My First Craft Fair

Many apologies for taking tis long to share my first craft fair with everyone.  I have been a crazy person since the kids went back to school.

Preparing for the Craft fair, We packed the suburban full and arrived hours early, and in the heat of mid day, which was my downfall.  Thinking ahead, and not wanting to spend too much money at the event itself, we had a cooler with Gatorade, water, and snacks.  I had read other blogs and articles on what you should bring and even made a complete checklist, so I was ready!

Starting after 4pm, I had a LOT of lookers, and I also noticed less than half of the other vendors set up for the night before.  I did sell a bit on that evening, and enjoyed the company of my family.  Unfortunately, I got over heated and went home very sick at the end of the day.  The good news is, after a cold washcloth and sleeping under a fan, I was fine the next morning, and ready to take on a new day.  We tried to get there early, but had to wait in a tiny bit of traffic for the runners in the early morning race.  There were many more vendors there already, and we set up quickly, having had a little bit of experience.  I did take home just about everything I had brought except for my canopy and my Sock Monkey Stand since the table I brought on the first day was way too small, so we had to set everything back up all over again.  Sock Monkeys are light, so that wasn't a big deal.

Most people came through after the parade at 10am.  During the parade, no one walked around at all.  The parade was the MAIN EVENT going on there.  I wish I hadn't missed it, I saw a bit of it, but where the vendor booths were set up, we were behind buildings and had no view of the parade.  There were a fair amount of people, but not as many as I had hoped.  I was too shy, and it took a few hours for me to break out of my comfort zone to talk to more people.  I did not want to seem too pushy, but I think I may have ended up seeming more unapproachable even though I said hello to everyone that stopped.  At the end of the day, it was a success! I had made my vendor fee back and a bit more, but mostly I had accomplished my first event and learned a lot.

1. Always make a checklist
2. Set up your booth in your yard a few days before the event so spend less time setting up at the event and you know if you have everything you need.
3. Bring a cooler with (at least) cold water if it is going to be hot.
4. Have business cards/flyers ready ahead of time and a good place to display them.
5. If you bring kids, give them money to spend BEFORE leaving the house (seriously)!
6. Have a sign with your name, or product, made at least a week before, not the day before.
7. Allow yourself to be seen, be friendly, and socialize.
8. Hide your personal belongings under a table cloth or leave them in the car (it just looks neater).
9. Don't let the lack of sales or interest hurt your feelings.
10. Have enough variety in your inventory, and always have more than you will need.

Just a few of my personal tips, but there are lots more!!

I got a lot of helpful tips from the following links:
http://creativeincomeblog.com/crafters-etiquette-the-10-commandments-for-craft-shows/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/craft-fair-checklist-sales-tips/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/craft-show-conversation-starters/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/best-tips-for-selling-at-arts-and-craft-fairs-free-ebook/

I am looking forward to my next craft fair in about a month.  It's time for me to take every spare moment I have to build up my inventory, especially now that I have my own desiccated sewing space!
If you can't wait for the next craft fair, there is always Etsy! 

Click===>   Sock Monkeys By Cheryl

 



 

 

 

How To Make A Sock Monkey

I made this video just for fun!




Any suggestions are appreciated! I do hope this video inspires others to tap in to their creative side!

Making Sock Monkeys

So far this year I have already made 17 Sock Monkeys.  Four were  requested and bought, two more were purchased, so the rest, including another10 or so that I have had are the start of my stock pile of Sock Monkeys!  Someone suggested that if I wanted to sell at a craft fair, I should have at least 100 Sock Monkeys ready before I go.  I have no idea how realistic that number is, but I figure why not?  I have about 23 Fuzzy Christmas Socks, around 20 or so Fuzzy Socks, and 10 Red Heel Socks so far to make Sock Monkeys, Sock Bears, Sock Bunnies, and whatever else I come up with.  I am hopeful that my Sock Monkeys would sell, but honestly if I only sell 10, I would be happy with that.  Most of the fairs around here, the "booth" rentals for the weekend are usually about $40 more or less depending on the event, so if I can make that plus a little for my time, I won't complain.  I know my Sock Monkeys are adorable and I do think that seeing them in person, touching them, hugging them they would literally sell themselves.  Pictures do not do them justice!  I found some cute little mini fuzzy socks and made all 6 of them into Sock Monkeys.

 They are SO CUTE!  My daughter kept one of them, and I think I am going back this weekend to buy more of those mini socks.  I think they would make the BEST mini Sock Bunnies for Easter.  I also made a How to Make a Sock Monkey Tutorial video with still photos, so as soon as I get it on YouTube, I will post it here too!  I didn't like the Tutorials I found even though I did get a few good tips from them, I still think my Sock Monkeys look better.  I know it seems kind of like shooting myself in the foot when I'm trying to sell mine as well, but at the same time, I don't really make them to make money off of them.  I tell everyone I who sees me making my Sock Monkeys anytime I'm at the Doctor's office or waiting for a long time that this is my therapy.  And it is.  Making these cute little Sock Monkeys, Sock Bears, Sock whatever makes me happy.  It has brought me through a tough time.  I put a lot of love and care into my Sock Monkeys, I hug them, I play with them a tiny bit to make sure they are durable, and they always make me smile.  What craft or hobby do you have that you pour your heart into?

My First Sock Monkey Sale!

My daughter had brought one of the Christmas Monkeys to her school to give to her friend as a very late Christmas gift. After a bunch of her friends said they, too, wanted one, I said I would sell them to her friends at less than my original price at $7.00. One girl bought a blue and grey Sock Monkey! Everyone else I want $10.00 for a Sock Monkey, fuzzy or not, but to a few of her friends, I don't mind letting them go a little less. I have 4 Fuzzy Sock Monkeys reserved for my Sister-In-Law's friend, but if she doesn't buy them soon, I ma have to sell them to someone else since they are SOO cute!! I just finished 2 new Fuzzy Sock Monkeys, and am working on 4 at the same time. 2 Fuzzy Socks, 1 Feather/Fuzzy Sock, and one of the Brown original ones I had made, for my daughter's teacher.
Even though my man is encouraging me to sell them, it doesn't matter to me as much. It would be awesome if I made money from it, but I am still going to make them anyway. They really do help to relax and heal me and when I look at them on the shelf smiling back at me, it just makes me feel so good. ^_^
I even wen to far as to take some pictures of the future Sock Monkeys!











I have a few others that are already prepared for stuffing and such. I was thinking of taking pics of them after preparing on the sewing machine and then makybe a pic after each process, but that would take too much time away from making the actual Sock Monkey. ^_^ More sooner than later!