7 Things You Want To Know About Craft Shows

This article is meant to summarize my knowledge about selling on craft shows. Feel free to share your experience and tips in the comments!

1. Find a craft show - If you are a complete newbie, you might want to attend some shows in your area. You will both get an idea of how to arrange a craft fair display, and find some useful information about the organizers, participation fees, ways to apply, etc.
   
2. Apply for the craft show - A written application is required. The application forms are either sent to you by the organizer, or available as a printable PDF on the show's website. Fill them in accurately, and submit as soon as possible. Normally you need to apply at least 6 months in advance. In some cases you might be asked to send a picture of your display.
3. Prepare goods for the craft show - Make A LOT and multiply the ones you feel will sell the best. If you don't like making one and the same design again and again, go for color variations. It's important to diversify your price range. Have some costly "breath-takers", as well as items in the middle price range. However, what sells the most are the products in the low price range. I tend to have about 50 - 60 % of my inventory there, as little lovelies attract "impulse buyers" - people who are not necessary looking for anything in particular, but are willing to buy it, if it is nice and does not cost much.
   
4. Price your items - Put a price tag on each and every item you have. Yes, it is tedious and takes time, but you surely wouldn't like to see potential customers walk away because they wanted to know the price on something and you were too busy helping others. There are also some shy people out there, who just wouldn't dare ask you about the price! They are more inclined to simply look around, check the prices, and address you only in order to pay.
5. Prepare your display - Having a well-arranged display is a must - not only because it is good for your business, but also because it is required by the show organizers. I cover the tables and the wall behind me with a velvety type of fabric, and display the items at varied heights and within easy reach. Light is another crucial factor. Just two or three lights are not enough; you need plenty of them throughout your booth. Pack more extension cables, as you never know how far the next electricity outlet is.
6. The week before the craft show - Use it for getting organized and not for creating new designs. I typically price my items, sort out and pack everything needed in boxes, and - if there is some time left - make multiples and variations of best-selling products.
7. The craft show - Go to bed early the night before the show, and be at the site as soon as you are allowed to start building your display. The work is always more, than you have thought - and you don't want to have a half-arranged display and look stressed when the first visitors start passing by, do you? Be friendly and relaxed during the show, and try to have help periodically (for short lavatory or snack breaks).