Need Booth Advice - Please!

Hi, I applied to about 12 shows, so far I have gotten into 6. I was really surprised, and I don't know if that is good or bad, that they wanted me! This is my first year doing shows. I sent a picture of a display type that I will use. I made it clear this was to my display, as I will be selling pottery, not jewelry, but had no booth pics since I am new to this. I put it below. As I am on a very limited budget, I know I can't afford the lovely set-ups with the walls that I see on here. I have to think outside the box, which is why I am asking for help. I don't know what is practical or not. I plan to be very rustic, just like the picture. I also received some advice about how to do this and make it more accessible. I am concerned about outer walls and leveling the ground for outdoor shows. If on a budget, what do you use for the exterior? An EZ up tent of some type? And is there a way to cover those white canvas walls of the tent on a budget? And how to make sure it doesn't fly away? Best lighting? Thanks in advance for any advice. I really appreciate it! Nancy

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  • I am looking for some long kind of "S" hooks to hang from the rod at top, over cloth walls. am having a hard time finding anything even though i have seen them on others booth shots!

    do you have any ideas on that? tried industrial restaurant supply and still have to go to H Depot and lowes..katherine

  • It all comes down to budget. If you see you will continue doing many shows a year, then invest in a light dome or trimline. I would really like a light dome finale but I only do two maybe three shows a year and just can't justify that cost. I manage to get buy with an inexpensive ez up and use the concrete PVC tubes. Also learned for a multi day event we drop the tent half way down and have not suffered damage. I always take my inventory with me and just stack my tables and displays in the middle of the tent.
    Also I have a large rug I put down as it really helps minimize dust and dirt on my fabric purses and totes.
  • Hi, Nancy. I suspend sheers from my tent on 3 sides using six 6ft bungee cords. I hook each end into zip ties I put at the top and bottom of each leg. I got the sheers at Anna's Linens and the bungees on ebay. I run the bungees thru the top and bottom hem of each sheer panel. I use 2 panels on each side wall, and 2 to 6 panels on the back wall (depending on my mood for the day). I have a booth photo on my page if you want to take a look.
  • Alrighty, here is my two cents!! First congrats on the six shows, that is impressive to be at 50% acceptance!!  What shows are you going to be at this year??? 
    So, I have a file of information that I collected when I was looking for what tent to buy. I went to shows and asked vendors what they thought about their tents and read many reviews. 

    OFCOURSE, the Light Dome or Flourish are the best to have for many reasons. I went this route because of the 'RAIN PROOF" material. No drips at the seams like an EZ up. (It is what bothered me when I borrowed my friends EZ up.) Now I am 5'3 and have set my light dome by myself. Not fun but I did it!  Also I found my tent by using Craiglist and got a used one for $450!! Normally it is $900 new. I did buy some parts like the Sta-bars and that is also a good thing about these tents. If something goes, you can get replacements parts. Not so much for the EZ ups. 

    Now, the only 'EZ-up' style that I will ever buy would be the Undercover Canopy UC-2 (not the UC-3)! WHy? It is easy to open by yourself and the canopy has a UV thingy to it that makes it cooler inside. Also not as bad with the seams dripping when raining and the honeycomb legs are very strong. And OH, it is vented! It costs $300 and you can get it at Costco.com 

    http://www.costco.com/Undercover®-Professional-Grade-10‘-x-10’-Aluminum-Instant-Canopy.product.11604377.html

    Have a great show year Nancy Lee 

    AmyRenee

    • Hi all,
      Thank you for the great info! I got I to the craft producer shows in NY and VT, the fall ArtRider NJ show, the Berkshires show, and one other I can't remember. I was wait listed at two of the ArtRider NJ shows, and a few rejections. :( I am very happy with the shows I got into! Shocked happy!

      What tent did you get? The Light Dome or Flourish? I was looking at the Caravan because it is less expensive and I can get the StaBars with it. Since I make pottery, I don't need the mesh walls, right? Those are for hanging things?

      Thanks again, all!
      Nancy
      • You may not need the mesh walls but consider hanging something like fabric or curtains behind your display in the tent to make it look more professional.

        Larry Berman
        http://BermanGraphics.com
        412-401-8100

        • Yes, I was wondering about that. How do you hang it? What do most people use? I have been racking my brains to think of a way to hang a big curtain wall, and everything seems like it would be too fragile.
          Nancy
          • If you use stabars top and bottom they will support drapes and curtains of various types. A trimline has a top bar as do the Crafthut and the LightDome.

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