Craft Fair Display Set Ups

Frustration... a word that would not even begin to express how I felt trying to find videos, google images and even going to actual craft shows just to find the right set up for me.  It seemed more people focused on their actual crafts when doing tutorials on "setting up for a craft show" rather than actually setting up for a craft show.  

If you are going to set up for a craft show and do a YouTube tutorial on it, do not emphasize on everything else but what it is you should be focusing on.  One of my goals is to create a video on how to set it up.  After my experience in just trying to put up the tent, I realize that these tutorials are truly needed.  The worse thing to do is to try to set up for a craft show and not know what you are doing.  Thank god this has not happened to me because I am truly trying to do ALL of my homework first before getting involved.  

For starters, your displays for your crafts should be portable.  Anything that can easily be set up and dismantled is the way to go.  You should not have a set up that takes too much time to set up or that takes 10 people just to carry it in,  You will already have boxes filled with your merchandise so you do not need anything bulky that will take up more space than needed.  

This is what I recommend, keep in mind that my set up may be different from what your needs are because the items sold may be different... utilize your space.  Do not fill it with big tables and or multiple open boxes for people to rummage through.  Aesthetics is everything... when you are setting something up keep your atmosphere in mind, who are you catering too, what is the traffic flow going to be like, what do you have that will call the attention to someone who may simply be passing by.  Place the most eye catching color items in the most prominent spaces in your area.  The main objective is to gain the attention of your buyer.  Try not to overwhelm the space and if you do make sure that it is done in a way that is not too busy and make it flow.  

If you are going to have many items make sure your display cases, grid wires and or table all match in some way.  Too many different types of bins, boxes, table clothes, etc. will deter your buyer from coming in.  If you seem to be all over the place, people will not feel as though you are organized enough and maybe even feel too overwhelmed with your environment to even want to come to your booth.  Make sure you make signs for all your items... List the item to be sold and the price.  Try to elevate some of your items.  Having things on different eye levels is appealing.  When everything is laid flat there is a chance your one of a kind beautiful item you worked so hard on will be missed, all because it was not displayed correctly.  Color is important.  

When I purchased my display items, I bought everything in white and that includes my tent.  The added color comes in with the signs, and particular stand out merchandise as well as my tablecloth. Too much white or too much of any color is boring.  I plan on adding butterflies on my grid shelves just add that splash of color.  

Again.., I stress... I do not purchase anything without it being a great deal.  I finally found a store supply site that worked for me and I love it.  Not only were the prices great but the customer service was amazing from beginning to the end and I actually look forward to ordering other items from them more so because the service was amazing.  

People want to work with great people and friendly people.  Remember that when you are selling.  

I purchased many items such as the zebra plastic bags.  It may sound funny but think of it this way... would you rather give your customer a regular white plastic bag or thank you bag or a bag that they will remember?  Think about that.  It is something so simple but you provided them with something that they were not getting in any of the other vendor booths.  You stand out and even with people walking in the vendor areas.  When your happy customers leave with the bag, other potential buyers will see them and wonder what it is and because the bag is so different they will look for the booth with that particular bag.  It stands out from the crowd and because of that you would get more buyers.  Be unique, it is something simple but makes a huge impact on your sales as well as your audience.  

 

I also purchased the grid standing unit with matching accessories.  It was the best thing because the grid you can utilize on both sides (front and back).  You can add as many peg hooks, shelves and/or baskets as you can fit and works for you.  Remember if you have to add a lot of items do it so it is pleasing to the eye.  Everything has to flow.  The reason why I purchased the grid unit is because it allows me to display many items in a small space and most of your craft area is a 10' x 10' grid so you have to use all your space wisely.  If you use your space with just tables you are just taking up too much room and the traffic jam within your space will deter other buyers from coming in not because you have many people in your space but because the space is so minimal for them to walk through they will not want to bother coming in.  

If you are selling cards, this is the best purchase you can make.  I bought it and I love it and saves so much space.  Every time I go to a craft show, I see card shows laying out every where and most of the time they are laid flat.  When I go it is not to purchase anything but to see the set up and the way in which the merchandise is being displayed.  Most of the time, it just doesn't seem to flow and sometimes people are afraid to start moving merchandise to go through it especially after you have set it up so nice.  Using this floor card holder works because they take the cards out and put them back and not worry if they are making a mess.  They can freely look through the rack without any worries from the seller.  Believe me your customers know that look sellers make when the potential customer is making a mess. 

If you really want to utilize your table space and add eye level you can use a grid unit which can be assembled to match your needs. The way it is set up in the picture would be too big to put on your table.  You literally build it from to fit your needs.  

Once I have everything ready to sell, etc.  I will provide you with an update to this blog by adding video tutorial and/or pictures as well as give you the status on how things went.  

Store Supply Warehouse has a catalog you can refer to.  The website is www.storesupply.com.  I want to make this very clear... every time I add a link does not mean I am working with the store or am getting any type of discount, etc.  If I like something and I feel it is great and works for me on a monetary level as well as a business aspect, I will post it because that is what I want this blog to be about.  I want to be able to get good deals for you, honest feedback from you, provide you with great tutorials and or important information and be of service to those who feel as I have... frustration all because you are in search of something and just can't find exactly what you need.  I do not want you to have to go through 101 different sites just to find what you need.  If you can't find something, ask me, my goal is to help my followers.  

I truly hope I have helped you in some way.  I know I do not have many photos up but the context I believe should be very helpful to you and if I am missing something, please let me know and I will update with more information.