Monday, May 12, 2008

What To Take To Craft Shows

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We have had several requests for information on what a seller should take to a craft show. We are always being sent information of interest and being the pack rat that I am, I have this tendency to save virtually everything. After looking for several days, I found what I was looking for in my files. Unfortunately I don’t know who put this list together so I could give them the well deserved credit due them. This list is pretty comprehensive. I hope it will be of help for those doing craft shows.

For Professional Appearance:

Product/Packing Related:

All merchandise clearly priced (best done, before the show)

Any product information signs necessary

Boxes for purchases

Customer bags

Extra price tags

Hang tags & care instructions (as required)/ Price Tags

Inventory list/prices

String

Tissue or newspaper for fragile items

Literature:

Booth signs

Brochures

Business cards and holder

Catalogs

Company name sign

Flyers

Invitations to other shows/exhibits of your works

Media folder (in case of interview at show)

Portfolio

Referral sign - where else can they find your work

Retail order forms/price list

Show schedule to use as a bag stuffer & handouts

Special order forms - 2 part

Wholesale and/or retail special order forms

Wholesale order forms/price list

Office Supply Kit:

Clipboard and writing pad or notebook

Paper clips

Paper or index cards

Paper weight

Pens and pencils - red one for mark downs

Push pins & extra tacks

Rubber bands

Safety and/or straight pins

Scissors

Stapler and staples

Tape - scotch, masking, duct, packing

Sales Related:

800 authorization number for credit card authorization

Calculator

Cash box with change, ones, fives & tens or

Cash register & battery pack

Cell phone

Charge/credit slips

Credit card equipment (if you offer it)

Laptop

Receipt book/sales book

Sales tax chart

Miscellaneous:

Clear Paper Protector to hold the following:

Copy of your sales tax certificate of authority to hang in your booth

Correspondence with the promoter - directions, rules, regulations, phone notes, copy of canceled check, etc.

Copy of application with date sent and check number

Any notes about the show - pros or cons

Guest book- to develop a mailing list

3 Ring binder with all your show information in chronological order - this is great for sharing with other crafters

Rolling drawer unit to keep all office/sales/literature materials in; it's easily accessible and you never have to unpack

Tablet to record sales and mileage

Copy of this checklist

For Displays:

Tool Kit:

Glue for repairs - Elmer's, super glue, tacky

Hammer (to pound in spikes)

Hot glue gun

Knife

Nails

Needle nose pliers

Pliers

Screwdriver

Tacks

Tape measure

Touch up paintbrush

Wire cutters

Wrench

Display Props:

Carpeting or floor covering for size of booth

Chairs or stool with a back on it

Display aids

Backdrop

Folding screens

Grid displays

Pegboard and hooks

Plate display stands

Racks

Risers

Shelves

Wall units

Fabric draping for riser or shelf coverings

Folding tables

Music and tape player

Table clothes (clean & pressed) - to ground level

Tables

Display Hardware:

"C" Clamps (to secure a screen to a tabletop or sheeting to tent in case of rain

Bungee cords if you're outdoors

Canopy or tent & supplies

Extra weights or spikes

Fishing line (invisible hangers)

Opaque sheeting or drop clothes to cover display at overnight shows

Plastic tarps or sheeting in case of rain or overnight

Shims for table legs

Side-walls or tarps for overnight

Tape gun

Tie down ropes

Twist ties

Weights for holding display and tent down in the wind

Wire

Lighting:

3 or 4 extension cords- different lengths

3-to-2 adapters

Clip-on lights

Duct tape to tape the cord to the floor

Extension cord at least 50'

Extra 40-60 watt light bulbs

Flashlight

Lamps

Multi-plug outlets

Power strip

Cleaning Supplies:

Clean cloth rags

Garbage bags

Glass cleaner

Other cleaners

Paper towels

Small hand vacuum

Small trash can

Demonstrating:

All materials/supplies for making your craft

All tools needed

Apron

Candy or cookies for shoppers and children

Free samples

Miscellaneous:

Baggies

Clothespins

Dolly or cart to transport stock to your booth

For Personal Comfort:

Clothing:

Change of clothes- anything can happen

Change of shoes

Extra socks

Inner soles for shoes

Food:

Cooler with drinks & food

Frozen bottle of water or juice

Gallon jugs of water can double as weights

High energy foods and juices

Napkins

Paper plates

Plastic utensils

Simple food - like crackers or cut-up vegetables that won't be a mess

Thermal mug

Thermos

Water bottle

Weather related

Battery operated fan

Bug spray

Jacket or sweater

Neck coolers

Pair of rainproof boots

Sun hat and/or sunglasses

Sun screen

Health related:

Aspirin and/or any medicines you may require for the day

Box of tissues

First aid kit (prescription drugs, bandages, first aid cream, anything needed for allergies)

Hand lotion

In case of emergency - phone numbers of family members

Appearance/Hygiene:

Deodorant

Lipstick

Make up kit

Toilet tissue (you never know)

Wet wipes

Miscellaneous:

Camera

Cushion for chair

Fix-it kit with needles

Paper towels

Steamer/Iron

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