Hobby & Craft Forums

Hi all

Me again!!! I am provisionally booked in for 4 craft fairs (june - december this year) I am just waiting on confirmation!!!! While I am very excited about this prospect I am also very very very nervous!!!

I am still looking into insurance.... just a couple of other points I would like to ask people's advice / comments on.

1. The people who run it expect you to give out receipts to customers with contact details - do you think a hand written receipt on my compliment slips (as these have contact details on) will suffice?

2. In order to track what I have sold I am thinking I will compile a comprehensive list of EVERYTHING I take with me to sell, then on my return home, go through my stock and tick what I have sold, so I know how many I have left of what etc...... I can't think of an easier way (apart from writing it all down at every sale and then keeping the customer waiting?)

3. I know there is probably no definite answer to this, and it probably sounds silly, but I am unsure of how much stock to take i.e. of each item? I suppose this is trial and error on my first craft fair of finding the balance between keeping a well stocked table but not overcrowded!

Any other suggestions anyone has I would really appreciate it, I am very excited about this, but like I say very scared in a way as this is the next 'big step' for me and very different to the car boots I have done in the past!

Thanks

Gemma

Hi Gemma

1. Unusual to have to supply receipts but you could get a receipt book from WHS, then you just have to enter the amount and date. also give a compliment slip with your address etc on.
2. Re a stock list I take a spread sheet on a clipboard and mark of as I sell, if done in alphabetical order quite easy to note down, you may find it hard if you leave until you get home.
3. Stock quantity is a hard one and usually gained by the more you do, the first fairs I did took everything but the kitchen sink now have fine tuned to 2 very large bags, depends on the fair itself are you taking finished goods or raw material if the latter you may need to take more, have enough to fill your table plus extra about half a table again that you keep under the table as spare stock.

Not sure what your event has requested but more and more events now are being visited by Trading Standards so you should display your full name and address on the stall, I know some crafters baulk at this but no different than a shop who has to display their head office address, don't forget staples such as sellotape, pins, staples, scissors, bags and float.

Remember to smile, a smile goes a long way with customers and good luck

Carolee Crafts wrote:Hi Gemma

1. Unusual to have to supply receipts but you could get a receipt book from WHS, then you just have to enter the amount and date. also give a compliment slip with your address etc on.
2. Re a stock list I take a spread sheet on a clipboard and mark of as I sell, if done in alphabetical order quite easy to note down, you may find it hard if you leave until you get home.
3. Stock quantity is a hard one and usually gained by the more you do, the first fairs I did took everything but the kitchen sink now have fine tuned to 2 very large bags, depends on the fair itself are you taking finished goods or raw material if the latter you may need to take more, have enough to fill your table plus extra about half a table again that you keep under the table as spare stock.

Not sure what your event has requested but more and more events now are being visited by Trading Standards so you should display your full name and address on the stall, I know some crafters baulk at this but no different than a shop who has to display their head office address, don't forget staples such as sellotape, pins, staples, scissors, bags and float.

Remember to smile, a smile goes a long way with customers and good luck

Many thanks for that, that's great. I like the spreadsheet idea.... hmm wander if I can export my online shop listings into an excel file, that would be ace if I could. Thanks for that

Yes I am currently selling 'raw material' as you put it. Once I have built my site and business up after a couple of years I would love to be able to make cards to sell, but at the moment it is just card making and scrap booking items I am selling. I've been through the terms and cons and can't find anything about displaying address etc, but I will email and find this out. I am going into the paper craft fairs at Birmingham Motorcycle Museum. They have also got into a new venue in worcester so I have provisionally booked myself in there. So in thory my first fair will be in august, then october, then december.

Thanks for your help and suggestions, it is very much appreciated

My pli is with my membership on Artists Network, you do have to meet their criteria, exhibitions/degree and others but may be worth a look and email them if you have a question. The online Direct Debit one is £28.00 per year for £5M, you do get a link to print off the document for organisers

Carolee Crafts wrote:My pli is with my membership on Artists Network, you do have to meet their criteria, exhibitions/degree and others but may be worth a look and email them if you have a question. The online Direct Debit one is £28.00 per year for £5M, you do get a link to print off the document for organisers

Thank You

Do you have a link so I can look at the one you mean?

Thanks

Gem

For basic public liability I have been quoted £71... what do you think of this?

The quotes vary so much it is best to shop around.

The link for the Artists Network is: http://www.a-n.co.uk/

Ian Wallace: http://www.craftinsurance.co.uk/

G M Imber http://www.gmimberltd.com/Products.html

Combined Market Traders: http://www.cmtia.co.uk/

I know some that have used Direct Line

The following users have thanked Carolee Crafts for this useful post :

Nickie

Yea it was Ian Wallace I got the quote from.

Thanks I will have a look at the others