How To Set Up For A Craft Show

One of my favorite pastimes? Attention fairs. Whether they are women's fairs, book fairs or a craft fair – I love them all. I dearest going to craft fairs for several reasons, namely to get out of the house without my hubby and children. Bahaha! I besides savor meandering and browsing, taking my time to both appreciate and purchase other crafters works and to become new ideas for my ain home.

Vendor fairs and I go way dorsum. As a child I attended and assisted my mother at her booth in endless fairs. I would help set up, I would man the booth while she had bathroom breaks and I learned how important it is to mingle with other vendors during boring times. If you are thinking of attending your showtime craft fair as a vendor, there are some definite do's and don't's when it comes to setting up your booth and how you appoint with your customers – and other vendors too!

Tips for a Successful Craft Fair

The obvious goal, when paying the entry fee to a craft fair, is to sell your wares and recoup your cost (and so some). Only, you lot likewise want people to recollect you and your name then that they can find you subsequently on your Facebook page, your website or find you on Etsy etc. Take the following tips and run into if y'all tin't walk out of your side by side craft fair feeling like a dominate.

1. Presentation!

Presentation is everything! Your buyer's first impression will many times make or intermission a sale. When setting up, think of the ways your berth will appear to passersby. You desire to offer a wide array of items, in a wide range of price points, without over crowding your table. This is non an episode of Hoarders, but yous definitely desire to utilize ALL space available to you lot – including vertical space.

Accept table cloths (inexpensive flat sheets from Walmart work well too) to drape over the table, utilize wooden crates to add together depth and "shelves", use one-time opened suitcases for amuse, invest in a mannequin, catechumen an quondam photo frame to accept chicken wire stapled to the back for hanging items (with mini clothespins) etc… The more eye catching your berth (without being overcrowded) the better.

2. Mirror, mirror, on the wall

Provide a mirror! I can not tell yous how many times I take left an item I might have purchased if I could have simply seen it ON myself. Try to have a proficient sized mirror (full length if possible) with a frame instead of paw-held. Of course if a large mirror is non possible a hand-held mirror is better than nothing, just once more – presentation is everything. If you don't already have a beautiful, decorative mirror, sentry for sales (or use your coupons!) at Hobby Lobby, Michael's or Joann'due south etc and pick one up!

three. Advertise your business

I can not stress enough how important it is to take business organisation cards in multiple places. Have a stack at the forepart of the table and throw one in the pocketbook when yous bundle a purchased item. If they do not make a buy, you tin besides give them a business organization card from your handy dandy stack.

There are numerous places to notice inexpensive business organisation cards online. Make certain y'all include where to find yous online and how to contact you.

4. Price EVERYTHING

As a customer, I practice not want to accept to enquire for a price. In fact most times I volition not inquire, instead I'll just pass right on by. Don't do that to your customers – or to yourself!

Want an even ameliorate way to price your items? Utilize your business cards AS your price tags (merely likewise have some bachelor in that stack). Create a small hole to string through and attach to your items. Think of it this way: if someone likes your piece of work enough to pay you for information technology, they automatically get a business carte du jour that they will later have to remove (and hopefully stash in their purse, wallet etc). To me this is better than just throwing the card in the handbag that will then become thrown away.

5. Don't oversell yourself

Exist available but not pushy. My main craft will always be crochet, so I am certain to bring my yarn and my hooks and I crochet as I stand at my booth. (I try not to sit every bit information technology may come off as me being bored) This allows me to be nowadays and available for questions, merely in a style that doesn't feel overly in-your-face to the shopper. Plus, I'm creating more production!

Alternatively, engaging with your customers is key. When I store I want to exist left lonely, just I besides want to know that should I have any questions (tin can you make this in a dissimilar color? etc) that the vendor is accessible. When I am on the other side of the table withal, my arroyo is dissimilar. Definitely brand center contact, smile and say hello, read the person's reaction. Their torso language will tell you lot if they wish to appoint in further conversation or only shop.

6. What to sell?

Think pocket-size (ish) and recall ahead! What kinds of things will people be needing in the next few months? In October, the all-time items would be Thanksgiving or Christmas related, whereas in March you might want to stock your table total of items pertaining to Easter, bound cleaning/useful things and possibly even some items geared towards the 4th of July.

You likewise want to have a broad array of items, including unique items yous can't just find at Walmart. Go on much of it unproblematic and trendy. Many times the smaller items, like the Aldi Quarter Keepers, dishcloth sets, chapstick keychains, mini-blind cleaners, sell ameliorate than scarves and blankets simply considering information technology'due south an impulse purchase at just a few bucks – and those sales add together up! Don't forget that if they buy something modest now with your business card attached, when they need something large similar a blanket or a poncho etc, they'll retrieve you (and exist able to contact you)!

7. Wear your items, if possible

Do yous have a selection of super cute hats for sale? Clothing ane! If not possible, or if you merely have too many dissimilar items to wear without looking like a walking pegboard, effort to display the items in the manner they would best be worn/used. A shawl just laying on the tabular array won't go nearly as much activity every bit it would if it were aesthetically displayed on Catherine (a.k.a. my mannequin).

8. Packaging, packaging, packaging!

Spending a lilliputian scrap of coin to offering quality packaging goes a long way in the professionalism of your brand. The packaging does not have to be expensive to be constructive. These trade bags would suffice, and just between you and me, Hobby Lobby has the best value on tissue newspaper (yep, even better than the Dollar store). Likewise provide care instructions, printed out on regular newspaper and cutting to size (and be sure to include your business concern proper name for marketing purposes).

Photograph thanks to Christine! (love that floor pouf)

9. Have a mannequin, props

I bought my mannequin Catherine, (named after the second beheaded wife of Henry 8) to use as a photograph prop for my crochet patterns listed here on Heart Hook Dwelling house. She'south pretty (admitting a little shy) and she'due south got a great sense of sense of humour. She was also one of the least expensive and best looking mannequins I found online. I am a bargain hunter at heart, and Catherine and me are BFF'due south now.

Y'all might too have several heads for display if y'all've got the space.  Here'south a decently priced head. Ha!

10. Accept credit cards!

If at all possible, accept credit cards (Foursquare is a slap-up tool) and advertise that you lot accept them. Take up just a bit of your space to annunciate a sign like mine beneath. I whipped this upwards using Canva, a costless online photo editing tool. I added some of my almost pop designs to draw people in. Create one yourself to convey that not only practise you lot accept cash and credit cards, but you have other colors bachelor every bit well.

Tip: Store a tote under your table containing diverse colors of yarn. If someone loves that hat but wants it in majestic instead of blue, you lot can offer to have information technology prepare for them in an hour (depending on how quickly you crochet, of form).

11. Create a photo volume of your prior work

When presenting at a craft fair, y'all only accept a express infinite bachelor to you. Why not create a hard encompass photo book from Shutterfly, Snapfish, Walgreens or CVS showcasing items y'all accept made in the past, just may not have on hand today? Pack that book total of the blankets you've made, any amigurumi (stuffed animals) you've crocheted, use it to showcase the different stitches you know and/or colors you have available. Keep it open to the folio with your nearly pop design(south).

12. Offer a free gift with $__ purchase

If you've got lots of piffling dishcloths or rings for kids, consider placing several in a special basket labeled "free gift with $50+ purchase". Y'all set up the corporeality required, but if someone is spending $forty or $45, they might merely pick upwards another $10 item if only to get the freebie.

You lot could also spin this a little differently and offering a spin cycle for small prizes also. See what I did there?

xiii. Mingle!

By mingling I don't necessarily hateful with your customers. Sure, you want to mingle with them too, but if yous take the time to get to know your neighbors (I hope they're absurd 😉 ) you might get information near other upcoming arts and crafts shows, item placement tips and tips on pricing etc.  Also, you lot accept notation of each other'south inventory.  They tin can transport people your way and you tin transport people theirs!

14. Do not overcrowd

Every bit I said above, this is not an episode of Hoarders. Don't put all of your items out (unless y'all don't have a ton) instead furnish them every bit they are sold.

xv. Pay attention!

I feel like this should not have to be said, merely here goes. One of the reasons I like to stand and crochet during a craft off-white is considering it keeps me from browsing on my phone. Nothing is worse than ignoring your prospective customers or looking bored. If you are up and moving, working, crocheting etc it shows that you are attentive and open for business.

16. Donate what doesn't sell

You could salve whatsoever unsold items for a future arts and crafts fair, or you could donate them to a worthwhile charity also. If you do donate, make sure you become a receipt for revenue enhancement purposes!

17. Brainwash

If you have someone with yous at the table (your older children, a friend etc) make sure they accept, in the very to the lowest degree, basic answers to any questions that may arise. Color choices, care instructions, different sizes etc. This way if yous footstep abroad for a restroom break (which you should try to do at off-times) they will have those answers.

Not craft related, but my latest fair, a financial wellness fair at a credit union in Wichita, Kansas.

18. Don't focus on the sales

Sure, we are all hither to make money, but try not to focus on the sales. Focus instead on having fun, coming together new people and learning from the experience.

One thing mentioned past Dianna in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Customs really struck me: having a booth at a arts and crafts fair is a lot similar going hunting or line-fishing. You spend money on supplies (entry fees) and you spend all 24-hour interval trying to take hold of a buck (or make a buck). Even if you come dwelling empty handed, you accept gained cognition, experience and you'll exist more prepared going in next fourth dimension.  What a neat reminder!

What do you do differently at a craft fair, if anything? Do you have any tips I missed? Let united states know in the comments and then nosotros also can leave our adjacent arts and crafts off-white feeling like a boss!

More than craft tip and tricks:

ten Photography Tips for Selling Handmade Crafts Online
How to Create Planned Yarn Colour Transitions in Crochet
How to Size Crochet Beanies + Master Beanie Blueprint
Felting Tutorial: How to Felt Wool (with or without a washing machine)
How to Make Cat Toys Using Yarn and Felting
Creative Ways to Use Yarn Ends (Instead of Tossing Them Out)

Source: https://hearthookhome.com/beginners-craft-fair-tips-how-to-run-a-successful-craft-show-booth/

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