We didn’t have time to make a vlog about our big Christmas craft fair that we sold at, but we are excited about everything that we learned, and I wanted to share some of our big lessons with you all.
The largest craft fair in my town, running 3 days, and costing a vendor fee of $600, we took a big gamble to try this craft fair to see just what we can do with dried flowers. My goal was to sell $6000 – 10x the booth fee. We sold $3000.
But it still feels like a success because we learned a lot about dried flowers, and we have left the experience completely reconsidering what we are doing with dried product and how we want to change the farm up for next year’s Christmas success.
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Contact us at: iancolbeck@gmail.com
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I can't imagine being a flower farmer they're hard!
Dried flower wreaths for Christmas maybe a good seller
We have Michaels in Alaska.
Why not pull off all the flower heads before burning and sell those for popuri??? That way you just have to add oil and bag them but you still make money on them…
Personally I like buying presents with fragrance, which might explain why that guy sold so much soap, the lavender was selling.
I know I have bought items that had cinnamon or cloves, pine (real, not fake) packaged together.
Mint, especially a true mint is great added to soaps. If you can, find 'Corsican mint' it's a truly pure mint fragrance, makes great icing or teas.
I have it here on the west coast, it's hardy enough in zone 6b.
A double feverfew has about the right sized flowers to fit your ornaments. There are chrysanthemum plants that are also hardy with quite small flowers in a fairly wide range of colours too. Both have pleasant fragrances, not overwhelming.
You're right, a lot of the markets really don't have things to buy for gifts.
Check out Signatures Shows…they have a handmade section. Also check out Prince George, a hidden gem.
I think a great idea to sell dried bunches of flowers at Christmas is to have a Christmas tree on display that is stuffed with dried flowers. I do that with my fake flowers and it always looks beautiful. Especially the white flowers.
I wonder if having the bouquets against the wall just looked like decoration to most customers? I would bring the flowers out on the table and your ornaments to the back to draw people in since that was your cheaper product
Sorry your mouth hurts, I hope you feel better soon. I like the way you look at things in an analytical way. If you could fine tune it to thinking of spending money as tax deductions and growing your business as opposed to saving money where you can, like shipping costs or hiring an employee, even flowers that you have to throw out are a business loss and deductible. Sounds to me like people are looking for more organic gifts. I would never throw out any kind of edible or medicinal flower that people would love to buy a gallon ziplock baggie of to make their teas or tinctures etc. And maybe think of the markets as more of a … sell a product to get your foot in the door to network finding those florists and crafters that will buy your stuff in bulk. In the reselling biz, they call it Turn & Burn. Sell it fast, even if you only break even or lose a small bit, but don’t throw it out. Some of those flowers are also full of seeds you can sell. It kills me to see yall just sweep them up and throw them away. How many pounds is it? How much value per pound are you losing as a business loss? Trips for business is a tax deduction. Gas mileage is a huge deduction. Rentals like Uhauls or buying a refrigerated truck…deductions. See where I’m going with this…think in terms of deductions and networking. Making those connections are vital to growing your business. And maybe think about finding more of a personal assistant for flower farmers, so they can be more flexible in how they help you according to the season. Ok, wishing you all kinds of success in every season! Have a great Christmas!
Hi Serena. I grow statice, cut short stems, dry it and pluck it using Platex rubber gloves. I store each color separately and I make those Christmas ornaments. I love your idea of pouporrie (don't know how to spell it). May I suggest clear cello box bottom bags for that. You'd have an easy use for a lot of dried flowers! Simply fill the bag, fold over the top and staple it closed. As to the ornaments, I use ribbon threaded through the loop and knotted. To hang on the tree simply put it over a branch tip. Tomorrow the movers come and so I missed the LIVE. I'm moving to Idaho . . . zone 6B. My tulips are in the fridge at the moment and will be in the garage when I get there. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless you and your family and farm.
I can definitely see why the ornaments sold better. They look beautiful, handmade and easy to give as a gift. When we look for a present with my partner, we are usually swayed by packs already nicely presented ready to go. You could prepare boxes with 5 or 7 or 10 (whatever the number) ready to go. Either in one colour so people can decorate their tree or rainbow style. This will open people's mind as they may have been mentally stopped by the 4 for ….price and weren't encouraged to buy more. Also the dried flower tree you made last was such a showstopper. Having something like this will make the people stop. Still great learning curve.
The one thing I always notice on Xmas markets, is that a lot of stuf is very expensive, beautiful to see but not more than that (for me personal) . A friend has done Xmas markets for years, and she told me, that the most sales she always did, were the smaller not so expensive (or heavy!) things because people don't want to drag heavy stuf around. And she sold a lot to children. The 3 weeks she was at the markets, she made as much sales (and money) as during the whole year.