Packing for your show

 This subject might not seem to warrant a whole post , but you can trust that it does. If I had a dollar for each thing I've forgotten over the years , or for each thing another craftsman forgot and tried to borrow , I might be able to buy my own island. And I say "tried to borrow " not because I was unwilling to lend whatever it was , but because the person always seemed to need something my own set up didn't require , and I didn't carry. It was the same for me if I needed to borrow something.

 So what I really recommend doing before you do your first show is a mock set up. It will pay off very well for both packing and setting up. And if you are like me , it can provide a reality check. I'm not always a minimalist. I love being over prepared. But often , I can't fit everything in the van. If you are like me this can help you avoid being overwhelmed. It can also help you think through what you are doing when you set up.

 Another trick I use is to have certain things that I just keep packed and ready.  There is a toolbox that has tools for setting up ( basics such as screwdrivers ; yes you can borrow that , and specifics such as the right size wrench for the glass display ). There is extra room in the toolbox , so I tuck in a few wet wipes in case I get time to eat , a few bungis just in case , and anything else I've learned the hard way might come in handy. There is also the "rain Tote ". This is separate and I only grab it when the weather says I should. Sometimes I grab it just in case and leave it in the van as a backup. This has towels to dry things with  and some cheap plastic painter's drop cloths  along with clamps to hold them in place over anything that can't fit in the tent . I use the cheap plastic deals at $1.99 each because they get really messy and this way I can toss them. Tarps would be better for the environment , but they are hard to pack out without getting everything else wet. I only use the drop cloths if it's raining really hard . I also have disposable rain ponchos in case we forget the rain coats.

 If you are thinking you won't show up if the weather is bad , that doesn't always work. Some shows won't consider your application the next time around if you do this , and there is always the bad 

weather that shows up suddenly without warning .

 Also keep in mind that if you pack things so that what you need first is on the top , or easily accessible , that's a plus.

 Here's a photo from long ago that shows the tent and the racks up top. If it's raining , you set up the tent first , then the racks , and once you have your dry spot established , you can move the inventory from inside and put it under the dry tent.

Last but not least , it helps to have a list. There are things that just don't get on the radar unless you do My achilles heel has always been the tent weights .

And speaking of weight....it might be a good idea , if you have inventory that is heavy , to know the weight limit of your vehicle. If you are like me , you never thought about this. And you are surprised to find out you are exceeding it.

Some recommendations about show equippment ;

Your tent can be one of those quick up folding canopies , but keep in mind that if you want to leave your stuff overnight , or if the weather will be bad , you probably want tent sides. These only come with the higher priced tents.  Sometimes you will see a deal that says it includes sides , but they aren't telling you the front is not included. There is also a big difference between the sides that zip in and those that are applied with velcro. When it is raining and you need to get the sides up , zippers are much faster .You can buy a tent without them , and then buy your sides later , but that route will probably cost more. Also , there are heavy duty tents that take a bit longer to put up , but are far more sturdy in bad weather. The quick up folding tents can pool water to the point of collapse and are more prone to being blown away in high winds. Our first tent of this type actually did blow away in a brush with a tornado at the beach. When everything cleared , we noticed the tent next to us was still standing and in good shape , while most of the other tents were damaged. We immediately asked for the name of this tent company and ordered one. And don't forget to purchase tent weights.

Your display equipment is pretty personal and up to you. It can be completely home made or it can be purchased. I do advise having some sort of designated desk  . It is also important to have a plan for keeping things off the ground. Using plastic totes to store things such as packaging and extra inventory is a good plan. If you are set up at the edge of a street and there is a downpour , at least part of the street can flood.

Craft Shows...how to apply

 First , of course , you have to decide what show you want to do. Or need to do. Things to consider about your first show are if it will be indoor or outdoor , how long it will be , what time of year , and how close to home.

  If you have no experience with any sort of craft show, the safest thing to do is to schedule an indoor show close to home , preferably a one day event. There is just so much to learn about doing craft shows that it seems best to take weather and travel out of the equation at first . There are even some indoor shows that have a central checkout. They take a percentage of your profit instead of a regular show fee.

  There are many ways to see what shows are available in your area. Before Google , we had to subscribe to periodicals that listed different events. Now it's easy to google these. You can call local arts councils and get on their mailing lists.

  There's been a trend in recent years to make these shows easier for the craftspeople to do . Some show fees include a tent and tables that are already set up for you. One of the shows I do lets artists set up on the porches of the beautiful old houses in the neighborhood that hosts the show. Other shows treat the crafts people to free lunches or breakfasts. Be sure to look for things like this to make your life easier as you get started.

 And remember that if you are doing the same show as another artist you know , you can ask them if they mind having you set up next to them. Usually , the show honors this request as long as both parties make it.

 Some of our favorite neighbors. These guys are jewelry artists. The cats are their friends.

The actual process of applying can be varied. The biggest thing you need to have ahead of time is photos of your work. There are whole books on how to photograph craft work , but a good rule of thumb can be to shoot photos outside on an overcast day. This will cut down on glare. Keep things simple. A plain background is best. People starting out tend to stage their shots with a textured background , a background with related things , or too many items in one photo. I've been part of several craft juries and can tell you that things look best all by them selves with a plain background. You may need to get creative here. I have used unwrinkled fabric as well as elevating the object I'm shooting so there is only sky behind it. Look at work online to get an idea. Etsy , lists of artists participating in shows  , etc. Shoot plenty of photos , then choose the best.

Most applications are very specific about how they want your photos presented and submitted. Read the directions carefully and fill out the application carefully as well. Double check it . Some applications will be mailed in , many are online. I've even come upon one that wanted me to create a Facebook page for my business , then send them a link.

Most shows now require application fees. I'm sure this is smart , as many shows have far more applicants than they need and someone has to go through all of them and make a decision. You may also need to send a check for the show fee at the same time as you apply. Just be aware that applying can cost a certain amount of money .

Also be aware that some shows start taking applications up to a year ahead of time. These are usually some of the events that have the best turn out , the largest profits , and the most applicants. So start early , pay attention to detail , and good luck !

The Craft Show Adventure ....things to consider

 When you start to get a body of work ; art or craft , the next step is to sell it. There are many ways to do that , either in person or online , but there's a real advantage to selling at Craft shows ( or Art shows ). I mention Craft shows first because they usually generate more sales.

 First , in dealing with the customer yourself , you get all sorts of great feedback . Things like color preference, sizes that will sell , you get to hear about them as well as ask questions. I always like to start a conversation that may lead to feedback. And if you sell something you also get feedback that way.

  Next , you can see what others are both making and selling. It's always fun to look around and see if you can tell who is selling the most, then figure out why .

  If you already sell in a gallery or online , you can promote this at the show . Handing out info about yourself with these things included is a great opportunity. It doesn't need to be a fancy handout , just a small thing you print from your computer.

  Then there is the other entertainment . You can sell your work , listen to music , watch a parade. And while the shows where I have the best sales are craft shows with no other entertainment , you can always watch the people.

 But the best thing about shows is having contact with the other artists, I have made friends for life this way. I've also made some great business contacts. And there are people who I may never see again , but will never forget.

  

  So what is the downside ? First , most of these shows are outdoors. You are at the mercy of the weather . Sometimes it is possible to find an indoor show , but the rent is usually higher and there is almost always an admission charge.

 Then , you will need display equipment. It may be possible to borrow this, but eventually you will need your own. This includes a tent and chairs as well as the actual display . You will need something to pack your inventory in and a vehicle to haul all of it.

 Last , you will need to consider how to take payment. Will you take credit cards ? It has gotten more complicated to do this. How about checks ? And if you handle cash , do you plan to check for counterfeits ?

 So there's a lot to think about .It can be a process where you start with small indoor shows and talk to other artists about their experiences.

  And if you do decide to plunge in , I'm going to do a few more posts on the subject , such as how to apply , how to set up and take down , how to survive bad weather , and how to pick the shows that are best for you.

  One way to check things out before you take the plunge is to volunteer at some shows you have an interest in. You can talk to the artists and see what it takes to go from set up to tear down . Or you can go to the show as a visitor , but you may miss the behind the scenes part.