Applying to craft fairs is a bit like applying to jobs. 

The application process is similar, but slightly different, for every single one.

It’s important to do some research before applying.

There are so many options, and it’s tempting to apply to as many as possible to maximize your chances.

It’s difficult to know which one will be the right fit until you actually try it out!

This can end up being the biggest issue for many artists and makers - applying to, and attending, craft fairs that ultimately just aren’t the right fit. I personally fall into this trap way more than I’d like to, because it’s tempting to think that any craft fair must be better than no craft fair. But this thinking can actually do more harm than good. Here’s why:

You may spend the whole day wondering why no one likes your products.

You may feel like those hours are being wasted, when you could have used your time to do something more productive.

You may not make enough profit to cover the money you paid to attend (attendance fee, parking, gas, etc.).

So how do we prevent this from happening? How do we choose the right craft fair? You might already have some go-to questions that you ask before applying, such as booth fees, number of attendees and vendors, indoors vs. outdoors, etc. And these questions are absolutely essential!

But I have a few more *bonus* questions that more artists and makers should be asking before choosing a craft fair. Asking these additional questions will help give you a complete picture of the event and allow you to be more critical of a potential craft fair - because at the end of the day, one BIG difference between a craft fair and a job is that you are paying to be a part of it!This is an important question to determine if craft fair attendees are likely to make purchases. Sometimes, craft fairs become social outings where attendees just grab a latte, browse with friends, and leave without buying much. And there’s nothing wrong with that! But those who purchase tickets are often more goal-oriented and want to justify the ticket cost.

As a vendor, to maximize actual shopping, consider events with entrance fees. Just ensure the ticket price isn’t too high, or it may deter potential customers.For many customers, attending a craft fair falls into that interesting gray area of something they want to do but don’t need to do. It’s perfect for a day out with friends, gift shopping, or supporting handmade art, but it’s not as necessary as grocery shopping. So when you think about applying to a craft fair as a vendor, you want to make sure that the barrier to entry for customers is going to be as low as possible. 

Consider whether the craft fair coincides with major events like the Super Bowl, large local events like a town parade, or holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. These are all reasons why a customer might decide not to attend a craft fair even if they want to - and reasons why as a vendor, you might not want to apply either.When we take part in events as vendors, we want the focus to be on our products. While food, drinks, and live music can enhance an event, it’s essential for customers to prioritize our art. If an event leans too heavily in the other direction - maybe it is primarily a food truck event, or has lots of fun games and activities for kids - it can distract from the actual craft aspect.

Even if an event is labeled a “craft fair” or “art festival,” it’s crucial to research its actual focus through their website or social media. Organizers can use whatever words they want to describe their event! One thing to look for is if the event is juried, which suggests a stronger emphasis on crafts or art rather than just entertainment.Tourists can be great customers! They love bringing home unique souvenirs, and craft fairs offer locally made, handcrafted items they can't find elsewhere. If you offer tourist-friendly items - like small accessories, giftable items, or location-specific crafts - it can be great to focus in on craft fairs in downtown areas of big cities and popular vacation spots.

On the flip side, if your items are too large or fragile for travel, you may want to avoid craft fairs in places that are saturated with tourists. While many potential customers may browse and take business cards, they are unlikely to buy items they can't easily take home.Parking can be a significant barrier for customers. If they have to circle the block multiple times to find a spot, they might give up entirely and abandon their plans. It’s important to question where organizers expect customers to park, especially in busy areas - even if free parking isn’t available, they should provide information on nearby options.

Additionally, free parking for vendors can be a huge draw! Not only does it get you more time for setup, but it also means you don’t have to factor in any extra fees when considering if this event will be the right one for you.This might be one of the best questions you can ask, and one that I only recently started looking into. It’s a good idea to take a look into some of the demographics of the people who live - and shop! - in the town or city where a craft fair is located. 

If you’ve participated in craft fairs before, compare the median incomes of your successful locations with the location of the new craft fair. This information can help you decide if your products, at their current price point, are the right fit for the area. As another example, you might sell products aimed at parents, so knowing the number of families versus single individuals in the area will help you better understand your target audience.Even if you’ve done all the research and decided that an event would be the right fit for you, the event organizers might decide that you are not the right fit for them. And that’s ok! A good organizer selects crafters and artists they believe will succeed at their event.

While there’s nothing stopping you (besides the application fee) from applying again the next year, no one wants to have their heart broken twice. You may want to look elsewhere for other opportunities that might be your perfect craft fair match!

What other questions do you keep in mind when researching craft fairs? Leave some suggestions in the comments for other vendors!