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4:49 am
April 11, 2012
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Has anyone had luck selling at or even potentially setting up and demoing at these? Considering the fact that I really have no client base built up yet, thought it might be a good way to get my name out there.
Any ideas what kinds of or which specific items tend to sell better at a farmers' market? Was thinking bottle openers and dinner triangles, if I can make a bending fork, should do well. Not so sure that flatware and flint strikers would. Then of course the whole gamut of hooks and nails could go either way, as I figure it at least.
Thank you for any help or advice you can give. 🙂
Because blacksmithing is totally Metal! /../
11:38 pm
September 24, 2010
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Never did a "farmer's market" but have done loads of craft shows. They are usually unpredictable but by far the most popular thing I ever sold were boot scrapers. I had a simple, push-in-the-ground style that went for $25 each - I sold hundreds of them. Next best seller were hooks of all types and surprisingly, I also sold several fireplace tool sets, which went for a few hundred bucks each. One thing you need to do is make plenty of product and set up a nice presentation - live by the Golden Rule; let others buy as you would buy from them...
5:35 pm
Great source for customers, or can be a giant waste of time. Like Hollis says, presentation is important, and also know your market, figure out what they buy then make that. Demo can be good but not always. Herb and vegetable choppers are good to go with the vegetables they just bought.
4:18 pm
December 12, 2012
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I'm late here. Just became a member.
Here is a link to my blog :
http://yvescoutureforgeronferr.....ition.html
Eventhough it is in french, the pics should help you. It shows booth set up at a Xmas fair. It was my first.
It worked very well. I went there only to show people I existed not expecting to sell anything. I sold for a little over 400$. All the hearts went at 8$ a pop, a set of 4 handles at 15$ each, bottle openers of different designs, etc..
What sells here however might not sell in your area.
Good luck and try these fairs. One contact might pay for all the fairs you attend. The rest would be gravy. And if you do not sell at first you will sooner or later.
6:37 pm
NWBA Member
Board Member
October 4, 2010
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I have participated in farmer's markets the last two summers, mainly selling veggies and fish, but also showing some of my product. Not many takers for iron. Did get comments and notice, sold a few pieces, got a few orders. Some farmer's markets actively discourage "crafts" and are actually for farmers. Craft fairs (in my experience) don't move high priced items. Juried craft shows do move high priced items. I have not had luck selling while doing demonstrations. You need someone to talk and sell while you hammer. Best show I've done I had a folk guitarist singing in my booth and selling. She brought the folks close, then they saw the fire and watched ---and bought. Good luck.
7:28 pm
NWBA Member
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Moderators
March 30, 2010
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I've done well at fairs with several categories of things:
- "impulse buy" items that cost under $10: leaves, hearts, etc.
- leaf bowls
- bottle openers and corkscrews
- items made on demand, like pendants, dinner bells, toilet paper holders, and grill lifters
- items I've just made in doing a demo.
One of the keys to selling while you're demonstrating is to engage the audience, let them know that you'll sell what you're making, and that examples of your work are displayed. Jim's right: it helps a LOT to have someone to do the selling while you're banging on iron.
11:09 pm
April 11, 2012
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Lots of good advice, thanks everyone. And yeah, doing the farmers' market is as much to show that I exist as to sell anything. Luckily, ours allows so many crafters amongst the farmers and I don't think the metalworker that was there is still doing our market so the spot should be available.
Really doubt they'd let me do any demonstrating though, will have to bring some file-work or sanding projects, and probably some books. And if I don't sell more than $200 worth of sales they are willing to refund part of the vendoring fees. 🙂
Because blacksmithing is totally Metal! /../
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