Affordable Art and Craft Show Displays
Portable Displays for the Small or Seasonal Craft Fair Vendor
Nov 16, 2009
Selling art and craft items at shows and fairs can be an expensive proposition. Crafters sometimes choose to work shows that are close to home and that are not such big enterprises, such as Christmas craft shows and small festivals. Even in a church basement, wares must be displayed to attract buyers and show the items at their best.
Portable Display Booth
Portable store fixtures can work just as well for craft fair vendors as they do for retail stores. There are lots of things to consider when creating a craft fair booth display.
- At smaller art and craft shows producers often provide tables and a chair to each vendor. If not, a set of three square card tables set up next to each other makes a nice, long table display. Card tables fold easily and are not heavy.
- Purchase enough inexpensive, matching tablecloths to cover the tables all the way to floor. (Use the space under the tables for storage.) Purchase at least one extra tablecloth to make smaller coverings for tabletop displays.
- A wire display rack, also know as a gridwall, works well in a walk-in trade show booth or any booth space with a back wall. At small shows with just a table, narrow gridwalls can be placed at the edge of the display. Gridwalls are inexpensive, but appropriate accessories such as hooks and shelves may be necessary.
- Convertible art easels and tabletop easels are good for painters, photographers, and sketch artists. Shop around to find ones that are lightweight and priced well. At the show, display the nicest and most eye-catching work for sale on easels to attract customers.
- Clothing vendors can use inexpensive rolling racks to hang and display items. Some lightweight rolling racks break down for ease of portability.
Tabletop Displays
Once the tables are set up and covered down to the floor, craft show vendors must create height in their displays. Height catches customers' eyes and makes it easy for them to admire items for sale.
Tabletop step riser displays greatly increase visibility of items and table space. Cover them with extra tablecloth material so they match. Tabletop step risers come in varieties that break down for easy portability.
Tabletop Displays for Jewelry
Box displays are expensive and may put the new jewelry vendor in the red. However, there are portable tabletop jewelry display stands that are quite affordable. Hanging jewelry takes up less table space than jewelry lying on the table.
Inexpensive Displays
- Always shop around. Sometimes different suppliers offer the same thing for different prices.
- Include the cost of shipping in your affordability assessment, and when comparing prices.
- Take advantage of moving or going out of business sales. Store often sell their fixtures and display items at great prices.
- It never hurts to check eBay.
Experiment with what display ideas work best, make money and have fun.
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