We all knew arts and crafts were awesome back in elementary school but somewhere along they way they became Grandma’s domain. It turned into a world filled with upholstered and bedazzled picture frames, gaudy scrapbooks and everything seemed to be covered in stenciled ducks. Well, in the past few years, the image of crocheted potholders and rag-dolls has been replaced with a vast array of beautiful handmade goods including letter pressed stationary, whimsical paintings, modern ceramics and custom jewelry. With the renaissance of handcrafted goods, makers everywhere are getting their products out through online shops like Etsy and arts and craft fairs.
My friend Meghan Guthrie and I decided to test the waters and hawked our wares at the Brooklyn Flea this past weekend. The Brooklyn Flea is a very popular Brooklyn market held outdoors in Fort Greene on Saturdays and indoors a few blocks away in the Williamsburg Savings Bank on Sundays. There is a wide array of vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, handmade goods and delicious food (some of which give vendor discounts—hooray for People’s Pops and Sigmund Pretzelshop!). It’s a popular destination and on this past sunny Saturday, the place was packed.
The Cost
For $80 we were able to rent out an 8×8 space in the bustling market. This is a pretty affordable table fee as shows like the incredible Renegade Craft Fair (held in Brooklyn, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles) are about $350 per space. Don’t be too daunted by the price as those fairs are filled with people specifically wanting to buy handmade goods, it just may not be a great idea for your first time. We decided we didn’t have enough time to make the inventory we would need for the Renegade and did the Flea instead.
My prints plus a little handmade and vintage fun!
Meghan’s handmade garlands and kerchiefs!
Meghan’s handsewn and printed pillows!
What To Bring*:
- A table: preferably a lightweight folding table or tabletop and legs. Some markets rent them out at the location so be sure to ask when you sign up. Don’t forget a chair! You will be there all day long and standing will get old quick. The Brooklyn Flea only charges $10 per table and $2 per chair. They are there waiting for you so there’s less to schlep to and from the market!
- Displays: Regardless of what you sell, you want people to be able to see everything on your table easily. Vision can start to get blurry booth after booth so make yours stand out. A small banner or sign advertising your business name is great too. I also recommend pricing your items clearly. That way, if people are too shy to ask, you don’t lose a potential sale.
- A cash box and plenty of change: Be sure to have lots of small bills and change so you don’t have to turn a customer away paying with a $20. Be sure to keep it somewhere safe like a discreet box at your feet or in your bag.
- If you would like to accept credit cards through your iPhone, there’s an app for that! You pay a $25 monthly fee but that may be well worth it if you are selling pricey wares and most customers won’t be carrying a wallet full of hundreds.
- Office supplies: This is your little pop-up shop after all! You will want a calculator, tape, a pen or pencil, a notebook to keep track of your sales and a receipt book in case someone needs one!
- Protection from the elements: If it’s sunny, bring plenty of water and sunscreen and if the skies are gray, an umbrella and galoshes. I learned my lesson this weekend when I ran out the door without any sunscreen and came home bright pink. I’m covered in aloe right now. If you plan on doing more than one market, it would be worth the investment to get a tent or standing umbrella as well. Also – if there is a chance of rain, bring a lightweight tarp to throw over your table until the rain passes and you can pack things safely.
- Bags or wrapping materials: Be sure to have a variety of small bags for purchases and tissue paper and tape if you sell anything delicate. You would hate for your hard work to end up at the bottom of someone’s totebag along with an old mascara and gum wrappers! There are super adorable bags available at stationary stores and party supply shops. I like plain brown paper bags stamped with a rubber stamp or a colorful paper bag from the party favor aisle. Even a brown paper lunch bag is cute!
- Business cards or postcards: Are you trying to sell your stuff or not? If you want people to remember you and find your online shop or website, they need to know your name! Don’t hold back from passing them out. If someone buys something, include one with each purchase. If you make friends with the people working the table next to you, give them one too! This is when networking doesn’t feel gross. These are nice people who like your stuff! Help them remember you. If you don’t have time to have one printed up, you can write your info on cute cardstock or a mailing tag. Anything is better than the back of a Duane Reade receipt.
- An apron: They are super cute and you can really feel like a shopgirl with your pencil and calculator in your pocket. Maybe you don’t need one but it helps me get into character and I don’t dare get pasta sauce on my vintage aprons at home! Plus, it helps other vendors recognize you as one, which makes for more possibility of a friendly discount.
- A friend: Not only to have someone to chat with during down time and to avoid staring longingly into your customer’s eyes but this way you can take turns for bathroom and snack breaks without leaving the table unattended. It’s also a lot more fun to people watch with a friend. Believe me, there is some good people watching at these things.
- Snacks: I packed a lunch but we found that snack breaks were a welcomed opportunity to stretch our legs. I didn’t want to spend all the money I had made selling things so I limited myself to a couple delicious treats and cold drinks.
- An activity: Bring something to do with your hands or a magazine. No matter how bustling, you will have some free time.
*Each market operates differently, so check your agreement and see what they provide and/or allow.
Handy Tips:
- Make friends with your neighbors! Not only does it make you feel more comfortable having some fellow comrades but if you are working your table alone, you can ask them to watch your things while you run out for a bathroom break or to grab a beverage. If they seem friendly, it’s a great opportunity to talk to another artist and find out about their market experience. These events are a lot more friendly than competitive and I’ve found people are happy to share their point of view.
- Don’t be disheartened if you don’t sell out of your entire inventory – Or if you only sell two things! This is a learning experience and the more you do it, the better you will get! You will see what sells, what keeps getting interest but not purchased (which may mean you need to lower the price if you can), and what the market demographic is. You may find it’s not for you or you may have found your new favorite weekend activity!
- Whatever you do, be friendly when people come to your table, gracious if they don’t buy anything and just try to have fun. At the very least you can strike up a conversation with the cute vendor across from you selling vintage t-shirts!
Have fun and good luck!
Resources:
The Brooklyn Flea: A great market to sell your wares and have a delicious popsicle!
Artists & Fleas: The original Brooklyn flea market in Williamsburg.
Renegade Craft Fair: The Craft Mecca.
Craft, Inc: An awesome book on turning your craft into a business. It’s filled with great advice and inspiring interviews with artists you know and love.
Etsy: The home of thousands of crafters and artists.
Regretsy: Where DIY meets WTF.
4over4: There are a lot of inexpensive printers out there but I love these guys! They are affordable and have a quick turnaround. The cards are great quality and you can even get rounded corners! Too cute! They also have a deal for free business cards if you don’t mind their little logo on the back. Not bad!
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