Belcher Shoeing Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 hey everyone, how do y'all set up for ren faires? also, what do y'all make to sell? this is a 15 day faire and i was just wondreing! thank! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Is there on-site camping? If so tent pegs, etc. would be good because sure as rain's wet plenty of folk will forget stuff they need like pegs, etc. Cloak pins, clasps, toasters, trivets, roasting forks, skewers, spits, pot racks/hangers, hinges, catches, nails, etc. Common household goods in short are always good. I'm sure there are references with pics. Stuff for sale. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Ahh most of the Renn Fairs I have been have been more about fantasy schlock than reproductions of useful items. Not like rondezvous or LH groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 How about working on a larger project piece, as well as doing smaller things. That way people may keep comming back during the 15 days to see how you are progressing, and are more likely to develop an interest and maybe buy something. Could then auction it off at the end of the event? Just an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belcher Shoeing Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 thomas, where can i find pictures of historical pieces? that's a good idea Bob JS thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) Personally, Ren Faires are my primary business. We have a large one here that runs from the beginning of August til the end of October. I primarily make swords, knives and axes - with a few fantasy pieces to boot. We're also contracted to sell 'imported' blades which run the gambit from really nice to 'what the heck were they thinking' - they tend to make the money on slow days when it's filled up with people who came on coupon tickets as we can sell them way cheaper than our own handmade (ie. no money but admission was cheap, load up the kids in the pick'em up truck and let's go). Most faires tend not to be the bastion of historical accuracy, have a tendency to be filled with uber-nerds that even other nerds shun and make fun of and also the occasional fairy winged princess being escorted around by Han Solo. That being said, obviously many different things will fly, but check with the show's coordinators first, most faires have a little dignity and require a certain period range for their vendors items. I am required to do at least 3 half-hour demo's each day but I normally end up doing more. My contract specifically forbids me from selling ornamental pieces, like wine racks, candle tapers etc but I'm still allowed to make them for demo's - go figure! Either way, it can be fun, the seasons go fast and furious so make sure you're prepared. Find out what the gate numbers are and judge you're stock accordingly. I generally have enough stock for each person through the gate to spend a dollar - 20,000, have $20k worth of retail stock, unlikely it will all sell, however you dont want to be caught short The more items on display that you have the more likely you are to make a sale. Good luck! Edited April 9, 2009 by steve sells language edit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belcher Shoeing Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 wow barcrawler! that is amazing! the jury at this faire has told me they don't want any mroe weapen venders but ornamental things would be more than welcomed seeing as there are none there. what kind of ornamental things would you make if you were allowed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 anything you figure would be in a fantasy or midivil movie... potracks to leaf keyrings . also might look at the mastermyr find alot of viking stuff is popular.. the local one here does dinner bells and hooks and hangars ..i figure most forged items will work .. if you do a few wizard heads or dragon heads so much the better!a good ren fair can be a moneymaker... good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teejay Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I just finised the ren faire in Norman,Okla. what we sold was ornamental roses,feast ware or fork,knife and spoon,crosses did I say crosses? lots of them from the small split ones to good size wall crosses they sell well. heart hooks,take double headed nails flatten out and sell as swords a buck each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leland Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Hey, Belcher: The architectural arts fair I used to work was a good market for copper ladles. I sunk the disks of copper into a bowl shape prior to show day, attaching most handles as well, then forged extra handles during the show. $20 a piece in '84 and '85, always sold out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 wow barcrawler! that is amazing! the jury at this faire has told me they don't want any mroe weapen venders but ornamental things would be more than welcomed seeing as there are none there. what kind of ornamental things would you make if you were allowed? Well, I'll be posting a pic in the forum momentarily of what I was working on last night, a simple rough wine bottle holder. Something like this would probably really sell well. At my particular faire there's another blacksmith who does ornamental work. Even though he's a master blade smith, he and his wife make tons (no pun intended) of hooks, towel holders, door handles, candle holders, etc etc and very few blades but do take custom orders for them. I suppose if I were allowed I'd do all those things and more! I made the ring I wear everyday out of an old nail (which is a great conversations starter and has landed me work when people find out I'm a smith), I've made pendants for necklaces, arm bands, roses, hair sticks, chop sticks, incense holders and I'm sure alot more than I can think of. -J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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