Craft Fair/Show displays

[Lou Ann]

This display was made out of white plastic lattice they sell in home stores like Lowe's and Home Dept. there are 4 small hinges that hold the two sections together and the bottom pieces are the actual end cap for the lattice -- this is very lightweight and as you can see I use 3 sides of it...

[Lou Ann]

These are the stands I use on my table...

The taller 2 clear acrylic stands come from National Art Craft, the short one we can no longer find; the other stands are sold as plate stands at "craft" stores here in the States (ie. Michael's, Hobby Lobby, A.C. Moore)

I've also included a pic from one of my shows to give an idea of how these stands look on the table...  the larger items in the back are on the metal easels and the rest were on the acrylic stands.

[Lou Ann]

I saw this display at a fair -- it is made out of the metal shelving -- my thought is instead of putting 3 together like she did, I would lash 4 together and it would stand on its own -- again you would be able to use 3 sides... -- I think Scooch uses something similar to what I plan to make...

[Lou Ann]

I bought this ornament tree dirt cheap off ebay and I use it for Christmas ornaments, I hang 1 each of what is available on the stand and have the others in a basket under the table and sell from the basket...

It stands about 21" high so it is not too tall on the table

[Lou Ann]

I would also caution anyone just starting to do fairs to find out what the fair(s) you are planning to do allow -- would hate to spend money on something only to be told it can't be used

most of the ones I've done here want pictures of your display and have to preapprove the "equipment" you use -- some are concerned with looks while others are concerned with the damage it could do to their floor

fortunately for me they are smaller fairs and tend to approve most things

all of the ones I've done have required the table covering to touch the floor in front because they don't want to see the mess that you have underneath and they have also not allowed storage boxes in the back of the booth unless you have prior approval (I know of a lady who sells soaps and she has a real nice storage unit that they are all in and they let her have hers behind the table)

another thing to consider if you have access to a laptop is to create a slideshow of your work and have it running on the edge of the table -- that drew a lot of interest to my table the last couple of fairs that I used it at...

also gave me ready access to my patterns for those people who asked if I did commissions or if I could do something specific...

[nansea121]

Excellent idea about bringing a laptop! Folks love to be entertained. It's a good vehicle to show off what isn't with you at the show. For example, repairs that you've done, details on how certain work was done, seeing things in their setting, like garden stakes, house number plates or wind chimes to name but a few. You many not sell too many larger pieces, but if folks can see what you're capable of doing, you're sure to land some commissioned work:)
Another thing to consider is if you bring lamps, night lights, ect. to sell, make sure you have access to the electrics.

Nice thread:)

[Lou Ann]

Good point Nancy about the electricity... also expect to pay more for it. I've paid anywhere from $5 to $15 to have it and with my fan lamps it is worth it...

[ct4mom]

Yes electricity is a must if you have fan lamps and nite lights. The show I did did not have it where I was and I brought my fan lamps and  its hard to sell without it.

[annabelle]

Here is a shot of my booth at a local art/craft event.    Also, I use the plate type stants for some things.  I have a 3 section folding thing I display angels on, and a tiered plexiglass piece I drape for lifting things off the table .  I also found some iron trees at a flea market that I use sometimes to hand small things.  And covering the tables is not a problem...Black fabric is great.....or white...or blue....or gold....cheap satin shows the stuff off really well....and you can throw it in the washer.
  If it is not wide enough to go all the way to the floor/ground, just stitch 2 lengths together down the middle.
annabelle

[Scooch]

One thing about the racks made from shelving.  They are fairly narrow and are, therefore, somewhat unstable.  I mount them on a piece of plywood on the ground.  They attach to the wood using eyehooks in the wood and zip ties.  I then put bricks on the wood in the middle of the stand.  This make them very sturdy.

[JoanFrances]

The one thing to keep in mind when preparing for a show that will be outside, be prepared for what ever the weather can throw at you.  Bring as many things as possible to make sure you're display will not fall victim to the unthinkable.  I was at one show that was sooooooo windy that several crafters lost hundreds of dollar because the wind caught their displays and blew them to the ground. I felt so bad for them.   

I attack my display racks to the top and bottom of my canopy with wire twists, along with the elastic cords.  My canopy has 9" long, U shaped spike style thingies that are pounded into the ground.

[Scooch]

Here is a couple of pics of some of the setup that I have used.  The bottom of the racks, where the wood is, is covered with sheets to hide the wood.  I have thought about making another triangle section out of shelving to put across the top of the 2 uprights.

On the table is a box that I made for displaying nightlites.  It has 6 outlets on it and is powered so you can light them up.

[Graham]

 

I attack my display racks

Interesting!! Tell me - do they fight back, or just sit there and take your abuse?

[Graham]

This display was made out of white plastic lattice they sell in home stores like Lowe's and Home Dept. there are 4 small hinges that hold the two sections together and the bottom pieces are the actual end cap for the lattice -- this is very lightweight and as you can see I use 3 sides of it...

That's similar, but on a smaller scale, to what we used to do. We used 4'X8' cedar lattice on 2"X2" framing, to surround 3 sides of our booth.

[JoanFrances]

 

I attack my display racks

Interesting!! Tell me - do they fight back, or just sit there and take your abuse?

Hey Graham are you making fun of my old lady fingers, not hitting the right keys?   I'll have to get my display to "attack" you LOL 

[Rebecca]

I saw this display at a fair -- it is made out of the metal shelving -- my thought is instead of putting 3 together like she did, I would lash 4 together and it would stand on its own -- again you would be able to use 3 sides... -- I think Scooch uses something similar to what I plan to make...

Three arranged in a triangle is better than four arranged in a square.  But I would think either would have to be stabilized with weight at the bottom or hooks or something.

Rebecca

[PiscesGlass]

Great idea starting this thread, this is a picture of my set up at the Kennebunk Land Trust show, the metal trellis's are in the back and are very stable..I have 5 of them and had a large number of larger panels hung on it at that show and at several others I've done, have had no problems with it yet.  They are lashed together with the heavy duty black zip ties. 

Thanks Lou Ann for starting this thread, it's giving us all some great ideas for future booth setups! 

De

[Linde]

We use the metal shelving and have zip tied them right to the corners and top of the booth and they don't move at all on a windy day.

I love seeing what everyone uses, these are all great ideas, thanks Lou Ann for starting this thread.

[Anne]

Great info here! Thought I'd post a couple of pic of my set up too and share something else I learned at last weekend's show.  It was a BIG show, 3 buildings about 400 booths.  Some very professional some not.  Supposedly a juried show but lots of tea towels and scrubbies so you know how juried it was!  About 10 other glass people but all different from each other.  I took the stars I just finished, those were the biggest pieces I had - neither sold but then I didn't think they would. Most everything else I took was priced $20. and under and that's what sold!  The sunflower bowls didn't sell and they were priced at $30. I was the only glass person there that had smaller pieces. The show cost $300 for a booth and in watching what was happening we figured that many crafters/artists did not sell enough to recover their booth fees.

Anyway what we did learn this weekend was we should be raising our table - the tables should be at counter height so people don't have to bend over.  One of the other glass artists that was at the show suggested it to us and we walked around the show really looking at other booths.  The booths where the tables were at counter height looked a lot better and had more people stop and browse.  Those booths were also the professional booths so that said a lot in inself. The way to raise your table is to get the larger (here it's black) pvc that the table legs will fit into. They become an extension of the table leg so you aren't risking the table being wobbly. So, we'll be adding the extensions and we'll also be adding another level to the table by adding a shelf ( looks like a stair from the side).  The added dimension looks really good! I've always covered my tables to the floor too - a must!

On outside displays we've been in some places that won't allow spikes to be driven into the ground to hold your canopy.  In those areas we take along 4 -4 litre milk jugs, fill them with water and tie them to the four corners of your canopy. We bought our canopy at Costco. In our opinion you're much better off spending the extra $ and getting the good display canopy (they come with zip on walls) rather than the garden canopy that isn't as sturdy - I've seen a couple of displays ruined because the less expensive canopy didn't stand up to weather conditions.

Another thing I have (LouAnn taking the computer along is an awesome idea) - but we don't have a laptop.  We did a story board.  People are really curious as to 'how we do it'. I did a pictoral of a how to - I'll post a pic of it too - and we display that when we have room.  It draws a lot of people to the booth.

[Amber]

That story board looks really great, it must have helped people talk to! I think I'll give that a try when it's time for a craft show, I really, really think that's neat!