I have a set (3 walls) of Flourish soft walls for sale. Used only 4 times and realized a full time job doesn't work with the art fair circuit. Everything is in good shape. These are black mesh with backing for EZ up tents. I also have upper and lower staybar for additional support/tightness. Comes with all of the attaching brackets, poles, s hooks and upholstery hooks. Asking $900 OBO for everything plus shipping. I'm located in CO. If you have to set up and run your booth alone- these are great. They fold up well and are an easy fit into the back of any SUV.
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Craft Show Advice for the First-Time Seller
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Author: Chris Alexander
Congratulations! You’re on your way to your very first craft show! Once there, you’ll be meeting people who will like and potentially help you endorse your products. However, you might be a little nervous about what to expect or what to bring with you. You should not worry too much because selling your crafts should be an easy and fun experience. Here are some tips to ensure that your first show is less about stress and more about success.
Check on the registration date for the show. See how far ahead you can register for a booth, as some shows are more popular than others and may fill up quickly. Contact the show producers to learn the details on when and how to register. Confirm if you need to provide proof of insurance to register. Also, keep copies of all registration paperwork and correspondence. When registering, provide photos of your crafts to show producers.
Ask about booth fees. Booth fees are usually based on show quality, so if you’re unsure about what the fee may be, look at the quality of the vendors who are attending the show. Also, how much it’s advertised and the anticipated attendance for the show. For a higher audience, such as 50,000 people, a booth fee of $1,000 would be appropriate. However, if the show only typically attracts 500 people, the booth fee should be fairly low.
Make a list of everything you need to bring with you. Supplies should include a booth itself (if one is not already provided for you), decorations, office supplies (pens, pencils, a stapler, business cards, tape, scissors, surge protector and extension cord), a tool box and your products. Making a list ahead of time will help to keep you organized and focused. Use the Lindbergh Craft Show Checklist to get you started. Lindbergh-Craft-Show-Checklist.pdf
Do a dry run. Set up your booth or at least a space the size of your booth before you go to the craft show to get an idea of how you want to display your crafts. Your preparedness will show when you present your booth and wares in an eye-catching and inviting manner.
Follow the rules. Be on time to set up your booth; do not set up too late or leave too early. Besides missing early or late sales, the show rules may require that you’re set up for a certain amount of time. Make sure your booth is set up properly and that you are dressed appropriately for the show. Take responsibility to review the craft show rules before you arrive and even bring a copy of the rules with you.
Engage with show attendees. When the show starts attendees start to mill about, smile to show that you are welcoming and willing to talk to them. Be friendly but not overbearing, and offer to provide customers with information on the products you’re selling. Also, just a simple acknowledgement, such as “good morning!” or “good afternoon!” will at the very least turn the head of passersby.
Reciprocate contact information. When someone asks for your contact information, ask if they’d be willing to share theirs as well, and add them to a mailing list where you can notify them of new products or future shows where you’ll be exhibiting. This will help build your clientele as well as increase the possibility that they may refer you to others that might be interested in your crafts.
Most importantly, show you love what you do. Showing your enthusiasm for displaying and selling your crafts should be apparent and natural. Introduce yourself to other sellers to network and exchange ideas – you may even make a friend or two!
Follow these tips and your first craft show experience is bound to be less nerve wracking and more fun-filled and exciting - and you’ll be that much more ready for the ones to come as well!
Learn more about why you may need a proof of insurance to sell your wares at a show.
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This is an exercise in improving. I'm sure many of you recognize the hallmarks of display that are "no-no's" at the big shows ... let's deconstruct/reconstruct it.
If this was your booth at a show do you think it can be improved? If so, how?
This is the year I go full-time as a art festival vendor and I'm looking for used equipment, most importantly Display panels or pro panels.....New pro panels are just outrageously expensive imo. So if anyone knows of good inexpensive display panels that are durable and look professional I'm all ears? I wouldn't be apposed to building my own if anyone has good advice.
Thanks Erik
Does anyone know where to find "for sale by artist" display panels besides our classified ads here?
I have been making jewelry for a long time and just starting to do shows. From research and visiting the shows I want to do, I made some changes to my booth to make it more professional. However, I lost something in the translation! It needs something on the walls and some signage. I also have a problem with my tent...how do you get the sides to be nice and taut? Or do you just cover them? help/input/comments would be greatly appreciated. Be honest, I can take it!
I belong to the Thunder Bay Basket Guild and we will be having a display at the Besser Museum in Alpena, Michigan. It will be viewable, I believe, starting July 9th. I will have four of my baskets on display and I'm thrilled to have been asked to contribute to the display. We have been told the display will be up until, I believe September! Couldn't ask for a nicer Anniversary Gift.
Just thought I'd share a little smile on my day.
Have a great day and a brighter tomorrow - Terri at the Drake's Nest in Ossineke, MI
The next question in this series expands on what was covered in Question 1&2. Now lets talk about booth theme and creating your look using display furniture.
Question 3. What is booth theme and where can “I” find the right display furniture to emulate my theme best suited for the medium I work in?
What is booth theme? The theme of a booth is the environment customers physically enter into to experience ones work allowing for an easy transition from work to booth display in order to create a positive and comfortable buying environment that features ones work, not over powers it. If you have more people saying “wow nice booth” over “what beautiful artwork you have” then may have fallen into this pitfall.
Some common themes are visible in everyday places where you shop or eat. Visit your favorite shops and restaurants and see what theme they are trying to represent. What makes Victoria's Secret feminine and classy? What eco-friendly themes are visible with salons and spas? What makes shabby chic styles what they are at home décor boutiques? Maybe you see a cozy cabin/nature retreat like Caribou Coffee? The idea is when a customer enters a booth it is almost like they are transported to a different place where their troubles are melted away and in the mind frame to shop. Really look at what you create and think about what it tells you – what theme direction are you going in? For instance, leather-work, like belts or purses, may best housed in an environment that is rich looking with nice neutral earth tones and using accessors such as horse or cow hide.
Like mediums will sell with like display furniture. Wood sells well when displayed on wooden tables or shelving. Photographs and other 2D work are great displaed using grid wall or on panels (such as that offered by ProPanels.com) with additional prints housed in a photo bin nearby. Museum type pieces, like sculptures, are ideal on pedestals. Fabric art should be hanging or draped (like silk scarves) rather than messy and displayed in a bin. Pottery is great relaxing on wooden shelving painted black or white or perched on pedestals depending on the type of pottery/ceramic pieces. Using the right display furniture will make you look very professional rather than as an amateur craft artist.
Where can one purchase these display fixtures? First, use the resources you have already – display furniture you own already for instance. There are some great finds at local auctions, businesses that are going out of business, yard sales, antique shops as well as through Craigslist.com . When you have exhausted these resources, it is time to look into websites that specialize in retail display fixtures. Many of these places have ads in art/craft publications or can be found through some simple web searches. A few that I have found, that may work for you, are www.woodlandmarketing.com and www.kddisplay.com for wooden displays, www.warnerusa.com and www.fetpak.com for jewelry displays, as well as www.kc-store-fixtures.com for everything else (including gridwall). These business are only the tip of the iceberg as to many others that specialize in all types of display fixtures.
Lastly, when looking at getting display furniture and accessories for your booth remember that this is easily transportable. Too many times I see exhibitors about to erect a house rather than a booth and carry more display stuff than art work to shows – is this really wise? If you are one person doing these shows, make sure the display is light and easy to set up as well as fit in your vehicle. Rule of thumb, you should be able to have your display up within 1 hour and the rest of the time devoted to merchandising. Next blog topic will cover merchandising tips.
Note: The photo is one I took of from Best Booth Display award winner Sugar Hill (out of VA) from the Summer Four Seasons Fine Art and Craft Market in 2008.
