Etsy Shops > So you Wanna Do a Craft Fair?

So you Wanna Do a Craft Fair?

Posted: Lis on Jul 30 | Craft Fairs

I do. I’ve been applying like mad for the past month, and I’m hoping to get into some late fall/winter shows. Something I learned the hard way: you have to apply about a bazillion years in advance. So if you think you might like to do some shows in the next year and a half… START NOW.

Find the Shows

The best way to find good craft shows is to network with other artists in your area. You can do this through Etsy (e.g. post in the forums, or ask your local street team for advice), or by searching for shows online. One good starting point for finding shows is indiecraftshows.com. Visit some shows now to figure out if you might like to attend them next year.

Get Professional Item Photos Printed

You will need to include high quality photos of your work - usually between 3 and 5 photos - with each application. If you take your own photos with a digital camera, you can order prints online through mpix.com or snapfish.com. If your photos aren’t great, consider getting some professional photos of your items done. This is especially important for juried shows.

Create Your Booth (and take a photo!)

Many shows ask you to send them a setup of your display as a part of the application process. If you have never done a show, and therefore don’t have a display, this requirement can bring your application to a grinding halt. However, if you are serious about doing shows, you should go ahead and invest in a craft fair tent, display materials (risers, trays, busts, etc) and a banner.

You can get a craft fair tent from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Costco, Sam’s Club or online. Make sure it’s white, has four walls, and that both the tent, and the stakes holding the tent up will fit in a 10′ x 10′ space. There’s an Etsy forum thread with more tent info here.

Once you have your tent and your display materials, set it all up, put your items in it (make sure your “booth” looks full), and take pictures of it in your yard, or living room (against a white wall or with a drapery in the background). You can use this photo as your display photo for your applications.

Keep Track of Your Applications

When you apply to craft shows, you end up sending out a lot of checks - many of which will only be cashed if you’re accepted as a vendor. Create an excel spreadsheet to keep track of important info for each show - e.g. show date(s), application deadline, the date you applied, application fee, booth fee, notification deadline, which photos you sent and your check number(s). You will probably be sending out a lot of applications, and it can get confusing fast!

Good luck!

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