The dark clouds and rain could not keep me away from the 24th annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival! The weather may have been dreary, but I had a wonderful time. There were the usual vendors there, but a few new ones as well.
As usual, I started at the tent that sold festival t-shirts, sweatshirts, and totes. I always leave my purse in the vehicle (money and checkbook in my pocket!) and get a new tote bag for the goodies I know that await inside. I was surprised that this year's logo was a sheepdog!
The first animal barn had alpaca, primarily Angora goats, and a few sheep. My favorite local Alpaca producer, Snowshoe Farm, was in there with exactly the yarn I was looking for: Alpaca Sock. It's 50% Alpaca, 30% Merino, 20% Nylon 3-ply yarn that comes in 500 yard skeins for only $26. They had a stack of cards on the table that held washing and care instructions (which they said I could take as many as I wanted) that are perfect for slipping in the package with the finished product.
At this point, my youngest found me to let me know that the Sister's of St. Mary were selling cashmere goat kids. As I had adopted 2 Angora goats in July, I thought that it might be fun to try for Cashgora. I know I will use the resulting yarn! To my surprise, they had a silver Cashmere named Sugah. The price was right, so I bought her. My husband just rolled his eyes.
Back to the yarn vendors. I had brought a list with me of weight and yardage needed for projects I have lined up. I found everything I was looking for. The best deal of the day was a luxurious lace weight: 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere, 1300 yards for $32 from Nightingale Fibers. I can't wait to work with it!!
We stopped to talk with both the sheep dog demonstrator and the fencing people. Then it was back through one more vendor area, where I purchased several skeins of hand-dyed superwash Merino from Dyenamics Yarn (430 yds each). I also bought 100% blue faced Leicester wool, dk weight, 700 yard hand-panted skeins from Jan Marek Raczkowski.
My tote-bag full, it was time to go back to the truck. We stopped again at the tote-bag tent to speak with the event coordinator to get directions to pick up the goat. Sugah laid down on my daughter's lap in the back seat, and off we went.
I had apprehensions about an unsecured goat in the back seat, but she was incredibly well behaved. For most of the trip home, she just sat and chewed her cud. We made a stop for a leg stretch, where Sugah wanted out too. She relieved herself, then got back in with the rest of us. She did not make any mess in the truck at all, but rather waited until she was out (she went again as soon as we got home.)
At 4 months, Sugah is bigger than my 5 month old Angora goats. There was a little bit of adjustment as she figured out where the water and hay were, and while the Angora's figured out who this newcomer was, but all quieted down within an hour.
My only disappointment with this year's show was there were no Angora rabbits there. I was hoping to find a female to place in a hutch between the two males I currently have. But I suppose if there HAD been a rabbit there, I would not have had the space to get Sugah. Sometimes things just work out that way!
Showing posts with label show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label show. Show all posts
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, May 27, 2011
What Crochet Sells at Craft Shows?
Crochet is by far my favorite craft. It is so versatile, one can make almost anything using a hook. It's no wonder that crochet in its many varieties can be found at craft fairs.
My primary medium of choice is 100% wool. I live in an area where I can purchase this yarn from local farmer's markets at an extremely reasonable price. People are willing to pay more for items made with wool than with acrylic. My best sellers at craft fairs are by far hats, mittens, and gloves. One year I made 30 pair of fingerless gloves in various sizes, and sold every one of them between the 2 craft fairs I attended.
Hats, mittens, and gloves are also popular items for knitters and fleece sewers. Therefore, I try to have some unique crochet items on my table as well - thread bookmarks, different styled wool hats, doll accessories that match child size accessories (ponchos, purses, etc.)
Sweaters are also generally a good seller at craft fairs, if you have the time to make them. Remember you should have a variety of colors and sizes for people to choose from. The days of having a sample for people to look at and order from are pretty much history. Customers want to be able to take home the items right then. The only exception I have found for this are items that are best when custom made: Christening gowns, dresses, and bathing suits.
Anything that is unusual or looks elegant generally sells well if it is priced well. Think crocheted lace, angels, Christmas ornaments, snow villages - all wonderful choices for fall shows.
When deciding what to sell at craft fairs, you need to keep in mind how much time it will take to make, material cost, and what you can reasonably sell it for. Cute little cell phone cozies make only take an hour and very little yarn, but they don't sell well. Electronics do not like to be kept warm. It may take you 8 hours to make a hat, but don't expect to sell it for $80.
The more craft fairs you attend, the more you will get a feel for what items sell and at what price. If you talk to other vendors and customers, you can get a better idea of what would be a good seller.
My primary medium of choice is 100% wool. I live in an area where I can purchase this yarn from local farmer's markets at an extremely reasonable price. People are willing to pay more for items made with wool than with acrylic. My best sellers at craft fairs are by far hats, mittens, and gloves. One year I made 30 pair of fingerless gloves in various sizes, and sold every one of them between the 2 craft fairs I attended.
Hats, mittens, and gloves are also popular items for knitters and fleece sewers. Therefore, I try to have some unique crochet items on my table as well - thread bookmarks, different styled wool hats, doll accessories that match child size accessories (ponchos, purses, etc.)
Sweaters are also generally a good seller at craft fairs, if you have the time to make them. Remember you should have a variety of colors and sizes for people to choose from. The days of having a sample for people to look at and order from are pretty much history. Customers want to be able to take home the items right then. The only exception I have found for this are items that are best when custom made: Christening gowns, dresses, and bathing suits.
Anything that is unusual or looks elegant generally sells well if it is priced well. Think crocheted lace, angels, Christmas ornaments, snow villages - all wonderful choices for fall shows.
When deciding what to sell at craft fairs, you need to keep in mind how much time it will take to make, material cost, and what you can reasonably sell it for. Cute little cell phone cozies make only take an hour and very little yarn, but they don't sell well. Electronics do not like to be kept warm. It may take you 8 hours to make a hat, but don't expect to sell it for $80.
The more craft fairs you attend, the more you will get a feel for what items sell and at what price. If you talk to other vendors and customers, you can get a better idea of what would be a good seller.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Plan For Fall Craft Shows
Even though it is not quite yet Memorial Day, now is the time to schedule your fall craft fairs if you haven't already. Most fairs are organized 2-3 months in advance, but many require even more time.
Start with what you know. What craft fairs do you see every year in your area? Where are they held? Which would you like to be part of? Find the coordinator of each, and call or write for the vendor guidelines and application. Pencil them into you calendar.
You may find that a fair you are interested in is juried. This means that in order to set up at that fair, you must apply and show your intended items for sale to a group of people, or jury, for judging. If your items meet the criteria they have set, you will be invited to their fair. There is usually a charge to be juried and another charge for the booth should you be selected. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for feedback from craft enthusiasts about your work. Juries are held anywhere from 1-3 months before the fair.
Remember that craft fairs are a lot of work. Many will require that you bring your own table and chairs, in addition to your display(s) and your product. They usually allow 2 hours for set up. Do you have the energy to schedule a fair every weekend? Do you have enough inventory to sell? Can you fit everything into your vehicle?
Crocheted items that are not starched to maintain their shape usually do not take up lot of space, but you do not want your items to look like they've been used as packing material. I find that plastic bins work well for both packing items for transport to and from the fair as well as organization at the fair.
Plan out your craft fair season well in advance. This will give you the time to adequately prepare for each show. When you are prepared, it's easier to relax and concentrate on the task at hand. Craft fairs should be both enjoyable and profitable.
Start with what you know. What craft fairs do you see every year in your area? Where are they held? Which would you like to be part of? Find the coordinator of each, and call or write for the vendor guidelines and application. Pencil them into you calendar.
You may find that a fair you are interested in is juried. This means that in order to set up at that fair, you must apply and show your intended items for sale to a group of people, or jury, for judging. If your items meet the criteria they have set, you will be invited to their fair. There is usually a charge to be juried and another charge for the booth should you be selected. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for feedback from craft enthusiasts about your work. Juries are held anywhere from 1-3 months before the fair.
Remember that craft fairs are a lot of work. Many will require that you bring your own table and chairs, in addition to your display(s) and your product. They usually allow 2 hours for set up. Do you have the energy to schedule a fair every weekend? Do you have enough inventory to sell? Can you fit everything into your vehicle?
Crocheted items that are not starched to maintain their shape usually do not take up lot of space, but you do not want your items to look like they've been used as packing material. I find that plastic bins work well for both packing items for transport to and from the fair as well as organization at the fair.
Plan out your craft fair season well in advance. This will give you the time to adequately prepare for each show. When you are prepared, it's easier to relax and concentrate on the task at hand. Craft fairs should be both enjoyable and profitable.
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