The Dos and Don'ts of Craft Shows

After four straight weekends of doing craft shows, it's nice to finally have a break. No waking up early to rush across town. No acrobatic feats of assembling my display, followed by frantic wheeling and dealing (on a good day), or (on a bad one) long stretches of sitting alone amidst my stuff. I can eat when I want, pee when I want, and my cheeks don't hurt from smiling all day. It was fun, for the most part. I made a lot of new contacts and got valuable feedback. I took advantage of the time I had with my stuff to draw up some new designs and think about new directions I want to take kokoleo. Also, just for fun, I wrote up some dos and don'ts of craft shows based on things I did or didn't do right and things I saw others doing. Feel free to add your own dos and don'ts in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe we'll help some crafty newbie's first show go a little more smoothly.

The Dos and Don'ts of Craft Shows

In the weeks and days before the show:

• Do help promote the event. Advertise it on your blog, your website, print out cards to hand to people, post about it on message boards, etc.

• Don’t rely on the organizer to bring the crowd.

• Do pack your items so that they can be set up quickly.

• Don’t forget to pack a box of the essentials: tape, a sewing kit (or whatever your craft requires), scissors, markers and pens, price tags, food, water, phone, camera, $1 bills.

• Do pack your car, get gas, and print out MapQuest (Google Maps, etc.) directions ahead of time.

• Don’t leave a light on in your car overnight night so that your battery is dead in the morning.

The day of the show:

• Do get there on time, or early if you volunteered to help set up.

• Don’t arrive a half-hour before the doors open.

• Do set up right away.

• Don’t bug the organizer with your drama or problems (unless it’s something serious).

• Do introduce yourself to your neighbor.

• Don’t be passive-aggressive about marking your territory – you’ll be sitting next to this person for the next few hours.

• Do keep your stuff within the space allotted.

• Don’t make your display all wobbly and precarious.

• Do help your neighbor if he or she needs it.

• Don’t try to set up a tent all by yourself.

• Do eat something.

• Don’t eat stinky tuna fish sandwiches or fast food.

• Do invite your friends and family.

• Don’t let them hang out with you too long if they’re not there to help.

• Do check out other people’s work when you get a chance, but scoot out of the way when real customers arrive. Even better, talk about how awesome their stuff is to the potential customer.

• Don’t sit in the same place the whole time talking only to people who come to you and only talking about how awesome you are.

• Do keep it on the down low if you’re raking in the dough.

• Don’t bitch about it loudly if you’re not.

• Do offer to trade with vendors who seem to like your stuff (if you like their stuff too).

• Don’t hold it against them if they say no thank you (and don’t think it’s because your stuff sucks and you’re a loser.)

• Do spend the cash, if you have it, on someone’s work you really like – it may be gone soon.

• Don’t forget to get business cards of shops/people you want to remember.

• Do give fellow crafters and loyal customers a discount.

• Don’t shout it from the rooftops in front of those paying full price.

• Do take pictures if that’s something you like to do. Later they can help drum up interest in the event and promote fellow crafters.

• Don’t forget to ask first. Some people hate getting their picture taken. But some love it. Also, make sure to tell them how you’ll be using the pictures – on your blog, website, on Flickr, etc. so they can see them if they want to.

• Do continue to spruce up your display throughout the event. Fill in the holes left by things that have sold.

• Don’t start taking your booth apart before closing. Resist the urge.

• Do dismantle quickly at closing.

• Don’t dawdle or make anyone wait for you to leave.

• Do offer to help other people, if you can.

• Don’t expect people to help you, but take them up if they offer.

• Do thank the organizer on the way out if you get a chance.

• Don't leave anything behind. Don't pack your keys away with your products. Don't leave a light on in your car and make your battery die. Just get in your car and go! You've had a long day.