2020 and the first part of 2021 have been an emotional rollercoaster ride due to Covid-19 and restrictions on in-person gatherings. This has hit handmade sellers especially hard since most of the events we rely on for our sales were cancelled or postponed, BUT as of March 2021, it feels like things may be getting back to normal and events will be or are happening again soon! YAY!

With that in mind, we asked the experts in the Handmade Nashville Facebook group for their first time craft show tips to help show craft show newbies set up and be successful in their first ever craft show.

CRAFT SHOW TIP #1: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

We like to plan our booth layout before we get anywhere near the day of our first craft show of the season. 

Find out how big your booth space will be then create a mockup of your tables and other equipment that you plan to bring. Ask a friend or family member to take a look at it through fresh eyes and tweak the layout.

There are many options for booth layouts (hint: check Pinterest!), but make sure that visitors can freely come in and out of the booth and that they can see you when they walk in. Don’t cram so much stuff into your booth that you end up hidden behind shelves or tables! Potential buyers at craft shows almost always want to see the maker. They might wander off quickly to look at something else that catches their attention if they can’t find someone to answer their questions!

Also: two words…TENT WEIGHTS!

CRAFT SHOW TIP #2: PLAN YOUR BOOTH FOR EYE LEVEL

“Stack it high and watch it fly”

Plan your booth so that items are at eye level or higher! Use shelves, display stands, or hang items on your tent to create an eye-catching display!

You don’t literally want your stuff to fly though, so this is where the TENT WEIGHTS are going to come in useful! Many’s the time we’ve seen vendor tents flying through the air like an oversized kite and it’s definitely not as fun as it sounds!

Bed Risers

Yes – those plastic thingamabobs that go under the legs of a bed to lift it higher off the ground! Believe it or not you can put them under your table legs to elevate your table closer to eye level…bonus: shoppers don’t have to bend so far to take a closer look at your products!

A set of bed risers are fairly cheap, don’t weigh a lot and they are stackable so they don’t take up much room in your craft show kit (more on that later). Use the risers with a plain tablecloth to transform a cheap foldable table into an attractive and practical craft show staple!

We found these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-STO-01136-Stackable-Square-Risers/dp/B0085T88VQ/

Director’s Chair or Bar Stool

Hopefully you’ll be so busy that you won’t have much time to sit down, but if you do, our seasoned show pros recommend a director’s chair with longer legs or a barstool. This has two benefits: firstly you’re at eye height for people coming into your booth and secondly it’s easier to get in and out of than a regular folding camp chair! Your knees and back will thank you!

This 30″ director’s chair is from Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/24-Inch-Director-s-Chair/14690476?selected=true

CRAFT SHOW TIP #3: SET UP A CRAFT SHOW “GO BAG” OR KIT

If you’re planning on doing more than one show, we recommend setting up a ‘go bag’ of things that you will need during setup, take down or during the show itself.

Suggestions from our experienced vendors include: tape, clothespins, paper, pens, scissors, mini stapler, cable ties, battery-operated lighting, paper, pens, hammers, scissors, an extra tablecloth, backup phone battery, bottled water, sunblock, insect repellent, string, spare change, and an item that you can work on during the show to keep yourself busy!

Keep the items in a sturdy shopping tote or a small bin with a handle. Make sure you put all of the items back into it during the day in case you need to pack up in a hurry at the end of the day.

CRAFT SHOW TIP #4: HAVE A WAY TO TAKE PAYMENTS AND GIVE CHANGE

More and more people are using credit cards at shows – especially since the pandemic. Make sure you’re set up to take electronic payments through Square, Paypal etc and TEST that your card reader and app both work before the day of the show! Many show locations don’t have wifi, so you’ll have to use your cellphone data to take the payments.

Some people still use good old fashioned cash and you’ll need a stash of coins and small bills in case you need to make change for these adorable cash only folks. In case you have forgotten how, you can get these physical money items from a place called “The Bank”!

CRAFT SHOW TIP # 5: KNOW WHERE YOUR CAR KEYS ARE AT ALL TIMES!

Trust us, craft show set up can be intense. You will probably shove your car keys into a pocket or bag only to forget and panic hours later when you can’t find them!

You could make or buy a craft show belt with pockets for your phone and keys, but an easier method of keeping track of your keys involves a simple carabiner clip. Just attach your keys to some part of your person (belt, bra strap etc) or your show “go bag”!

CRAFT SHOW TIP #6: BE FRIENDLY

Our pro craft show vendors recommend being friendly, but not too “in your face”. Greet everyone that comes into your booth, but don’t overwhelm them with information. If you’re shy, one of our vendors Elizabeth recommends roping in a chatty relative to keep the conversation going with potential customers!

In the same vein, offer something that grabs children’s attention like candy or stickers. Don’t panic if a child wanders into your booth, more than likely a parent isn’t too far behind!

Some experienced sellers also provide water bowls for pets since many craft shows take place outdoors in dog-friendly parks or other locations where potential customers may bring their beloved furbabies.

CRAFT SHOW TIP #7: MAKE A “DEMO TRAY”

Group member Jill brings along a demo tray to events. She makes polymer clay art and visitors to her booth love to see how it’s made. It’s a great conversation starter and often leads to sales!

CRAFT SHOW TIP #8: ENJOY THE DAY!

Craft shows are fun and they are a great way to mix and mingle with neighbors and new people while talking about handmade crafts all day – what better way to spend a Saturday?

Come and see us at our craft show!

We’re hosting a socially distanced craft show in Bellevue, TN on May 8, 2021. Come check it out as a shopper or apply to be a vendor – we’d love to help you through your first ever craft show!

Still Got Questions?

Join our Facebook group and ask!

THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to the following Handmade Nashville group members for their tips and tricks on setting up for a craft show: Amanda M, Tommy E, Paula W, Leilah A, Michelle I, Lisa F, Aubrey A, Jennifer B, Elizabeth W, Rebecca K, Sandy R, Jill S, and Mary C!