Everything You Need to Know About Being a Craft Fair Vendor (Part 1 of 3)

The Checklist

Ankara print microwavable bowl cozies that you can purchase at my very first craft show, Patchwork, as well as on my Etsy shop: Home Brewed Love.

Ankara print microwavable bowl cozies that you can purchase at my very first craft show, Patchwork, as well as on my Etsy shop: Home Brewed Love.

I sewed my first dress, an evening gown for my Barbie that I made out of one of my dad’s very expensive pocket squares, when I was 8-years-old.  But I didn’t sell my first handmade product until July 2016. I say all this to say that I’ve been making cool shit for years.  But the art of the sale is fairly new to me. 

So after just one year of having my own Etsy page, I thought it would be a good idea to try my hand at selling said cool shit at a craft fair.   I’m absolutely terrified, but I figured I’d document the whole thing and just pray it’s not an utter disaster.

So, being the uber organized person I am. I did a lot of research on having a successful craft fair experience. I also consulted those who came before me, the goddesses of swap meets, fairs and the like. So now I have a comprehensive checklist of must-haves and must-dos for all of my fellow fair newbies out there. The checklist is broken down into three categories: The Display, Logisticals (this is a word because I say so) and Personal Items.

The Display

  • Your products: It should go without saying, but you need stuff to sell.  The more you have, the better.  Better to have too much than not enough. 
  • Samples of your products to try on:  If you sell clothing, you don’t want people sticking their nasty body parts in all of the products and then potentially not buying them.  So have a few items to try on to keep your OCD in check.
  • A mirror:  This is also pertinent to wearable crafts, but not necessarily needed for other goods.
  • Signage and Pricing: Both signage and prices should be clear.  Pricing should be on EVERYTHING.  No one will ask you how much something is.  They’ll just walk on by.
  • Display Components: Tables, Peg walls, Rolling Racks…use your discretion when deciding how to display your goods.  We’ll talk about this more later.
  • Table Cover: You can use something as simple as a fitted twin sheet.  I actually created a burlap pleated cover because #craftninja
  • Banners: Display the name of your company or logo that represents you.  If you’re just starting out you may not have one, so just make one.  You’re a crafter…get to crafting.
  • Canopy: Very few fairs are inside.  So a canopy or umbrella will be necessary for shade from sun and cover from rain.  I’d also suggest investing in rain covers if you don’t have a canopy or umbrella that completely covers your goods.
  • Lights: If you are fortunate enough to be in an event space that has electricity, purchasing decorative lights can be a nice touch to finish off your display look.

Logisticals

  • Money: Change for cash, a calculator and a cash box or fanny pack.
  • Credit Card Machine: Not everyone carries cash.  The SquareUp is easy and free. The equipment is $0-$30.
  • Business cards: You may not sell much at the fair but you want those who do buy to come back.  And you want those who don’t, to possibly purchase later. Vistaprint or Moo are probs the top two business card companies.  I personally prefer Moo, but do what you will.
  • Emergency display kit: Pens, pencils, tape, hammer, pliers, box cutter, scissors, safety pins, tacks, twine, zip ties, extra price tags/stickers, extra signs, notebook, paper towels, spray cleaner and sewing notions
  • Mailing list sheet. 
  • Receipt or sales book. 
  • Order Form Book: Some shoppers may want to make custom orders.  TURN NO MAN AWAY!
  • Packaging materials: Bags for sales

Personal

  • Water and food: All Fairs have food.  But to save money and to save yourself the time way from your booth, just pack a lunch and a few snacks.  Throw it in a small cooler and keep it under your table.
  • Your Camera: You’ll want to document the event for your social media profiles.  
  • Appropriate dress for indoor and outdoor shows. Wear comfortable shoes and layers. 
  • A friend: You’ll need relief and you’ll need someone to talk to so you don’t go bonkers.
  • A chair: No one should stand for longer than 10 minutes…I firmly stand by this belief.
  • An Activity: There are always lulls and you’ll be bored as hell.  Bring some sudoku, a book to read, a scarf to knit…SOMETHING! 
  • Phone Charger: If you have electricity access, then you should be golden.  However, some fairs don’t provide that.  I have a portable charger for such situations. You can get then for about $30 and I find that they end to extend battery life for 2-3 additional hours.
  • Emergency tool kit:  band-aids, tampons, Ibuprofen, hand sanitizer, lotion, napkins.

Tips:

PRESENTATION: Offer a variety of items at a wide range of price points.  Have a lot available but don’t over crowd your table.

DON’T be pushy: Be available to your customers and engage with them.  But back off!  You’re selling crafts not used cars.

PACKAGING: Spending a little bit of money to offer quality packaging goes a long way in the professionalism of your brand. The packaging does not have to be expensive to be effective.

OFFER A FREE GIFT: You can offer a free gift with any purchase or set a total minimum spent to receive a free gift.  People LOVE free shit.

Decorating:

Design:

  • Color
  • Contrast
  • Humor
  • Lighting
  • Lines and Composition
  • Nostalgia
  • Scale
  • Repetition

Tips:

1.     Consider Your Transportation

2.     Hide Extra Merchandise

3.     Incorporate a Backdrop

4.     Make Every Inch Count

5.     Plan Your Workspace

6.     Remember Branding

7.     Research

8.     Think About Materials

Please join me at my very first craft show, this Sunday (November 12th) at the Marine Stadium in Long Beach!

Patchwork.jpg
DIYLo BrewerDIY, Crafts, Craft FairComment