I remember how fun it was going to flea markets as a child with my mother. Looking for a deal or an unusual hat. Over the years my mother was a collector of many items, our “flea market bargains”. The flea market is a great place to spend the day browsing and hunting for unique items, bargains and collectable items as well. By the time I was a teenager we had a booth at a local flea market. It was a lot of fun.

So what about setting up a booth full of your crochet items? Well there are pros and cons just as there are with any money making venture. There are many booths today that sell high end furniture, home décor, clothing and collectibles. So selling quality crochet at the flea market is possible.

There are start up costs that will apply. There are of course the standard booth fees, anywhere from five dollars to fifty dollars a booth, depending on the location of the flea market, as well as the specific location of the booth. You will need tables, display cases, and mannequins. If you are going to do outside flea markets you will also need some kind of covering. You will need chairs, coolers and someone to go with you to watch the booth while you are away. You should also have business cards available for your customers. A calculator, money box and receipts should also be handy. Make sure you have lots of change as well, nobody wants to lose a sell because they could not make change.

Flea markets are called many things. Some flea markets are swap meets, strip malls, farmer’s markets, indoor, outdoor or peddler’s malls. All of these types of flea markets play a part in costs and what will sell at them. Many flea markets are strictly bargain items. Some have new and used and some are full of unique, one of a kind items. Some vendors, booth operators, move from flea market to flea market, others stay at the same flea market week after week, month after month.

So you have everything you need to set up your booth, now the big question is what to sell at your booth. Well you want to sell things you can get made in a timely manner and sell for a profit. There are several formulas for figuring out what you need to sell a piece for to make a profit. You will need to find a method that works for you. Sometimes it is hard to price crochet pieces because of the amount of time it takes to make each piece. Make sure to do your research here. You need to know what the market will pay as well as incorporate a fair rate for the time it takes you to make the piece.

The best way to sell large crochet pieces is to take custom orders. The best way to do this is to have a portfolio on hand for customers to browse, showcase your best pieces here. You may even have a couple of pieces you have on display where customers can evaluate your technique and quality.

At your booth have some smaller crochet items for sell. Some items that sell well are baby booties, baby blankets, face scrubbies, wash cloths and other bathroom items. Home décor items such as coasters, pillows and kitchen items are also a good start. In additions to these items have a line of accessories such as belts, jewelry, purses, and scarves.

These tips are a great way to start making some extra money doing something you love. Crochet the world beautiful. Have fun and experiment. Remember to research the flea markets in your area and what type of items sell best. It may take some time but you can have loads of fun while you are learning.