Pottery stall at markets and fairs

Market shoppers, tourists, gift buyers and locals looking for something handmade.

You sell at a retail markup on items you buy wholesale or take on consignment, minus stall fees at each event.

• Friendly selling
• Attractive display setup
• Handling and packing fragile goods
• Basic bookkeeping

• Sales tax: check your state's seller's permit rules and whether markets collect it for you
• General liability insurance, which many markets require
• Breakage when loading and unloading, and weather risks at outdoor events
• Check your city or county for any vendor or business license requirements

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $4,000, depending on your stock, display setup and stall needs. These are estimates, so check event fees and insurance requirements for the markets you want before budgeting.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many markets you attend, your products and your pricing. That is revenue before costs such as stock and event fees. Weather at outdoor events can also affect sales.

Check your state's seller's permit rules and whether markets collect sales tax for you. Many markets require general liability insurance, so check that too, along with any city or county vendor or business license requirements.