Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Extreme Newb Questions
I'll be doing my first show in March and have some newb questions.
Where do you keep your money? Do you keep a box in your booth, or keep the money in your pocket? Do I need to buy plastic bags or is it really tacky to reuse grocery bags? What are some of the essentials that must be taken to every show? I'm thinking things like receipt books, business cards, etc..
I'm going to a juried show at the end of this month to check out displays, anything else I should look at?
Thanks
Teri
Where do you keep your money? Do you keep a box in your booth, or keep the money in your pocket? Do I need to buy plastic bags or is it really tacky to reuse grocery bags? What are some of the essentials that must be taken to every show? I'm thinking things like receipt books, business cards, etc..
I'm going to a juried show at the end of this month to check out displays, anything else I should look at?
Thanks
Teri
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on -
Always keep your money on your person, either in your pocket or a purse that fastens around your waist. For bags, grocery bags are tacky. I use clear bags so other people can see my work when the people who have purchased it walk around.
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Connie Mettler on -
Always, always, always keep your money on your body! Wear clothes with pockets, have a small hidden purse under your clothes if doing a lot of sales. NEVER put your money in a cash box or a purse "hidden" in your booth. I hope everyone hears this. Nothing sadder than all that work, inventory sold, and then stolen away!
(My favorite story on this topic: photographer Phil Borkowski sold LOTS of photographs, he's one of the guys who taught the rest of us how to do it. One day at the Ann Arbor Art Fair his checks and credit card receipts disappeared from his booth (not sure where he had them), luckily (or not) his booth was near a porta-jon. Shortly after he noticed their loss he went to the porta-jon and found them there....in not the best condition.)
New bags always.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on -
Hi Terri,
I have just finished my first year of shows. I have a cash box that I keep in at my table for checking out with my sales book and credit card machine. I also have all my bags, tissue paper, boxes, etc there. I order my bags online from jewelrysupply.com. There are other web sites that carry bags and boxes.
As far as things I pack or stash in the car in addition to my display and merchandise (in no particulr order): sales book,cash box with lots of ones, fives, & change, credit card stuff, business cards, boxes, bags, tissue paper, calculator, duct tape, lights & extension cords(if there is electricity), push cart to move things in & out, tarps to cover things if it is more than a one day show, big clips (I have used them to fasten things and to keep the tent closed), bungee cords, mailing list sign up, wastebasket, foul weather gear (raincoat, boots, extra shoes and socks, etc), & my cell phone. I also take materials to demonstrate my art. That is all I can think of right now. Good luck to you
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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on
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Very true. My cash box is the first thing (along with my purse) that I lock up in the car during load out. I also have an apron with pockets that I also use at times.
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Permalink Reply by Teri Biehl on -
I was thinking of an apron too.
Diane Wright said:Very true. My cash box is the first thing (along with my purse) that I lock up in the car during load out. I also have an apron with pockets that I also use at times.
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Permalink Reply by Jan Raven on -
Wow, I couldn't possibly keep all my cash, checks, and cc slips on my person, even with a large fanny pack! When I am really busy, I need to handle transactions quickly and efficiently. I use a small cedar box (from Lane) as my cash box. Bills are all kept together, standing up and separated by denomination by colored index cards. Coins are kept in small jewelry gift boxes that fit nicely in the cedar box. This box is never exposed or available to steal while I am in the booth. Cash, checks, credit card slips and all my jewelry go home with me at the end of every day and are secured while I pack up my booth. I think if you don't have as many smaller transactions, then you can certainly keep everything "on you", but it doesn't work for me.
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Permalink Reply by Jan Raven on
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I'm sure you'll find lots of info about things to have on hand to help you sell your work, but you should also pay attention to your own needs and comfort. Make sure you bring a full water bottle and a lunch or at least some snacks. I know that at the end of a long day, sometimes my booth needs some chocolate! Consider which kinds of snacks will make good booth food: easy to pack, pick up, put down, and not messy or smelly. If outside, pack sunscreen and bug spray and wear and/or bring clothing appropriate to the anticipated weather.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on
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Flourish.com has a list of things to take. http://flourish.com/more_lukes_essential.html. Don't forget the Duct tape!
One thing I've found useful is large yard trash bags. A box of them is great to keep handy in case of rain. I also always carry a dry pair of shoes and socks, and usually a change of clothes.
As for bags, I don't reuse grocery store bags, but I do reuse bags from Jerry's Artarama, and other Art related bags. I buy other bags from Dolphin Fixtures, a store and restaurant supply place in Norfolk. Which reminds me I need to go pick up some more on Monday.
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Permalink Reply by Larry Jelf on
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Purse Stuff - Paula said:You just hit on one of my (many) pet peeves. If you think enough of your product to put a price on it and sell it, then put it into a new merchandise bag.
Who wants to go home with a left-over bag that should have been used as a trash can liner? I shudder when someone hands me a "slightly used",
"slightly left-over" bag.
I keep my money on my person when I'm working small shows. At large shows where I have an assistant, I use a cash register which is secured so
it can't 'walk' away.
Hope this helps a little.
Purse Stuff - Paula
We used to silk screen our logo on our paper bags.
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Purse Stuff - Paula said:You just hit on one of my (many) pet peeves. If you think enough of your product to put a price on it and sell it, then put it into a new merchandise bag.
Who wants to go home with a left-over bag that should have been used as a trash can liner? I shudder when someone hands me a "slightly used",
"slightly left-over" bag.
I keep my money on my person when I'm working small shows. At large shows where I have an assistant, I use a cash register which is secured so
it can't 'walk' away.
Hope this helps a little.
Purse Stuff - Paula
Secured is not positive. I had a friend who lost an entire jewelry case as a car pulled up to the curb, grabbed and was gone!
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Diane Wright said:Hi Terri,
I have just finished my first year of shows. I have a cash box that I keep in at my table for checking out with my sales book and credit card machine. I also have all my bags, tissue paper, boxes, etc there. I
order my bags online from jewelrysupply.com. There are other web sites that
carry bags and boxes.
As far as things I pack or stash in the car in addition to my display and merchandise (in no particulr order): sales book,cash box with lots of
ones, fives, & change, credit card stuff, business cards, boxes, bags,
tissue paper, calculator, duct tape, lights & extension cords(if there
is electricity), push cart to move things in & out, tarps to cover things
if it is more than a one day show, big clips (I have used them to fasten
things and to keep the tent closed), bungee cords, mailing list sign up,
wastebasket, foul weather gear (raincoat, boots, extra shoes and socks, etc),
& my cell phone. I also take materials to demonstrate my art. That is
all I can think of right now. Good luck to you
Times have surely changed. We didn't usually have to worry as it was so seldon.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Anderson on -
Hi Teri... after years of dealing with coins, I've simplified it to using bills only - keeps pockets from being overstuffed. Since most cash sales are ones under $50, I pick up the taxes on those sales so there is no cents involved. Plus, with cash sales I don't have the fees associated with credit sales. Credit sales are always charged taxes. Keeping my artwork priced appropriately, I haven't noticed a real loss when I absorb the taxes AND not only do customers appreciate it, it surely eliminates the need for any cash box.
I'll agree with all here - new merchandise bags are a must and I too would recommend clear bags to show your work throughout the show. Wishing you the best with your first show.
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