Today was day 3 of the 7 day craft fayre that i am taking part in. Monday was a slow day but thankfully it all picked up yesterday.
I have been doing this fayre for 5 years now and this is the first year that i have been put in a different pitch space. I wasn't happy at first but to be honest once a few "issues" got ironed out things are now fine as the foot traffic is good.
Here is a link to the Eastgate shopping centre http://www.eastgate-centre.co.uk/events/
Anyway here are a few shots of my stall first thing in the morning before trading begins so that its nice and quiet with not many people walking around
Here are some shots of my cards
My new display board for this years fayre.
This is one of my jewellery stands - can you spot some fairy nests at the bottom!
and lastly here is me !
The fayre as always is never advertised properly in the Mall itself or in the press - it is this year in conjunction with the Scottish Golf Open that is taking part at our new golf course at Castle Douglass - so the centre management are hoping the fayre will be an incentive for the golfing widows !!! There are 4 stalls on the East bridge where i am and 5 on the West bridge - some people didnt turn up but thats as usual ! There are also the other usual craft stalls around the atrium in the middle of the centre - this is where i am usually based.
Theres a lot of people out there who think doing a fayre is easy and "oh yea i can do it " - well theres a lot to consider and a big outlay before jumping in. Setting up for a fayre is a big affair as its never cheap and your not in profit for a few years as there is so much outlay. Dont get me wrong as there are smaller venues who hold fates - like church halls, WRVS, playgroups etc but these dont as many attendees as in a shopping mall. For each venue there is the fee to attend the fayre or you purchases a traders licence when its a bigger organised affair like what i do. Then there is the public liability insurance - for the Eastgate Centre you have to have £2million in liability insurance. Next you need to purchase what you are going to sell your creations on - i have 2 banquet tables - heavy beasts but are so worth it. Then you need your card stands/displays - some people use card board boxes or such like - not very professional - i have been using wire stands for some years now as they hold heaps and look far superior to cardboard. I do still have some white card box stands as had to take 2 for the end of my stall a ran out of room. I have one tall twirling stand for my jewellery and another tall twirling one for cards but i didnt take that this year as I wanted a big confernence type display board so purchased that earlier this year to use instead. Next you need the table coverings and they have to be coated with flame retardant spray. You dont necessarily need seats as some venues would supply seats but for me i like to have everything myself and not be beholdant on anyone to supply me with anything !! Lighting is another issue and sometimes it is best to have some standard spotlights with you so your wares can be easily seen or if you are making products then you can see easily. Some people attending fayres expect the venue to supply it all for them - its rather funny when they dont !! Then lastly you need your stock. No point in going with a handful of cards or jewellery as people want choice - so for me choice is what they get !!
Once you add all that expenses together your not in profit for a few years but it is worth it making the big investment in the first place and get your display materials especially if you know you are going to be doing it on a regular basis. I do not do the smaller fairs now like the ones in village halls as there is far too much polava to get sorted and set up for just a few hours - i like to be in one place for a duration of time and thats why i like doing this as im there for 7 days - or like last year i had 14 !
Oh well back to it, I have tomorrow (thursday), then friday, saturday and sunday to go then its tidy up time and back to work on monday ! :-(
13 comments:
Hey Gill - so glad you posted some pics! Wow, you have been working hard girl :) Good luck at the Fayre! Hugs
can't imagine how long it took you to make all that, hope it all goes well x
I think this fayre has not been advertised well... I would not have known about it but for you... nothing in Courier.... only a bit in the Golf Section today.... very bad and very strange to find it in that section... guess that was for the tourists. xx
well done you ! Stall looks terrific !
Contemplating doing the big shetland one this year.
Aj.
Wow Gill that looks great, how do you manage all the people when they are looking at your items.. eyes in the back of your head? Have fun for the rest of the week and sell, sell, sell!!!
Debbie T :)
Your stall looks fantastic. I like your new card display too.
Wow Gill I've never seen so many cards apart from Clintons!!!! They look gorgeous I'm sure you'll sell loads:)
Val x
wow - what a display! good luck with your sales you certainly deserve to do well after all that hard work
Your stall looks amazing. I would have love to come and see it but it is too far away. Maybe next time. Good luck and I hope you sell loads of your beautiful creations :)
CLEARLY you have worked hard and it looks great! Congrats and I hope it is VERY VERY successful for you!!
http://acreativejourneywithmelissa@blogspot.com
stall looks great Gill, love the dipslay boards. Hope you are having a busy time!
WOW! Terrific WORK!! What a wonderful and creative way to display all of your beautiful handcrafted artwork! Hope it it is a great success!!!
Hi Gill
I think that you deserve a medal, you must have been working so hard to produce such a massive amount of stock, and everything looks so pretty. By Sunday evening you will need a good long soak in the bath, a glass of something nice (whatever your tipple), candles and soothing music. I have now sorted you out to start next week in a relaxed mood.
Well done you.
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