NFR: Has anyone ever thrown a craft show? I am doing one for my son's

dawn_mo

dawn_mo

Well-known member
school in November. I have been in lots of them, but have never put one on. Any helpful hints, ideas or links? I know a reporter here who will advertise the show and the need for crafters in her column which will be huge help. It will be in the gym on a Saturday in November. I am trying to figure out the traffic flow, how to arrange the booths and such. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And just to make it a little food related, I intend to have a booth. smileys/smile.gif

 
I have Dawn. First, the place you're having it usually dictates where in a building the display

can be placed. They usually have the tables, the table skirts, whatever other fabric is desired. If they don't you'll need to know the size of the displays so that the vendors can bring their own (they often already have the skirts, etc.)

It's good to get to know the vendors. one time I had 2 who asked me to have their tables next to each other.

Having a committee was helpful for me. Each person was responsible for a certain area of town to pass out flyers, signs or whatever. That's wonderful you have someone in charge of advertising.

Our show also lended itself to asking for nice prizes and drawings from national vendors. they were more than willing to give if this was a yearly event and they were acknowledged.

Our event got so big the last 2 years we even offered a nice sit-down lunch for show guests.

I don't know if you'll have food or drinks. Sometimes food vendors, grocers will give nice discounts for school shows.

I hope this has been helpful to you in some way.

 
our newspaper puts out a seasonal craft show guide that is printable. maybe your paper has the same

thing?

 
This is a good suggestion!

I can't count the number of offers I've had to participate in craft fairs, sell items in artisan shops, etc.

I'm doing a festival this weekend on Boston City Hall Plaza that I am certain I would not have considered if I had not been approached.

You'll need to register on Etsy, but it's easy and free. Search by location and send the shop owners "conversations". Just be careful that you don't send too many too quickly, as this might be taken as spamming and you'll be blocked.

 
Traffic flow: I was at an outdoor craft fair this summer.

All the booths were arranged in a huge circle, with food and tables in the middle. I really liked this arrangement because it was easy to see which booths you'd been to. I know you're in a gym, which is a little different than outside, but you could arrange booths along the perimeter. If necessary, you could do them back to back so that you'd have two concentric circles. Hope this helps...good luck!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top