Preparing for Arts & Craft Shows

Preparing for Arts & Craft Shows
by Heather Powers (humblebeads)

I've been selling at Arts & Crafts shows for 14 years. I've done way more than my share of local arts fairs, market days, school and church arts & crafts shows, artist's markets, farmer's markets, bizarre bazaars, etc. Getting ready for a show can feel like cramming for final exams. Here are a few tips for preparing for your next show:

1. Do NOT design the week before the show. Now is not the time to try new designs or spend hours "playing" with the your materials. You need to have your product line developed by now and spend your time wisely making multiples of the ones you feel will sell the best. Hate making more than one of something? Have a basic design and change out the colors.

2. Diversify your price range. First, have a few 'show-stoppers' in your booth. These are the items that you can see a mile away. They should have your blood, sweat and tears poured into them and cost a few hundred dollars or more. People will ohhh and ahhh. You never know, you might just sell it. I can remember how excited I was when I sold my first $300 necklace! Most will look around at what is in their price range. So have a good amount of items in that middle price range. Now, I like to have 40-50% of my inventory in the impulse buy range. For me these are items under $30. Small pendant necklaces and earrings fit the bill.

3. Don't guess prices at the last minute. For pete's sake, what business does this? This is really bad to do if you are worried about selling at a show. What happens if you underprice yourself and Ms. Fabulous Gallery Owner spots your work and asks if you wholesale? Be prepared. I love Eni Oken's price calculator. Have a formula and stick to it.

4. Get the word out. Don't count on show producers to do all the advertising. Let your customers know when you are selling at a show. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc. about your upcoming event. If it's a large show, it doesn't hurt to let the promoters know that you are available to talk to the press if they need someone to interview. Have a press release and print ready images available on your website. I made the cover of our local weekend guide by talking to the promoter before the show.

5. My best, most important piece of advice - go to bed early the night before the show. I know, there is never enough time and you could make 10 more things if you only get two hours of sleep. You will do better at the show if you are rested. Period. So plan ahead, try to have everything done by 5pm the day before a show. Spend some time not thinking about the show, go out to dinner, watch a movie, hang out with the fam'. Be prepared on show day to sell, not curl up in a ball to take a nap at the back of your booth!

*yes, I am guilty of all above mentioned sins, but have turned from my evil ways, mostly.

Heather Powers is a bead and jewelry artist. She is also the event promoter for Bead Cruise and Bead Week and is the editor of the Art Bead Scene blog.
Website: www.humblebeads.com

Tags: arts, crafts, preparation, shows

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carrie Sommer on August 29, 2007 at 7:31am: Great topic! Can I add?!

Try to price your items before the show if possible. Nothing is worse than seeing someone walk away because they wanted to know the price on something and you were busy helping someone else.

Try to have help periodically; everyone needs a potty break.

Have promotion material available; postcards with future events, business cards - in case people want to contact you later.

Have a clipboard available so people can sign up for your mailing list, either email or snail mail (I use both).

Have fun!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Clownface Arts on August 29, 2007 at 10:20am: Great! I hope to do some shows, I wanted to. I sold a lot of work on ebay. My biggest deal is finding where they are at!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kae on September 17, 2007 at 4:44pm: Thanks for sharing such great advice.

Kae of Kae1Crafts; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MissDanceyPants on September 18, 2007 at 12:37pm: I found my first show by attending a big show in my area -- I went and talked to the artisans, wore some of my jewelry, handed out business cards to folks who seemed interested when I talked to them, and came out with some great info and a tip for a big, yet affordable local show that was still accepting applications! Hooray! (I applied and got in, too!); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MissDanceyPants on September 18, 2007 at 12:37pm: very helpful! thank you!!! (my first show is coming up!); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by GraceChristie on September 18, 2007 at 4:02pm: Thanks for some great advice!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joanne on September 20, 2007 at 4:07pm: These are great tips, thanks! Don't forget signs. Do you take credit cards? Is there something you want to say about your work? You might want to have some nicely done signs around. Good luck everyone! Joanne; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on September 29, 2007 at 7:20pm: Thanks for the tips! I will be doing my first show in December and I am scared to death! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tree Town Batiks on October 3, 2007 at 9:12am: Where can I go to find shows in mt area that are worth selling at?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Saras Texture Crafts on October 23, 2007 at 12:39am: This is a great article - Thank you so much Heather for sharing.

Sara x; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amanda on November 1, 2007 at 7:46pm: I am doing my first show this weekend thanks for the tips it's been hectic trying to prepare inventory, displays, and more!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rusted Rhubarb on November 25, 2007 at 6:25pm: Thanks so much for the advice.. I've been wanting to do shows for some time now and am just now in a place where I can.. this is a great helpful piece! thanks again.
Michelle; ▶ Reply to This