To share the lessons in this article, I’ve replicated a craft show display I saw online that I thought could use some improvement, and have explained what I would change and how. Does the “before” display work? Yes. Could it use some improvement? Also, yes. I chose this display to replicate because it illustrates the…
I worked as a regional merchandiser for a major retailer and loved it when they sent the upcoming season’s lookbook that shared the new product collections. It was for employees’ eyes only and explained the inspiration behind each product collection. Their collections were always named after a popular movie, phrase, song, type of person, etc. For…
Farmers’ markets require a lot of work to prepare for. Chances are, you’ll be tired the morning of the event and have a lot of thoughts running through your head (what if I don’t sell anything? Do I have enough stock? I wonder if it’s going to rain?). A checklist is extremely handy…
Farmers’ markets are a great way to test a business or product idea and gather consumer feedback. But it can be difficult to be profitable when selling at a farmers’ market, due to the overhead costs. This article will explain the steps you must take to sell at your first farmers’ market, outline…
If you’ve sold your handmade products at a craft show, you know how much work goes into preparing for the event. It’s incredibly disappointing when you sell less than you were expecting. But it’s even worse when you lose money because of the craft show. This article outlines the not-so-obvious ways…
There are many directions you can go in with your craft show display. And there really isn’t a right or wrong way to display your products; different techniques work for different businesses. What’s most important is that your display helps you make sales. If your display doesn’t: >> grab shoppers’ attention and get them to…
There are craft show tables that simply display products, and there are those that go above and beyond. They create a full experience for shoppers. As a shopper, you feel like you’re shopping with a legit business; you’re not just browsing a crafter’s creations. Everything feels polished and thoughtful. I think of these craft show…
When I sold at my first craft fair, I didn’t put much thought into my stock. If I thought someone might buy it, I made it. >> I didn’t consider if the fabrics I chose would look good next to each other or help tell a story. >> I didn’t choose which products to make…
With more than a decade of setting up, shopping, and reviewing craft show displays, I’ve learned from many mistakes. The biggest mistake I see vendors make with their craft show display is: Displaying everything they make. Your craft show display should not be treated as a stock room. A craft show display should tell…
Most people who visit a craft show are browsers. They don’t have a need for a specific product, they don’t have anything in mind they’re looking for, they’re simply there to check things out. Browsers can be turned into buyers, but it requires a little more effort. Shoppers are in the…