What to bring to an art fair!

what to bring to an art fair or a craft show http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-to-bring-to-art-fair.html
coin purse with flowers, peacocks
My printed coin purses were the best seller this weekend! The little girls LOVE them! from ages 4 to 40. I used clear bins to display which kept my merchandise from being buried and caught the eyes of passerbys.

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!

what to bring to an art fair or a craft show http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-to-bring-to-art-fair.html

 

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.

 

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I’m Miriam Schulman, your curator of inspiration.

I inspire art-lovers to reconnect with their creativity and profit from their art. Whether you paint simply for the joy of it or you’re serious about selling your work, and you’re ready to stop putting yourself on the back burner...You're in the right place. I've done it and I can inspire YOU how to do it too.

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