It’s too cold, wet and miserable to be out in the workshop, so I’ve decided to stay in the warmth and prepare for my next craft fair this Sunday – The Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre on 22nd Nov – This event has been really well advertised and promoted and should go well, fingers crossed. Some of my products were used in a photo shoot for the show last week, which are now in surrounding area magazines and newspapers. I’ll let you know how it goes next week.
I’ve been booking new events for 2010, and have typically lost my list of things to take to craft fairs, so I thought I’d update a list on my blog – that way I can never lose it. I hope my list will also help some of you. Maybe your first fair is coming up or you have lost your list like me! Some things on my list may not be relevant to you but you should be able to adapt it to suit your products. Let me know if you find it useful, or if there is anything you think I have forgotten.
DISPLAY
- Table cloth
- Table cloth clips
- Boxes under table cloth for variations in height
- Clear acrylic plinths
- Stock of products with spares to replace sold items
- Display boards
- Props – dried sticks, pine cones, shells, dried orange slices, baskets, flowers etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS
- Money box & float
- Stationary box – pens, notebook, scissors, blu-tac, pins/clips, string, cable ties, cellotape
- Receipt Book
- Price Tags
- Calculator
- Business cards & holder
- Sales list book including item sold, description & price
- Carrier bags
- “Thank you for your purchase” tags
- Tissue paper
- Bubblewrap, packaging
- Sticky labels stamped with “Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics” to tape up sold items, rather using than cellotape.
- Banner
- Profile showing a bit of blurb about me, my inspiration, commission details, showing that all work is handmade.
- Signage for customers – eg. “Pieces can be displayed outside” – Let them see everything they need to know.
- Leaflets & holder advertising online shops, next events etc.
- Lighting
AND DON’T FORGET!
- Food snacks & drinks
- Tissues, wipes
- Camera
- Insurance – public/products liability
- Coat/jumper – something to take off if you get hot but to also have with you incase you get cold!
- Waterproof ground sheet if craft fair is in outdoor marquee
- Dust sheets if craft fair is on for more than one day and some products are being left out.
Decorate your stall according to seasons!
Thank you for this list – I am not as disciplined as you and tend to keep it in my head and then forget an assortment of vital items. In future i will refer to your 'list of essentials' – this is brill – thank you for sharing.
Susie
Great list, will definitely be making use of this!!!
You forgot an important one Charlotte – an Order Book for commission! ;o)
Fantastic list, thank you – my first fair tomorrow and I wouldnt have thought to take half of those things! The only other thing I'm taking is some paracetamol and antihistamines – I can't be a smiley stall holder if I have a headache or the christmas holly has set me off sneezing!
Good luck with your show tomorrow,
Kate x
Sorry, thought of something for the jewellers – Pliers and findings to allow you to make adjustments to customer requirements,
Kate x
I would add a mirror, if you are doing jewellery and a flask and sandwiches, so you are not tempted to spend your profit on a big burger.
Great advice – thank you!
Great list thanks,
Millie
Thank you for your tips. Its my fist fair on Saturday and I have put together a list but need to add some items from yours.
A bit apprehensive but looking forward to the experience.
Great post! New follower who has her first fayre tomorrow. eek!
thankyou fo provide such list.. i would like to know about which thing should be given to customer as a complimentary ?
I consider myself a properly organised person but as I only do a craft event every quarter or so I always think I will remember everything. I normally do or I neglect to take something important like carrier bags! Thanks for this – I have printed it out already!