Friday 1 February 2013

Our 2012 crafting season began with an event at Parklands Leisure Centre in Oadby on the 25th of March, weather was cold but we were warm inside.
Foot fall was reasonable and well attended, yet trading was slow, economic conditions must be a factor too.

As the year progressed the weather didn't improve and a number of  events had to be cancelled due to the amount of rain and waterlogged conditions, Foxton Locks was cancelled in 2012 due to wet and waterlogged conditions
A major event in the crafting calender was at Foxton Locks.
We attended in 2011, this is a two day weekend event, there are many different crafts on display within the craft marquee and in separate gazebos spread around the area.
There were also a viking settlement with battle re-enactments and talks given about viking home life, a small fun fair, a marquee that serves refreshments and doubles as a music venue in the evenings, there were many more but you need to judge for your self.


Traveling further into the year the weather was consistently bad, most weekends were wet and windy, this was especially a pain when erecting our gazebo, trying to hold onto the material covering when the wind wants to blow it away while raining hard was a challenge!
I think the summer passed us by this year, conspicuous by its absence!
Trading for most of the year was different at each venue, generally fairly good and excellent footfall too.

The later part of the year saw an increase in customers interest and purchase,mainly the season and impending thoughts of Christmas present buying.
This is the time of year when we start to theme our stall towards the Christmas gifts and traditional crafts.
Our ever popular home made chocolates and non-alcoholic mulled wine was started in earnest, three times we needed to replenish our stocks of each because of being sold out!

Each craft will find the customer base that suits and will target that venue, our crafts are particularly enjoyed when attending venues attached to schools, mainly primary.
Another well attended venue was Hinckley Library, we were invited to attend this venue on the strength of our blogs pictures and the description of our crafting concern.

When attending different craft fairs during the year you will see people from other craft fairs that you previously attended, when your face gets known within in the crafting community you will find yourself being invited by word of mouth and occasionally by email to attend various craft events.
This can make searching for an appropriate event easier and give you the assurance that your craft wares are  appreciated enough to warrant an invite.