My First Craft Fair-- Yeah! :)

How exciting!:) I always wanted to do it, and this time I finally took the plunge! :)...Tehnically it was a "bazaar," which I think means, craft fair/flea market...(not sure :)...It was a good time, and I actually met 3 other Etsy sellers!..Angela, from PaintingWPassion, Kathryn Reichert, of Kathry Riechert Jewlery, and Robin Lynne, of Savannahsoapkitchen! :) That may have been the highlight...

I met 2 of my 3 goals too :) Yeah!

1) sold at least one thing! ...(I though it would be good to aim small, so I met at least one of the goals)!
2) I recouped the entry fee-- that's always nice! :)
3)...so I didn't make a "butt load" of money, but I had a feeling that might be unatainable in 95 degree weather at my first outdoor craft fair :)....I did sell something from each of my Etsy shops, so that was an added bonus!

Thought I would share some of the things I learned...and some of the great advice I got from people on the forums! :)

1) Get ready a week in advance-- definitely a good idea! I was rushing around for the 4 days preceeding...AHHH!!! :)

2) if it's an outdoor craft market, bring lots of sunscreen and put it on EVERY inch of exposed skin...:)...I missed a couple of spots, and I have a funky sunburn at the bottom of my kneck, and my upper left arm...Eek! :)

3) Water, beverages and snacks-- thirst quenching and yummy! I'm really glad I bought that mini cooler for the water!-- very hot and humid out :)

4) For outdoor fairs, a battery powered fan works great in the summer...I got one for $5, at *that store*...un...don't tell :)....it was a life saver in the heat! :)

5) Making friends with your fellow crafters is fun!...It's fun in itself, and it's always nice to have someone watch your back when you have to take a potty break...or an "out in the sun too long" break :)

6) Bring lots of change for your customers, and keep an eye on your moola :)...I've heard some people like fanny packs, I kept mine in a locked box...that I watched like a hawk-- out of sight :)

7) I've heard 2 different theories on how to "lay out" your items..some say group like items together, and others say scatter your items...so you get more than "just a glance...."....I tried it both ways (I rearranged)...I didn't notice a pattern with sales though....(it was a smallish bizarre, as it is new, and not well known yet-- hopefully it will be :)...I'll have to get back to you guys about rearranging the items and which layout works better-- though maybe it's different for everyone :)

8) Smile and say hello to customers! :) Friendly without "stalking" is a good thing! :) Yeah friendly people! :)

Anyway :) Thanks to everyone who gave me such great advice on the forums-- it was a great discussion-- thanks! :)....May some of this advice go on and help others :)