I'm off shortly to a ladies night that J's mum is having with some of her pals from the operatic society  There's about a dozen coming and I've made them little jute bags with a lipbalm, soap and handcream to take away.
Tommorrow I'm out with my motley crew of crafters in Helensburgh, hoping for a better day than last Saturday!

Best of luck Corrie.

How was the ladies night Corrie?

Hope it was fun and you had a good night!

Good Luck Corrie.

Need details!   

The ladies night was great! I made a lot on the night, better than I do at most of my fair days and I had some orders to make up gift sets specifically for people. It was very relaxed despite me not knowing anyone and people were genuinely interested in me and the products, somehow it seemed very easy to talk to folks because there wasn't a room full of other stalls for them  to go to next like at a fair. 2 of them want me to do the same for them in their homes, it's such a captive market!
Meanwhile, today was another very poor day at the fair in Helensburgh    A lovely day outside which often brings folk out from futher afield but nobody did very well. I can't work out if it's the recesion, the troup I hand out with, or me  Still, onward and upward, I have a few fairs in Nov and t'internet sales are picking up a bit.

Well it can't be you C - the ladies night demonstrates that.  Maybe the ladies night idea could be really developed and perhaps a whole new business concept born?  Tempting rewards for the host and maybe even offer a % / incentive to others who are able to sell on to their friends (independantly, without doing a ladies night)?

H. you have something there, I've been thinking about that a lot today, something which I may develop. Whether it would work outside of the pressie market, I'm not sure but when you've been standing in a hall for a whole day, on one of your 2 days off, it does make you wonder!
I'd be really interested to hear others reports of their fairs at this time, see if they do well or not, interest in their stalls/mix of stalls etc.

A friend of mine recently started a jewellery business and she's done some parties like that and found them to be very profitable, far more than she expected.  I think it's because people are going specifically for the purpose of seeing/buying a specific product - as opposed to a market where they're having a wander and something might catch their eye.  It really is a "captive" audience and, I believe, a good night out too.  It really could be something well worth looking into more.  Glad it went so well for you. 

I think that parties really are the way forward. At fairs I'm lucky if I make £30 for standing there all day but at parties I can easily make £200+ in just a couple of hours!

Glad you did well Corrie

Wow, Kevie, that's amazing. I could do with a few £200s!! Tee hee! Do you offer the host an incentive? Do you take all the stock on the nite or just samples and then deliver after the event? Hope that's not too nosey (although don't think there's such a thing on this forum  :mwaha:) x

The same thing happened with my Fair Trade stuff.  I made about £300 on the night, but at a craft and collectibles fair, I took about £10 which covered the cost of the table.

At the fair I think that everyone was looking for car boot prices, but when you get a party you often get people there who are interested in what you are selling.  The atmosphere is great (wine always helps) and it is nice an relaxed.

Was wondering that myself - have one booked for the end of the month; it's a first time for the hostess as well, better have a chat.

I took a pile of stock.  Because my jewellery tends to be one off.  The only problem was that two people wanted the same necklace so I had to make another.   I would say it is a bit of both.  Take stock, and if there is not enough you can always deliver afterwards.  Don't forget that if you have to deliver after the event it eats into the profits.