If a person is doing craft fairs and or etsy, you need to be aware about tax liabilities. My husband and I have had several small businesses over the years connected with our farm and stable and even with my sewing repair business and I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep a careful ledger of costs and income. One thing we do is to get a county issued DBA , doing-business- as , certificate. You can name your business anything you want but you are doing business as this name and it is under your social security number. Selling to the public means that the irs can find you so having a DBA and careful bookkeeping can save you money if they want proof of your business income, and you can offset that income with your careful ledger of costs.I always use a simple to use small business program, it is connected to my DBA business bank account and is so easy to use, enter in costs, enter in the income. I can generate that info at anytime which is a great way to keep tabs on my business, also proves that my costs means I do not owe taxes, something you must be vigilant of and if you do owe, you will really benefit in time and stress if you have this stuff already to use come tax time. I always used a downloaded program in the past but I think now I will use the one by intuit I think that is about $5/ month and connects to my bank account and also has a way to connect to doing your own taxes at year end, not at all difficult if you are using the program, as easy as filing via the Internet for personal taxes and if your business is a DBA it is part of your personal tax stuff and is filed on a form along with your usual taxes. Believe me when I say using the DBA and using a decent business program has saved us so much time in handling the usual accounting stuff and if you know of anyone who ran a small business and did not do this and saw what they went through with the irs you will be very grateful you took the time to do it right no matter how little or how much you make with your business. I think we paid $20 for the DBA and do not sign up for a partner or anything other than a personal DBA unless you plan on hiring an accountant and perhaps a lawyer because it gets very involved, costs more every step of the way including taxes if it is set up as a partner business, ask me how I know! I thought I was asking for a personal DBA whenI went to the county office to get my farm seamstress business DBA (I did repairs for horse tack and jockey and driver silks) but then had my husband added, making it a partner arrangement, me not realizing that addition really changed the game. For the small fee of a personal DBA and your own checking account for the DBA, you feel so professional and that is in itself worth the small cost of the DBA. I am now considering yet another one, they are that easy to get going, but vital in order to stay legit in the eyes of the irs, and in my own eyes as well.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's been so difficult to find craft-specific, on-the-nose information about junk journals at craft fairs. This is wonderful. Thank you for your insight, the time you spent sharing this information, and the beautiful inspiration all throughout your channel!

I don't feel so bad now that is taking me 3 yrs to plan for my 1st craft show, and online shop. lol So glad this vid popped up. TFS!

Yay what a great video! So full of useful information! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge! I definitely will be looking forward to seeing part 2, with your booth set up, books and customer info! You're right a lot of people don't get this whole art form so it would be really interesting to hear your experience with customers and how you might introduce it to people that didn't get it! I think the customer aspect makes me anxious! Lol! And the booth set up makes me excited! ❤ Oh so nice to see you too by the way!! X

Looking forward to your Part 2. Would love you to talk about how you figured out your niche was handmade and vintage. Did you have any craft show fails we can learn from?

You are a breath of fresh air. Someone who can find fun and humour in everything. You would be my choice of a good true friend. Thanks muchly. You made me chuckle. I also am an art journalist and other multi media creator and had my first summer craft fair at the local farmers market where I was asked by the art council to join up for the 2 day Christmas fair. Did much better there and was asked to come back for the next 4 years! I agree with so many things you talked about! Wish I could drop by your booth and give you a big hug! but I kinda live far away. Like in Canada. 🤗

Gina!! Goodness, you are just as lovely as your voice! This was so fun to watch, gosh you make craft fairs sound enjoyable. Such awesome tips. Love that apron!! Would love to see a booth set up as well!

Hi Gina..... I am new to you and the craft but so inspired by you! Your teaching skills definitely expand beyond your classroom! I am excited to have met you here on your channel and look forward to seeing you again 🙂

Walmart sells 10x10 canopies for less than $50! That's where I got mine. It's a pop-up tent, so you just pull the legs out and it pops open and then you snap the legs in place. One of the best purchases ever for outdoor craft shows! Mine does not come with the side walls, but Walmart also has those and they are $15 each. I may invest in some soon. I also have a metal, fireproof cash box that locks. Got that at Walmart for $10. Lol ^_^

You are an excellent teacher! You are unselfishly giving me ideas for my daughter in law as she does so many crafts and craft shows, thank you!

Oh Gina this was EXTREMELY helpful! I never thought of attending craft shows or participating but your video seriously opened my eyes! You have so much knowledge, thank you SO much for sharing this with us :) also it was such a pleasure finally meeting the lady behind rebookery, your so lovely 💛

Wow your video is very informative. I definitely found your information useful. Thank you. Btw...I love your apron....very crafty

Best thirty minutes of my life! 🌻 Thankyou for your honesty and for sharing such valuable insights🌻Would love to hear a part 2🌻

Oh my goodness the timing of seeing this and finding you is magical! I've been asked to start doing shows but honestly I've been terrified lol. I just want to make stuff...i still haven't started an stay or anything. Just give stuff away. Time to be brave and thank you so much for breaking this all down for us Gina😍😍Bless you bless you sweet lady!

Thanks very much for sharing this info. I appreciate your perspective. I believe my inventory is too low but you have helped me re- light the fire!! Thanks.

So awesome! Looking forward to part 2! Would also love to see your booth...it sounds adorable! Would also love a follow up after your sale to hear how it went. I'm totally invested now! 😉. TFS! ❤️

As a new business, I have few opportunities in Alaska and I took advantage of the Farmers Market, even though it was not a perfect match. When you are starting and don’t have many options, take what you have!

Awesome, awesome, awesome video!! Wonderful advice. Yes - part two. Thank you so much for sharing. Love your work!

Omg...You are so pretty, and you're dog is so cute, AND you're so talented...I can't take all this. Really though, fabulous to see the face the hands are attached to :D Thank you so much for this video! Going to have to watch it again and take notes, lol! We have a few craft fairs a year around here locally...But I was excited to see our town start a "renaissance festival" last year...that was really more like a bunch of "strange" crafty people and a lady that could lay on nails. Like, there were some really cool shops, I feel like "our people" would fit right in lol. One was selling handmade journals, but they weren't "junky", just covered in goooorgeous leather. I'm hoping it continues and I can catch it next year...I think its in the summer, I don't have near enough time if I start now!

Great video. Love your journals and it's wonderful to get a glimpse of how you share them with the world. Sounds like you have a lot of work to do to get ready for the next show! It's a good thing you're a planner. I'd love to see # 2. Your booth sounds lovely. All the best with your preparations for your next show. Tfs!

great video, looking forward to watching part 2. Good luck with your upcoming shows this year.

Awesome video great info Thank You so much not many people would share this type of info !!! So Thanks again can't for second vid.

Yay! I almost never click on "suggested," but I did for this and am so glad!!! I live in Lawrence, so, when you named actual events, I knew they were ones I should be looking into. Plus, we're neighbors!!! That's so cool! I'm heading over to binge your vids now 😊 Thanks for the tips!!! I just watched a video Tanya from Red Cardinal Crafts made about setting up for her first fair. It was really good! I love your point about not lowering your prices! I think many people do, which just seems like it would make it harder for others to compete. I'd love to get to the point where I could sell! Fingers crossed!!! Thanks again! 💗 xo

I've watched a lot of tip videos in preparation for my busy year and these are some of the best tips! Thanks for the video would love to see a part 2 :)

Great information! Not sure if I'm anywhere close to going to a fair any time soon. I so appreciate the information. I don;t want to make a fool of myself! Can you share mistakes you or people have made at fairs? I definitely would like to see how you set up your booth. Thank you!

You're video was very detailed. I appreciated all of your valuable information. I am doing a vintage flea market tomorrow and after listening to this I will change up what I am going to bring to sell. Thank you for the advise.

Thank you for doing this!! Great info and I'm looking forward to part two

Thanks for sharing. I would like to see your booth set up, especially what you did with the screen doors.

I LOVE THAT APRON! Gonna have to go make one now!

So many great tips! Sounds like some great shows to check out. Thank you for the links, they sound fun to shop at! I was involved in juried artisan shows forever ago in the late 90s and 100% agree with finding the right shows/right audience that's something that never changes!

In my first market day, the prices were so low that someone asked me what was wrong with my products. Since then, I increased prices appropriately and now I sell much better.

Gina, totally off topic to this, but I have been so curious. Can you do a video showing your craft space, and share how you store things? Thanks so much lady!!!

Wow! So much great information. Thank you for this video!

Thanks for the tips, new subby. Im having my first show and so nervous.

Hello, from Montana. Wow, I am so glad I found you. You have helped me so much. Thank you.

This is video is fabulous. I am just getting started and I know this will potentially save me from some growing pains. TFS

Thanks for all your great ideas!!!!!

Lot's of great tips. Thanks!

Great breakdown for vendors. Thank you!

Brilliant video for a beginner craft marketer!

Hi Gina, Thank you so much for all the great info. I can't wait to see part 2. Do you have a show coming up? Maybe you can video tape your booth setup? TFS Deb :)

Thanks so much for sharing this information. I don't make journals, of course (I wouldn't have bought that AWESOME garden journal if I did!!!😆), but I do handmade beads and jewelry, as well as some canvases. I've been thinking about doing some craft fairs. The info you shared is easily transferable to my goods. Very resourceful ~ thanks!!! 😃🔆

That apron is brilliant!

great video would love a part 2 I did shows in the late 70's and early 80's

Great tips! Thank you so much. Part two would be awsome with anymore info at all you would share. Aside from just art journals do some of your customers ask about supplies for making their own?

Excellent info. Thanks for sharing!

This has been super helpful thank you for sharing. How do you package your journals? New bags? Recycled? None at all? Looking forward to part 2 💜

I really appreciate this video thanks so much:)

Great video, part 2 please!!!

Love this video....great descriptions !

Lots of great information!! TFS 🌺 Elizabeth

I LIVE IN MISSOURI TOO!!! I’m planning my first craft fair!!!! Im Dying to do this, I feel like this in my DNA! I love fashion and will be selling fashion type accessories!!! Would love to see you somewhere! Thank you beyond for the advice, I appreciate it so very much 💕🤟

This was amazing! Thank you so much for this.

I make travel accessories like luggage tags, passport books, wallets, travel pillows, backpack, etc. i did have an idea to make travel journal. how do you make yours. do you have a video on it?

Great tips! Thank you!

You are so lovely and thank you so much for all the info❤️✨

Incredible info in such a short time. Thanks -- Paparazzi Farm Girl

I have a question maybe you could help...do you need a permit to be able to sell in craft fairs? thanks!

I don't have any questions but hope to find a part #2 that you have posted. You have helped a lot ....as I have not done a craft show in over 7 yrs.....I do hand made loom knitting and sewing....so if you have any advice in that area I would appreciate it.

So helpful. Thanks!

Thank you! Very informative!

Thank you SO MUCH. This has seriously been the MOST HELPFUL video for information I've been looking for. I haven't launched my art business yet, because I'm building inventory, doing market research, mastering various techniques, and really honing in on and identifying my branding, but have had trouble trying to figure out the correct order for licensing, bank accounts, or where I would even fit in (I repurpose or update found or thrifted items to divert them from landfills, with a focus on plastics, but I span from the functional, like door knobs, to mixed media art pieces, a little bit of everything really as long as it lends to waste awareness and diversion). A few questions, if you don't mind: * Since you also repurpose/upcycle, any tips on how to add these to a pricing algorithm? I've been wondering how to inventory or price the materials since often times they come to me for free. * Since you started with a bank account, did you put any money in initially to work with, or just waited until you actually made sales? * Lastly, many applications for events that I've seen require a photo of your booth setup, but what do we do if we haven't participated in any yet? lol Again, thanks so much for your help! -Terri

Part Two!!!???

How much is the average booth fees?

Thank you for the great tips!

Thank you so much!! You are awesome!

I literally went..."noooooo!" when you said "I think I'm going to end right here".....Thanks for all the awesome advice! Your product looks so unique and awesome! I would love to see your set up and booth! Also, do you use any sort of bag/packaging for purchased products?

Excellent - youre the best!

So, how were you hauling all of these items?

I just found you, I love your thoughts

Very informative!Thinks

great tips, Thank you! :)

Is it OK that I am doing a craft stall at a car boot sale

Do you travel out of state for craft shows? When is part 2? What about a website.. Do you have one??

Thank you so much for the information...........I am in the beginning stages of trying craft fairs, but I'm not sure where to even look. I am very similar to you; I hand make my items and they are unique. So where do you begin? I'm in the Minneapolis area. Thanks!

Great video! Very helpful. I'm not sure about the Jean apron though. It's totally great to repurpose, especially since that's your brand. I just keep thinking...some guy's butt was there. I know it's washed...I know there was hopefully underwear between the Jean's and him....however, his butt was there lol. Everything else is wonderful. This is one of the most detailed videos I've found. It would be great to actually see your table setup too. Great job!

I need to know how to sign up for a show. I know you have to get a hold of someone before the show begins. Where do you find that information?

Gina, you look just as sweet as you sound. I would love to see your set up at the fair. what do you do with screen doors?. Thanks for all of the advise. I really want to remake book's, I love the smells of old and new mixed also. I m starting slow making for granddaughters. Organization, is where I'm having a problem. There is so many things to put away, makes me crazy, did you start out that way? Thank you for taking the time with all you do for us. Roxy

Hi can you tell me some of the blogs you followed

Excellent video. Consider me a subscriber. Thanks again

Hi beautiful girl! Thank you for sharing.💖

awesome ifor: thank's-

you're so cute! thanks for sharing, and I like your apron! =)

We find out that we can't find a decent priced booth. Way to expensive. We can only afford up to $30.00 or less.

Great ideas but plan it out because it drags on.