getting ready to vend this spring, need some input... please!

so the subject says it all. it was sort of a spur of the moment decision to do this little festival, but i am going to be doing it with most likely my boyfriend and two of our friends. i haven't vended in WELL over a year, almost two (and i wasn't planning on doing it this year), so i've got a lot of stuff to get ready.

i'm looking for ideas, for what you or people you know would buy at a fest. it's a local thing with bands all day long. there are people there all day, a lot of college kids since the university is just minutes away.

i know the usual answers, but i'd like a little bit of input from all you crafty ladies. we will definately be wholesaling some stuff, so it does not have to be all crafty ideas. they are already looking into getting some glass. i was thinking maybe some simple little hemp items ~ bags, wallets, hats maybe.

as for crafted stuff - i crochet, knit (but not as fast, so i'd rather skip that for this one), and sew. i was thinking some skull caps and tams maybe. maybe some padded pouches for the glass. how do you think water bottle holders would go over?

i also make a lot of soap, but i'm not so sure it would go over well. i was thinking maybe my hemp soaps. i don't know though. i make lip balms, too, those might do a little better. my bath stuff i don't think i will take. i make candles, but again, at a fest? i think that's more of a craft fair/store thing.

anyways, all ideas are appreciated, so throw em at me!

 

I think for a festival the simpler the better. The hemp wallets and bags sound like they would be cool. you could do hemp jewelry but keep in mind that a lot of other people will be doing that also.

if you can do it in time some tams might be good. and I think water bottle holders would be great. I know I personally have been looking for one of those made out of crocheted hemp forever.

Good luck!

Kate

 

sounds cool!

keep up the good work, sounds like you have great ideas, hemp stuff always sells, and crochet!

 

Personally, I'd probably buy some home-made candles and soap at a fest!
Perhaps instead of focusing on making a ton of one or two items, make a variety of different things.

 

yeah i was going to avoid hemp jewelry.

the water bottle holders i make are out of cotton, but i have been messing around with different ways to make them out of hemp for quite a while. i'm looking for a hemp cotton blend to try out. not too sure about hemp twine, i've tried that a couple times and it's hard on the hands. i'll probably give it another shot, though, since it looks like we're aiming towards mostly hemp stuff.

thanks for the input guys. hopefully i'll be able to get some pics up when the time actually comes to do it

 

could you crochet the water bottle holders out of hemp yarn? it's much softer than the twine. i think they would go over really well
ask Cre about it....i think she has a source for the yarn

 

Jute might be softer than cotton and cheaper than hemp. You might also think about selling reusable water bottles (Nalgene is one brand) along with the holders.

 

i found a few places for hemp yarn that i ordered to try out. i ordered some, here's a place that has a pretty good selection in case anyone is interested:

http://www.kpixie.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=35_130&osCsid=5aeddcb71b29c362ae5ad74c8f63bf2b

a little expensive, but i've been looking for other places, too.

 

sarahstar;
the simpler the better for road shows.....it turns out to be much more productive...than trying to amass a bunch of complicated pieces...when I vend on the road I subscribe to the KISS practice...Keep It Simple Stupid......it works much better....you have got a lot of good ideas going....so you are on the right track.....good luck

 

impulse items under $20 sell really well, small things that can easily be packed up and taken home. stickers, jewelry, etc..... More expensive things are good to bring so customers can see your good stuff up close and they will remember and buy online if you give em a web address
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