Display Help

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure if this has been answered already, but I was wondering if someone could give me some ideas. I do craft shows outside and right now i have some jewelry displays (three tiered bracelet, 2 earring, 1 necklace and 2 feet). While I do try to make my table look nice with a table cloth I wish I could do more to draw people's eyes to my products. I've been thinking of adding height, but with limited money and places to store it when in my small apartment I'm at a loss. I think I need something that can both draw attention but fold up or stor my products when not in use. Any Suggestions???

[Former_Member]

Adding height is definitely the way to go. O.e suggestion i have is to find a smallish tree branch, clean off any leaves, attach it to a base, and use it to hang necklaces and bracelets. Another idea is to go to Home Depot or Lowes and usepiping to create a rack for necklaces. It will give your table an industrial feel. With the tree branch, you could saw the branches and twigs down short and put rings on it. Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

I don't sell jewelry, but I love the tree branch idea!

[Former_Member]

I use a 2 1/2' tall x 6' long picture frame. It's filled with foam core which is covered in burlap. It sits along the back edge of the table so busts can go in front of it. Makes an awesome display and fits perfectly behind the sofa when not in use. I also use antique books to add height to my display.

[Former_Member]

Heidi what do you display on there and do you stand it up or lie it down? I would think it would dwarf the bust in front of it.

[Former_Member]

I wrapped 2 small sturdy boxes with pretty rapping paper and then covered them carefully with contact paper so they would last a little while longer to put items on and to add height as well as something that is pleasant and brings peoples attention to my table..just a thought

[Former_Member]

I've been pondering the same thing.

I've used some old shoe boxes covered in plain paper that contrasts to my table cloth. Its only a little bit of height but the contrast is eye catching. The boxes are also handy for transporting it all around.

I like the idea of the framed foam core. Think I'll have a go at it for my next one :)

[Former_Member]

To be more exact, on the frame display, I used pink panther sheet foam insulation that's about 3/4 inch thick, then spray painted it before covering it with the burlap. I stand it up with the help of a heavy fireplace screen (it isn't trifold, it stands up on it's own feet) that I wire the frame to. Below is a link to a picture of my craft fair booth on pinterest which shows the frame.

https://pinterest.com/pin/221239400416837134/

If the link doesn't work, and you want to see it, just go to pinterest and look up user Heidi Beatty, then look for the board "jewelry I made". It's the first pin on that board. If THAT doesn't work, email me, and I will forward you the pic.

Angela, I don't think it dwarfs the busts at all, rather makes a backdrop for them. I have some pretty tall busts for long necklaces, but even if I didn't, like I said, it's more of a backdrop. More attractive than looking at the tent back anyway!

[BeatnikCanada]

Are you using a tent? I got mine at Tractor Supply. Drape the tent with soft colorful cloth or netting. I also hang a banner I painted myself on canvas.

[Former_Member]

Heidi:
That pic was very helpful and seeing how you filled it up helped alot too. I don't have many busts, only one to be exact, and the rest of my necklaces wind up lying on the table. Not very visable unless people come over and look.

Katrina:
I didn't last year. It was my first time doing craft shows and me and my husband couldn't really afford to get too involved. We were worried that it might not bring in too much, but it seems I make more doing craft shows than on etsy. I hope to get one this year since some of the shows I did got rained out and those that stayed with tents made money.

[Former_Member]

Heidi:
I just noticed the backdrop in your tent. I was wondering where you got that done?

[Former_Member]

Angela,

I still don't think the frame would overwhelm your display even if you don't have a lot of busts. Like I said, it ends up being a background.

I got my banner with VistaPrint- I think. It was a few years ago, so I'm not certain.

If you are looking for small busts, you can get a good deal on them on ebay if you buy like 10 of them at a time. For bigger busts, I would go to one of the etsy firemountain teams that allows you to order at the 200 item price. I don't think you can beat $8 or $9 for a 14 inch bust. But again check ebay.

As far as tents go, I have an EZ-Up and reccomend it. It seems to be what the majority of people have at the shows, and everyone I've talked to about tents likes theirs.

[ElectronicGirl]

you can check out my 4 sided rotating display i made. it was about $15 total to make.
check it out on my blog. works pretty well so far. just an idea.
i am very limited in space as well. ;)

http://www.electronicgirlgifts.com/blog.html

[Former_Member]

@Heidi - Love your booth! The "rusticness" of the burlap really makes your jewelry look sparkly and classy. Nice job!

@Angela - I was actually going to make Heidi's suggestion about a lined picture frame because I've seen similar things on Pinterest & intend to display mine that way!

[Former_Member]

Heidi:
Oh I didn't mean that your booth wasn't very visable, lol. No, mine isn't. Since I only have the one bust I lay out the rest of my necklaces on the table. Unless the customers walk over you can't see the items. I like your table.

Leonie:
I'm thinking about it too. I've seen display suggestions on pinterest where they use wooden creates from Michael's. They looked nice but would take up to much room.

[Former_Member]

What are you transporting & storing your display pieces in? Use it as a riser! Just tuck a piece of fabric/tablecloth/etc. over the top of it to pretty it up. You could use a decorative box, too, and then just use it without any covering.

Take a look at the photos on my facebook page - the wooden crates you see as part of the display hold the display contents in storage:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Misty-Manor-Mercers/108607859159341?ref=tn_tnmn

Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Without seeing how you layout your stall I can only guess as to weather conditions and preferences of your display
.
We sell predominately outside with a pergola (tent) in a very windy coastal area subject rain at the drop of a hat. We display with a high counter right at the front to catch light (see www.Facebook.com/waterdragonglassart) This does two things, keeps the little fingers off the display. (No parental control here) and adds the illusion of height (very important for the wow factor)

We also find light is crucial to the display as we use a lot of dichroic glass and sunlight sets it off like a fire.

To offset dark venues we use matchstick cane to lighten the counter background then highlight with white walls in the pergola draped in each corner to a triangle. Large Driftwood and shells create a seaside theme.

A fairly large vista print banner at the back with full details of our business and lots of hanging suncatchers at just above eye level around the frame and front of the pergola.

The actual counter display varies from time, but is usually a counter 900mm high and 700 deep and 3 metres wide with one tiered shelf about 100mm at the back with standing mirrors 500mm high and picture frames painted white with dark purple or deep blue velour over carpet underlay foam. The various small items are pinned to this using jewellers U pins.

We have found more sales happen when the items are displayed without attachments such as cords, tags and "fussy" trim to clutter the whole display.

As we sell OOAK glass art pieces we display them as ärt"not jewellery which entices the customer to look more deeply at the work and involves them more. We always try to put the item in their hand or at least interact in some way without being pushy.

When we box these up we use flat polyvinyl tubs with lid approximately 700 x 500 x 180
The 3 tables are completely collapsable steel and aluminium camping tables
that fold into a carry bag about 300 x 200 x 900 long.

This all fits into the boot and back seat of a small sedan with the pergola on roof racks. It is easy to transport and set up within 20-30 minutes.
Thid setup can also be modified very quickly for indoor venues as an L shape or 2.2 metre table setup.
Hope all this helps.

[Former_Member]

Here is a pic of my table at my very first craft show.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Liriels-Creations/330000107025834

Not much has changed except I had to add another earring display and a smaller table. The second table is a card table and so really doesn't line up with the other. When I transport my items it's normally in a cardboard box. I know it really screams professional. But right now I don't have the funds to buy much. In fact the table and chairs are from family. I'd like to have an earring display that can hold more so I don't have two. I liked some of the setups everyone has shown me. If I had more room in my apartment to house it all I would love to have half the stuff I've seen.

[Former_Member]

There are some great Flickr groups ( http://www.flickr.com ) full of craft show booth photos - they're wonderful for inspiration.

But definitely try and add some height to your display. I have used a small collapsible plastic shelf before that folded up small, and I have used crates that doubled as transportation items. Just cover them nicely in fabric to match your table cloth and it's an easy way to add interest to your display.

[HeartofOneCreations]

I use "under-the-bed" low height, long length containers (have used both cardboard and plastic) to transport my display materials & products. I empty them, put them on my tables with weights inside, cover with matching tablecloths and I have my risers for jewelry displays.

Regarding weights, which are always needed, I have a couple of heavy agate geode bookends and also heavy doorstops would work nicely inside boxes & containers on top of tables.

[Former_Member]

I keep my items in clear plastic totes from Home Depot. They measure 10" x 15" (I think). I have 2 matching table cloths. I cover the table with one cloth, empty my items onto the front half of the table, put the lids back on the tubs, line them up on the back half of the table and cover them with the second cloth. This way my table has two levels all along its length.

I then set up my table with some displays on the "upper" level and some on the table. Works great!

[PearlsAndPrim]

Do you all just drape fabric over your table or do you use actual table cloths? I have heard of people doing both

[PearlsAndPrim]

I have a about 3 ft tall metal mannequin dress form that is a really pretty dusty rose color.. I am going to make necklace cards out of a burlap color card stock and then I am going to get pretty clothespins and pin them to the mannequin.. it will add height and go with the theme I have.

[Former_Member]

I use actual table cloths. I have 2 of them in a dusty blue color. They each measure 14' long and are practically indestructible.

[Former_Member]

For my first two events, I just draped a sheet over my table for a tablecloth. I recently ordered some fitted, floor length tablecloths from http://www.linentablecloth.com/ and I'm really pleased with them. I found the site when they were having a sale for free shipping and something like 25% off.

edit: looks like they have a similar sale going on now through the 11th.