Craft Fair Vendor Instructions

Craft Fair Vendor Guidelines

We are very excited to offer this opportunity for young artists to sell items that they have made. We want you to have a successful experience at the craft fair. Listed below are details about setup and helpful business tips!

Thursday December 5, 2024 4:30-6:30pm

3:30-4:30 pm Sellers set up (Library staff and volunteers are on hand to help
PARKING Please use the reserved parking spots (orange safety cones) to unload materials, then park at the lower end of the lot
4:30-6:30 pm Shopping begins!
6:30-7:00 pm Clean-up

Logistics

Sellers provide their own table decorations and displays (see below for display tips)
Sellers provide money to make change for customers
Library provides all tables and chairs for sellers, including space for parent or guardian to sit with their child.
Table sizes vary. Library staff will inform all participants of their table locations and sizes by mid-November.
Tables must be occupied by the youth vendors during the event. (Bathroom breaks are permissible, of course)

For crafted items:

Is my craft well made?
Is my craft something I would spend my own money on?
Is my craft priced to sell to children or adults? (Children usually don’t have as much money to spend as adults.)

For baked items:

Always use good hygiene! Wash your hands and pull back your hair.
How will I package my baked items? (Plastic wrap, baggies, paper plates, tin foil?)
Will I price these individually or as a group?
Will I offer samples?
Please include ingredient list to share with customers. Common allergens are dairy (butter, milk), eggs, gluten (flour), and nuts

How many and what price?

A good number of items to sell is at least 30 items.
Kids who have more than one craft item to sell don’t typically sell any more items than kids who are selling only one item.
A good price range is $1 to $10. Items selling for under $5 sell much faster than the more expensive items. $10+ items are harder (but not impossible) to sell
Well-made items sell better than poorly-made items.

Display ideas:

Bring a tablecloth. Blankets of fabric yardage work well
Add height! Use books, upside-down bowls, or boxes to raise some items
Label your products and price them (Ex. Bookmarks 50 cents each; Ornaments $1 each, 6 for $5)
Use bowls, baskets, and plates from home to display similar items together
Ask a children’s librarian to show you the table you have been assigned
Add props! Example: Place a basket of dog treats you are selling next to a stuffed animal dog. Or, if you are selling ornaments hang them on a tabletop Christmas tree

Customer Service

Being a good salesperson takes practice. You may want to practice with your friends and family before the fair.

Smile and look at your customers in the eye
Say, “Hello” or “Good evening” to shoppers
Be prepared with change, bags, order forms, pencils, etc.
Be ready to answer questions about your products
Speak clearly and loud enough to be easily heard

Marketing

Use the postcards (library can print more) to invite friends and family
If your parents use social media, ask if they are willing to share the event to invite their friends [as of 11/5/24 Facebook event has not been created yet]
If you and your parents are comfortable, send a photo of you with your product(s) to grace.juster@mcminnvilleoregon.gov by November 16 to be included in library’s social media