How-to Vend at a Craft Fair

In the Resources section, you'll find a list of craft fairs. We also have them in calendar layout here. IndieCraftShow.com is the best website for getting a sense of the different kind of craft fairs. It's good to figure out if you and/or your street team fit into a niche.

So you’re ready to take your business to the next level and participate in a craft show?

Here are some tips and things to consider while doing so:

Size of Show: You may want to start with a smaller manageable show to get your feet wet and see if you like the craft show environment. Try a local craft show that is a one day event, maybe one you have even visited in the past as a customer. This way you will mostly know what to expect.
Things to Consider:
  • How far away (travel distance) is the show?
  • How much will it cost you to get you and your set up to the show? Is this amount out of pocket worth it?
  • How long will it take you to get set up once you are there? Allow enough time to set up completely before the start of the show.
  • Do you have people helping you?
  • Should you bring your own food to snack on throughout the day or is there food and water provided?
Application:
  • Be sure you read the entire application and all the rules.
  • Take your time answering the questions and start on a separate sheet, this is your one shot to wow the judges of the applications with what you have to offer, make it count.
  • Take nice photos of your work as it is the only thing the judges have to get an accurate picture of what you are selling.
  • Find out if the space you are renting at the show has tables and or canopies included or whether you need to bring your own or rent from them. Do you need electricity? Find out if you can get access or if you need to rent electricity.
  • Be sure you fill in all the information and include any extra info you think they might need with the application.
  • Mail it out before the deadline or postmark deadline.
What to Bring:
  • Snacks
  • Lots of water
  • A stool or fold up chair
  • A book or magazine
  • A table cloth to drape over your table
  • A banner or large sign that portrays who you are and what your business is
  • A small mirror if you are selling jewelry, or any pieces that are worn on the body, so the customer can get a good view of what it will look like on them
  • A cash box
  • Enough cash in small bills to give customers exact change (don’t lose it!!)
  • BUSINESS CARDS!! Any other handouts or promotional items you might like to hand out such as postcards or fliers
  • Sunglasses (if it’s an outside event) and sunscreen
  • Tarps, umbrellas, plastic sheet covers (if it’s an outside event)
  • A helper in case you need a break to use the restroom or walk around
  • Display Items for your table/space:
    - Trays or decorative plates or bowls for smaller items
    - Garment rack for clothes
    - A coat or hat rack for scarves or other hanging items
    - Vintage suitcases for displaying larger items
    - Get creative!
While You Are There:
  • Make sure your space is set up in a way that is easy for the customer to understand
  • Store anything not in your display under your table out of view of the customer
  • Try to be at your table the entire time to answer questions and gives suggestions to customers
  • Be attentive and smile, a friendly demeanor is inviting for customers
  • Model what you are selling or tell stories about your products and your business, get the customer involved
  • Keep track of what sells and how many items of each to better assess what did well for you at the show
  • Keep a log of what people seemed interested in and any feedback they may have given you, this can help out in future shows
  • Try to meet the other vendors around you and get their business cards, these people are good contacts to have as they are other people doing the same thing as you and can help you find other shows and offer feedback about your experience. Find out about their experiences and try to learn through their mistakes!
Money:

Determine what profit you are making by subtracting all of your costs before the show from the money you made while at the show.

  • Add up all of your costs before the show
  • Cost to make the goods you are selling including time
  • Cost of application fee
  • Cost of booth fee
  • Cost of display items
  • Cost of travel to the event
  • Cost of the hours you spent working at the event
  • Cost of miscellaneous fees having to do with the show

If you start a craft fair in your town, be sure to let us know. We can help out with advertising and promos. Here's the form for requesting materials.

Most of all, stay alert and have fun!