so, like many makers who've been making the rounds this season, i've
been doing gobs of craft shows this season. even though i have one most
weekends and you'd think i'd be a pro by now, i still usually forget
one key thing per show. i thought i'd share a list of the top items i
try to remember no matter what for vending at a fair:
- tables : i usually bring three smallish tables for a 10x10 booth
- canopy tent : recently, i bought this one and have been really happy with it, and if i had thought to bring blocks to weigh it down this weekend, it wouldn't have flipped over!
- chairs! : though forgetting them isn't the end of the world, of course
- waist apron : or whatever you want to put your cash in. i hand printed mine. look for them available in my shops soon!
- change for big bills : i usually begin a show with about $50-60 in ones, fives and a ten. i float this over from show to show, so that i'm not scrambling around every weekend trying to get singles
- a knucklebuster : some people have fancy schmancy card running things (and i can't say those iphone app commercials aren't tempting), but a knuckle buster is a tried and true way of getting card information from shoppers. they trust it, having it visible lets them know you accept cards, and it makes it impossible to transpose numbers. plus, they're like $14. it's a no-brainer, really.
- vertical displays : i designed and cute erik built the display above and it's been really great for shows. it's just pegboard that we framed out with painted 1x2s and hinged together. i love how the pegboard compliments my product line and branding, and is totally flexible so that i can display whatever i'd like to make most prominent at the particular show i'm at.
- rubbermaid containers : or anything else you'd like to store your stuff in. having lids on them is handy for keeping things protected from windy or rainy weather (heaven forbid!)
- tape! for everything!
- pens!
- extra paper and business cards : half of the reason i think craft shows are valuable is for meeting people. be ready to take down email addresses or give out your information quickly.
- order forms : don't have exactly what a customer's looking for but know you can make it? i offer free shipping on items customers purchase at a show and mail them out within a week of getting back into my studio
- a friend : doing a craft show alone is kind of miserable, honestly. i usually offer to buy cute erik a prize from shows he helps me at (which is most of them). it makes him happy (he picks the funnest prizes from other vendors - always amusing) and i feel good about supporting my vending neighbors and putting a little money back into a show.
- water : i like to keep a bottle on hand since i do a lot of talking
- a bag for trash : it's weird how often people ask if you have a trash can when they're holding a cup, etc and want to take a closer look at your stuff
- press clippings : i photoshopped together some screenshots for some of my favorite features on sweet shopping blogs, etc, like design*sponge or apartment therapy and framed them as a little point of interest at my booth. it gives people a little insight into who you are and gives you a little cred, of course.
don't forget you can find all sorts of useful information on craft show need-to-knows at indiecraftshows.com. i'm sure we all have a little something we don't like to venture to a show without... what am i forgetting? what do you find invaluable when selling in person? feel free to leave additions as comments!
