The Framers Forum

I live and run my workshop in a small village and have been asked by the parish council if I want to have a stall in an upcoming village Christmas Fair. I have only just got started and am keen to attract business however I’m not sure if the is the right event for me as I’m pretty sure no one at the fair will be looking for bespoke framing. If I do go ahead it would probably be as a marketing/goodwill gesture rather than in the hope of making much money.

I am thinking about what I could offer. Name mounts (framed and unframed) seem an obvious choice. But I am wary of ready-mades due to margins and lowering of the quality perception I want to project for my business.

Does anyone have any experience of this sort of this and any suggestions as to what to offer?

Rgds

I did our village primary school's Christmas fair last year with a bunch of ready mades I knocked up in sizes to fit the recent school photos - utter waste of time financially, sold a couple of tiny 'seconds' and that was it. If I were to do it again I would make some small square frames in posh/chunky/shiny mouldings, and maybe some smaller box frames. If you're publicising your bespoke business then I'd have thought it would be a perfectly good opportunity to show off examples of your work and get some cards/flyers/promo vouchers handed out even if you don't sell much on the day.
Good luck
p

I think you have the right idea Alan. You aren't going to take orders/sell a lot of stuff on the day, but it does give a great opportunity to make a splash in the local community. Frame up as much stuff as you can to grab attention. People have loads of things they 'mean to get framed' and something like this could kickstart them into doing something about it. Have a big stack of biz cards and see how many people take.

Definitely go for it. More than ever there seems to be a general feeling of supporting local businesses so take advantage of what you can.

I would treat it as an opportunity to publicise your business and what you do rather than make sales on the day. Take along some framed examples of your work preferably covering a range of items e.g. originals, prints, photos, needlework and memorabilia.

Make sure you have plenty of business cards or better still some flyers that give details of your business (who, what, where, when) so people know how to find you when they need you.

I made these, plus a few other designs to show at our local village hall I found them in PFM
its a great idea to show what you can do only scaled down to a 6x6 frame they look great & create some interest I've even sold some of them & had to remake them. I've attached the PDF file to download.

Looks a good way of using up some ends of moulding lengths and mount board offcuts as well as taking up minimal wall space.

Post Office stamp cards are useful for small frames. These are reproductions of stamps in postcard size like this:
Available from post offices when new issues come out or on the Post office website. Full sets look good framed as well.

and small fishing flys make attractive mini frames.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fishin ... CFsQ_AUoAQ

I did this kind of thing 2 weeks ago and got 4 framing jobs - but actually they were on there way (probably) anyway. It was the do that clinched it though. It was my first attempt at this kind of thing and I took along 3 cut art / lettermat frames, some examples of object / collectible frames and a couple of traditionals. I also took the opportunity of donating 2 pieces that are now permanently on the wall.
I didn't really expect to get much of a response but I've enrolled quite a few ambassadors who will spread the word. In many respects the best bit was to support those that are trying to get these coffee mornings established. The next one is at the end of October and I'll do it again with a Christmas slant to it.
What really came in handy was the 7 artists easels I've bought, looked really smart with everything well presented.
The framing jobs nearly covered the cost of these.

Hi Alan,

I would just say to them what you said above - kinda new (like me...!) and not sure if that is really your market considering the financial outlay you may incur. They may well for looking for people to fill out the space - and maybe not, just as much and if they can take a few pounds for it all the better. Why not offer them a % of sales on the day, say 5-10% for example, buy a little triplicate book, give one copy to customer, one to them, one for you, and their percentage, if you sell some then everyone's a winner. Might be better than handing over hard earned cash in advance... Just a thought.

Kind Regards, Jay

Would definitely advise against the previous post above.

If it is a Christmas fair in your own village and you can't be bothered to turn up in person how is that going to look! Ok it is going to cost you £10 - £20 maybe for your stall, a day of you time and/or a contribution to parish funds but what better opportunity to get to know the local market. You could not buy that sort of advertising for so little outlay.

Spot on J2M. Think of it as an investment Alan, and create ambassadors for your business.

Was just thinking of an impoverished parish hall looking to fill up the space - ask to meet them halfway, it will be a 1st time after all. good exposure and very little if nothing to lose - the 1st time at least. I tried this and it worked for me, a one off walking/talking ad (me!) was worth it indeed for what it cost me, and was to be honest zero risk and only gains from the sales - what's so bad about that??

I don't think jay68 was suggesting that you don't turn up, just that the cost of the stall could be negotiated into a %age of sales rather than an upfront amount.

(just my £0.02 worth)

Thank you Abacus - well read.

Was just trying to say as a newbie, they may well need you as much as they you need them too, so negotiate with them, why not? Is the amount to be tendered for the stall £10-£20 or £50? £100? who knows...

Was just trying to objectively post a comment as to worst case scenario - meet them halfway and if they object then give a percentage from the day maybe even with £10- £20 guaranteed to them - cheap day out if you ask me. For one days business on a stall in a parish hall you will have lost literally nothing and maybe gained a few customers. If that even cost me £50.00 at the end of the day by way of a one day 'trial' once a year then who has anything to lose?

As the poster himself said, he is a little wary as what to do, so he must relatively know his local market already?

Jay

I've booked a stall at a craft fair in Coniston next month. I'm going to show lots of examples of hand finshed frames and have lots of bare wood samples, a few rags and tins of various waxes to demonstrate how I work. Visitors always like to see a craftsperson at work at these sort of fairs... I know I do

I don't expect to sell any frames but do hope to generate interest and new customers. However, I will be selling my photographs as well

Hello Abacus, I used to be one of your customer's when I had my photography darkroom at Dean Clough but I'm in the Lakes now

Hi David,

Ben and Alan send their regards, I've only been here a couple of years so you were before my time.

Hope its working out in the Lake District, my Dad and my sister both live in Kendal.

Regards

Vince

Many thanks for all the encouragement and advice. I put my name down today, and while doing so foud out about another show the previous day in another village. Time to work up some more examples...

My apologies it read to me like you were suggesting take the stuff for them to sell and do the paperwork

Hi no worries Johnny..

Would never suggest to anyone in a minute, hey here's my stuff, go try to sell it like I do... lol

We go to quite a few craft shows, schoot fetes, agricultural shows etc. Most craft shows are only £5-10 for a table and you somethimes don't get many people through. However, it's not about selling on the day but reaching customers who probably don't know you exist. There may be someone else selling cross stitch, paintings or photos and they could become a regular customer, as well as directing their customers to you as well. Have things in different price ranges (one sale of an expensive framed tea towel can make your day - using moulding that's sitting there doing nothing) to cover the range of potential customers. My wife has some 3D framed flowers that she hangs around as samples of her work an these often act as a conversation opener and have generated work framing wedding bouquets.

These small fairs are also great for people watching.