Craft Show Checklist {For Success!}

In this post, you will see a craft show checklist that will help you to have craft show success!

If like me you make and sell things on your own website or Etsy, it is always a great idea to get involved in craft shows so that you can sell to a more local market and get feedback on your work at the same time.

I have attended quite a few art and craft shows in the past, in the UK and they were all a great insight into what people like and don’t like about your work.

*Scroll down for your free printable craft show checklist*

Craft Show Checklist

The craft shows I have attended have been home to a mix of artists and craftspeople from all over the world.

This allows us to see a different audience from what we have seen before.

We should always be happy to receive feedback on our work and people do tell you if they have any criticisms.

Take a look at my top 5 tips on what to do to ensure that you have a craft show success!

1. Stand Out From The Crowd

If you sell items worth £25 or £35 and other sellers have a stall full of items at £1 or £3 then you should add some lower-priced items to your collection.

For example, most of the items in my booth are hand-knit so they are more costly.

I add smaller items such as handmade earrings, cards, and Christmas decorations. – 35 Free Knitted Christmas Decorations (Knitting Patterns)

Don’t lower your prices though on your higher-priced items as there is a right price for everyone and if they love something will know its worth and make their purchase.

Stand out from the crowd and offer a range of prices for every person.

My biggest selling items are the hand-knitted bunnies and I never lower the price.

That is because they stand out from the crowd!

This is about your branding also, do you have a uniform look to your work that could be translated into your displays?

I have a bookcase with mini bunting that I display the knitted animals on so that it looks a bit like a toy shop.

The business cards, stickers, etc all have a Handy Little Me branding style, that comes from my website and also my Etsy shop.

2. What You Need To Take With You

Find out before you go what you will be getting from the venue before you go, for example, tables and chairs.

If this is your first craft show, you may take more items than you need, just in case!

Have a list of items that you will need to take with you (a fair checklist).

I always take a white tablecloth, props to display my items (a bookcase for the knitted toys), branches and a vase to display Christmas decorations, teapots to display the tea cozies, and a box for the smaller items like earrings and cards.

The other things you will need are – an inventory list, a pen, notebook, tablet, cash box, cash float, credit card reader, calculator, receipt book, spare price tags, collate, double-sided tape, drawing pins, string, scissors, clips, duct tape, glue, bins, charger, screwdriver, and mints.

Pack snacks/drinks or money for food/drinks as you will need a coffee break/lunch break also!

You may also need to take a stool or foldable chair, signage for your brand, sunglasses, sunscreen if you are outside, display items, tissues, gum, wet wipes, and a first aid kit.

3. Wrap It Up

Take special wrappings for your items, so that others can see your fancy bags and tissue papers in your craft show booth.

I take brown kraft bags in medium and large with ribbons tied to the handles and a business card taped to the front with colorful washi tape.

I wrap everything in colored tissue paper.

For smaller items, I have brown paper bags with a card taped to the front.

Everything should fall in line with your ‘brand’.

From your display to the wrapping of items, this should have some conformity.

4. Internet Access

Connect to the venue’s wifi if you can and when you sell items you can de-activate them in your Etsy shop.

I also keep a list in my notebook of what I am selling.

In quiet times you can tweet/share on IG stories photos of your display/stall and let your followers see what you are doing.

Be careful not to be on your phone or tablet a lot though as this could put potential customers off.

Talking to people and looking available is important.

5. Promote Your Online Shop

Be sure to take plenty of business cards and postcards with you to hand out during the day.

If people are not sure about something they may take a card and contact you later.

I have a box of postcards and business cards and people do take them.

I gained Facebook likes from this and comments on the knitted items.

If you make your own postcards or business cards remember to include the following information: Website / Etsy Shop / Email / Socials.

You should also have a logo that is in line with your website/Etsy shop.

Grab your printable checklist here – Craft Show Checklist

Good Luck at your craft shows and I wish you all many sales!

Do you have any tips to share?

Let me know in the comments below.