Things are already hotting up at the Xmas Craft Markets. Big congratulations to those (you know who you are) who (up to now had never made a bag before) are setting up their first ever stalls and are now making their first sales - WELL DONE! That's so great - I remember that feeling very well.
Here are a few more things I wish I knew before I started selling bag at markets. Things like; what things to sell, pricing, and a bit of 'cheeky chappette' sales patter...
What To Sell
As I mentioned before, it is a very good idea to have a 'widish price range' of items to sell on your stall. This way you are more likely to have items to that will tempt more people (and suit more budgets). If you sell cheap items alongside your mid-price and more expensive items you will sell more. For instance a woman buying a nice handbag for her friend will often pick up a little purse/wallet to treat herself too (and why not?) - but only if a little purse/wallet is available to buy.
Super cute zippered pouch by Nico
Handbag stall stuff:
- simple zippered pouches (easy & cheap to make & handy for using up scraps)
- bi-fold wallets with magnetic snap/cute button closures (lovely for using up nice fabrics as the leather versions can be sooo boring).
- wash bags (make them fun and girly. Line the inside with plastic or make from oil cloth)
- shoe bags (also make these fun)
- handbags which could have: pleats, zippered closure, flap closure, applique, quilted, felted etc, woven, beaded handles sequins, tapestry, big buttons, silk screen print, recycled wool clothing, corsages...I could go on...
- knitting needle/tool rolls (easy to make, have fun with colour combinations)
- Plastic bag holder/dispensers (you wouldn't believe how many of these things I used to sell!) (very easy to make - just a tube with both ends elasticated and a handle on one end - make patchwork ones to use up your scraps)
- The bag that was the most popular item on my stall was this (find the ingredients for this bag on the Free Instructions section). No joke! that's why I chose this design for a tute on my main site because I used to sell heaps of these bags. It was cute, mid priced, and I could whip them up in under 1.5 hrs.
- Clutch bags, wristlets, and night club essentials 'baglets'
More handmade (wristlet) gorgeousness by Nico
Pricing
With a range of items (from pouches to handbags) it makes it easier to sell items ranging from £6/7.00 all the way up to £?.??
When pricing your items up try:
- Looking in Etsy, your local craft market, Crafster for help, for advice and price comparison with other sellers similar-ish items (copy-cats who don't give due credit are a big pain in the ass!)
- Think about what you would be willing to pay for your items, and ask others (try not to just ask friends!) what they would be willing to pay?
- I know this sounds a bit 'wishy-washy' but in as much as you shouldn't charge too much; don't charge too little because this can have the affect of putting people off (for instance people could think that you don't value your work - therefore it can't be that good; also you want to take home enough beans to be able to feed yourself and buy more supplies so you can come back to the market!)
'Cheeky Chappette' Sales Patter
Of course the way that you will interact with folks who come to your stall will be individual to you, but if you're interested in my tuppence's worth of advice I suggest this:
- It's obvious, but soo important; look pretty cheerful (I don't mean look psychotically happy in a 'PLEASE BUY SOMETHING' kind of way but look kinda friendly and easy going).
- Bring some craft work to do whilst at the stall; it will keep you busy during quiet periods, and people love to see the artist at work because it strengthens the hand-crafted aspect of your goods. Also shyer people will find it easier to approach your stall when you aren't staring at them as they approach!
- If someone is lingering a little and looking like they are trying to decide, ask them if you can help; 'Is the present for a friend?' ' What colours does she like to wear?' 'What occasion is the bag going to be for?' What size bag does she usually use?
- Price is sometimes the deciding factor. Sometimes a couple looking at your stall will discuss amongst themselves buying a present for a friend but the woman might want to treat herself too (I used to get this a lot on my old stall). Suggest to them that you will knock off a little money if they buy 2 or more items. Better to make the sale and lose a little money than not make a sale at all.
- There's no harm in mentioning to interested buyers that the item that they are inspecting is the last one you have available as long as it's the truth! You don't want the same people to walk around again and see another ------ on your stall!
- If a bag has a special history, say so; 'this fabric comes from my holidays in Outer Mongolia' or 'this bag was once my great great aunt's winter coat' or something like that! It adds to the specialness of your bag.
Best of luck folks and have fun!
