I've tried to figure the economics of this ever since my sister showed
me a crappy plant stand that she bought at a craft show. Then time to find
craft shows, sign up,
load the truck, drive there, setup, sell the stuff, pack up and drive
home. Probably add about a half hour per unit sold. So, a minimum of
an hour or more per unit for at best a $9 gross profit (before
overhead, insurance, gasoline, show fees, etc.). Seems to me better to
work some crappy job and keep my woodworking for fun and relaxation.

Dave Hall

That is one type of crafter you see out there. Here is another:

Find show, Talk to other vendors who have done show to see how good of a
show it is.
Jury for show (Take professional(not snapshots) slides of merchandise
including booth) send slides and jury fee to show promoters at least 3
months prior to show (sometimes up to 1 year before show) If you are
accepted then you make inventory for show. You will need the following
before you go to the show:
Booth:
Tent: some shows require a professional tent, such as a light dome
($1000+ -) Crafthut ($1000 +-) EZup (3 to $400 +-) or something similar.
Some shows you can get away with just a dinning fly or no tent for some
products, if you get permission first. (see jury slides of booth)

Display: You will need to get an attractive display, not just a few boards
on a saw horse, I use shelves that I set my work up on, others use screens
and walls, all of which must be approved by the show promoters (see jury
slides of booth).

Lighting: So that you can show off your goods in the best way, even in
daylight tents can be dark. Lighting should be invisible to the customer.

Insurance: $100000 in the minimum for a show.
In my case I am now up to about $1800 before I pay a booth fee or have
merchandise.

Booth fee for outdoor show ranges from $100 to $1000 depending on the show
Indoor shows range is $100 to $3000 but you don't need the tent.

Altogether a decent show will run you $2000 and up before you even make the
first item.

Now you need a place to stay and food, figure for 2 people $100 a night min.
(I camp out a lot when I can, it cuts costs.)

Granted you can get in to some shows for $10 and no jury etc., but you
figure which type of show you can do the best at.

And then there are guest shows where they pay you to come, I do several of
these and they are the way to go. One is $600 booth fee and 3 year waiting
list. They give me the booth and tent with electricity, buy lunch and
supper, pay me $100 a day to come. Don't expect to get these until you have
a name for yourself though.

Your $9 profit just got eaten up quick, you have a lot of competition at
these shows and items like the plant stand usually set around begging. The
people selling at these shows are good real good and the customer in very
savvy about what they want. On coat of poly splashed on a pine board
doesn't cut it. At the lower end shows you can do it, but a lot of them
are just glorified flea markets.