It’s Tuesday again — time to open up the thread and share a bit more of our crafting lives!
With the holidays coming up, we’ve seen quite a few members getting ready for their craft booths. Whether it’s your first time joining a holiday fair or you’re a seasoned vendor, there’s something so special about those cozy, colorful markets.
So let’s talk about it: Have you ever taken part in a craft fair — or visited one you loved?
Were you a vendor? A visitor? Got tips for booth setup in chilly weather? Do you always leave with something handmade (or way too many things)? Ever met a sweet seller, made a new friend, or saw a booth that totally inspired you?
From booth displays to favorite finds, holiday markets are full of memories and moments. Whether you’ve sold at one or just love browsing, we want to hear about it.
Drop your stories in the thread — we’ll randomly pick 3 replies to receive 100 Cheers this week!
Big thanks to everyone who shared!
Congrats to @Crafted, @MaterialGirl, and @DianeB — 100 Cheers have been sent your way.
Hope it adds a little sparkle to your week
Several weekends ago, I had an amazing experience being a vendor at the Pendergrass Fall Festival! I set up The Crafty Caravaner alongside my trusty Airstream Motorhome, filled with handmade earrings, layered shadow boxes, and all the creative treasures that make my little mobile craft shop special.
Mother Nature definitely kept things interesting! The wind decided to make an appearance—and not a small one! Every crafter knows that gusty winds and lightweight displays don’t always mix well. I had to get creative to keep everything secure, especially my earring racks.
New Crafting Vendor Hack Discovered!
In the middle of fighting the wind, I discovered a simple yet brilliant solution: adding small rubber bands over the earring posts and cards! Not only did this keep my earrings firmly in place during the windy day, but it also made transporting them so much easier. I was able to move my entire display without worrying about half my earrings falling off along the way. Game changer!
Every event teaches me something new, and this one was no exception. I met wonderful people, shared lots of laughs, and learned a few valuable setup tricks I’ll definitely use at my next market.
Now I have turned my attention to preparing for my Winter Market event that takes place over two days, starting next weekend. I cannot wait to share my experience with you all there as well.
Completely understand that fear @timmytation. I learned from my last market that I need more high priced items because when I don’t sell my shadow boxes that I have to rely on a lot of coaster, wine bags, totes, tumblers, glassware, pillows, and earrings to make up the difference. For my upcoming Winter Market, I have created the laser cut wood ornaments, and this beautiful 5 piece nativity set made with walnut, maple, and mahogany. Hoping these higher priced items will help with sells.
In the end, it is scary experience but one that can be rewarding and exhilarating. You got this! I hope you give it a try someday!
I’m going to set up a booth at one of the universities here. The focus will be on crafts…they asked if I can make vegetable and fruit-themed keychains. I’m also preparing wristlets, ID laces, stickers, and more. I hope this opportunity will boost my business, and I’m grateful to iCraft and the free designs from Ideal Studio for helping make this possible.
I haven’t participate in a craft fair, per se, I have been an onsite vendor where I set up my merchandise to sell to attendees. I have blank products, shirts and glassware. I press and assemble onsite.
I love doing this. It exposes me to customers I may not normally meet.
This is my set up at the last event a few weeks ago.
Every September I go to a retreat and set up my crafts and I typically only pick ONE craft. Last year it was custom tumblers. Baby I sold two boxes of tumblers $20/$25 ea in a few hours. This year I did notebooks and tumblers and dtf stickers. They told me they were expecting to see my tumblers again. I did decently but custom print offs is what made me $500 that one day.
People usually want something unique and I’ve found this is what sells more! That and ANYTHING GRINCH THEMED LOL
I have been doing events for a little over 2 decades…
mostly kpop and anime themed… I took a break when the pandemic hit and after I got pregnant with my youngest but now I am back and excited to make more crafts!
sharing some pictures of my booths from years ago and also some from this month…
I’ve always loved going to events that have vendors. It’s so much fun to see what everyone has to offer. However, I’ve only had the privilege of being a vendor at one event. That was about 15 years ago. My mom and I rented a spot at a football game event in which my nephews were playing. At the time, we were making jewelry. We mostly sold team-colored bead bracelets. Even though the event was small, and we didn’t sell much, I had a blast meeting new people and was thrilled that even one person wanted to buy something I made. That event really got me into wanting to make more crafts. I’ve wanted to do vendor events since, but it can be quite expensive to rent a booth in my area, for which I don’t really have a huge selection of inventory. I’m not sure I’d even make my money back, even if I happened to sell out of everything. Hopefully, soon, I’ll have enough inventory to make it worthwhile. Right now, I just sell on my website and promote on social media the things I do have available.
I love to see everyone’s setup, though! You are all very inspiring, and I hope that you are all very prosperous at your events this holiday season and every season afterwards!! Sending lots of good vibes to each and every one of you!
I have not done a craft fair I have thought about it I have only set tables up at a few places the Harley dealership and the furniture store when they have had ladies night and I have done two at veterans events that I donated profits to the event.
I think the most fun crafting event thing I had made something for but was not their for was when my husband had a table at a gun show I sent him with a bunch of can cozies to sell a cheap item to get people to the table to look at other things he actually should a lot of them and gave some to a few kids.
But a actual craft fair I have just never signed up and done one.
My favorite craft fair is the Craft Alive fair. This fair is hosted all around Australia and it’s huge. When I started going it was really only for quilting and sewing but it’s grown into all the different types of crafting hobbies now.
Unfortunately, it was on when I was over in QLD this year so I missed it but it was so much fun last year. I’ll definitely go again next year.
I get a larger booth so I can sell my goods but also run crafting classes, normally 5 - 6 people.
This was part of my display on the fourth day. I had pretty much run out of all my stock. Big seller was the 3D printed cup holders that I used in my classes.
I have met some really awesome friends through crafting fairs. It’s a great community to be involved in and it’s always a nice surprise when you see someone you know in the next stall that you haven’t seen in a while.
Were you a vendor? A visitor?
Got tips for booth setup in chilly weather?
Do you always leave with something handmade (or way too many things)?
Ever met a sweet seller, made a new friend, or saw a booth that totally inspired you?
so many things to consider and there’s a fear that my items won’t sell 
another fun topic to participate in
