Renegade? To do or not to do...
Yo crafty folks! It's that time of the year again and Renegade Craft Fair has an open call for entries for their New York event...
I've never done a craft fair before and am seriously thinking about it. But then I have to wonder: what are the returns, exactly? I mean, I don't want to be crass about it, but is it monetarily worth it? Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of love is shared and the social networking is always a blast. But dudes, I live in CALIFORNIA. Which means a $300 plane ticket to fly to NYC, lug all my stuff there, rent (or share) a tent/canopy thing with someone, plus pay the booth fee ($200 total, or $100 if split with someone). After I expense all my meals and travel costs, I have to make BANK in order to have it either break even or turn a profit.
So to those who've sold/been/vended there before:
--do people buy items $50 and up at Renegade? My tops and sweaters run from $50 up to $90...is that too much?
--any of you travel from very far to do so?
--what are the plusses?
--what are the minusses?
--also, this year it's being held in a drained swimming pool? huh? it kind of looks scary...
Would love to hear!
xo
9 Comments:
it's a popular venue for lots of concerts etc. it's in a huge park. honestly, there were pricey items the first time i sold there but people didn't sell things that well that were $50 and up. maybe now that they are much much bigger it would be better for items that are more expensive. but it sounds like it would be a lot of cost to you. if you could find another way to make money while you're here or another reason to visit it might be worth it. or get a credit card machine? people bring limited cash with them
Hello,
I don't know about the New York Renegade, but I've been to the Chicago event since it started. We Chicagoans don't take this sort of fair for granted b/c we don't get too many of the sort. (which i don't think would be the case w/new york for some reason)You should consider Chicago, I'm sure it would be a lot less expensive trip and stay than N.Y. Plus the attendance from the 2005 to 2006 fair was insane so I can't even imagine what to expect this year.
Hope that was at least somewhat helpful
vanessa.
**I promise I'm not affiliated w/the fair; I just get very excited over it and your clothing!
jeannie, thanks for the "real world" info...yes, credit card machine--agh! an investment that i may have to make if i decide to start selling "offline". i've taken checks before, but that can get really bad if something bounces. i didn't realize that the mccaren pool is a bonafide space that people are used to going to--awesome, that makes it all sound ALOT better :)
vanessa, i didn't really consider chicago since i've never been there (!) but perhaps i'll look into it--thanks!
It was the best show I have done to date. I sold TONS of stuff and it was definitely worth it, but I drove there and stayed with family. People spent $50.00 and up at my booth. I know it wasn't as good a fair for some other vendors, so it will just depend on what people are in the mood to buy.
I know I would love to attend just for your stuff alone. In fact I'll only go if you're there, so if you decide to go let us know where your tent is.
I know I would love it if you came to NY. I recently discovered your clothing online and was bumed to find out that everything was sold out and it looks like they always sell quickly. I'm from NJ and have never actually attended the Renegade. I'm familiar with the location and would love to go and have a chance to buy your clothing before it's sold out. If you decide to go (which I hope you do)please let us know. Your's would be the first table I'd go to.
I've been both years and have been known to drop $100 at one vendor. rare, though, most price points ~ $20. agree re: credit card machine. what will be hard for you is the trying-on bit. scroll down within this post in my blog
http://xoxoanp.com/reviews/old-as-dirt-and-got-hair-on-her-tongue/136
for my review of the 06 fair.
hey, thanks Casey! I appreciate it--i'm going to be thinking hard about the Renegade thing. if anything, maybe it will be good to go out and have some fun doing it :)
hi!
i did last year's renegade (and hope to do this year's too) and did fairly well for the 2 days. it's local for me but even if i had to travel, i would have broken even for the weekend. most of my items were in the $45-$60 range (i do have some less expensive pins and such for $15, but i didn't move as many of those as i did my $45 bags). for the 2 days, i made about $1000 and that was without taking credit cards.
as for the credit card question, i started taking them at this year's stitch austin and it made a world of difference! i use paypal to process my cc's. for $20 a month you can get paypal virtual terminal and you can key in the card numbers when you get home. it's great and you can cancel and reup at any time so if say you do a lot of shows april-june, but nothing until november, you can cancel it for the off months and then come back strong for the holiday season. all i did was get some cc slips and an imprinter (cost me like $40) and i was golden. but always remember to get phone numbers and addresses on the slips just in case you have card problems. if you have any other questions (or need a place to stay if you decide to come) you can email me at myimaginaryboyfriend(at)gmail(dot)com.
hearts! love your work!
erika
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