Friday, March 25, 2011

Craft Show & Fair Displays - How to Set Up Your Booth - Ideas & Tips

Once you've booked a craft show to sell at the next thing on your list is to make a plan of your booth set up.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Table Size & Quantity. Once you are assigned a booth space, you will need to obtain tables. You may choose one large table or a few small tables to display different types of items. Keep in mind the size booth that you have as to not overcrowd or go over your allotted space.

2. Booth Organization & Presentation. Most likely the most important element of your craft booth. Proper organization will attract more customers to your booth when items are clearly presented. Many craft vendors tend to overcrowd their tables in hopes to get all of their items seen. However, this can have alternate effects. Spread a decorative sheet over your table, instead of leaving it bare. Instead of sprawling out your items on the table, keep them in a display case. Instead of laying out fabrics or clothing on a table, hang them individually on a portable clothing rack.

3. Advertise. Craft fairs are a great way to advertise your product and your business as a whole. You can make business cards ahead of time to add to shopping bags to when people purchase your product. Offer discounts and other services that might give you business after the craft fair. Some craft vendors may offer their crafts, which giving out flyers for sewing instruction. If you sell foods or baked goods, you can print out flyers for catering.

4. Maintain your stock. Before planning your product line for the craft fair, contact the event manager and ask for the expected number of attendees. Craft shows that have been around a while, will usually know this number. This will allow you to know how much stock you should bring with you. As debatable as it may seem, you will want to bring too much stock rather than too little, especially if you have paid for your time there and do not have the luxury of leaving early.

5. Product presentation. If you have never sold your crafts before, you will need to take this into special consideration. Making your products salable isn't just about display. You will need proper packaging for your customers when they buy your product. Instead of placing beads or individual piece items in a shopping bag, get individual containers or decorative packages for them to be safely kept in. A good idea may be to package them before selling so that your customers can take them right away. This also makes for a more presentable display booth when products are left out all of over your table.

6. Pricing. Whether you choose to display your prices or not, you may find it necessary to have a detailed list of your items' pricing. Remember, pricing is one of the main things that will attract customers to your booth. If pricing is not clearly displayed you may lose a considerable number of customers because of it. It also will mean that you may need spend extra time explaining to your customer's your pricing schedule. Setting up price boards next to your items, adding price tags to individual items, or even making price baskets and grouping all similar priced items together can be great ways of price displaying.

Here are a few display booths for craft vendors:

Image by spin spin    
Image by Urban Woodswalker

Image By Gavin Anderson     

Image by queen puff puff   
Image by urban farmgirl 

Image by Bree Bailey

Image by pommes king

Image by Bekathwia
Image by queen puff puff
Image by steevithak 
Image by Jacksonland 
Image by graymalkn
Image by Hello Craft
Image by Clownfish
Image by LynnWords

Thursday, March 24, 2011

24 items to sell at your local green market

Image by Popolon


Green markets are an inexpensive and profitable way to sell your handmade items to the local market. Here is a list of items that many people sell at green markets. Please note that the term "homemade" means any thing handmade by an individual or small business, not mass manufactured, distributed or retailed. Many states do not allow the sale of consumables made in a private residence. Please check your local laws.

Here are a few things people are selling at green markets these days:
  1. handmade soaps
  2. vinaigrette & salad dressing
  3. spices & oils
  4. jams & preserves
  5. cured meats
  6. homemade candy
  7. organic dog treats
  8. gourmet cheese
  9. specialty teas
  10. cupcakes
  11. specialty bread
  12. organic cleaning products
  13. re-purposed products
  14. BBQ sauce
  15. gourmet dips
  16. frozen soups
  17. specialty food kits
  18. kids food kits
  19. homemade wines/ciders
  20. meat pies
  21. hummus & bread packs
  22. soy candles
  23. essential oils
  24. homemade syrups

    Selling Your Products & Greenmarket & Farmer's Market Events

    Image by Popolon



    As a food crafter, one of the biggest hurdles is finding a venue to sell your items. Online and craft fairs may not be suitable when trying to sell consumables and food related items.

    Greenmarkets and Farmer's Markets are great venues for selling your handmade goods.

    Here are a few facts about selling at these venues:
    • Most are hosted by the city. This usually means you will have to pay a fee to the city, along with applicable licensing fees. Many only accept vendors that are licensed and insured.
    • Be keen for green. Many are moving toward a more green or organic theme and will only accept vendors that sell these types of products.
    • Seasonal. Most run from the months of October to May. If you choose to sell year round you will need to find another venue for the summer season.
    • Commitment required. Unlike flea markets and craft fairs, many require their vendors to pay upfront for the entire season. Attendance is often mandatory and absence could lead to loosing your spot at these markets.
    • Product selectivity. Depending on the market, there may be a restriction on what products you can and can't sell. This could be due to existing vendor conflicts, insurance issues, or simply market preference. Be sure to get a list of excluded items before registering.

    Friday, March 4, 2011

    SEATTLE WA 2011 MAGNOLIA SUMMER FEST ACCEPTING CRAFT VENDORS

    Image by Orin Zebest



    The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2011 Magnolia Summer Fest and is now accepting applications for it's craft booths on July 29th & 30th.

    Cost is $100.

    If you do not have a city of Seattle business license you can participate at a $5.00 per day ($10) additional fee.

    Visit their website and find their application here for more information.

    Links:

    2011 Magnolia Summerfest Craft Vendor Application
    Magnolia Chamber of Commerce

    BREVARD NC 2011 WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL NOW ACCEPTING CRAFT VENDORS

    Image by Orin Zebest


    The 2011 White Squirrel Festival is now accepting applications for craft vendors for the days of May 28th & 29th.

    For more information visit their website.


    Links:

    Heart of Brevard Craft Vendor Application White Squirrel Festival May 28 & 29, 2011

    Wednesday, March 2, 2011

    CITY OF MEMPHIS TN OCTOBER 2011 CRAFTS FAIR NOW ACCEPTING VENDORS

    Image By Orin Zebest


    The 39th Annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair at Audubon Park is now accepting applications for their Oct 6-9th events.

    The fair has categories for its vendors which include Juried Fine Arts, Juried Traditional, Culinary crafts and Demonstrating Crafts. Commercial food vendors may apply.

    The application deadline is March 31, 2011 and requires an application fee along with booth space fees.


    For more information visit the Pink Palace Family of Museums website.

    View the application form and fair rules here.

    Links:


    Events and Programs - The Museum - Pink Palace Family of Museums
    2011 Pink Palace Crafts Fair Fine Craft & Traditional Application

    2011 SOUTH HAVEN MI CRAFT FAIRS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

    Image by Orin Zebest


    If you're in the are of South Haven Michigan, you can apply to become a vendor for the 2011 Blueberry Craft Fair and the All Craft Fair.

    Dates are August 13-14th and September 3-4th respectively. The fairs run from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and  from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. They will be held at the Stanley Johnston Park.

    For more information visit South Haven's website

    Links:
    South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce: 2011 Craft Fairs Open For Application .

    .