My 1st Craft Show in Pictures

I took the advise of many craft boards and practiced my booth set up before the show. I used a tape measure and blue painters tape to mark off a 10x10 spot in the driveway. I used 4 folding folding tables, table covers, card holder, and standing pegboard, the raised shelves were made out of boards and soup/veggie cans covered in red napkins :)

I set up for the craft show Friday before the show. It took me about 2 hours from the time I left my house to the time I left the venue for set up. I had to rearrange my tables since I ended up having an end spot and didn't have a vender on my other side. My one neighbor had white sheer screens and worked to my advnatage this is what I came up with:

I took me about 2-3 hours to get all my merchandise organized and car trunk loaded the night before the show--I was exhausted by the end of it all and I had a very early morning!

I arrived to the show about 545am! yes that early!! It took me about an hour to set up all my merchandise and tape my 50ft extention cord to the ground. I relaxed and ate my breakfast-a cream filled donut :) I then started to work on an explosion box for the show.

One thing I was glad I didn't get was DRAMA--there was booth across from me with nothing but yelling bickering as they set up! it was pure entertainment as I scrapped away waiting for the show to start.

The following are are pictures of me in my 1st booth and close ups of my tables:

I had a blast working my 1st show. I made some $ and more importantly I got my name finally out there and got some contacts that were interested in my work wether it be in personal scarpbooks, invitations or even teaching classes!! this exposure was priceless and I can't wait to do my next show !

Happy Scrapping :)

4th of July craft show

So the 4th of july weekend has come and gone. My first craft show was saturday July 4th and despite the rain I think it went real well. I had a ton of fun and slept really well that night!

Here is a list of things I learned since doing my 1st show:

*leave enough time to organize your products and have them in your car ready to go the night before the show. It took me 2-3 hours to do this! but saved me tons of time the next morning.

*definitly have floor length table covers--I borrowed some from a friends mom. They definitly make it look more professional and put together. Plus its great for storing all the boxes you bring along.

*make sure you have extra supplies to make additional crafts. I sold out of all my Cubs themed stuff and was able to make extra during the show and sold them as well!

*even if you are tired stand and smile and greet everyone that passes by. Boy was this tiring but well worth it--I had people stop in my booth even if they were just scanning/walking by just because I said Hi to them. Also this helps prevent thieves from stealing since they know you have seen them. I had a chair with me at the show but never used it to sit on instead I held my recipets and bags on it.

*Give yourself plenty of time to set up. Fortunately mine was very simple and I was able to set up in 2 days--I set up tables and peg board the day before and merchandise the morning of. Also make sure you set up merchandise where its not cluttered.

*Make sure you have something to drink during the day-you'll be surprised how dry your mouth/lips get! snacks aren't bad as long as they are not smelly or messy.

*Have someone man your booth for bathroom breaks. I tried to ignore this but when Pat brought over some supplies I forgot at home I was glad to get a bathroom break!

*Do NOT pack up early--even if the show is slow, there are still people walking around and they don't want to be rushed. I was surprised to see many booths starting to pack up 15-20 minutes before the show ended. I stayed open and made a few last minute sales. People appreciated that I wasn't packing up.

*Never tell people how much you made at the show--I had a few RUDE people do this--I just smiled and told them I did well and more importantly I made contacts and had fun.

* I rounded my prices to dollars which worked great for not having to deal with coins less of a hassle

*even if the person does not want a recipet write down what they bought/price for your own records. It shows what sold at the show and a quick way to tally up sales.

*Make sure you get email information from customers and people interested in your products and had out price lists and business cards. I went through about 100 business cards during the show!

*collect and store other craft show applications and do not lose them--I think I picked up applications for 4-5 other shows!

I'm sure there are more tips that I learned and I'll post them as I remember them.

Be on the lookout for show and merchandise pictures coming soon! (hopefully tonight)

Happy Scrapping :)