If you follow me on Facebook, you may know that I was recently invited to be a vendor at a local Artisan Fair on May 1st (more details about the event at the end of this post). It is one of my goals this year to get into the arts & crafts fair scene and this sounded like a great opportunity to get started! When I found out about it a little over a week ago I knew I had to get cracking on my preparations – I only had a month to get everything ready! Now I’m at the 3 week countdown and still feel like I have a ways to go, so organization is key.
I am definitely a person who likes to try and have all her bases covered, so I’ve been working on a check-list of everything I can possibly think of needing that day. I had a few suggestions to get me started from some Etsy friends and other friends who’ve done some shows before. I also realized there might be others, like me, just starting out on the craft show scene and that sharing my list could be helpful. This list will evolve over time as I become more familiar with the ins and outs of doing these kinds of events. If you have helpful suggestions or ideas to add to the list, please leave a comment.
- Canopy
- Table(s)
- Tablecloth
- Chair
- Sinage (banner or large signs for booth, signs for items with prices)
- Tabletop organizers for items
- Display props for visual interest
- Items for sale (for me this includes: prints in various sizes matted & unmatted, bookmarks, cards, and possibly some framed pieces)
- Food & water
- Calculator
- Cash box & plenty of change
- Inventory list with pricing for everything
- Receipt book
- Pens and pencils
- Bags for purchases
- Business Cards
- Camera
- Duct tape and scotch tape
- Stapler
- Hammer, wrench, screwdriver
- Frist Aid kit
- Sunglasses
So that’s what I’ve got on my list so far. Now for gathering everything together! Maybe you’ve got some great ideas to add to this list – I’d love to hear them! Be sure to leave me a comment with your ideas.
I’d also love it if you would come by to see me that day, so here are the details:
What: May Artisan Fair
When: Saturday May 1, 2010
Time: 10AM-5PM
Where: SonRise Plaza (Just off I-80), 620 Orange Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687
I’ll be at Booth #3
Hope to see you there!
Jessica–You're very brave. I'll be following your success with this. Maybe you can be my role model:)
Best of luck to you Jessica. the only thing additional I had on my fair list was paper towels and glass cleaner.
Thanks guys! (And I've added paper towels & cleaner to my list now, too) ;)
Do you have a portfolio or a catalouge like book where they can see what you have available otherwise as well and can order?
Crystal – that's a great idea! I'll definitely add it to the list. My product list currently is very short, so I'll most likely have a bit of every type of thing I do on hand. I may taylor the idea to show other images I have available for prints or cards. Thanks for the suggestion!
OK – just thought of two more things the other day that could be helpful. A stool (because I'm not THAT tall) and towels (on the off chance there's a bit of rain!). :)
I hope you were successful at the fair, and that you had fun!