Are you down in your basement late at night turning out some amazing crafts? Are you ready to turn that hobby into a little extra cash for your family? Do you love attending craft shows on the weekend but wonder how to become a vendor yourself? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

First, you need to decide if selling at shows is the right move for you. Shows can be a LOT of work. There’s lots of packing, unpacking, pricing, packing again, and hauling involved. Sometimes, it’s dirty, sweaty work. Sometimes you go all day without eating or taking a bathroom break. BUT shows can be a TON of fun and are quite profitable if you know how to do it right.

Before you start filling out applications, however, let’s discuss the difference between selling at shows vs selling online…

Shows vs Etsy

There are advantages and disadvantages to both selling online and selling at weekend shows. Begin by thinking through your lifestyle. Are your flexible on the weekends? Do you have kids? Can you find childcare easily? Are you a morning person (set up usually starts early!)? Do you have a vehicle capable of hauling all your products? Are you a people person?

The greatest advantage to selling at shows is getting in front of your customer. They’re more likely to buy from you if they have a relationship with you. It’s your winning personality that will help make the sale and keep them coming back for more. Shows are also a good opportunity for making a lot of sales all at once (at least that’s the goal, right?). If you’re selling online it can sometimes takes months even years to drive traffic to your online store.

The advantage to selling online, however, (Etsy, Amazon Marketplace, etc) is that you can list your products quite easily from the comfort of your home. You’re not limited by the wind or rain and it doesn’t take you away from your family on the weekend. You are, however, a small fish in a very big sea…especially if you’re selling on Etsy. The online marketplace is saturated. It’s a lot harder to stick out and you’re not as likely to develop a relationship with your customer. There’s also the added headache of shipping (Something I don’t enjoy myself!).

Pick the right show for you

It might be tempting at first to apply to every show you come across. But trust me, you will lose money. Yes, shows cost money. Not only are there fees to get into a show, but there’s also gas, food, sometimes hotels, and the inevitable broken product(s), and most of all…time. TIME IS MONEY! Don’t undervalue your time. Pick the shows that will bring you the greatest profit. It makes more business sense to do 3-4 really good shows/year than 15 less profitable ones.

You’ll also want to make sure you pick the right show for your product(s). Different shows have different “themes”. If it’s an antiques show, your felt reindeers are probably not going to be a good fit. That’s ok. Go where your market is. I was once conned into selling at a nursing home craft show…I don’t really sell crafts, I sell painted furniture and signs. I think I sold $40 that day. My space cost $30. Considering the fact that I was gone from my family all day and only made $10…that’s not worth it. The lady next to me, however, who sold felt reindeers knocked it out of the park. That was her market. Good for her!

What is a juried show

Typically, the larger shows are juried. Basically, that means that you will have to fill out an application and submit pictures in order to be accepted as a vendor. Not all vendors are accepted into these shows. The person coordinating the show is looking for vendors that fit a particular need or “look” for the type of show they’re organizing. For example, the show might have a vintage vibe or high-end art, hand-made only, etc. Do not take it personally if you don’t get accepted into a juried event. Consider it a blessing because that means it’s not your market and your sales will suffer. Another reason why you might not be accepted into a juried show is that there is too many vendors selling the same type of product. For instance, an organizer doesn’t want too many soap or jewelry vendors. Too much competition can be bad for sales. However, if there is a particular event you have your heart set on trying…reapply the next time around. Just because you didn’t get in the first time, doesn’t mean you won’t be considered the next time around. Take heart and try again.

Length of Show

Think through your schedule. Are you free during the weekdays? Some shows set up on Fridays which makes it difficult for someone who has a full-time job. Some shows run only one day. Some run for multiple days. I have a friend that refuses to do any shows on Sundays because that’s her day to rest. I admire her for knowing her boundaries. I have another friend that prefers one-day shows over two-days shows. Know your self and stick to your guns.

Inside or Outside

Think through what you want to sell. Is it easily portable? Will it get ruined if it gets wet? It is heavy? Breakable? Do you have a tent? I sell furniture which is hard to haul. I have to rent a uhaul for most shows. I’ve scratched quite a few pieces. When I’m considering a show, I almost always pick the shows that are inside because I’ve ruined too many pieces due to rain. I also like to pick spaces where I can load/unload pieces easily. Don’t be afraid to ask the coordinator questions about exactly where your space is located. Also, ask if it’s on grass or concrete…this is important to know as you’re thinking through your display.

Tent or Table

Generally speaking, most events offer a 10 x 10 or table space. Prices vary for either one. If you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of inventory, then a table space might be a good fit for you. Typically, you have to bring your own table, but you might want to check with the coordinator to see if it’s provided or not. If you have bigger pieces (like furniture) or a fancy display, then a 10 x 10 might be a better fit for you.

This is the tent I use at shows. I’ve been very happy with it. You can order it from my affiliate link here…

https://amzn.to/2LtQGjC

Think Display

Thankfully, Pinterest is a wealth of inspiration for creating the perfect booth or table display! Word of caution, however, it’s easy to get bogged down especially if you’re just getting started. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just pick one or two ideas and run with it until you get a few shows under your belt…you can always add something new to your display with each new show. I will say, however, that you want to put some effort into it. If customers see that you care enough about your display, then they’ll know you care enough to put out a good product.

Also, and this is extremely important….choose displays that are conducive to your space. I personally, run a show in a renovated barn. Each space within the barn is unique and not true to size. Don’t be afraid to ask your coordinator to describe your space and maybe even send you pictures.

Things to Bring

I will be writing another blog post shortly about more how to more specifically prepare for a show. For now, here is a very abbreviated list….

Tent or table, chair, square reader, apron, money for making change, bags and tissue paper for wrapping items, business cards, packed lunch, helper if possible

Finding Crafts Shows

So, how do you go about finding the right show anyway? If you’re on facebook I would start by searching for events in your area. Event pages typically have an about page where they list the contact information. I would also ask other vendors. These people are going to be your best source of information. Most of them know which shows are good, not so good, best way to get in, etc. And they typically love to share their knowledge with newbies.

Once you get a feel for the shows that are a good fit for you, then start applying right away. Take out your calendar and start scheduling. Shows fill up fast and it’s best to know well in advance which ones you want to do. Some vendors already have their shows scheduled for next year!

If you’re in the Cincinnati area…feel free to check out my show! The Artisan Market is every April and December and features 75+ vendors, food trucks and live music. You can fill out an application here.