Craft Fairs

I was thinking about starting on the craft fair circuit.  The only problem with that is that I would need to build an inventory....I'm not really that great at crocheting/knitting something and then hanging onto it unless I made it for me.  I also have a problem repeating patterns (which is why - most likely these leg warmers are taking me forever and a day [sorry Chloe, they're coming I swear!]).  So that being said how could I really go on the craft fair circuit and have stuff to sell?

I was trying to think of options, like maybe I could crochet/knit hats and bags or scarves for an inventory (each one different...)then maybe have a binder with pictures and prices of bigger items - like afghans, baby blankets, etc.  If someone really wanted an afghan they would pay me and it would be first come first get.  I would just have to keep a log, which thanks to Hedy I'm actually quite rockin at.

I think it's too late for the craft fairs this year anyway  - they just sent out their sign up sheets, but you'd already kinda need to have stuff to sell before you sign up right?  Or it would be a mad dash to the finish line to make sure you had enough.  Besides people at those shows/fairs have a TON of inventory ready to go.  I dont really have that kind of time, not with how many people are getting pregg-o that I'm making blankets for already. ;-)

That's my other problem.  I gift.  I don't sell.  Take for instance when I made a pair of baby booties for my friend Jaime's little nephew. (Super cute converse style booties), anyway I had been working on other projects and forgotten about those booties and she asked when they would be ready and I flipped and felt so bad that I didn't charge her for them and she pitched a fit.  Told me that was no way to run a business.  And I know it's not, but I had forgotten about her order, I had to make it up to her somehow.  Right???

SO maybe it's too soon to be thinking craft fairs.  I'm too likely to gift something than not, and I have a problem making something for some that I've already made once...not too mention I pride myself on being an awesome pattern picker for people.  I rarely let people see the blankets that I've picked for them, or their babies, because I believe that, aside from the colors (and even that sometimes I dont let the people pick) the blanket should be a surprise.  Now for complete strangers ti would be different, seeing as I don't know them like I know my friends and family....

Also (and please don't tell my husband this) it's probably a little bit of anxiety that keeps me from going and doing craft fairs.  On Etsy it's easy cuz you don't see who looks at your work, you don't see their faces.  I get nervous whenever I give someone anything that I've made.  No matter how amazing I think it looks while I've been making it, when it's time to give them the blanket, the hat, whatever I'm sure it looks like trash.  It never does, but it's how my brain works.

Before I can craft fair must work on:
Repeating patterns
building an inventory of stuff not for me and not for gifts
getting over that people will pick out something that doesn't suit them in the least and that I believe I could pick for them better....
my anxiety

I don't think that list is completely insurmountable.  Just a lot of easier said than done stuff.