Craft Show Beginner? Don’t Forget These 5 Craft Fair MUST HAVES for Artists & Makers!

Getting ready to do your first craft show and wondering what to bring? Or maybe you’ve been doing craft fairs for awhile now, but you just KNOW there’s something you’re missing. I spent a decade as a handmade vendor selling at art markets, craft shows, and festivals, and I learned a lot of things the HARD way. In this video, you’ll learn my top 5 craft show MUST HAVES that made my life as an artist SO much easier.
CRAFT SHOW MUST HAVES (Amazon affiliate product links):
✅ E-Z UP craft fair tent: amzn.to/42vM9ET
✅ Fitted tablecloths: amzn.to/42y0RLq
✅ Tall fold-up directors chair: amzn.to/3X1Jimc
✅ Organza drawstring gift bags for jewelry: amzn.to/43VlDGd
✅ Brown paper gift bags, 100 pack: amzn.to/3oUamHc
✅ Magliner convertible hand truck: amzn.to/3oXaUw2
✅ Magna Cart hand truck: amzn.to/43Q0a19
✅ MY BOOK: How to Make Money at Craft Shows: Art Market and Craft Fair Tips & Tricks - amzn.to/3N0fV01
Find even more bonus ideas + a full CRAFT SHOW CHECKLIST on my blog post: www.badasscreatives.com/blog/...
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💖 ABOUT MALLORY 👩🏻‍🎤
Hi! I'm Mallory Whitfield. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana, and I’m a marketing mentor & small business coach for high-achieving, multi passionate creative weirdos.
I started my first handmade business way back in 2004, and along the way, I taught myself all about digital marketing and how to run a business. I learned marketing the hard way, making a LOT of mistakes along the way. In 2014, I switched to a full-time career in digital marketing. Since then, I've worked with hundreds of artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses, teaching workshops on SEO, e-commerce, blogging, social media & email marketing at events like Craftcation and New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. As Adjunct Professor at Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement, I taught & developed classes on Digital Media Principles & Strategy and Creating Digital Content.
Learn more about me here: www.badasscreatives.com/about
🔗 NOTE: This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support this channel at no additional cost to you. While we may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. We appreciate your support!
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Must Have 1
2:51 Must Have 2
3:56 Must Have 3
5:56 Must Have 4
7:03 Must Have 5

[@badasscreatives]

Find even more bonus ideas + a full CRAFT SHOW CHECKLIST on my blog post: www.badasscreatives.com/blog/craft-show-must-haves?KZbin&

[@phyllis3954]

I suggest additional electrical outlet cords, if the sockets are not close to your booth; duck tape to place over cords to secure them to the floor, and keep your space tidy; change$$ for cash transactions and an electrical multi use source. So you can charge your phone and POS device.

[@badasscreatives]

Definitely agree! Thanks for commenting! Extension cords for power + ways to secure things around your booth (like duct tape, bungee cords, zipties, etc) are must haves! I've got a brief checklist including these things on my blog post: www.badasscreatives.com/blog/craft-show-must-haves I also like to keep a packing checklist on the Notes app on my phone, to make sure I don't miss anything while packing up my car to leave. (Works for both craft show packing AND travel packing! Keep a different checklist template for different occasions!)

[@jacquelineormsby4503]

Thank you!😊

[@badasscreatives]

You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful! 💖

[@Jaebirdsing]

Another essential for me is a little table for behind my table. It’s just big enough for my money box, inventory sheets and a drink. I’ve done some where there wasn’t enough room to set it up and they are so stressful when people paid

[@badasscreatives]

YES, great suggestion! I used to do this too - I had a small folding table that I'd keep behind my main display tables that I'd use similarly. It definitely made things easier when checking out a customer!

[@aimeeditomo3597]

The cart idea is perfect!!! Ive been searching for how to transport my products and you solved it!!! I just hope I can find one big enough to hold my 6ft tables. Thank you so much!!!!!!!

[@badasscreatives]

Awesome, I'm so glad you found it helpful Aimee! 💖 The Magliner convertible hand truck that I used could hold a LOT and it was very strong. They are kinda pricey, but if you're doing a lot of events and have a lot of large and/or heavy stuff to load, it's really worth it! Here's the Amazon affiliate product link to the exact Magliner hand truck I used (if you purchase via the link it helps to support this channel at no additional cost to you): amzn.to/3oXaUw2

[@symbolikarts]

Great video for beginners. I go to our local outdoor swap meets, aka flea markets here in California. The summers are crazy hot, so I always bring a coleman cooler with plenty of water and food for the day. I use lightweight assembly materials for easy set up and breakdown of booth. I will be binging on your videos to get more tips and hacks on craft market success ✌️🤟🤙

[@badasscreatives]

Thank you! Sounds like you've already discovered a few of the things I found were SOOOO useful to have on hand at craft shows and outdoor events! Staying hydrated and keeping your setup materials as lightweight as possible is so important! Wishing you all the best in your crafty endeavors!

[@user-lh8vf4dy4g]

Love the video. Like the part about the chair and cart. Thanks so much

[@badasscreatives]

Thanks, I’m so glad you found it helpful!! 💖

[@annaratto4346]

My best investment was the handcart.

[@badasscreatives]

Agreed, a good handcart is such a worthwhile investment! Thanks for watching! 💖

[@johannebougie4149]

Merci beaucoup. Very helpfull for a bigginer like me. Johanne

[@badasscreatives]

💖 I’m so happy to hear that! Glad it was helpful.

[@Timetravel1111]

Your amazing 🤩 thank you

[@badasscreatives]

Thank you!!!

[@rachelr8837]

Great tips... I am finding though, that these shows are hard to get into...I've made many calls & outreaches, but to no avail. I think more ppl are selling and doing their own side hustle these days. The bandwagon is interesting but it's starting to get saturated. Good luck to all creative people!

[@badasscreatives]

Thanks Rachel! Yes, it certainly does seem like more people have creative side hustles these days. I know some folks who run very large craft shows - it's on my to-do list to make a video with them soon about tips for getting into those larger, juried craft shows. I agree, it can feel hard when a market is very saturated or popular, but there are ways to make your craft show application stand out from the rest. Stay tuned!

[@tiffanywilliams6718]

Director Chair

[@badasscreatives]

The director's chair was a game-changer for me at craft shows! It's so nice to sit at eye-level with customers who are browsing your booth. Thanks for watching!

[@alisonk.2953]

I heard people use cheap spice racks to display small multiple items.

[@badasscreatives]

Alison, yes, that's a great way to display small products! When I was doing craft shows regularly, I loved re-purposing things like small shelves, window shutters (to hang earrings from) and old suitcases. It's still on my to-do list to create a video about craft show displays, but I have a blog post about it here: www.badasscreatives.com/blog/craft-show-display-tips-tricks

[@Justthefurofus]

Great video!!

[@badasscreatives]

Thank you!!

[@deanna777]

🤍

[@badasscreatives]

💖 thank you!