What to take to a craft fair

It depends on the fair. I used to make things I could sell for a dollar--people will buy anything for a dollar.
Who's going to be there--parents with kids? Bring stuff that won't break.

Actual shoppers? bring your best, high-dollar and most unusual stuff.

Just a craft fair with lots of lookers and people who come for the music and beer. Bring struff that is colorful and is easy to pack back up.

If you can get some idea from the hosts what other folks are brining, you could bring something different. Nothing like having ten booths with the same stuff.

Best of luck to you.

jewlery, homemade soap, lotions and the such, gifts for children

I would say display a little bit of everything, and bring extras, because things that sell in one area, might not sell in another. In other words, it depends on the clients, and what other people are selling, whether others might be selling the same type of thing cheaper or better made, etc. Once you see what people are looking at, then swap out some of the items that are not selling, for items that are selling.

Small, inexpensive items sell the best- ornaments, candles, soaps, etc. Something that won't require much money to buy, but is still nice and handcrafted.

Small things, even unusual pot holders or hair clips or wind catchers.

I like your bottle cap belts~ way cool.

If you crochet, you can make very quickly little lapel Christmas wreaths. Make a chain of 10 on a smaller hook (f, g, h) Then connect the chain to make a ring. Into the ring, make 25 double crochets. Connect the last double crochet to the first with a slip stitch forming a little wreath. Takes 5 minutes or less. Now to decorate - either weave a red strand of yarn over and under each double crochet and when you complete the circle, tie in a simple bow leaving tails to hang down like a real wreath. Or just hot glue a little ready made bow (must be very small) or a little Christmas tree or any little Christmas decorative item (star, a single tiny ball, angel, any of the little miniature Christmas tree ornaments. Or you could use some very narrow ribbon and tie a small bow where you joined the double crochets - be creative. These easily sell for 75 cents to $1 each or try one for 75 cents and 2 for $1.25 or even 50 cents each. Attach a small gold safety pin with glue or a stitch to the back or just give a pin in the deal and they can pin anywhere they want. You can also make really small wreaths (begin with 5 chain and put 15 single crochets into the ring you make. Hang them from French hooks and sell them as accessories for the pin - easily make a dollar from these as well.)

But, Joseph, think of all of the cute but inexpensive (read cheap) little gifts your wife can acquire for those folks for whom you did not plan to buy.

Small things usually -- gifts for the kids, stocking stuffers, ornaments sometimes, toys for the cats (I have found the best cat toys at craft fairs :-) -- I usually have a really tight budget so I stick with the smaller items.

I don't know. But I'd like to know what you do decide to take. It's been years since I've been to a craft fair.

I like the stuff that I cannot replicate or try to replicate at home... The most creative things stand out... I would be looking for really off the wall Christmas stockings and ornaments...
Janene mentioned bottle cap belts... I would really be intrigued to see bottle cap Christmas decor... Another good option is anything homemade for Barbie or Polly Pocket due to the recent recalls!!!

ornaments are good because I usually get invited to at least 1 ornament exchange and if I don't it is a good generic gift to have on hand if I forgot someone.

*starts pondering bottle cap wreaths...* :)

Luckily, I know most of the other vendors for this show, or at least a chunk of them. I suspect I may be the only crocheter or knitter among them, though I'm not going to count on that. So hats (which I have a ton of anyway) are definitely on the list.

I'm not too sure I have much in the way of really low priced stuff--I could probably sell my handmade cards for $3 each (and go 2 for $5), but that's about the lowest price point I have. I might make some of the tiny wreaths (thank you for the suggestion, Donna!), but I'm trying to avoid starting a new bunch of products right now. :)

I personally love any kind of home decor' - I love anything Americana or "cottage"

I'm doing a craft show this weekend. My best sellers are littlle gag gifts,but I make an asssortment of diffrent crafts.

Something unique that catches my eye. I love photos (but I tend to save my money to frame my own now rather than by other people's prints). I do like greeting cards.

I've done a couple of craft fairs...some good, some not so good. (1) Be picky about which fairs you enter; do your best to participate in fairs that recurr each year ~ they're successful because craft "followers" recognize the fair. (2) Price every single item! (3) Avoid using the specific word "Christmas" in describing your items. "Stocking Stuffers" or "Holiday Gifts" or "Seasonal Home Decor" are universal.

Take the best of what you do. Keep your booth/table uncluttered and attractive. Display one or two of your best items in a way that reflects how it will be or can be used. Tempt shoppers with a small bowl of WRAPPED treats on the table, along with a business card or index card that tells shopper how they might reach you for "custom" or "special" items.

Be neat, be friendly, dress for holiday festivities. Add a smile and go for it!