It’s craft fair friday, my favorite day of the week, along with MDS Monday! And Sunday family fun day.
Did you get a chance to check out yesterday’s announcements about the new Color Renovation and FREE SHIPPING on April 6-8?? If not, check it out now!
What’s new in the crafting world? Well, for today’s post, I am concentrating on things to help you set up your display. Having a good looking, not too crowded, appealing display determines whether or not partons will stop by or keep on walking. I am listing some important elements and then will discuss them in detail.
Supplies:
- Table
- Black tablecloth or sheet
- Vendor Sign
- Catalogs, Seasonal Catalogs, Mailing List sign up Sheet, Monthly Specials, product samples
- Display for Catalogs
- Door prize forms on a clipboard, Door Prize box or bowl
- Price Signs
This is what works for me. Tailor your display to your product, maybe vintage pieces or bright fabric would better suit your craft’s theme. I generally use an 8 foot table and a smaller 6 foot table. The 8 foot holds sales items and my sign and the 6 foot table holds the catalogs, door prize and forms, mailing list, specials and a few outstanding cards that I want to display for purposes of booking parties.
I prefer to use a queen size black sheet because it covers the table better than any size tablecloth I have ever bought. I use safety pins to tack my Stampin’ sign to the front of my 8 foot table. Varying heights add depth and dimension to your table, so pick display items that add variety- think baskets, photo boxes, tiered store displays.
In this photo you see a crowded display. I put everything out for a day before trial run, then move things off the table and only put out selected products that I think will sell best for that event. Don’t set up your table like this- its overwhelming and VERY crowded. Patrons will be scared to touch and look at anything because they might bump other products or knock something over. Not people friendly. Spread stuff out and put some things away until you have room for it.
This photo shows the main sale table and the side table with Stampin’ information. Also, my vendor sign is BIG and easy to spot so EVERYONE knows what I am selling. Also, note that I am standing. It’s important to stand up and take genuine interest in your shoppers. Nothing looks worse than a seller hidden behind the table, seated, reading a book, not paying attention to the lovely people taking time to shop at the event. They will be scared to talk to you for fear of disturbing you from what you are doing. Don’t let it happen- be alert, friendly, and stand up to greet them. You can have a seat when there are no shoppers around.
Pricing: It is important to have your prices available to customers. I don’t want my customer to hunt for the price and then be shocked by it, so I display the price clearly. I used colored Card stock, with the item name and price printed. Laminating the signs is a good idea is you plan to do frequent shows.
Here is an example of using height, variability and practical pieces to display the products. It shows the use- a wine bottle tag, and you can see (barely) the price sign, right in front to the bottle, with the label “Wine tags $3”.
Catalog Display: I found this magazine basket at Pier 1 Imports and it fit my needs perfectly. I put large catalogs in the back, Seasonal in front and designer paper and fabric samples in the small front pockets. In front of that is the yellow door prize vase. I thought it added a little something to the display. Business cards are easily accessible for other vendors who want to network and place special orders. I have a ton of pens to fill out door prize forms and jot down party booking dates on the party postcards I use.
Another thing I have found to be helpful is the less is more theory. I keep inventory under the table in plastic under the bed bins. If a customer is looking for specific colors I can pull it from the bin and it keeps me from having an overcrowded table. As inventory sells, I straighten things up and add more product from under the table.
So here is a recap and a few other tips and tricks:
- Use a sheet, it’s bigger.
- Don’t overcrowd; you don’t have to put out everything!
- Have a door prize drawing and show what the prize is.
- Use different heights.
- Invest in a catalog/info display piece.
- Have business cards available.
- Stand up! Nothing looks worse than an uninterested seller.
- Talk to patrons, offer to help them find what they are looking for.
- Ask them if they have heard of your product.
- Ask them if they would be interested in ordering anything or getting together with friends for a free class.
- HAVE FUN!
Well, that’s the list. Those are my top tips on setting up a successful craft show display to attract patrons and engage them in your business. I really enjoy craft shows- it gives them the opportunity to buy local, get handmade gifts, book parties which will give them a creative outlet and fun with friends, and allows me to network with other vendors. It is a way to serve the community and make new friends.
Enough about craft fairs, I do want to show off a new card. It has been awhile since I have posted an actual card, something that is not digital.
It uses:
- Fabulous Phrases stamp set
- Twitterpated DSP
- Whisper White Card stock
- Crumb Cake CS
- Baja Breeze Ink
- Sponge
- Baja Breeze 3/8′ ribbon
- Rhinestones
- Dimensionals
- Big Shot
- Apothecary Accents Framelits
I cut a base card out of Whisper White card stock. I added a layer of Whisper White (4 x 5 1/4). I adhered the layer to the base. I cut 1 x 1 1/2 inch rectangles of Twitterpated DSP and spaced them evenly. I ran crumb cake paper through the Big Shot with framelits. I stamped the Fabulous Phrases sentiment in Baja Breeze and sponged the edges so it would stand out. I colored the rhinestones with a Sharpie! It works perfect. I tied ribbon across the card base and added the cut out with dimensionals on top. I love the simplicity. How CUTE!!
Lastly, if you missed the previous Craft Fair Friday posts, you can see them here:
Craft Fair Friday, Part 5: Fancy Flower Journals Tutorial
Craft Fair Friday, Part 4: Post-it Note Frame Holders Tutorial
Craft Fair Friday, Part 3: 3×3 Card Boxes
Craft Show Display Pictures
Craft Fair Friday, Part 2: Tiny Tags Tutorial
Craft Fair Friday, Part 1: Hand Sanitizer Purse Tutorial
Stampin' Fool 