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| 904 Pop-Up in Jacksonville Beach, Oct. 30th, 2022 |
By Love Designs has existed since 2010, but it wasn't until 2015 that I did my first in-person event. I didn't feel remotely prepared for it, I showed up with my small Ikea dining room table, a T-bar for necklaces, and the earrings rack I used in my bedroom for my own earrings. I'm embarrassed even thinking about the pieces I was offering at the time or the way I was displaying them, but doing that event served as a catalyst for me to keep going.
Over the years I have built up my inventory and refined my market setup into something that I am very proud of. It does, however, still change as my tastes and ideas do. Check out my market display when I first started compared to a version of it from this year:
Over the years I have built up my inventory and refined my market setup into something that I am very proud of. It does, however, still change as my tastes and ideas do. Check out my market display when I first started compared to a version of it from this year:
2015 Market Setup:
2022 Market Setup:
Doing craft fairs and markets is a fun way to sell products in person and network with other makers, and I am constantly learning while doing events. Here are some tips for doing craft fairs that I have picked up over the years:
1. Have your own equipment: Invest in your own tables, tent, and chairs so that you are always prepared for any market. Some markets provide these things, but most do not, so it is best to just always be ready to provide them on your own.
2. Get a wagon: I did markets for a few years without a wagon before realizing I should invest in one, and it has been a game changer! Mine is a recreational one from Academy Sports with durable wheels, making it great for rolling over anything from sidewalks to grass or sand.
3. Be flexible with your market setup: You're not going to figure out the perfect way to display your products right away. Heck, you probably will never establish a permanent way to display your items. As your inventory changes, your display needs will too. Be flexible about it and don't be afraid to change things up from event to event. Today my products mostly include beaded fringe earrings, so my displays need to accommodate that, but before I mostly had necklaces, so my displays had to mostly be busts or necklace stands.
2. Get a wagon: I did markets for a few years without a wagon before realizing I should invest in one, and it has been a game changer! Mine is a recreational one from Academy Sports with durable wheels, making it great for rolling over anything from sidewalks to grass or sand.
3. Be flexible with your market setup: You're not going to figure out the perfect way to display your products right away. Heck, you probably will never establish a permanent way to display your items. As your inventory changes, your display needs will too. Be flexible about it and don't be afraid to change things up from event to event. Today my products mostly include beaded fringe earrings, so my displays need to accommodate that, but before I mostly had necklaces, so my displays had to mostly be busts or necklace stands.
This is just the beginning of what I have to share as far as my maker's market vendor tips go, but for the sake I've brevity I'll stop here and continue with a part 2 later. Do you have questions or tips you would like to see included? Let me know in the comments or on social media!
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