First Timer Craft Sale

[barb.j.enders]

Well, I have gone and done it, bowed to peer pressure and sent in an application for my first craft sale (Nov 23).  They are allowing two hours the day before for set up and then we get 1 hour before the show starts for final preparations. I requested one 8' table.  It is in a church. Does this mean that I would be leaving my stock set out on the display the night before??? Or do I set it up on the day of?  If I leave the stock out overnight, how do you prevent possible theft? 

[ike]

I do a lot of church sales. I set up the night before if possible I just put a sheet over the display and no body has ever bothered it.

Ike

[JimErn]

You will find that each vendor does it differently.

It really depends on how much stuff you plan  on displaying.  I set up the tables/racks the day before and then arrive as early as they allow and put out my stuff.  I have found that rarely do the crowds start at the first minute and even if they do, often I will get folks watching me display things.  Kind of like opening presents I guess, they want to see what is next.  And I joke with them some too, I had one gal offer to help putting things out, that worked well she would find something and if she liked it set it aside - good sale from her that day.

 

[Dee]

It is usually safe to set  up the day before when the show is inside.  Like said before, just cover the table over night.  A couple of handy hints for newbies.  Set up a table at home before the show so you can find which arrangement works the best for your items.  Then take a picture of the set up for the real thing. It will save you a mountain of time.  Cut 4 pieces of pvc pipe  (for each table) about 10-12 inches long and use them to elevate your table (put legs of table in the pipes). Your customers will usually stay longer because there is not as much back strain to see everything.  Take extra tape, glue, scissors, baggies, bags to put sales in, safety pins, etc for unexpected repairs.  Find something to do when there is no one at your table.  They will want to see what you are doing and stop by.  I usually play with my puzzles, or have a few small 4-5 piece puzzles unwrapped on the table.  When a young child passes by, ask if they would like to play with one of them.  They usually do.  If the parent buys something, put that puzzle in a baggie and  give it to the child (free).  Works every time. I take credit cards through Paypal because it is a free and safe service (and they did not charge me for the card reader a few years ago). You might want to check into  that if you haven't got that choice for your customers. Get to know your craft neighbor if you are going to the fair alone.  They will watch your table in times of "nature calls" duty.  And you can return the favor.  Talk to everyone who passes by even if it is to say "hi". Sometimes people have tunnel vision and do not see all the tables.  This will draw attention to your table. If they stop, keep them talking and they will stay longer. It is OK to take bottle water and a small snack, but do not eat or drink when someone is at your booth.  Besides being rude,it is very unattractive. Take a box of tissue with you, if you do not use it someone in the crowd may need one in a hurry.  Makes people want to see what you have in your booth. 

There is more small hints, but I haven't finished my morning coffee yet and my brain is still on the duh side.   Good luck and may your sales be awesome.

[OzarkSawdust]

1 hour ago, Dee said:

It is usually safe to set  up the day before when the show is inside.  Like said before, just cover the table over night.  A couple of handy hints for newbies.  Set up a table at home before the show so you can find which arrangement works the best for your items.  Then take a picture of the set up for the real thing. It will save you a mountain of time.  Cut 4 pieces of pvc pipe  (for each table) about 10-12 inches long and use them to elevate your table (put legs of table in the pipes). Your customers will usually stay longer because there is not as much back strain to see everything.  Take extra tape, glue, scissors, baggies, bags to put sales in, safety pins, etc for unexpected repairs.  Find something to do when there is no one at your table.  They will want to see what you are doing and stop by.  I usually play with my puzzles, or have a few small 4-5 piece puzzles unwrapped on the table.  When a young child passes by, ask if they would like to play with one of them.  They usually do.  If the parent buys something, put that puzzle in a baggie and  give it to the child (free).  Works every time. I take credit cards through Paypal because it is a free and safe service (and they did not charge me for the card reader a few years ago). You might want to check into  that if you haven't got that choice for your customers. Get to know your craft neighbor if you are going to the fair alone.  They will watch your table in times of "nature calls" duty.  And you can return the favor.  Talk to everyone who passes by even if it is to say "hi". Sometimes people have tunnel vision and do not see all the tables.  This will draw attention to your table. If they stop, keep them talking and they will stay longer. It is OK to take bottle water and a small snack, but do not eat or drink when someone is at your booth.  Besides being rude,it is very unattractive. Take a box of tissue with you, if you do not use it someone in the crowd may need one in a hurry.  Makes people want to see what you have in your booth. 

There is more small hints, but I haven't finished my morning coffee yet and my brain is still on the duh side.   Good luck and may your sales be awesome.

Great advise! Thanks for sharing. Just starting and don't know when I'll do a show...but I will sometime! 

[barb.j.enders]

11 hours ago, Dee said:

It is usually safe to set  up the day before when the show is inside.  Like said before, just cover the table over night.  A couple of handy hints for newbies.  Set up a table at home before the show so you can find which arrangement works the best for your items.  Then take a picture of the set up for the real thing. It will save you a mountain of time.  Cut 4 pieces of pvc pipe  (for each table) about 10-12 inches long and use them to elevate your table (put legs of table in the pipes). Your customers will usually stay longer because there is not as much back strain to see everything.  Take extra tape, glue, scissors, baggies, bags to put sales in, safety pins, etc for unexpected repairs.  Find something to do when there is no one at your table.  They will want to see what you are doing and stop by.  I usually play with my puzzles, or have a few small 4-5 piece puzzles unwrapped on the table.  When a young child passes by, ask if they would like to play with one of them.  They usually do.  If the parent buys something, put that puzzle in a baggie and  give it to the child (free).  Works every time. I take credit cards through Paypal because it is a free and safe service (and they did not charge me for the card reader a few years ago). You might want to check into  that if you haven't got that choice for your customers. Get to know your craft neighbor if you are going to the fair alone.  They will watch your table in times of "nature calls" duty.  And you can return the favor.  Talk to everyone who passes by even if it is to say "hi". Sometimes people have tunnel vision and do not see all the tables.  This will draw attention to your table. If they stop, keep them talking and they will stay longer. It is OK to take bottle water and a small snack, but do not eat or drink when someone is at your booth.  Besides being rude,it is very unattractive. Take a box of tissue with you, if you do not use it someone in the crowd may need one in a hurry.  Makes people want to see what you have in your booth. 

There is more small hints, but I haven't finished my morning coffee yet and my brain is still on the duh side.   Good luck and may your sales be awesome.

Thanks for all the advise. My daughter, who sent the ad, will be helping.  Great idea about setting up before hand.  Will try a mock up.

Edited September 18, 2019 by barb.j.enders
Correct spelling

[jbrowning]

My sister and I do a few craft shows during the fall/winter season. We normally set up our tables and stuff the night before then come in the following morning with our merchandise. Now on the shows that are on Saturday and Sunday, we normally leave our merchandise out on our tables and drape a large sheet over them. We have never had anything taken at the shows we've gone to.

Jim