I stopped doing shows over a year ago. It had gotten to the point that the disappointing ones outnumbered the ones where I sold a lot, and you know all of the time and effort it takes, and if you're not selling enough to make it worth it...well, it gets pretty hard to drum up much enthusiasm.
The one show where I consistently did extremely well, was the one at the place where I worked. There, everyone was familiar with my soap, really liked it, and bought a lot. In general though, it seems that craft fairs (in my experience, and my area) just aren't what they used to be. And I'm not sure why. For a long time I blamed the economy, but I'm not sure that's as much of a factor these days. With the wealth of info on the internet, are people making their own crafts? I do know that at the fairs where I didn't do well, the majority of the other vendors had the same experience, because I went around and talked to them. There always seemed to be a couple of vendors who always had customers at their booths, and they were always different. Once it was the year that those ruffly scarves came out, and those sold like crazy. Another time it was the jam and jelly booth, another time chocolate truffles. And once, it was crocheted pot holders and those towels with the crocheted loop at the top that goes over the handle on your stove. Go figure!
My friends and I always liked to shop at craft fairs because we knew that we'd find unique gifts there. Maybe the fact that a lot of craft fairs these days allow vendors like Avon, Tupperware, Scentsy, etc., so that they seem more commercial than artsy craftsy. I don't know, but if you ever figure it out, let me know! Until then, best of luck.
