How This Pattern Changed My Craft Show Game

I’ve participated in many craft shows, but it wasn’t until this year that I actually started making real money. Keep reading to find how how this one pattern completely saved my craft show life!

Humble Beginnings

I grew up around craft shows, so I thought I knew what I was doing. My grandmother was a crafter. She would make gorgeous country crafts and I would get a thrill out of watching so many customers pay her for them. Growing up, I knew that I would do the same thing some day!

My first craft show however, was a huge bust. Not a single item sold. I did quite a few things wrong, from the products I was creating to the displays I chose to use at my table. Because of this, I decided to completely re-think my crafting game and change my products all together.

I waited a few years before trying again. Now I was making money (I got better with the quality of my items), but barely enough to cover my booth space. What was I doing wrong?

That “ah ha!” Moment

I began to realize that, as I walked around the various shows I was attending, my items looked a lot like other crocheters’. I was making the hats and scarves, and even the occasional dish cloth. What I wasn’t doing, was being different. That’s when I got into amigurumi.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other crocheters who make amigurumi as well. But when I was starting out, I was almost always the only amigurumi vendor. I had lots of people stop by and pick them up, commenting on how gorgeous my stitches were and how adorable the dolls were. But no one was buying.

Amigurumi isn’t always easy to make and in fact, most amigurumi dolls can take hours to make. Spending that much time and effort on one project means that the price needs to be higher in order to pay yourself properly. Most of the items I were trying to sell were $35.00 or more.

The Pattern That Changed It All

Then I came across this tiny octopus pattern by Sarah over at her blog esshaych. I happened to come across the pattern after she revised it, making it even easier and quicker to make. Now you can crochet all of the tentacles in one, singular piece rather than having to sew each one on individually! Hooray!

The first one I had made took me a little over an hour to make. I like to take my time with new patterns, making sure I’m following the instructions perfectly. I posted it on social media and got so many compliments on it, that I decided to make a few more. Then I had friends asking to buy some. This was new for me! Friends had always liked my things before, but they couldn’t justify spending what I was asking for them. But at $8.00 a pop my friends gobbled them up! (I’ve since raised my prices. I’ll go into that later)

My First Successful Craft Show

The first craft show I did where I offered these little octopus friends was a game changer. It was at a small elementary school. A friend of mine had asked if I would be willing to make something for their raffle, so I made this ginormous Orca.

I had about four of the little octopuses on my table, and I sold them pretty much right away. Many of the purchases were actually from kids! Because I was selling them so quickly, I decided to change my price to $10.00 each. At one point I literally had a line of people waiting to give me money for the next octopus. They brought so much attention to my booth that I actually started selling my bigger items too!

Another Realization

It was then that I realized that I needed more items that were on the lower price range that really drew people in. Eventually my booths evolved, and I purchased a tiered shelf from a friend who does woodwork, and decided that at every show I will fill it up with the octopuses and put it right in the front of my booth.

Now not only do I provide items for people of all price ranges, but I also have a big, colorful display to attract all buyers to my space. I’ve even changed things up a bit, using two strands of yarn instead of one, and charging $12.00 a piece for them.

Guess what? I still manage to sell out at almost every show.

If you are looking for a great pattern that is quick to make up, easy to customize, and quick to sell I highly suggest you head over to esshaych and take advantage of her free pattern today! Thank you Sarah, for this awesome pattern that really was a game changer for me!