How much stock do you take to craft fairs? Do you take loads and keep the spare under the table, or load up your table and when it's gone it's gone?
I'm asking cos the fair I've got is from 10am - 6pm the Saturday, 12 - pm the Sunday. You can't leave until it finishes and I'm unsure about how much stock to take.

Where do you keep your money? Money tin (could this be eaily pinched?) a bum bag (not exactly fashionable)

If you go alone, do you just take it on trust that the crafter next to you will look after your stall when you need to go to the loo?

 :buttrf:

Can't help with how much you take, but can you have someone on stand-by to bring more if you are getting low?

When I did a craft fair with my jewellery, I had a small over the shouldder bag which I had bought for holiday.  I would not use a tin, in case someone distracts you while someone else steals it.

Polly - I was always advised to take the cost of your stand, multiply by at least three, and that's the retail value of the stock your should take with you. Personally I take 4 to 5, keep under the table and replenish. If you load you table too much, people can be overwhelmed. ...... This is just my opinion, and I'm pretty sure there'll be others who do things differently.

Thanks guys, yes, too much on the table can look overwhelming, and messy! 3 x cost of table seems like a reasonable amount to start with.  :buttrf:

No one will be on hand to give me extras if needed as the fair is 20 miles away, and hubby will be looking after our son.

I've been OK with a money tin (nextdoor stall watches for me when I want to go to the loo etc.) but only 'cos I haven't got round to getting a moneybag. I have a large box covered with hessian which stands on its side at the back of the stall - small items hang on what is then the front and I have my bags, tissue and tin inside.

You need a bag like the market traders wear with a number of different compartments for the different coins - otherwise you'd be fishing around for the right change.

http://www.market-stalls.co.uk/market-stall-equipment/money-bags.php

Take plenty of £10s £5s and pound coins as well as afew poundsworth of change 'cos Sod's Law says that the first customers will hand you a £20 note - round all your prices to the nearest 5p (if not 10p) as you don't want to be messing with 1p and 2p coins in the change (you might get a few in the payments though.

Something I forgot to say - be kind to yourself re pricing!! I always have everything priced at whole pounds or £x.50. That way, change's far easier to work out, less coinage to take. I'm roobish at adding & subtracting, and the less I have to do, the fewer mistakes! Just a little tip. 

Something i would suggest is doing a mock up of your stall at home (  on the dining table or even your bed!) That will give you a good idea of stock to take too. I always record what stock I've taken then do the same when I get back and the difference is what I've sold ( or should be!!) That way if it gets busy I don't have to worry about writing down what's sold. I've always found the people I've stood next too are more than happy to keep an eye on your stuff if you need to nip to the loo etc and will be grateful for the same in return

Elaine, those money bags look ideal! Will see if Ebay has any as it seems you need a traders account to buy.

Pricing - i was going with the 50p pr £, to keep things simple. And a calculator incase someone buys more than one thing (seriously rubbish at maths).

And I was just going to write everything down, but I guess when you're busy, it's easy to forget!

All good tips, thank you.

I've always taken a cash box, but I take it to the loo with me, just in case. Friendly stall holders will always keep an eye on stock in my experience. Also take drinks and snacks that are easy to grab under the table and not smelly! If it's really busy you won't have time for a proper lunch (fingers crossed) so fruit, crisps and the like are handy, I usually take a flask of teas too, plus it saves you eating into profits buying things at the venue.

I never pile up my stall too high, but I always take plenty of stock to keep it topped up. If you've got accessories you can always fill holes with those. Maybe I've just had really cheap stalls but there are very few I've had where 3x the cost would be enough stock, so I'd go with at least SBTS upper figure of 5x.

My biggest piece of advice would be to stand up. It is a long day and you'll be pooped by the end, but if you sit down behind the stall you can look disinterested and if you leap up when someone approaches you look over keen. (I know not everyone can physically do this, but if you can it definately helps) I keep myself busy re-arranged stock, making up gift packs and the like. Then if someone approaches a quick comment about the weather or a just a hello. Offering a smell is always good cos our things smell so yummy!

Best of best of best luck! Oh and piccies of course!