Take That!

February 2, 2010 Craft Professionals 8 Comments

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”.

If you’re a crafter, and you must be, since you’re here, there’s a good chance you sell what you produce. Some of us sell to our friends, some online, some in stores, and some at shows and sales throughout the year. And some us do all of the above!

January, for me, is a time to regroup. Like a lot of other people, I’m using the first few weeks of the year to get organized, and one of the things I’ve done is look over my list of things I take to shows. It might seem like a long list, but a lot of what’s on it takes up very little space, and having these items with me helps me feel like I can handle just about anything that comes up.

This is my list. Alter it at will to suit your art and venue.

  • Canopy
  • Canopy weights
  • Table(s)
  • Table cover(s)
  • Carpet squares
  • Perforated round wire table
  • Snacks & water
  • Signage
  • Wire display racks
  • Coffee Pot People banner
  • Stool to sit on
  • Paper for wrapping
  • Bags
  • Coffee Pot People Album
  • Email signup list & clipboard
  • Credit card slider & clipboard
  • Small sledge hammer for pounding stems into ground
  • Coffee Pot People, and Tea Kettle Characters
  • China & Mega Blossoms
  • ALL China Blossom Stems
  • Tub for cooling my feet
  • Sweater, clean shirt
  • $100 change
  • Fanny pack for cash/checks/credit slips
  • Camera
  • Project to work on
  • TV tray

SMALL PLASTIC THREE-DRAWER CHEST TO HOLD:

  • Paper & pens
  • Deodorant
  • Make-up
  • Receipt books
  • E-6000 (because people always ask what I use)
  • Credit card slips
  • Business cards
  • Masking tape
  • Scissors
  • Gardening gloves
  • Pliers, screwdrivers, glue
  • Packet of moist towelettes, because you Will get your hands dirty
  • Cellophane tape
  • Clothes pins
  • Safety pins
  • Extra tags, string, labels

You, of course, would take your merchandise, and not my Coffee Pot People, Tea Kettle Characters, or China and Mega Blossoms! There are other things on the list you won’t need, and things I don’t take that you’ll want.

The three-drawer chest has become indispensable for me. It holds all the little stuff in one place. Putting it on the TV tray means, usually, that I can tuck it behind my big table, out of the way, but still accessible.

The small tub is worth its weight in gold on hot days. I put cool water in it, put it on the ground behind my big table, slip off my shoes and stand in it. It’s a real life saver.

Always have something to do, a project, preferably something to make that you’re selling.  It keeps you from being bored during slow times, and draws onlookers. Never, ever read in your booth. It sends the wrong message to your shoppers.

Always take your camera. Photograph your booth, so you can work on the layout later, or remember what you did that was great.

One thing not to worry about: Taking something you don’t need.

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