Hobby & Craft Forums

Many of the regular posters on here may have attended a fair few craft events over the years but some of our newer member may have booked or be thinking about booking their 1st craft show this year, so I thought I’d post a few things I learnt and a few tips I was told when I first started

Table: many venues provide you with a table and they will tell you the size of it when you book, some venues don’t, many crafters buy strong paste tables from d.i.y shops (remember a normal wooden paste table isn’t very sturdy and the last thing you want to happen on the day is see your stock crashing to the floor, plastic paste tables are very strong and portable and the average size for most events)
Before the event you may want to practice how you want your table to look, if you don’t have a table to practice on mark out a space on the floor. You can decide where and how you want your table to look, remembering to think about height and where to place display stands. Practicing before the event gives you chance to fiddle and play about with your displays ( remember you may have a limited time to set up on the day of the event , so it’s best to know what you are putting where on your table)
Once you are happy with your display take a photo and if need be take it with you to refer to

Table covering and display: Organisers like you to have a table covering and many insist you have a covering that reaches the floor on the front if not the sides..This gives the room a uniform and professional look when everybody is set up and also gives you a place to stash all your boxes etc under your table without everyone else seeing them
A double sheet is ideal for a covering and can be colour matched to your theme, remember to pin or tape back any hanging material that could be a trip hazard
Display stands can be bought or made and vary on what you are selling...and it’s worth spending a hour or 2 on Google images checking out other people’s ideas...something like “craft fair display ideas” should bring up a whole heap of pics ....if you are adding height to your table think about how you want to achieve this , do you want to buy acrylic blocks, make your stands or incorporate height under your covering ( again that’s where the practice table proves invaluable)

Lighting: some events do provide electrical sockets at a price, always ask if lighting or power is a must for your craft. You may have to provide an extension lead and it is a good idea to get any electrical equipment PAT tested (ask a local electrician about getting items PAT tested) as some venues will require proof of PAT testing..Simple angle lamps are ideal at events but do remember they get hot, so be aware of where you place them.

Chairs: most venues provide you with chairs, normally 2 but if you do wish to take your own fold up chair always ask the organiser....remember you make better sales if you are on the buyer’s level than sitting down hiding behind your display or reading the newspaper!

Packaging: this is your choice on how you package your sales, it could be in a paper bag, most crafters prefer to use the paper handled take away style bags, these can be found in small amounts on eBay. Boxes, tissue paper, pillow boxes are always popular for packing small items

And now a quick list of what to take....
Cash tin or money belt
Float money (match your change to your prices, if you have lots of 99p prices take plenty of pennies etc)
Receipt book, pens, order forms if you take orders on the day and business cards or brochures if you have them
Small thing like cellotape, pins, tape measures...maybe your pliers etc if you are jewellery always come in handy as do things like wet wipes

I’m sure the other regs on here will be able to add anything I’ve missed

If it is your 1st fair remember to smile and enjoy it...it can be lots of fun!

And of course as you become more professional, you can blag all your bits off Just Soaps

sparkysdad wrote:And of course as you become more professional, you can blag all your bits off Just Soaps

lolol...once i forgot my height stands , only once and Jane very kindly lent me some of her very special stands
i've learnt alot off our Jane,she's a star !

moocher!

but we luv ya anyways!

lol i prefer the term "star pupil" to moocher

oooh get you and your technical terms

beckyboo wrote:

sparkysdad wrote:And of course as you become more professional, you can blag all your bits off Just Soaps

lolol...once i forgot my height stands , only once and Jane very kindly lent me some of her very special stands
i've learnt alot off our Jane,she's a star !

(blush) (blush)

When I was "new", every time some asked if I'd got something, a marker pen, sellotape for example, I made a note and bought some.

I now have a "bit " box full of all sorts of things - even a hammer - so I can nearly always help some one out, you make many friends that way:)

Mr Boo is very good at swinging from rafters to put my banners up - though:)

sparkysdad wrote:oooh get you and your technical terms

is your excersise for the day:)

no, but walking the muttleys is..! along with running up and down stairs to make hot drinks and fill my hottie bottle

some great tips there Becky...I enquired about one by me which is on every weekend from March and is only £10 per table per weekend which I thought was a bit cheap and doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that there'll be many people there. What's your experience with this? Does price often reflect the amount of customers or am I just being over critical? The woman also said (via email) that the organisers and stall holders meet once per month- the first meeting is in Feb ready for the first fair in March and told me that I should bring my products to this meeting so they could see them, look over them and 'pass' them! Is this normal practise?