theartofquilling.com

I have participated in many craft shows over the years and have found one that I really like sponsored by the South Cobb Arts Alliance.  Unlike traditional 1-2 day shows where you set up your booth and then personally sell your merchandise each day, this 11-day show is set up like a Christmas house.  You bring your items for the initial set up, work two 3-hour shifts, pick up your unsold items, and they mail you a check for the items that you did sell.  It is wonderful!

The only down side is that you are not there to watch over your items.  That is where creative packaging can be a big help.  Along with my “captured ornament” series, this year I am offering three different quilled ornaments for sale.  And while I know that paper ornaments are quite sturdy, I really didn’t want to put them out without some type of protection.  I would hope that adults would treat them with proper care, but the tables are low enough that little ones might be tempted to reach for them.

To solve this problem, I created a simple gift box for each ornament and then placed it inside a plastic sleeve (like those used for cards).  Packaged with the box open, potential buyers can see exactly what the ornament looks like.   

I make the gift boxes from heavy scrapbook paper or card stock.  I like using a nice printed paper for the top and a solid color for the bottom.  I purchase the paper during the year when I find it on sale, that way the boxes cost next to nothing.  My boxes are roughly 3-in x 3-in square, but you will want to make yours sized to fit your ornaments.  Just be sure to make the lid a little bit larger so it will fit over the bottom (trust me — I speak from frustrated experience).  I also make the lid height a little bit shorter than the bottom height so that the box is easier for the recipient to open.  There are several good scoring tools on the market (I use the Martha Stewart one, but Score-Pal is very popular, too) that make creating these boxes a snap.

For an added touch, I cut a piece of white quilt batting to fit inside the box.  I purchased an inexpensive roll of batting at my local JoAnn store (using a coupon, of course!).  I’ve probably made five dozen boxes and still have plenty of batting left for next year.  This gives the gift box the feel of an expensive jewelry gift box.  I did find, however, that my white snowflake did not show up well on the white batting, so I cut a piece of pale silver tissue to sit on top of the batting underneath the snowflake. 

Since my ornaments are for sale, I include my custom hang tag which contains basic quilling information.  This tucks away neatly underneath the batting.

Even if you don’t participate in craft shows, you might want to give this idea a try.  Think of how delighted your friends and family will be to receive your quilled ornaments inside their own little gift box.

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Talk to the Customers

Talk to the Vendors 

Talk to Those in Charge

• Fees:  What is the booth fee?  Besides the booth fee, are vendors required to donate a craft item for a silent auction benefiting the sponsoring organization (this is especially common for non-profit and church sponsored events).  This donation needs to be added to the entry fee when comparing costs.  In addition to the booth fee, some show promoters charge a percentage of sales.  Many times, this percentage is different for those exhibitors who are members of the sponsoring organization versus non-members.  There may also be an additional fee charged for electricity (if required), or for the use of tables provided by the show venue.

• Booth & Setup:  What is the size of the booth?  Booth sizes generally depend on the exhibiting venue and are are not standard.  Some sizes I have seen through the years are 8′x8′, 10′x10′, and 5′ x 15′.  Each show I have been in required that tables be covered to the floor so that boxes and extra merchandise is neatly hidden.  Usually, the nature of this covering is left up to the individual crafter, but I did run across one who required that all tables be covered in black.  If you have brown table covering and need to purchase black, it will add to the cost of entering that show.  Not all shows require a booth, however.  I have been accepted into a Christmas House sponsored by an arts organization I belong to.  I bring my specially tagged merchandise to the house several days before the show and the show volunteers display my wares.  There is nothing for me to set up — but I have no control over the display. 

• Length of Show:  While weekend shows are most common, shows may be anywhere from one day to two weeks.  You need to be aware of how much display time in front of potential customers you are buying with your show fees.   

• General Info:  Find out the set-up schedule.  If you are required to set up by 7:00pm Friday night for a Saturday show and you don’t get off work until 5:00pm, you might have a problem and will need to pass on the show or get someone to help with the set-up.  Are only handmade items accepted, or is buy/sell merchandise allowed (mass produced items imported for resale).  Is it a juried show?  Will you need to submit a photo of your booth set-up along with photos of your art to be considered?  Most craft shows have an application process with deadlines much sooner than you would expect.  I enjoy shopping at a local craft show that takes place mid-November.  It is so popular that returning vendors must reserve their spot by May 1st and the show sponsors stop taking applications from new vendors on June 1st.  

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For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere (United States, Canada and most of Europe) autumn begins today at 5:18 pm EDT.  And you know what that means — cooler air, changing leaves, and craft shows are right around the corner.  I have participated in many craft shows over the years and have learned a few tricks along the way which I am happy to share with you. 

The Craft Show Itself

Show Observations

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