Preparing For Art and Craft Show Success

Preparing For Art & Craft Show Success

volume 5
Meylah’s eBook Series for Artisans
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Table of Contents free eBook series

Preparing For Art & Craft Prepping for Your Next
Show Success Art & Craft Fair
Introduction Chapter 2
Things to Consider How to Set Up a Booth that
When Applying for Customers Can’t Resist
an Art & Craft Show Chapter 3
Chapter 1

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Introduction by Courtney Dirks
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Venturing out beyond the online world to sell your wares
at art and craft shows can be quite intimidating for many
folks! It takes planning, money, time, confidence, and
much more. We want to prepare you with the right tools
and resources to make your art and craft show debut
a huge success!
In this eBook, we will cover several topics related
to vending at art and craft shows, like what you should
consider when you’re submitting applications, deciding
on the items you need to pack and how to set up your
booth that customers can’t resist.
If you apply these tips to your art and craft show strategy,
you will definitely be on your way to succeeding at your
next show!

Photo credit: dani 9 to 5


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Chapter 1 by Courtney Dirks
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Urban Craft Uprising that will set you on the right track
as you submit applications for shows:
Follow The Directions: You may be thinking “No Duh,”
but it’s amazing how many people don’t follow the
instructions for submitting an application. Examples
of this would be or submitting more images than
the maximum they have allotted or not naming your
images per the naming conventions that the show has
requested. When submitting an application, just do what
they ask in terms of instructions and don’t stray! Be
sensitive to the fact that they are reviewing sometimes
hundreds upon hundreds of applications and thousands
of images. They’ve set guidelines to make the jurying
process easier, so if you follow those guidelines, you’re
making their lives easier.
Don’t Rush: Avoid silly mistakes. Review your
Photo credit: Patti Haskins application thoroughly before submitting it, check for
typos, grammatical errors, and thoroughness. If you
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about the best practices slack in your application, it may be an indication that
of how to apply for juried art and craft shows. Here’s a you’ll slack at the show!
recap of the lessons I was taught by show organizers of


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Submit Great Pictures: This is CRITICAL. Great pictures While staying within the parameters of the show's
are the key to getting into a show. If you sell a variety application, it’s okay to show a little personality. Perhaps
of different products, try to capture that within your spice up your artist bio with an interesting tidbit or
allotted amount of images, but make sure that the talk about your passion for what you make rather than
pictures you submit are quality shots! When a jury simply stating, “Hi, I’m so-and-so and I make X." You're
committee sits down to review applications for a show, extra effort will set you apart on your application.
they won’t have time to seek out your website or your
Don’t Get Overconfident: If you made the show in
Flickr site to explore your work. The jury’s decision is
previous years, that doesn’t mean you are automatically
based exclusively off the images that you submit so
in this time around. Try to approach each application as
keep that in the back of your mind when you’re selecting
if it was the first application you've ever submitted and
your images. You also may want to get a second opinion
put your best effort into it.
when you’re narrowing down which images you think
are best, two minds are better than one! Be Patient: No one likes a nag. Give the event organizers
a break and don’t pester them wanting to know when
Don't Be A Bore: If you’re applying for the same show
the accepted applicants will be announced or other nitty
year after year, submit different pictures than the ones
gritty details of the event. If the show has a website,
used in previous years. Event organizers want to see
check there to see if your questions have already been
your latest work, if you’ve introduced new materials or
answered through the information provided on the site
designs to your repertoire, show them!
before reaching out to the organizers. If the information
Be Unique: Even if you make a common product, try to you’re looking for is not available, send a kind (but not
be unique somehow to set you apart from the crowd. pushy) email with your inquiry.


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Cut To The Chase: Be considerate, but brief if you
have questions for the organizers. If you have multiple
questions, try to gather them into one correspondence
rather than sending various inquiries. Be sensitive to their
time, you’re not the only one submitting an application!
Last but not least, if you’re feeling nervous about
submitting an application to a craft show, just go for
and don’t look back!

Related Articles
– Preventing Pet Peeves at Art & Craft Shows
– Communicate, Help, & Interact at Shows
– Two Simple Routines You Should Consider While Vending
at a Craft Show


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of preparation to do and many items to bring along?
Even seasoned pros forget the essentials from time to
time, so "making a list and checkin’ it twice" is a handy
habit for you to get into before you leave for an event
to avoid scrambling at the last minute for something
you’ve left behind.
Here's an initial list to help you prepare for your next
event, which you can adjust as needed to fit your needs:
• Packaging: Bags, Tissue Paper, Bubble Wrap,
Product Tags
• Cash: Make sure to have small bills ($1's, $5's & 10's)
• Money Box or Waist Apron
• Credit Card Machine: Or another mobile
payment solution

Photo credit: Courtney Dirks • Laptop: A laptop to track inventory and manage your
sales real-time
Are you participating as a vendor in any upcoming
• Any Display Items: Boxes for vertical displays, stands,
art festivals or craft fairs? If you’re preparing to vend
hanging racks with hooks
at an upcoming event, it’s likely that you have a lot


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• Tent or Canopy: If necessary and not already included • Garbage Sacks
in the cost of the event
• Mirror(s): Stand alone or handheld if your items
• Display Table(s) and Tablecloth(s): If necessary and can be worn
not already included in the cost of the event
• Your Products & Inventory List: Make sure you have
• Chair(s) enough stock to sell
• Guest Log: It’s nice to have a good quality notebook • Copy of your Business License
for people to provide their email addresses for
• The Name and Phone Number of the Event Organizer
you to gather their info for future promotions
& product updates • Paper Towels & Glass/Surface Cleaner
• Signage or Banner • Food and Drinks: Snacks are best, things that you can
easily set down or hide if a customer walks up (a small
• Store Policies Sign: For example, cash or check only,
cooler works well)
sorry no refunds or returns
• Sanitary Wipes: If you are selling jewelry, sanitary
• Small Box of Office Supplies: Scratchpad/notebook,
wipes or rubbing alcohol with wipes to clean off any
pens/pencils, calculator, small stapler, scotch tape
items someone may have tried on
• Receipt Book
• Additional Lighting: If you are working indoors,
• Tools: Basic set of tools such as a Leatherman, consider if you will need additional lighting and if
hammer, pliers, duct tape, screwdriver there are electrical outlets for you to use


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• Camera: If necessary, you can take pictures of your worn, make sure to include them as part of your attire
displays and use the images to promote your so that people can see what they look like on you!
events online
Related Articles
It’s a great idea to confirm which items are already
provided at the event you’re attending so you don't – How to Dress for Creative Success
have to pack duplicates. This list will get you on track to
– Helping a Newbie with Their First Art or Craft Show
identify the items you can’t live without when you head
out for your next event!
And, for those of you like me that like to check-off your
list, here is a printable version of this list to download
and print.
And finally, let's not forget about your attire for the
event. First and foremost, wear comfortable shoes &
comfortable clothes, but nothing too sloppy! If you
are working outside, wear layers so you can adjust
accordingly. Consider the weather and temperature. If
it’s cold, consider throwing in a blanket, gloves, and a
hat. If it’s hot, throw in some sunscreen and a cap. Also,
you may want to throw in a backup outfit just in case.
Last but not least, if you are selling items that can be


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Chapter 3 by Dionne Christiansen
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At a craft show, appearances ARE important and how
your booth is set up can have a direct impact on your
sales. Great products can lose their appeal if they're
surrounded by a poorly-designed display, so think about
setting up a booth or table that makes people look and
keeps them browsing.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your
craft show display:
Research: Before anything, do your research (reading
this eBook is a great first step!). You can browse various
Flickr craft show groups for inspiration (here are three
examples of craft show displays), visit local craft shows,
and get staging ideas from your favorite magazines. In
addition, you can ask the experts by posing questions
online or ask experienced crafters for their craft show
ideas and advice.
Photo credit: Orin Zebest Theme: Having a theme to your booth reinforces
your brand. For example, if you sell linens, you could
Are you about to take the leap into your first craft show?
use vintage wire laundry baskets from a thrift store
Got the goods, but don’t know how to display them?
to display some of your items, or an old-fashioned


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Chapter 3 by Dionne Christiansen
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washboard as a display holder for your business cards. make people remember your name. Another important
It’s great to have functional props, so try and choose tip: Just like when they're shopping at a retail store,
ones that can be used as levels or stands – you’ll be people want to know prices. It can be a turn-off for
killing two birds with one stone! them to have to ask you how much everything costs
(what if you're busy with another customer?), so label
Color: When planning your displays, choose colors
each item clearly.
that make your products pop. You don't want your
items to be washed out by a color that's too bold, or Keep it Subtle: Your displays should never outshine your
overwhelmed by busy patterns. Also, keep your theme product; they are there to make your product stand out.
and brand in mind when choosing colors. Think about the Even if you come up with the most beautiful, elaborate
mood you want to create when people visit your booth. display in the world – it’s of no use if people spend all
Think about the moods created by different colors. their time admiring your display, and don’t even notice
your products.
Levels: Include interesting levels and depth in your
displays to draw people into your booth. From far
Related Articles
away, your booth will look empty and uninviting if
your products are all lying horizontally (and facing the – Tips and Pics on Building Great Booth Displays
ceiling) on the table. Set them up to face the customer! for your Craft
If your booth turns people's heads from a distance, their
– Sarah Early’s Helpful Tips for Running a Successful Booth
feet are sure to follow.
– Tips for Running a Successful Art or Craft Booth: Part 2
Signage: Make sure you have a clear sign showing your
store name. Make it interesting and unique – anything to


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Contributors
Courtney Dirks, a recent escapee Dionne Christiansen is a graphic
of the corporate world with a designer and wedding planner based
background in commercial real in Houston, Texas. She enjoys cooking
estate, communications, and sales. and baking for her friends and family,
She began alleviating her stress at dabbles a little in photography and is
work through creating handmade an Australian native. She is the face
jewelry for Courtney Rian Designs. behind City of Dionne and writes at
After bouncing around the west coast her blog Notes From Dionne.
for years, she settled in Seattle and
has found great joy traveling, playing
sports and interacting with the local
creative community

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Benefits of Meylah Our Values
1. Build your brand and share the • Be Committed to Helping Each
story of their work through a Other
personalized blog
• Live and Breathe Creativity
2. Sell your products and services
• Smile and Have Fun
with a customized storefront
• Show Passion in All That You Do
3. Connect and build their community
and customer base through • Give Before You Take
integrated social media channels
• Together We Create a Great
4. Share or sell your knowledge with Experience
Photo credit: Kalyan Kanuri
an online tutorial creation tool
• Foster Dynamic Learning
called Byte-Syze Learning
About Meylah • Be Humble and Honest
Meylah provides artisans with 5. Effectively manage your business
their own ecommerce website and all-in-one-place with innovative • Do More with Less
powerful tools so they can sell their administration tools
• Embrace Change
products anytime, anyplace...easily.

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License Warning and Disclaimer
This work is licensed under the Every effort has been made to
Creative Commons Attribution Non- make this book as complete and as
commercial No Derivative Works accurate as possible, but no warranty
3.0 United States License. To view of fitness is implied. The information
a copy of this license, visit http:// provided is on an “as is” basis. The
creativecommons.org/licenses/ authors shall have neither liability nor
byncnd/3.0/us/ or send a letter responsibility to any person or entity
to Creative Commons, 171 Second with respect to loss or damages
Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, arising from the information
California, 94105, USA contained in this eBook.

Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book
that are known to be trademarks
or service marks have been
appropriately capitalized. Use of
a term in this book should not be
regarded as affecting the validity of
any trademark or service mark.

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– Post to Twitter
– Share on Facebook

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