It's a Handmade Life.... This is Ours...

Farmers Markets

I have been tossing the idea of a booth at a farmers market back in forth in my head for months. I don't know if the current economy would make the endeavor a failure or not. I would love to find a local farmers market that is quaint and earthy. While I know that not every attempt at getting more eyes on our jewelry will not be as successful as we would like sometimes, I feel that we should at least try. I would greatly appreciate any feedback from fellow jewelry designers and handmade artist who have utilized a farmer’s market venue. Was it successful in sales, exposure, orders? What advice would you give a person for their first time at a local farmers market?

Tags: advice, booth, farmers, market

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Permalink Reply by Diana on October 2, 2009 at 11:35am: My soaps and balms do okay at our local Hubbard Ohio flea market as do my daughter's jewelry - she even makes her own clasps...
It took 2 years though for folks to find us as most folks came for the farmer produce and for the cheap stuff, but after a while our higher-end items caught on with a few and then they told others...

Unless you have a big ad budget, you have to be patient and use every free method of getting the word out.

Organically Yours,
Diana; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ShapedByHand on October 2, 2009 at 11:48am: Your advice about an ad budget and patience with free methods is true. Patience is a virtue that I am learning to acquire and it can be difficult when it is something you really love to do. But you are right! Another thing I am looking into is eclectic shops that sell jewelry, accessories and clothing from local artist and crafters. I think it would be best if they were to purchase pieces out rite instead of putting them on consignment. It would a headache to track what sold and the percentage split. I am still working on this idea but everything happens for a reason and I do have to be patient. The key is just to never give up ;-) Thanks for the advice Diana!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pearlie Girl on October 31, 2009 at 10:56am: You might also try doing some Art and Craft Faires as well. I have given the Farmers Market idea a thought but decided to go the Faire route on my first time out. I had no expectations but ended up having a really great day, great sales, made some contacts for future sales and most of all it was nice to have that in-person reaction to my pieces.....something you don't get with on-line sales. I say go for it and explore all avenues....farmers mkts., arts and crafts faires and B & M stores. My next step is to find some B & M accounts as well.
Good Luck to you!!
Julie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ShapedByHand on October 31, 2009 at 11:54pm: Thank you Pearlie Girl! I never really thought about Art and Craft Fairs. That sounds like a good idea since people who come would be there because they like and are looking for arts and crafts. I must ask, as out of the loop as I'm sure I will sound......what is a B & M store or account? Does it pertain to Business Management?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diana on November 3, 2009 at 9:48am: B&M is just a real (not a virtual) store.
B&M = Brick and Mortar

Organically Yours,
Diana; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ShapedByHand on November 4, 2009 at 10:39am: Thank you Diana!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Louise Loughman on November 8, 2009 at 3:09pm: I tried the Farmers market for one weekend I sold some stuff at it smaller items wasn't that sure it was a succes, but since then I have had a lot of follow up sales so it is definatley a good way of advertising and getting your name out there.
regards Louise; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ShapedByHand on November 8, 2009 at 11:43pm: We have a Strawberry Festival every year in February and I was thinking of renting a booth there. I thought even if I don't sell much I can at least get the visibility. Your experience makes me think that it just might be worth it. I have to remind myself that if I don't sell anything to not to become disheartened. Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jodi Portell on November 24, 2009 at 10:01am: See I would be so discouraged if I made a ton of stuff ahead of time and then it didn't sell! But most of all I agree with you Julie, that it would be nice to have that face to face contact that we don't get with online sales.
Jodi; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sue Davis on November 25, 2009 at 10:26am: On November 13-15 I did my first craft fair at the Raleigh Farmer's Market. After getting over the hump of cruddy weather the first day, we lucked out and it became sunny and warm the next two days. Even on the bad weather day, I made over $50. Saturday I had a few great orders and sold about $230. And Sunday was almost a wash as far as sales but eventually people came and bought a few things. So for $90 for 3 days I made around $360. My neighbors, who are there always, said that the clientele was not up to snuff for this craft fair. They usually get the spenders during regular "office" hours. Starting in January, the price will go up from $10 to $15 if I wanted to set up shop on a weekend day. I might. We'll see...when the weather gets better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kenya L Williams on November 27, 2009 at 7:21pm: i personally haven't but i know a lady who sells jewelry at a farmer's market in Fairfax, ca which is a very affluent community, and she told me that after paying the booth rental (one day @ 35.00) she's not getting the sales she thought she would, and her stuff is awesome. someone told me that if you want to sell your wares at a flea market, then expect people to want to pay flea market prices!!! I guess the same would apply here.

good luck!; ▶ Reply to This