I'm getting ready to sell things I have made by hand, and this is a scary business. I don't do it very often. Although I always have a stall at SE20 Craft Fair, it's more of an afterthought, with the organisation of the fair coming first and foremost. I usually just pile photo coasters, cross stitch and cards onto a table and if people want to buy them then that's very nice. I haven't really attempted to be a seller at other craft fairs before because I'm scared - putting a price on things I've made is very difficult. I'm not really all that good at it, to begin with - there are many more talented crafters than me out there - but also, I think it's quite difficult to find the balance between what's a fair price for me (based on the materials I've used and the time it took to make the product) & what's a fair price for the customer. I have always tried not to think about it too much or take it too seriously, because I'm not a professional crafter. I just run a craft fair and sell some bits I made on the side. But now I'm getting ready for Penge Day, which is in 48 hours, and I'm suddenly very aware that it's time to put a price on the things I created and display them in public, as if to say 'yup, I think these things are worth buying'. It's TERRIFYING! Suddenly, I know how the sellers at every SE20 Craft Fair feel!
The question is: how much do I think the things I made are worth? It's not just a question of what I spent to make them. It would be no good deciding on a price that I feel is a fair reflection of my money, time & effort if it's unrealistic for anyone who would consider buying it. I think it's important to know your audience - & also the current climate. This is not an economy where it would be acceptable to set up a stall on the High Street and start charging £10 for a coaster. No matter how 'up and coming' Penge is! And nice as it is, and much as I love it, having a.) grown up in SE20 and b.) having run a craft fair here since 2012, I know that exorbitant prices are not appropriate here - people will simply smile at what's on offer and then pass on.
I think it's up to the individual to decide what's a fair price for their products. People have different priorities, which is fair enough. A professional crafter will be, quite understandably, more profit-orientated. And that's fine, because a professional crafter will no doubt have a VERY high standard of product. But my priority is different. I kind of just want to have fun, and come away with a strong sense of community spirit. That may mean I'll never be a great success in the world of handmade/micro business....having said that, I've also noticed that the sellers at SE20 Craft Fair who do the best in terms of sales are the ones who arrived in the morning with a big smile and a 'whatever will be will be' attitude. A few times, I've seen sellers come to the fair with such high price tags on their (very lovely) items that they've sold virtually nothing and gone away disappointed. There's probably a very great difference in the experience had at the fair by these two types of seller. I decided quite early on that I was looking for the sort of atmosphere created by an abundance of the former type of crafter at SE20 Craft Fair, and have strived for that ever since. Now that I'm on the other side of things and am getting ready to set up a stall at somebody else's craft fair, I know that this is also the type of crafter that I want to be. Excited, not taking it too seriously and ready to meet people and be part of something cool in my hometown. But also, ready to stand behind something I made and say 'yes! Buy this, it's good!'
Which is, as already mentioned, terrifying.
Scary though it is, I'm determined to enjoy the experience. I'll price my things somewhere in the middle of what seems reasonable for everyone involved and if no one buys them, I'm sure I'll live to see another day! Though maybe only as a craft fair organiser from now on...
Come see how my experiment in being an Actual Crafter goes! Penge Day advertises itself as being about community, bringing the locality together and that's a good idea & worth getting involved with. Head down to Penge High Street this Saturday (29th August) from 11am and see what it's all about! The craft stalls will be on the stretch of high street between Boots & McDonalds and I'll be there, hoping I don't get laughed out of the place with Penge & non-Penge themed photography & greetings cards. And old maps of Penge! Which I didn't make. Oops - cheating! But it's a nice touch. And I decided I needed something to fall back on if everyone decides £3 is a crazy amount for a coaster.
You can also come talk to me about the next SE20 Craft Fair, and the CHRISTMAS SE20 Craft Fair. I would like that a lot.