I just had a wonderful weekend selling my art and wares in Old Greenwich this weekend at their annual sidewalk art show and sale. The weather was fantastic and I loved meeting all the people. I was fascinated to see how all the little girls went crazy for my peacock coin purses and cute pencil cases. I nearly sold out of the coin purses and will have to restock very soon!
As usual, I forgot to bring some things to the art show. Since I have a few more coming up I figured that I would take the time to make a blog post about what to bring to art shows that will also help my fellow art and craft artists.
What to bring to your next craft/art show!
Vendor Apron PDF Sewing Pattern – Craft Show – INSTANT DOWNLOAD – By BlissfulPatterns |
For You
- Name Tag
- A notepad for ideas (there is lots of downtime which is great for spacing out and brainstorming)
- Art Journal
- Water, hand sanitizer, and food ( although I always hope to be too busy to eat!)
- Chair
- Hat, sweater – sun or shade
For your Display:
- Canopy or booth if space permits.
- Pretty Tablecloth– I wasn’t thrilled with mine this weekend– why didn’t I iron it?
- Display Emergency Kit – Include safety pins, bungee cords, zip ties, scissors, twine, and tape. You might not need them, but your booth neighbor will be thankful you’re prepared!
- Tape – heavy duty, duck, and scotch tape.
- A Banner I don’t have one yet, but this has got to be the last show I do without one. Nothing adds professionalism better than a clean eye catching banner. Also good to cover up said wrinkled tablecloth.
- drapery hooks (use them for hanging my art to chicken wire fences)
- folding card table
- print rack
- clear baskets for your wares– much better than anything opaque– I got mine this year from the container store
- price tags (mark everything so your neighbor can help you make sales if you need to visit the ladies room)
- sharpies, and more sharpies ( you can’t have enough!)
- wet wipes to clean up after little girls have been touching your wares with their candy coated fingers
- guest book?
- business cards (you will use up so many of these) brochures, postcards of upcoming shows
Pretty Tissue paper from PartyExplosions |
For making sales
- receipt book (I actually ran out of receipts in my book this weekend! good thing/bad thing)
- ball point pen
- Cash Apron or Fanny Pack
- Change – Don’t miss a sale because someone doesn’t have correct change. (always stock up on singles before you head out)
- Packaging Materials brown bags from uline in different sizes and pretty tissue paper to wrap up purchases
- calculator
- Extra hardware and a screwdriver ( in case someone loves the painting, but hates the frame)
- Credit Payment System — Setting up a card machine or a system that works with your smartphone may significantly increase your sales. — I have an old fashioned swipe machine.
More ideas to try:
- Slips of paper for people to register for a drawing ( a gift certificate or something free). By getting their name and email, I let them know I will add them to my newsletter on Mailchimp. I also have a bucket for them to put the info in. Descriptions of my classes that I will be teaching. Signage to let people know to register, etc.
What a great list! Thanks for featuring this treasury with my vintage sun hat 🙂
Love all the fabric, Chevron is sooooo in, love the blog spot as well!!
Thanks so much for including my Craft Show Fundamentals e-book in your treasury. Best of luck with your shows!