Yesterday, I showed my soaps for the first time at a local craft fair. Unfortunately the shopper turn-out was quite disappointing. You really can never tell how something like this is going to go, but I learned a few things anyway. I think it’s important to ask certain questions before deciding to participate as a vendor.

For example:

Is this the first year for this event?

Have you organized other craft fairs?

How many vendors will be there and what are they selling?

What is the expected attendance for this fair?

What kind of advertizing will be done?

Jon said he searched for info online about this fair and it wasn’t even advertised on craigslist! I’m sure there are other things I could do to research fairs. Something I thought of was to contact previous vendors and find out how the event was attended last year.

Jon and I stayed up nearly all night Friday setting up and printing the product labels, labeling everything and making signage. I finally crashed out at 4:30 am and Jon was up till 5:30. We had to be up again by 7:30 to go get set up for the fair. You know something? I really have the most wonderful, loving and supportive husband. He came along with me  yesterday, helped me set up, kept me company, went to get me lunch, helped me take down and pack up and then got me home safely so we could crash again. We went to sleep at 6:00 pm last night!

There were only about 15 vendors there. It was very low-key, with the tables widely spaced in a very large hall. The thermostat controls were locked up in the morning, so they weren’t able to get the heat turned on until the afternoon. Luckily I’d worn a hoody jacket, but it wasn’t enough to keep me warm. All afternoon I kept dreaming about getting home and into our heated waterbed. The lady who ran the event was apologetic, but what can you do? We probably sold enough to cover our table fee and lunch, but that was it. Many customers were  interested in my solid shampoo and conditioner cakes and  solid lotion bars, and I sold quite a few.  Some customers mentioned how they would be great for travel, so I would like to try to find some reusable storage containers for the shampoo and conditioner cakes. Maybe something like the lotion bar tins, or maybe something plastic and water-tight.

I met someone who might be interested in doing a fundraiser with my Scrabble tile pendant charms, that would be fun to do if it works out.

Here’s a few more photos of some of my products on display. These wooden display shelves were made by the husband of a soapmaker who sold me a bunch of her supplies when she sold her business. I think this shows off my soaps really well.

These are the shampoo and conditioner cakes. I think these are my favourite product. Made from shampoo and condtioner ingredients (they aren’t soap!) but without all that water and extra packaging. Great for camping or travelling. No water, so you can take them in your carry-on luggage for flying.