How to Sell at Bazaars
Article by KarensVariety.com

This is the season for bazaars, markets, and garage sales. You can sell your handmade items at any of these events.

Some are held outside and some are held inside. Some allow you to sell your items without a charge and some require you to rent a space. Watch the newspaper for upcoming events and give them a call to see if you can sell your items. Ask if there is a charge, is it a charitable event or will you keep all or a portion of your proceeds? Can you share a space and split the cost? Contact craft sale or garage sale ads; people prefer multi-family sales.

Do some research; attend some bazaars and craft markets and see what is being offered for sale. Talk to the seller and get an idea of what is selling successfully.

Making handmade crafts can be time consuming and expensive. You must consider the value of your time and the cost of making your item. If the cost of materials is high, your price must cover this cost and add on for your time spent. Choose what you feel is a reasonable price, deduct the cost of materials, and then divide the balance by the time you spent making the item. You should arrive at a profit that is reasonable for the time spent.

Final Price = Cost of Materials plus $ for Time Spent

Is there enough profit to satisfy you? If you are relaxing in front of the TV or outside on the deck when you make your crafts, this may not be as big a consideration. If you are missing out on other activities that you would like to do, then your time is more valuable.

Sell what you enjoy making! Crafts should not be a chore but an enjoyable activity. You must consider what people want to buy, the cost and time making, but crafts can be a part of your recreation and relaxation time. Get together with friends and craft together.

Set up a table with your items. Stand back and be sure that your table is pleasant to look at, that it is not so cluttered that people can not be sure what is available. As items sell, you can replace them. Have the price clearly marked. Be ready to answer questions and offer suggestions. Decide ahead of time whether there is room for bargaining in the price.

What will you do with anything that does not sell? Much will depend on whether your bazaar and craft sales are seasonal or whether you will sell year round. If seasonal, are your crafts easily stored until next year or will you donate the crafts or give them away? This must be considered in your sale price as well.

There are limitless ideas for crafts. You can make jewellery and accessories for women, ornaments and decorations for holidays, small toys for children, home decorative items. Choose materials that are readily available and inexpensive. You can crochet, knit or sew crafts or make crafts that do not require these skills. Baked goods are always a favourite.