If you sell stuff at craft fairs, what display / accessories do you recommend?

[hulahoopingtoday]

Hello! I'm going to be selling products at craft fairs soon: mostly small art prints, and some small boxed items (no more than a few inches), postcards, perhaps some greetings cards. What items would you recommend to display them? If there's anything that you use and love let me know!

I'm thinking little wooden blocks to put prices or notices in, a greetings card stand of sorts, perhaps some mini shelves. I was also considering some sort of stand that I could clip prints to (upright) that goes on the table. I'm honestly a bit lost.

I'm also thinking I will need tissue, stickers, paper bags etc.

What kind of table cloths or other decorations work well in your opinion?

I realise this is basic stuff, but I'd love recommendations (especially if you have particular products or brands) if you do this regularly! I don't want to buy a load of stuff and then have it sitting round the house unused. thank you!

Pinterest can be really useful for ideas. I think you can go with two routes:

• low-cost, for example if you're testing the idea at a school fair or similar, where you just use items you already have at home instead of spending money, or
• choose a style, colour scheme and materials, for example wooden/ rustic, glass/ chrome etc and find things that fit that overall look.

Plain-coloured tablecloths are generally advised. I use white. Avoid anything with a busy print.

Looking at layouts in local shops can also work, especially if you have boutiques/independent gift shops etc nearby. It can be useful to get ideas of layouts you do/don't like.

I would practice setting up on an area of a similar size to the one that you'll use to sell , maybe your dining table would work. Try to use vertical space rather than having everything lying flat. Small containers are useful to keep similar items together.

Price everything, ideally individually. Have links to social media and information about how/where the items are made, their inspiration etc. It provides a talking point.

Think in advance how you want to package things and whether you'll offer bags.

Save up your change and wear a money belt or a small crossbody bag to hold cash.

Point of sale providers like Square offer a way to take electronic payments through your phone, without buying a separate device. I'll provide a referral link in case you're interested. (Screenshot attached of what you get if you use the link)
https://squareup.com/i/54F24CE7F6

Good luck!

Whatever you do (experience speaking here) make sure the prices are clearly displayed. People will NOT ask you the price if they cannot see it.

I’ve got one of those stretchy tablecloths that goes over the feet of the table and goes right down to the floor at the front. It gives a nice clean look and you can hide all your boxes behind. If you decide to use an ordinary tablecloth then please iron it, I have seen so many wrinkled cloths on stalls and it makes it look so tatty! Plain white or black is best.
I always take paper bags, tissue paper, bubble wrap, cash float in case people don’t want to pay by card, a card reader, safety pins if I am attaching bunting to the table, business cards, I also have a little light up tree because I sell hanging decorations.
Try and give a bit of height to your display, consider using small crates to stand items on just to break it up visually.
I am also very tight and always take my packed lunch, tea in a thermos and water because I don’t want to spend any money on refreshments when I’m there!
Final tip I would give is to have a trial run at home setting everything up so you can make changes and get it looking how you want it.
Good luck! Being a vendor can be very hit and miss, some days you will be rushed off your feet, other days will feel very long and you might only sell a couple of bits. Hang on in there and don’t get disheartened!

thank you, this is super helpful! much appreciated :)

so much great advice, thank you so much!!

Clearly priced and use a card machine for payment, I’ve not bought a few things because the vendor only accepted cash.