There are several different types of events and some are better suited to certain products than others. There aren’t specific rules (aside from laws and permits) when it comes to the organization of an event, so themes, vendors, setups and prices can vary drastically.
JURIED VS. NON-JURIED
There are two ways organizers select vendors for their events:
JURIED EVENTS
A juried show will accept all applications up to a deadline and then choose applicants who have followed the guidelines, fit with their theme and add variety to the event.
This ensures you’re not competing with 20 vendors selling the same type of product as you.
Just because it’s a juried event doesn’t mean you should jump in, no questions asked. You still want to do the research to make sure the organizer is making a good effort to have quality vendors, a good variety, great marketing and venue, and you’re not seeing any red flags (as outlined here:7 Types of Craft Shows to Avoid)
NON-JURIED EVENTS
A non-juried show means anyone who applies and gets their money in before spaces are full, is welcome at the event, so there’s no guarantee of the quality or variety of products. They generally have lower table fees than a juried show and may be held as a fundraiser at a school, church or community center.
Some people recommend non-juried shows as a way to get your feet wet but I suggest you still take the time to do your research. The amount of work you put into a craft fair, whether it’s juried or not, is the same. Signing up for an un-juried show usually means there’s no way for you to judge if it’s going to be a fit for your business and products.
If you find a non-juried event that: has been going on for years with a good following, allows you to gather some general info (such as estimated traffic and demographics), has low table fees or allows you to help out a good cause, it may be a good event to test out and get some experience.
TYPES OF EVENTS
Below are 6 types of events handmade business owners commonly sell their crafts through.
1) CRAFT FAIRS
Who are they for: anyone who has handmade items to sell so you’ll find a wide range of vendors and shoppers. Some allow food vendors but depending on location, food may be limited due to permit requirements. You may also find direct sales at craft fairs (i.e. Scentsy, Arbonne, Norwex, etc.), which is important to know beforehand if you’re selling items in the same category. Their mass-produced, lower-priced products may affect your sales.
Where do they happen: almost anywhere; school gyms, halls, conference rooms, churches, parking lots or larger venues like exposition centers.
When do they happen: typically weekends and can range from just a few hours to a few days.
Why do they happen: specifically to sell handmade items and may be focused around a season, holiday or theme (i.e. Spring Craft Fair, Christmas Craft fair, Mom & Tots Show).
How much do they cost: because the size, location and number of vendors vary, the price range for a table or booth will also vary. The smaller shows may start around $25 while the bigger ones can be into the hundreds of dollars and occasionally over $1000.
2) FARMERS’ MARKETS
Who are they for: these are a good opportunity for vendors who want a consistent space to sell at every week or month. Each market accepts different vendors but people selling handmade, homemade and homegrown are usually a fit.
Where do they happen: usually parking lots or public streets. Some markets have a permanent venue indoors or move to an indoor space during colder months.
When do they happen: once a week, typically late spring to early fall, lasting between 4 – 8 hours. They can be on a weeknight or the weekend. Be prepared to work with the conditions: rain or shine…or even snow. They typically shut down only if there’s extreme weather and a safety concern. Those that have an indoor venue or move indoors during winter will usually occur year round.
Why do they happen: farmers’ markets set up each week to give people an opportunity to purchase fresh groceries from local producers. It’s a great opportunity to meet other local makers and shop in a unique atmosphere. The addition of food trucks, live music and entertainment can turn these markets into a fun family outing.
How much do they cost: if you book a space for just one week, it can be very affordable. Small markets may charge under $50 for a booth while bigger markets may be $100 and over. The markets usually offer a discount if you book several dates throughout the season.
3) POP-UPS
Who are they for: they may be very similar to a craft fair with a variety of vendors or they may be a consignment with a focused theme and vendors dropping their goods off, allowing the pop-up organizers to take care of sales.
Where do they happen: usually in vacant spaces in high-traffic areas such as malls or busy streets where a permanent retail store would typically be.
When do they happen: anytime during the week, month or year and can last for one day up to a few months. A craft fair pop-up will be shorter while a consignment pop-up will usually last for weeks.
Why do they happen: popping up in a vacant space creates a great buzz and can grab the attention of the media and people walking by who saw an empty space yesterday but a full swingin’ shop today. Some businesses use pop-ups to test a store concept at a much lower cost before committing to a permanent retail space.
How much do they cost: Craft fair style pop-ups will have similar pricing to craft fairs while a consignment style pop-up will likely take a percentage of your sales. Here’s more information on consignment commissions.
4) TRUNK SHOWS
Who are they for: just a few vendors are present at a trunk show, as they’re a more intimate setting. They may be a short event put on by vendors themselves or by retailers who carry local vendors’ work, as a way for shoppers to meet the creators.
Where do they happen: a trunk show may be in a home, hotel room or retail space.
When do they happen: anytime and are usually just a few hours long.
Why do they happen: these are a great opportunity for shoppers to chat with vendors while they sip wine and purchase or place orders. A trunk show at a retail store can also create a buzz and a storyline the media may be interested in.
How much do they cost: if a trunk show is organized by a few vendors, it may involve splitting the cost of providing drinks and appetizers for guests. If a retailer is organizing a trunk show, it may be of no cost to vendors (aside from time to show up and help spread the word) or they may take a percentage of sales from the event.
5) FESTIVALS
Who are they for: festivals are centered around a specific activity, outside of shopping. Your city may have performing arts, musical, cultural or seasonal festivals. Vendors need to ensure their products are a fit for the theme of the festival and the crowds it will draw.
Where do they happen: usually outdoors in a large area, often shutting down streets so the public can roam and take in the multiple activities.
When do they happen: anytime during the year and usually lasts for several days.
Why do they happen: to celebrate a specific activity, with vendors being a side attraction as opposed to the main focus.
How much do they cost: since festivals tend to attract a lot of people and occur over a few days, a booth can be in the higher price range, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
6) TRADE SHOWS
Who are they for: these are the granddaddy of shows and for vendors who want to reach a larger audience interested in a specific theme; think bridal, home improvement, comic or women’s shows. Trade shows may be consumer or industry focused or a combination.
Where do they happen: in large venues allowing vendors to have more space than a table. They typically sell 10’ x 10’ booths or larger.
When do they happen: any time of the year and can usually run for a few full days.
Why do they happen: to get vendors in front of a large targeted audience. Consumer trade shows are for vendors to sell products and services to the public, while industry trade shows are for vendors to sell to other businesses. If you’re looking to sell your products wholesale to retailers, a larger trade show marketed towards your industry may be a good fit.
How much do they cost: these are usually the most expensive and will cost you $1000 and over to participate.
There are other ways to sell and market your crafts. You may also be interested in:
- Where to Sell Handmade Online (Besides Etsy)
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Erin (Creator of Made Urban)
Hey, I’m Erin 🙂 I write about small business and craft show techniques I’ve learned from being a small business owner for almost 2 decades, selling at dozens of craft shows, and earning a diploma in Visual Communication Design. I hope you find my advice helpful!
