How to Sell Art at a Craft Fair

Selling art at craft fairs is not for everybody. Shows usually spread over a whole weekend (sometimes more) and require a lot of planning and organization. If you have a gallery or an Internet-based business, it may not make sense for you to sell your art at a craft fair. However, it can be a great way to expand your business and attract new clientèle.

Instructions

1. Research the craft fair in advance. If the fair is large or belongs to a special organization, it might have a website. If not, you can call the contact person in advance and ask questions. Find out what the typical customers are like (age, social/economic sphere, gender) so you can better choose the art you can sell there.

2. Calculate your costs in advance. Selling your art at a craft fair will most likely require you to buy table space. If the fair is large, you can expect to sell well, which justifies a rather high price for the table. If you need to travel to a different city or if the typical customers are not big spenders, you may not make enough to recoup the price you paid to attend.

3. Share a booth with other artists. This is not only a great money-saving strategy, but it is also a good way to share customers. Somebody buying a piece from a sculptor might be more tempted to buy a painting if both are offered together and complement each other well.

4. Price your art well. If you sell too cheap, people may doubt the quality of your pieces. However, pricing your pieces too high may drive customers away. If you have expensive pieces, bring a couple, and then fill your booth with items that match the buying level of the people who attend the fair.

5. Pick a theme. Pieces that go together well create a nice image at the booth and may attract more customers. Once you get prospective customers to your booth, it is more likely that they will buy something. If there is a particular holiday nearby, take advantage of it by offering pieces that match the theme.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider getting a merchant credit card machine, so you can accept large payments safely.

• If you are shy or don't like interacting with people constantly, a craft fair may not be the ideal atmosphere for you.