INTRODUCTION

Its been a tradition for me, my mom, and my grandmother for years. Ever since my grandparents moved from Wisconsin to Arkansas, its has become an annual pilgrimage. We make the 7 hour drive to their house where Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is filled with activity.

Every October in Benton ville, Arkansas, the whole town neigh the whole area turns into a huge craft fair. There are so many craft shows, you literally have to sit down and make a schedule in order to see the ones that you really want to see. Otherwise, youll get sidetracked and end up at a non-eventful show when everyone tells you the other one across town is the place to be.

We plan well in advance not only where to go, but what we will wear, where we will eat, and what specifically we are looking for. Every year, my Grandma has one thing she is relentless at finding one year it was a quilt, one year it was a fall vest, another year it was a purse.

Ive looked forward to these shows each year because not only is it a way for me to spend some quality time with my family, its also fun to find new crafted items and show them off once I get back home.

Now when I talk about craft fairs, I mean real craft fairs. The vendors are everyday people who have found a unique product to sell and make that product themselves. Im talking about hand personalized, unique Christmas ornaments, hand-sewn golf towels, and candles made on someones kitchen stove.

Some craft fairs concentrate on the fine arts paintings, fine jewelry, furniture, etc. I dont go to these types of shows mostly because I cant even afford to look at these beautiful things. Where everyday people can make the most money is at local, homegrown craft shows in the local park or civic center. If youre shopping, these types of shows will also be where youll find the best talent anyway.

Selling craft items, I think, naturally follows shopping. After years just being a buyer at shows, Mom and I ventured into selling for a brief craft show at which we made a good amount of money but were extremely burned out at the end of two days. It was fun, but shopping is more satisfying.

This book is generally geared toward the craft fair vendor. If you make something you think you want to sell at a craft show, this book is definitely for you. We will, however, include a section with some tips and tricks for the craft show shopper.

Inside these pages, youll get checklists, advice from those in the know, how much inventory to bring to a show, how to market yourself, how to find the best craft shows and so much more. We have compiled information from some very reliable people who have found success, and we are including our opinions from the perspective of a buyer. Yes, I do consider myself somewhat of an expert!

You can make some serious cash selling your hand made items at craft fairs. It could even be a gold mine! But first, you need information, and were here to give it to you!