Setting up without a car; Is it do-able?

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm a jewelry designer now located in Boston. I'm only just getting started seriously thinking about the whole craft fair thing. The problem with a craft fair for me is that I don't have a car! I can take public transportation to some of the craft fairs I'd want to but I'm not sure if there's any way to set up a booth with only what two rather small people (me and my boyfriend) can carry.
I already have three collapsible tables, which I think we could manage, but I'm worried about the tent, (I don't have a tent yet) and the actual displays. I could get some sort of rolling cart to carry it all, I guess.

Any tips on how to create a compact or lightweight display, or whether you think this is doable at all would be much appreciated!

[CindyTSews]

Rent one.

[GlassyGrace]

You could Just do indoor shows that offer tables. Don't need a tent for that. A couple of large rolling suitcases could carry your product (since it's jewelry) and your displays, tablecloths, etc. I think I'd do a search on lightweight jewelry displays and see what I could come up with.

[SimpleHomeAccents]

Sounds like quite a challenge. My stuff is heavier than jewelry, but I think you guys might kill yourselves trying to manage everything, especially with three tables. Is there anyone that can give you a ride? Shows can be exhausting, even with a car. Sometimes I can barely summon the energy at the end of a show to pack up my car and drive home - I can't imagine how hard it would be without the car. I hope you figure something out. Good luck!

[whatleyphotography]

Cindy is right, you can rent a tent. There are places that will set it up for you at the show. Also look for folding displays. There are some you can make out of cardboard and put them together at the show.. I put my entire setup in my tiny little car so everything I have fits into something else. It is all very compact. You just have to be creative and make everything do double duty. boxes to move items can become lifts on your tables, etc.

[TigersandDragons]

It does depend on your how you plan your display....I've seen minimal jewellery displays using blocks of styrofoam and placemats, mini pillows or mini frames.
There are some shows where you can rent tables, and some rare shows that provide a large tent, with multiple vendors inside.

Do you know anyone that you can borrow a car from? I have a friend who rents a car when she needs one, but it is an added cost. There are also some car sharing services with more reasonable rates than a full rental - Boston may have one, if you do some searching.

The only rolling cart that I can imagine being allowed on public transit, is a handtruck dolly, where everything stays vertical. I can't imagine a cart dolly being allowed. Use bungee cords or straps to secure the load.

[SilverRiverDesignsWA]

I do know someone who also sells jewelry on Etsy, lives in NY, and transports her stuff via cab. I don't believe she does outdoor shows where she also needs to have a canopy, but it could be done if you could fit everything into a cab with large trunk and order a pickup at end of event.

[Former_Member]

yes it is possible. You can carry your entire inventory in a rolling tote case or dolly and probably your signage as well.

If you plan your packing well, you can probably add a folding table and 2 chairs to the same dolly without a problem.

Or if you want to go in 'luxury' you can rent a mini van for a day. Rentals aren't that expensive and you won't have to worry about lugging stuff around.

My neighbour carries her entire show display in one rolling case and only does shows where tables are provided. When she arrives at the show she opens her case, pulls out the tablecloth, lifts out the trays for display, puts up her signs and is ready to sell in about 15 minutes.

[KilnMasterPottery]

I would suggest not relying on a cab if you need to transport anything larger than a suitcase. Some cab drivers will not stop for you if they suspect you want to transport anything too large. But as an alternate suggestion: Market umbrellas are bit more portable than en EasyUp though some of those come in wheeled cases. Also one needs to remember that taking it all via public transport might mean carrying it up and down bus or train steps. It is not just the weight but the bulk and how well can you all carry it between you two.

[wavejewelry]

You could rent a UHaul type of truck. Those often rent for as low as $20.00 a day.

[Former_Member]

I don't own a tent, and just do shows where I can get a 6 foot table space. I just use the one table, and some shows even rent those. For jewelry, if you can find a show like that, you'll probably find that you have plenty of room with the single table, and it would be much more manageable.

[Pennyjanedesigns]

Hi Emily, you don't say whether you do actually drive or not so is car hire an option?! I drive to a lot of my events but there are a few I can get to by bus or train and if it is a city centre location I will trundle in with two massive bags on wheels. They are usually early starts anyway so space isn't an issue!

It requires really careful packing and planning and is entirely do-able. I recently did two events in London which involved rush hour travel on the tube. Ha ha! That was interesting!

The bags I use are huge lightweight canvas ones on wheels. I put some plastic stacked boxes inside with the most delicate items. Everything else is placed around carefully in bags with no 'dead space' allowed. The boxes then come out and are turned upside down with a cloth on for display.

Of course I get a little silly and lazy with packing when I have the car but I enjoy the packing challenge sometimes...reminds me of being little and going camping I reckon..... Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[woodsmokewoolworks]

Years ago ( so I can't describe it well ) I saw a display that was 2 sets of louvred, bifold doors. He set them up as an X with a market umbrella in the middle, then hung his jewellery on the slats of the door. Everything came in one trip on his bicycle. I think that he had triangular shelf inserts to stabilize the doors and give him some shelf space.

[janeeroberti]

I've flown to some show w/no rental car and took cabs to site w/large rolling suitcases. All those shows I rented through show tables, chairs, and tent if outdoors.

Also, as some said already, I've seen lots of people without cars who rent uhaul trucks for shows. I've also seen people who (do local shows) w/a bike and trailer hauling their setup, or even a trailer that was their basically rolling shop.

[janeeroberti]

I've flown to some show w/no rental car and took cabs to site w/large rolling suitcases. All those shows I rented through show tables, chairs, and tent if outdoors.

Also, as some said already, I've seen lots of people without cars who rent uhaul trucks for shows. I've also seen people who (do local shows) w/a bike and trailer hauling their setup, or even a trailer that was their basically rolling shop.

[andyshouse]

I'm in NYC and don't have a car. A lot of the shows I do will provide a table either for free or for something like $5. I can fit pretty much everything else in a rolling suitcase, and then usually a large shopping bag that I carry lightweight display items. So for those shows I can usually take public transportation.

The outdoor shows that I've done so far have been close by in Brooklyn, and I will take a car service. I've been able to fit my tent, table, chair and suitcase in the trunk without much problem. I typically pay about $15 each way for the car service.

[Former_Member]

I think if your passion is to bring your products to the masses you'll discover the means to get there.

True there are many rolling carts and totes that you can drag along with you. Ask the coordinator to offer you a table in the shade.

If you explain your circumstances I believe there are show organizers who will try to accommodate.

The very luck to you.

[PopZooSydney]

Hey there, I'm a Boston person too! My fiancee and I do not own a car and we're doing the Greenway market and SOWA market with Zipcar - totally doable and Zipcar's the best. I highly recommend it.

I was considering doing the markets with our bike trailer, but that rapidly became laughable :) Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for the responses and kind words, everyone! It's great to hear from people who have done this and go to these shows. And good to hear that it's do-able! Unfortunately, I don't drive, myself (lived in cities all my life) but I may try to take a cab to some of these shows, as well as try to find some indoor ones. Any suggestions for good shows to do in Boston, Sydney?

[Pennyjanedesigns]

I love the bike and trailer idea - it goes with the handmade sustainable local ethos too! I don't think it will be happening here in Birmingham, England. The city centre is too bonkers...!

[TigersandDragons]

I've seen a couple bring their stock and display on a bike. It was a small sale, a 6 foot table. They brought a tabletop wire grid rack, and a couple of small jewellery busts, tablecloth, and glass bead jewellery.

[KimagineDesigns]

I've done some shows in Philadelphia where my "neighbors" came in a cab.

Fortunately, you're jewelry, so your biggest issue is going to be your display. Stay light and minimal, and bungee/strap things together. Get a cart if you can, strap everything nine ways to Sunday, and hop on the T!