How do you prepare for a craft show?

[Former_Member]

I just dived into the world of crafty work and I've never sold at a craft show or anything before. There's going to be one in the next town over two weeks from now and it's a great price for the spot. Someone wants to share a booth which makes the deal even sweeter. I really want to get my name out there, but I'm deathly afraid of taking this leap! I don't think I'm prepared...

I only have 9 items up in my shop, all of which I would take to the show. I'm working on a series which would be 6 more dolls but I don't know if that'd even sell at the show or if I should just keep them for the shop. I've got a dozen or so holiday plush cut out and ready to be sewn up that I could take and I could try working on the new item that I want to release into the shop, it's just...super soon and fast.

Can anyone give me some advice? Should I take this leap? Should I hold off until I have more product already made? How does one even get ready for a craft show?

Sorry if I sound like such a newbie but it's because I am. I love what I'm doing, I just don't know everything I need to yet ;-) Especially regarding craft fairs...

[Former_Member]

Your shop has adorable items! I'd like to hear what others have to say about craft shows. I only did one over the holidays and I already had my products made and ready to go ;)

[Former_Member]

Hi there,

I have some links that may be helpful for you.. I just started getting into more craft shows so right now i am trying to think about how my booth should look for the next show. Within these links there is a great checklist and then booth ideas.

twiddlebugzdesignz.blogspot.com/2009/06/some-booth-display-ideaspar...

twiddlebugzdesignz.blogspot.com/2009/06/booth-display-ideaspart-2.html

naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/marketing-campaign-for-cr...


treasurevalleyartistsalliance.org/Documents/Market%20Supply%20Check...

treasurevalleyartistsalliance.org/Documents/Market%20Survival%20Tip...

www.google.com/search?q=craft+fair+booth+ideas&hl=en&client=safari&...

www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=craft+fair+booth&m=text

Good luck!!! I hope you do well.
Jamie

[Former_Member]

I'm new to Etsy too, and I also just jumped into the world of craft fairs myself. I had to ask a few questions of myself before I started:
1. Can you afford the booth rent even if you don't sell a single thing?
2. If you're showing the same items at the fair as here, if someone bought an item that you sold at the fair on your Etsy shop while you were at the fair, would you have enought time to fill that online order too?
3. Are you prepared to spend the entire day there (whether you don't sell at all or sell out at 11am)? Many shows have a requirement that you keep your booth open for the whole thing regardless.

If you answer yes to all those questions, then it can't possibly hurt. Bring business cards, get your name out there, and take time to enjoy the show and talk to other crafters. I learned more in the 8 hours there than in the weeks of research I'd done before my first show. Good luck.

[Former_Member]

I would definitely go! When I first started I went to a craft market for a full month and barely broke even but it was such a good experience it inspired me to label all my stuff finish off unfinished work and I got such a great reception from people to my work it was great. I think that Kravynaturals criteria are bang on point as well Have fun!

[Former_Member]

Go for it! I wrote a blog post a while back for a friend of mine who was doing her first craft show (she is now doing them quite frequently and successfully, I think). Here it is:

Four tips for a successful craft show: http://www.blog.sacredsuds.com/?p=251

There are more tips and resources in the comments as well. Hope it helps you out!

xo,
Andrea

[Julez7JewelzCabochon]

Yep, it's hard to know when you're ready, but if you never take that leap you'll stay in the same spot!
Less can be more, somehow make your displays show off your few pieces as representative of your work. Maybe you can have more things like literature that people can take with them.
Definitely business cards for sure. Make sure people can find you after the show so send everyone off with some snazzy fun info. Set up a table at home and practice your booth set up.

Use table leg extenders!

They are so amazing, and people love not having to bend over. Half the time I think I should make a bunch and sell THEM at shows since hardly anyone has them.

Good luck, and just have fun.

[JenlynnStudios]

Thank you so much for asking this HappinessAbounds, I am thinking of getting my feet wet with craft shows too and am not sure where to start.

Thanks for posting all of the links JamiesDesigns! And thanks everyone for all of the great tips, I'll keep checking in to see what else I can learn :)

Good luck HappinessAbounds, let us know how it goes!

[Former_Member]

Nadia, I love your owls!!

Thanks for all the links and help gals (and possibly guys)! I really appreciate it, especially the support. I've decided that this show just won't work for me. I don't have transportation to it (next town over and hubby needs the car for work), I don't have the tables/canopy/cash box for it, and it's REALLY soon and I don't know how much extra I could make before the show. However, I've got my eye on a few shows down the road that I might jump onboard for. Hopefully I'll have what I need by then!

Krayv, I thought you could simply go into your "currently for sale" list, "edit" the item, and choose for it not to be displayed as you edit. That way your item CAN'T sell online and at the fair. Or you could just go on vacation for that one day (saying in the vacation announcement that you're at a show and will be back tomorrow) which would also disable your listings from being sold while you're out. Most of my plush are OoaKies so no, I wouldn't be able to make two if something happened by accident. Thus the caution of having them listed and at the fair at the same time ;-)

[Julez7JewelzCabochon]

Search Craigslist for folding tables. Here they are few and far between. It's a gamble between the lighter folding tables for ease and the heavier say wood veneer ones that will not blow away as easily if a storm pops up out of nowhere which they often do! A lot of places don't require a canopy, but you will appreciate it, and so will your customers if it gets super hot out. Cash box can just be a fanny pack.. I KNOW I said fanny pack. They are lame, but really convenient. you don't have to wad up your money, and you don't worry about leaving it for two minutes while you go talk to someone on the other side of your booth.
Yep, I would say wait until you have all the right gear though, it really makes a difference in whether people will stop or not if things look barren and thrown together. (in my opinion from what I've seen)

[Former_Member]

http://www.handmadeology.com/the-ultimate-craft-show-preparation-link-list/

This is uber helpful!