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Thanks for sharing. I have hopes of venturing out to outdoor markets this year. Your advice is certainly helpful.
Posted by: marcia | January 27, 2009 at 08:43 AM
great post. I know for my first time, I didn't bring a table so I had to put everything on the ground. Big mistake. Now I know how important it is to have a table and if possible a canopy shade cover. I bought a portable one and make sure I have it with me, it's made a huge difference.
Posted by: Pop up tent | February 26, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Thanks soooo much for sharing. This is something I was considering doing.
Posted by: Judi Jamieson | April 08, 2009 at 01:33 PM
This is great advice! I'm entering a craft show this fall and am looking on ways to improve my booth!
Posted by: Jenny | August 01, 2010 at 09:05 PM