Selling Crafts at Craft Fairs

By

CarolZN

In our area, it is "required" to have a business license which takes care of the tax issues. However, I have never had anyone ask to see it. Ours cost only $50 a year. Your license then provides you the tax exempt information needed by your suppliers.

By

latrtatr

A voice of experience, stick to one or two items, vary the style if you want but don't offer too many different products or people tend to get lost looking and not buying.
As for pricing most of the time I round my materials for an item up to the nearest dollar, then double that. Sometimes I add another 10%. Then take a good look at it, put yourself on the otherside of the table is it too high, then I don't make anymore of that item. You have to be able to make money or it isn't worth it. You will find you have more expenses going to craft fairs than you realize.
Baby quilts have been a good seller for me at times you never know, there are a lot of people making them. It is very hard to come up with something unique anymore.
Good luck.

By

Juliet

Be sure to have some inexpensive items they are far more likely to sell. Most people don't carry a hole lot of cash with them. And its a good idea to bring some business cards with you just in case.

By

Dedeswrkshop

You could inquire at the Economic Development office for your area. Might find the one nearest to you by web search. They offer advice and legal info for new businesses in town and could answer your tax questions. That or a tax prep agent/agency. I am willing to bet it will be a State issue rather than a Federal one, due to the income amount.
Copyright for some fabrics is an issue, but it is something the Copyright holder would have to pursue to get you for. I have seen "character fabrics" used at local fairs, and never really thought about it. I guess if you are an upstanding citizen and follow all the rules you will stick to nondescript fabrics. Lol. My thought on the matter is this; while characters are fun, they are hard to pass on to others that don't have the same interest in the character. A quilt is to be treasured, used well, kept nice, and passed on. Ginghams, florals, and the like make a pretty quilt too, and a great color scheme is just as desired as "Pooh" or "Mickey".

I think I would try to use the colors IN the popular character fabrics though, for a selling point.
It is my opinion that Baby Stuff is probably easier to move than kid stuff. Expecting families spend lots of money on newborns! Kids themed items go out of style quick! You don't want to have out of style stuff sitting on the shelf.
Maybe you could find a way to do cool throw pillows for kids/teens? Or maybe buy some inexpensive small table lamps and shades and dress them up with some "Rag" accents? Decoupage some picture frames with scrap fabric? Make some shoe caddies? Some pushpin boards with cardboard insides, and a padded fabric face? Tote bags?
Anyway, Good Luck!

By

redhatterb

What sells and what price to use will depend on your area. Things are different in all areas. Unless you are really lucky I don't think you will earn enough to worry about taxes. There is also a possibility that you would have to pay state sales tax. At most craft fairs you have to pay for the space that you use. You also have to furnish the space to display your items to the best advantage. As far as the items with licensed figures on them my guess is that it is because of copyright issues. I have seen a lot of free patterns that state they are for personal use only, not to make items to sell.

I am a stay at home mom that wishes to earn extra income selling crafts at craft fairs/flea markets. Any ideas or suggestions of crafts that sell well?

I am going to start selling at a local market day in my town and I was hoping for some advice. I like to sew and so far I have decided to sell children's aprons and chef hats.

Is it necessary to disclose the origin of fabric at a craft fair? I sew dog dresses to sell at craft fairs and although I do buy new fabric from the store, I also get fabric from my local Goodwill.