Everything you need to know for success at an art show

A comprehensive overview to help you prepare for an art show. I tried to go over everything you might not have thought about when you prepare for an art show. What did I forget? I will be making a video on some ways to build simple displays in the future, but what else should I do a more specific video on?
I've linked to several products that I use that I think would help you. These are affiliate links, they help support the channel if you use them. I try my best to only list products I actually use.
Since this video I recommend this tent with the front awning: amzn.to/4aYAbrK
The pop up tent I use in this video: amzn.to/4cl3s0T
kraft paper bags: amzn.to/3U73aBt
Cart for transporting your boxes: amzn.to/3sElhDh
Cash box: amzn.to/3KF9pJZ
Sand bag weights for your display: amzn.to/3KHDUPw
folding table: amzn.to/3XoU7kf
Sorry this video is long and kind of all over, there's just so much to go over. I had a lot of questions about art shows so this was my first attempt at answering them.
I get my music from epidemic sound for all my videos. Try them for free here: share.epidemic...

[@stacygriffith7623]

A hearty vote for the mug tower tutorial, please! Brilliant!!

[@stacysnyder2818]

Yes to a video on that small shelf! “Don’t weird people out”😂😂😂😂

[@BeardedPottery]

It had to be said

[@rjmck27]

Great video! I've been doing shows for ten years and you hit nearly every key point for a successful show. One thing I would add; signage. I have a nine foot by 12 inch banner with my business' name on it which I attach to the front of my tent. It really makes my tent stand out and helps the folks who follow me in social media to find me easier. It also helps people find my tent when they see others walking around the show with my printed shopping bags. 🙂

[@RBravissimo]

Would love a tutorial on those weights!

[@itsclearasmud7718]

I did the Saturday Market in Portland Oregon for years. So for me it was a weekly show. I purchased an ugly, cheap but locally reliable station wagon as a dedicated show car. That way I didn't unload it when i got home. So next week when I did the market nothing was missing. I just restocked my ware tubs, water and wrapping supplies and took off. Totally worth the $800 bucks I spent on the rig.

[@MsBlulucky]

I initially thought this would be about tv shows that center around arts, like the great pottery throw down 😂

[@hobblecreekpottery]

BRILLIANT! Thank you sooo much for all the great tips. I've got the shelves like yours, but need to get working on the mug tower. I really appreciate all the time you put into this video. I found it extremely helpful.

[@BeardedPottery]

Thanks! Yeah it took me a lot longer than I thought it would haha. Glad it was helpful though

[@ilawilliams6684]

I would like to see how you make your shelves

[@aburk8417]

Thank you !!!! And yes please make a video of the shelf at the checkout stand!!!!!!!

[@barbarab285]

I’d love to see some instructions for making some of your items, like the mug pole or board.

[@beinghere1494]

Thanks for your willingness to share from experience, you’re really quite a treasurer. Blessings on all your endeavours from Australia 🌈

[@lynneyoung800]

This is such a useful video, thank you so much. I do exhibitions and craft fairs and this will help me no end as my tables are a bit boring - no longer! Thanks from the Cotswolds in England 😃

[@jka4649]

Very thorough video. Thanks.

[@cynthiaknox2131]

Thanks so much for this. I am a newbie at shows so the more Info the better.

[@wadewoehrmann2835]

Putting together a booth, nice to know I am in good company.

[@frankyensan]

You gave me so much great info here. I now know how to step up my game

[@shelleyboniface9569]

I do markets on the south coast of Nsw, Australia. Thus video is great. Perhaps how to make your foldable shelves?

[@tnlpottery4294]

Thank you so much for sharing all this. I’ve done a couple shows but I think I rushed into it too much. And you have given me so many ideas to help make the experience better.

[@BeardedPottery]

Glad it helped! There certainly is a lot to think about with shows. I felt like I could have talked for a couple more hours about and still not cover it all.

[@tnlpottery4294]

@@BeardedPottery I really think you covered the key points. So great starter. Do you do Etsy? If so any beginner tips for it?

[@tegannottelling]

I didn't comment before asking about your market set up but if I had of done. Well this probably answered a lot. I have done one ceramics market and I would like to do more, this actually really helped with basic set up ideas and more importantly why they are set up that way. Thanks

[@luciacruz3628]

I am new to selling, love all the information!

[@BeardedPottery]

Thanks! Glad to hear it was helpful for you.

[@fionabryant2311]

What a great video. I've been doing markets for several years and I will be using your tips and advise on setting up. I like the shelving on both sides and I'm gunna try to source some for my up and coming summer markets. Ps I really like your home made weights to. Regards from New Zealand.

[@missprettysunshine]

Loved all the tips !!

[@penni6432]

Thank you for the tips!

[@vickiestadler4388]

Love your display, my biggest concern is not to price to low or to high. :) Thank you for sharing, very good information on best place to display your art.

[@dccreations1361]

Dude this video was so good, thank you!!

[@BeardedPottery]

Glad you liked it!

[@dccreations1361]

@@BeardedPottery it would be cool to see a video about going from hobby potter to full time potter.

[@margotpenney8608]

Good tips, I do do art shows, always love to see more

[@BeardedPottery]

Thanks

[@nancy173]

Yes ro the making of a small shelf..thanks for the great tips

[@AdornamentDesigns]

I love your merchandising tips. Very helpful! I'm doing my first show this November.

[@Boringwishes]

When are you going to show us what you made for your check-out table - the three tier shelving unit? Can’t wait to see what you came up with!!! @theclayhousepotter

[@janicerochford]

I'd love to hear anything you feel is specific to selling pottery

[@BeardedPottery]

Specific to displays? Selling in person? Selling online? Or everything?

[@krissysandvigen3676]

I will be doing my 1st are show on November 12. Thank you for your valuable information.

[@BeardedPottery]

Glad it helped!

[@BowlsByBrodie]

this is a great video dude learned a lot from this

[@h0tp0t1]

💙 Great video, thank you. Volunteering for a charity, we occasionally put a stall on a funday. Definitely need newbie tips x

[@BeardedPottery]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@FunkyPhish]

That was the best most imformative video on shows that I have seen. I love how you make all the displays. Great information. Thanks so much. I am a noob so all these basics is what I am interested in. I was gonna ask if shows are even worth the effort but you said you got wholesale clients that way. I love all the selling pointers. I hate selling my work and talking to people.

[@BeardedPottery]

Thanks! Shoes are definitely worth it. You can make great money, it’s just a lot of work. But the real pay off from shoes is 2 or 3 years down the road when you have repeat customers who come to see you every year at the same show and you build your sales up from there. I have a show here where people have seen me for years and show me pictures of all the work they have collected over the years. It’s really cool

[@ilawilliams6684]

Keep giving tips. It looks great. I liked the idea of shelves and flowers.

[@thegirlwhoeats8863]

I am a newbie, don't even plan a artshop, but it would be interesting to see how to sellyour art? The thing like sales and deals and what makes people think they want it etc

[@jks3943]

Im a newbe. About to do my first show. I only do it as a hobby. And i want to make work affordable but have no idea what will sell yet. I have my bags and logo. My biggest question is about payments. Maybe more about the Square. Im not going to make mine a business just a hobby and want to share and make some $$ so I can buy more clay. Btw. Im the one that tagged you on IG. 😀

[@BeardedPottery]

Oh nice! Yeah go with square. They have a free plan, that’s what I use. It works great and will let you grow. The rates are low and they will even send you a free reader that just plugs into your phone. Not accepting credit cards is the biggest killer of sales. Bring a lot of stuff and see what sells. Don’t be afraid to swap stuff out in the middle of the show and see if things sell differently. Just experiment and I’m sure you’ll do great.

[@cherierose356]

Having my first market pop up soon after only selling online before. This was super helpful!

[@BeardedPottery]

Glad it helped. There’s so much to talk about I’m probably gonna make a few more videos that are just focused on individual aspects

[@mamaduck6845]

What recommendations for people just starting out who are pretty broke still. Thank you for making such a nice video.

[@BeardedPottery]

Try to be resourceful. Find free wood. Maybe make some pallet display. But also test your products before spending a ton of money on displays. Make sure you’re ready to sell and people like your stuff. Do small pop ups where you just need a table and some boxes with a table cloth. You can do pop ups for pretty much free.

[@desertpotter1003]

Lots of good ideas, thanks for sharing.

[@BeardedPottery]

Glad you liked it!

[@maryglancy9024]

Your vidio was brilliant covered all the points of interest for a potter and was very helpfull thanks

[@user-vs6zr6du8u]

Thanks for all the good advice.

[@BeardedPottery]

You’re welcome! Hope it helps

[@desertpotter1003]

You are right, don’t be a pushy vendor.

[@BelgianNinja]

Hope this isn’t a dumb question- do you have 1 weight for every corner of your tent? I love the look of your weights! They’re more streamlined than the sand bags

[@BeardedPottery]

Not dumb at all, but yes one weight on each corner. If it’s really windy sometimes I add a sandbag onto the concrete weights to add extra support. But that’s because we get some crazy wind bursts in Colorado.

[@AdornamentDesigns]

Where did you get your stamp?

[@potterybymollika]

Do you add any lighting to your booth?

[@barbarac4138]

How do you level the long shelves on uneven grass? Love your weights, I have similar ones, they fit right behind my front seats on the floor.

[@BeardedPottery]

I have scraps of wood that I bring if it’s on grass. Plywood strips of different thicknesses work really well. The sand bags help too cuz they keep the pressure on the shims and keep it from wobbling.

[@Hedwig_the_potter]

I use similar shelves, and when I set up on grass I have two long planks (same length as the shelf planks) that go on the ground under the shelves, and keep a bag of shims in my kit. The planks give a solid surface to place shims against to get the shelves level. Works like a charm!

[@littlebohemian3642]

Did you make the shelf unit? How? Dimensions etc, please😊

[@krissysandvigen3676]

Great video. How do you pack up your ceramics for transport?

[@BeardedPottery]

I just put them into plastic totes. Pack em tight and fill in gaps with newspaper. Then a layer of cardboard between the next row

[@krissysandvigen3676]

@@BeardedPottery love your videos. Looks like you live in the mountains as I do. How do you say warm in your studio? I work out of the garage that has no heat or insulation so staying warm is tricky

[@margotpenney8608]

I keep money bag on me and use card reader or they can make eft to my account and my bank app notifies when payment goes through

[@BeardedPottery]

Oh nice. I’ve never done the bank transfers before.

[@sheilacarroll3981]

Did you build your cash box or buy it?

[@BeardedPottery]

I bought it. It goes with my square stand. I put a link to a similar box in the description. You can order it from Amazon.

[@dergirl7589]

The pushy salesperson at a neighboring booth is HORRIBLE. I was next to an author and people would speedball away from her and also my booth to escape..low sales for me that day. Ugh. Don't be that pushy person.