Making The Most Out Of Fairs/Part 2 & Freeform Friday

[via emma lamb]

Your Best Display

Building on Friday's post, Making the Most Out of Fairs, suffice it to say that I am still researching and planning our booth for the craft fair we're doing in town on the 20th.  I'll state again, I have no idea how many people it will draw as it's only in its second year. We are still working on putting together the best display we can. It's good practice and because we work hard on our stuff - my illustrations and designs, and his concrete home and garden decor. I want our products to be shown in the best light possible.

So let's start right there.

1. Research & Planning

By all means, do some research. Talk to people you know who have done fairs. Ask them what displays worked well. Clip pictures out of magazines you like, scope out pinterest, mark blogs and shops you like that give you ideas for displays.  Sketch out a really basic overview or how you can best use your space whether it's just a table or entire booth. You don't have to be an artist, it's just a map for your to follow when you set up.

Then, do a test run (in your house, yard, basement, dining room table...wherever you can).

[via paper skirt]

Yes a test run. That way, you will be able to really see how it all works together. Sure, it might be a lot of work, but it will be so much easier when you get to the fair.

2. Use The Space You Have To The Fullest

This is pretty straight forward.  If you have a wall behind you, display some items on the wall.

[via paperskirt]

If you have a table, don't forget that the front of your table can serve as a backdrop for display, much like a wall, especially if you have light items.

[via emma lamb]

If you have a corner booth, don't forget you get extra visibility and be sure to create a display that can draw people from both sides.

3. Style Your Display

You know all those shows on HGTV that you've watched? You know, the ones with all the designers. Think about how they style rooms.  Think about texture, color, accessories, and odd numbers in groupings and how they work together to make your product display really sing.

[via emma lamb]

[via decor 8]

[via something creative every day]

[via indiemade]

4. Don't Let Your Display Overpower Your Product

You want your product to be the star of the show. Keep in mind things like the color of table cloths, bookcases, backdrops, folding screens.  You want your products to be shown in the best light and if colorful, pop.

[via tea rose home]

That goes for displays within your display, and for your booth in general. You don't want things to look overwhelming, or it may end up detracting from your product instead of showing it off.

Again, if you have done craft shows in the past and have tips to share, please do so in the comments.

Swing By The Party

The Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party is rocking! You should see the people coming through the door.  Old friends, new friends...there is lots to discover and if you have a shop or blog, you'll want to link up and show us your stuff.  We're even discovering a little bit about each other this time around, so be sure to check out the comments. 

Freeform Friday

Been listening to Graceland in the car.  This song makes me happy for a few reasons, it's upbeat nature, the Ladysmith Mambazo Chorus, the horns, and the thought of Chevy Chase and his goofball expressions in this video. You'll have to click here whether you're reading via email or the blog. Embedding was disabled on this one. Bummer.

Have a great Friday. So far here, the sun is shining! Yay. This week was very dreary so it is quite welcome. Plans for the weekend include getting products and displays sussed out for the craft fair, a campfire and a foliage ride.  It's not like we have to go far, the trees are starting to really pop here. Hopefully I can get some good pictures to share.

Ciao for now,