Craft Show Booth Question

[kissboutique]

i know these questions get asked sooooo many time a year lol, but i just have to ask!!

I have my first craft show on the 14th and im trying to get ideas for setting up, what to use and what not,, This show is at a school and i get a 8x10 size booth, how should i set it up?

Can everyone post a picture of their favorite booth setup you have ever done?

Im not expecting to do good, because its a small town craft show but i wanna get a few under my belt before the HUGE one i'm going to do next fall!

Any advice would be awesome!

TIA

[bstimpert]

How you set it up is going to depend on what you have for display.

I have always set my area up for people to "enter". Like a "U" shape. This leaves the center open for people to browse.

My first show I had only tables, an easel with clips on a board and my husband made a standing display with lattice. Now I have all gridwall and a couple of tables.

So I guess the question is what are you using to display?

[Amyte]

I agree. my first couple shows i just had 2 tables and I went straight across with them. That was not the best idea because when people were shopping it got crowded. A u formation would be much better! good luck

Originally Posted by Amyte

I agree. my first couple shows i just had 2 tables and I went straight across with them. That was not the best idea because when people were shopping it got crowded. A u formation would be much better! good luck

I am glad you posted this question because I have the same concerns.

I just turned in my application for a huge show (3000 attendees) and reserved a 3' X 24' space because I have all table displays. I am new at this and want to give it a try before I make grid displays, etc.

In your experience should I email them and ask for the standard 6' X 12' space so I can do two 6 ft tables with a U set up? Maybe put a small table in the back to fill space?
I thought having the 24' of frontage would be better (it is more expensive to reserve) but I could be totally wrong!

[kelly1]

One piece of advice I have is to get the stuff off the table. Especially try to display a few things at eye level. It doesn't have to be an expensive display. I picked up off and end mug racks, a cd rack, a candleabra, and things like that at thrift shops and yard sales. I just spray painted them all black so they would somewhat match. There was also a post on here about making a display rack out of a tomato cage that I'm going to try as soon as I can get to the hardware store and find a tomato cage, and I am working on one for the woven headbands made out of Quaker Oatmeal round boxes.

[bstimpert]

What are you selling? Can you get anything vertical? Pegboard, shutters, etc. If you can get even a little vertical I recommend the 6x12. Not to mention 3x24 is hard to keep an eyeball on for theft. 4 6ft tables would do the 6x12. 1 on each side and 2 along the back. Browse the craft show pic section...Some of the girls here have amazing displays. Mine isn't too bad, it's definitely changed for the better though as I've done shows.

[fragglerock]

I don't know if this helps you much, because all the craft shows I have done have been 10'x10' spaces, but I also do the U shape. Here are some pictures of the farmers market I did last weekend. My indoor shows are pretty much the same except I have my bow boards sitting on the tables instead of hung on my tent frame. On the other table you can't see I have my flower clips.

I will definitely have my hair accessories off the table. I have a headband display that my DH made for me, some picture frames with clips that will be vertical on the table, hat displays that will be vertical on the tables, and some baskets. I just do not have gridwall or anything like that yet.

For the 6' X 12' foot space, only two 6 foot tables are permitted. I know that doesn't make sense, but that is what is stated on the application.
Perhaps they want standing displays.

I hadn't thought of theft with the 24' space! Yikes. Now I am really unsure and don't know what to do! Maybe I should just take the plunge and invest in gridwalls right away.

P.S thanks for showing your show pics...love your display!

[kissboutique]

thanks for all the replies! I'm going to have Tutu's, all kids of different bows and clippies,, thats about all i make lol,, i am going to try and get some Kufi hats in time, but i'm scared to buy them online in case they dont get here in time,, but thats about all i'm working on,, my mom is making some outfits to disply and see if she cant get any orders, she doesnt care how she does lol cuz she has to go to help me anyways lol.. We have a great thrift shop so i'm going to go there this afternoon to see what i can find!

[kissboutique]

fragglerock what is the black thing that has bows on it that is in the middle picture made out of? I love your disply!!