Hurray! You've finally produced some beautiful pieces of handmade craft, and you're looking to start a craft business. Selling your handmade items involves connecting to interested customers and offering them your product at a fair price.
If you're like most crafters, you're probably thinking of selling at Etsy and craft fairs. While those are the obvious choices, there are other good places you should explore. When considering these options, you need to determine if they're the best choice for you. Some places may not appeal to your customer persona. Other places may be where people who don't place much value on handmade items go to.
For instance, you will likely struggle to sell a $100 necklace at a basement sale in a small church. Why? Because most people who visit a small church basement sale are looking for some cheap $10 item.
Having a good understanding of who your target audience is, and what appeals to them is a necessary step to take when looking to sell handmade items. Most newbie crafters dive right into starting a craft business without giving much thought to it.
You need to fully accept that not all rentable tables are the right place to sell handmade crafts. There are tables and spaces for somewhat cheap products, and there are places that are dedicated to selling quality homemade crafts at a fair price. Figure out the kind of items you will be selling, and the right space that fits the sale of such handmade craft.
To get the most out of your sale, your choice of space should fit the kind of handmade item you're selling.
Best Places to Sell Handmade Items
Here is a list of the top 30 places to sell handmade items locally.
1. Craft Fairs/Shows
All craft shows and fairs are not equal. There are craft shows where your crafts have to be approved before you're allowed to showcase them. Others are more open, and everyone can display their items.
You also need to know the kind of craft permitted in your preferred craft fair. Are they looking for crafters who specialize in handmade jewelry, personalized tumblers, DIY canvas art, or general arts? Do your homework to know what's expected of you.
xTool laser machine user's craft fair booth
xTool F1 Laser Engraver for Craft Business
After choosing the right craft fair, you need to come up with a budget and properly price your products. Furthermore, you need to put in the effort to attractively display your items. And you need to have great customer service.
One sure way of generating sales during craft fairs is by promoting your booth and following up with your customers. You also need to be approachable and friendly with your customers.
As a general rule, always bring the items you want to sell — nothing else! And make adequate preparations for the weather.
2. Flea Markets
Selling crafts at flea markets begins with researching the best flea market to sell your product. Opt for the flea market where your target customers visit. The flea market has to be known for drawing the right type of paying customers. It also needs to have a vendor-friendly reputation — and the vendor fees should be what you can easily afford.
After picking the right flea market, you need to properly prepare your craft for sale. And that includes coming up with quality, unique crafts, having a variety of nice items, and designing a good pricing strategy. Your item pricing should align with the pricing of similar items in the market.
Your booth should be attractive and visually appealing to your customers. Adequate placement of the product should be done — and that includes grouping similar items. You should create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. To do that, consider playing background music, and keeping your space organized and clean.
If your sales process is properly executed, building a loyal paying customer base won't be an issue for you.
3. Farmers Markets
Farmers' markets tend to generate lots of foot traffic, and there are instances where you get to have a spot all year round. Crafters who are looking to sell handmade crafts locally will benefit from this option. One sure benefit of using farmers' markets is their booth fees and schedule. You can sell in the same spot week after week — and that makes it easy for your target customers to find you. That is, customers will know where to go if they're looking to get your product.
On the flip side, the outdoor farmers' market is largely dependent on the weather. Granted, most farmers' markets would run on both rainy and sunny days. However, they will likely be shut down during extreme weather conditions.
Depending on your location, you could find farmers' markets that run during weekdays in the evenings. That will make a good choice for crafters who are always busy with family and kids during weekends.
4. Pop-up Events
Crafters who don't have a large number of handmade items could opt for pop-up events. Pop-up events are typically positioned in high-traffic areas, and you can use a mobile unit, an empty retail space, or an existing shop to sell your items.
There are also instances where the organizers of the event allow you to drop your crafts while they focus on selling. Pop-up events usually go on for multiple days, and give you a much longer time to sell your handmade items.
To get started, you can do a simple "pop-up" search to figure out the various pop-up events happening within your location.
5. Holiday/Festival Markets
If you plan on doing a single craft show in a year, then going to the holiday (or festival) markets should be your best shot — doing it right could make all the difference!
Holiday markets generate the most sales in the year. After all, enthusiastic shoppers are mostly sold to. Holiday markets can span over many days, and that allows you to sell out your craft stock.
Before settling on a holiday market, you need to ascertain that your handmade items and crafts fit into the overall theme of the event. Your items need to be displayed in a way that appeals to your customers. Also, you need to politely guide your customers when they come to buy your crafts.
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6. Art Fairs/Shows
Art Fairs and Shows are great ways to network and expose your craft business to a large audience. During art shows and fairs, you will network with other professionals in your niche, and such networks could easily turn into more business and professional opportunities down the line.
However, you need to research and identify the right shows and fairs for your business. After that, you will have to apply early and come up with a strong presentation. Be professional when interacting with customers, other crafters, and the art fair staff.
7. Trade Shows & Expos
Trade shows are usually big gatherings, and they can have both small and big companies come for their exhibitions. There's the possibility of seeing shop owners who come to these expos to restock their stores.
If done right, you will get a good booth where you display your plethora of handmade crafts. Trade shows are designed with themes, and there are instances where these themes are somewhat specific. For instance, there are trade shows for home & garden, bridal, gift, and women.
A simple Google search will help you figure out the various trade shows in your city. And if the theme aligns with what you want to sell, go for it.
8. Craft Consignment Stores
If you have a regular job, and also looking to sell homemade crafts, then craft consignment stores could be the right fit for you.
With a craft consignment store, you don't need to be physically present or manually manage the sales of your products. All you need to do is present your homemade items to any consignment stores around you. If your items are accepted, they'll be displayed for some time, and you will split any revenue made from the sales with the store owner. However, there has to be a prior agreement on the revenue splitting.
Before choosing a consignment store, you need to ascertain that the store suits what you have in stock. There are consignment stores that focus on formal clothes, and some focus on housewares. The items sold at the consignment store should be similar to what you're offering.
As a general rule, you should endeavor to collect any unsold homemade craft on time. There are cases where consignment stores are legally bound to claim any unsold item that wasn't claimed by the crafter.
9. Craft Boutiques
Your handmade items can be part of the collections found in your craft boutiques. You could offer additional services like crafting personalized items for customers who request such.
You need to come up with a compelling product line and pitch your items to the local craft boutiques around you. If you'll not be around to sell your items yourself, you could consider offering a consignment agreement to the boutiques. This way, they sell the items for an agreed commission. Furthermore, you need to promote your items using channels like social media platforms.
10. Artisan Shops
A typical artisan shop is stocked with a variety of handcrafted items — and your items could be part of such a diverse collection. Selling at artisan shops allows you to get your items in front of premium-paying customers.