When I first started A Faith Creation, one question kept coming up. Should I do a craft fair or market? Maybe I should just stick to the Etsy shop. Another question that consistently came to mind, whether I did a market or not. Would anyone be interested in purchasing my items? Also, the introvert that I am quickly became anxious, thinking about having to be a salesperson, in person, amongst a crowd of people.
The question of if I should do a craft fair came front and center nearly a year after the Etsy shop went live. I was blessed to be invited to be a vendor at the International Community School’s Bazaar in November 2017. A work friend had a couple of their children attending the school and suggested me as a potential vendor. Honored to have been thought of.
In the early days of A Faith Creation, most of my products were scarves, cowls, shawls and baby blankets. I had a few fingerless gloves as well. So, that is what I took to my first craft show.
The other consistent question (would anyone be interested in purchasing my items?) was at the forefront of my mind as my husband and I stood there, at our table, as people walked by. Comments that everything was very pretty, but it’s not necessary here in Florida to where such things. Also, people didn’t think babies needed hand knit blankets, which, in their mind, would be too hot. So, on top of the anxiety I already felt, disappointment creeped in.
There was some encouragement, with a couple friends showing up to give some support. Also, a couple things did sell. Other comments were made that often the air conditioning inside Florida buildings can be quite frigid.
After that, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it again, but I tried once more the following year. It was Veteran’s Day weekend, so I thought, maybe we would get more sales with our Annual Veteran’s Special. (That’s when 15% of all sales are donated to The Wounded Warrior Project.) Yet, I was still skeptical, with the same type of products.
Sales were a little better than the previous year, but the cool part of this bazaar, a couple ladies handed me a flyer to invite me to be a vendor at their organization’s craft show. That took me by surprise; what a blessing. Maybe this market thing wasn’t so bad. Yes, it completely wore me out as an introvert, but it did help with spreading the word about the shop.
February 2019, we set up our table at the Woman’s Club of Winter Park’s Artisan Showcase. This time, I did notice there was another woman there, across the room, who had crocheted items. We weren’t alone in the fiber arts at this market. That was promising. Our table was also set up close to the doorway, meaning the foot traffic would have to pass our table, which was also promising.
With each market, there’s usually something new we’ve learned. How much to bring, placement on the table, work on a project while waiting for customers so they can see it is actually hand knit, have a smile and greet passersby, etc. Another tidbit we learned from the woman who had a table next to us was the phrase “make rent.” Whenever you work a market, you, at least, want to make rent. This means you want to sell enough products to cover the cost of the table fee. Good to know.
We didn’t go back to another of their showcases; not getting another invitation. The other fiber artist was a regular, and they wanted more variety. I’m not sure if we would have gone back anyway, based on some conversations and observations. And, we do another Craft Bazaar with the school because they changed their fundraising strategy and weren’t having another bazaar.
And, as you may remember, the world stopped when the pandemic began…
Early 2022, I came across a new market via Facebook, the FAVO Art Market. It was an outdoor market, which was something different than the other three we had done before. I debated in my head for a bit, then decided, why not give it a try. So, I applied for the February market. As the market date drew closer, I wondered if we were going to be a vendor, as I hadn’t heard anything from the organizers, only to find out we didn’t make the cut. They already had someone with crocheted items and were looking for more “traditional art” for the market. Hmmm. “Traditional art”? I assumed that meant drawing and painting and sculptures, but I will admit, that stung a little. Knitting is art, that dates back pretty far.
In April of 2022, I began creating the hand knit plants. (Read the story about the knit plants here.) Having created a few succulents and vine plants, I thought I’d give it a try again for the next FAVO Art Market. The market was the day before Mother’s Day, so I thought the new plants might be a hit. I guess the second time was the charm, because we were accepted.
The weather was a bit windy, which made set up an adventure. Also, being outside, and the spot we were in, we had to fend off ants and other small crawling things. There were more comments about scarves and shawls not being necessary in Florida. But the knit plants were a hit, and more people found out about A Faith Creation. We “made rent,” and had so many friends come to encourage and support.
By the time of their next market in September, I had more of a variety of succulents and vines ready to go. Also, I basically stopped making scarves and shawls and shifted to more home décor items. Maybe that would go over better and be more profitable. Our location for this market was better, with less bug traffic. And, our booth was next door to my good friend who creates the most beautiful pearl jewelry, Kristen Diana Designs. That definitely made it more enjoyable, along with other friends who came to encourage. We did “make rent,” but it wasn’t as much as I would have hoped.
With the markets being hit or miss, and the exhaustion from packing everything up, loading it in the car, unloading it at the sight, setting everything up, peopling for a few hours, maybe making a sale or two then having to pack everything up again, load it in the car and get home, I kept wondering if they were really worth it. Yes, the exposure is good, but it hadn’t generated any sales in between markets so far.
While debating if it would be worth doing another market again, I came across the Orlando Local Makers on Instagram, who had a market called “Art After Dark,” and it is located near where we live. The location was definitely a draw, not having to travel as far. Maybe we’ll give this one a try. It looked like a lot of foot traffic through the event, with a lot of people out and about on Friday nights. Why not? We gave it a try. I applied for one held in May 2023 and was accepted.
I took only knit plants, baby blankets and tea cozies. Thankful the rain stayed away the whole time. Thankful for my husband who stays with me, cheering me on and being the cashier. There were quite a few people that came through. Lots of people commented and complimented on how cute everything looked, but only a couple purchases. Met some people who were also knitters and crocheters, making it fun to talk fiber arts. We had several conversations explaining the difference between knit and crochet (yes, there is a difference). I chalked it up to a good experience building event.
We tried again at the beginning of November 2023, Veteran’s Day weekend. Again, we had the Veteran’s Day Special. Our location was good. We were next to a crocheter, so it was fun chatting with her. More conversations explaining the difference between knitting and crocheting. Like last time, there were quite a few people that walked through. This time, we had more interested buyers. It turned out to be the best market appearance to date.
Hoping that successful event would be a trend, we returned for the event on Black Friday 2023. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit chilly and rainy that evening. And, I think everyone must have been all shopped out by then. There wasn’t as much foot traffic. Some came to the table excited at all the pretty things, only to politely walk away when noticing the prices. (At least they were polite.)
I applied to one market in 2024, however, we didn’t get accepted. The rest of the year, I debated if I would or should apply to any more.
This has been my experience with markets here in Central Florida. As 2025 has begun, and I plan out the rest of the year, the debate continues. Markets have been hit or miss. They haven’t generated more engagement with the shop between markets either. But this next one might be “the one.” Is it worth the energy, the time, the expenses? Or should I stick with just an online presence?
The debate continues…