So you’ve decided you want to start your handmade business, but now you’re asking the big question: where do I actually sell my products without breaking the bank? I remember being in that same spot when I first started. I wanted to get out there and sell, but I didn’t want to invest hundreds of dollars into a show that I wasn’t even sure would work for me.
When you start looking at events, you’ll notice there are three levels of craft shows. You’ve got the small community shows, the mid-range shows, and the big three-day, high-ticket ones. Those large shows can run you six to seven hundred dollars just to get a space. The mid-size ones are usually around $150 to $200, and they run about two days. And then you’ve got the smaller shows—those are often $30 to $50 and just one day long. If you’re new, my best advice is to start small. Look for community center shows. They’re affordable, usually one day, and they’re the perfect way to get your feet wet and see how people respond to your products.
When you’re picking your spot, make sure you get a good size space. A six by six booth sounds fine until you try to fit a table, your display, a chair, and space to collect money—it gets tight real quick. If you have the option, go for at least an eight by six or a ten by ten booth. It may cost a little more, but it will give you breathing room and space to display more of your work.
Now let’s talk about what you need to bring. Number one: business cards. Do not forget them. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive—you can make them at home or get them printed at Office Depot or Vistaprint. Just have something that people can take with them, even if they’re not ready to buy on the spot. Bring plenty of change because trust me, everyone pays with a $20 bill. Pack snacks and drinks because once the show starts, you may not have a break to grab food. And here’s one mistake I learned the hard way—don’t bring a book. I used to sit and read while waiting, and people would walk right past me. They didn’t want to interrupt, so they’d glance at my table and keep moving. Instead, bring a notepad so you can jot down ideas, but always look up, smile, and greet people who pass by. A simple “Good morning” or “How are you?” can be the difference between someone walking on or stepping into your booth.
Make sure your display reflects you and your brand. Keep it neat, keep it presentable, and absolutely, positively put price tags on everything. I can’t tell you how many times I lost sales because I hadn’t priced items in time. People don’t always want to ask; they’ll just put it down and walk away. If everything is tagged, you don’t risk losing those easy sales.
Here’s another secret I learned over the years. Before every show, I would tag everything and write it down in a notebook—what the item is, how many I have, and the price. Then, when someone bought something, I’d keep the tag. That way I knew exactly what sold, how many I had left, and I could track my inventory without guessing at the end of the day. It also made tax time so much easier.
Speaking of pricing—stand firm in what your product is worth. Don’t let someone talk you down because “all they have is $15.” If your item is $20, then it’s $20. Handmade products take time, money, and heart to create, and you deserve to be paid fairly for them. On the flip side, if you start to notice people saying, “Oh wow, that’s a great price,” you might actually be undercharging. Pay attention to those comments because they’re clues about how your pricing can evolve.
And finally, don’t be afraid to get out there. Look around your community for small craft shows, schools, and community center events. If you’re just getting started, those one-day, $50 shows are a fantastic way to learn, connect with customers, and build your confidence. Later, if you want to try bigger shows that cost more and pull in bigger crowds, you can—but start where you are and grow from there.
The bottom line? Your beautiful handmade products aren’t going to sell themselves sitting in your craft room. Get out there, show up for your business, and give yourself permission to start small. You’ll learn so much, and with each show, you’ll get better at setting up, connecting with people, and selling your products with confidence. You’ve got this.
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