Whether you’re a craft show veteran or newcomer, getting your display right is key. In a sea of hundreds of sellers, it can be difficult to figure out how to stand out. So, I thought I’d gather up some “booth-spiration” to get your creative juices flowing. There are two important thing that you want to take a look at. The first is how you’ll display your name. Every booth should have a sign, a BIG sign. You want people to know who you are! The other important thing is your display. You want your booth to stand out from the crowd.
There are a couple of ways you can display your sign. One way is in front of your tent:
My eye was drawn to both of these. There’s no chance you could miss either of these at a show. Another way to display your sign is in front of your booth at the bottom:
Popko Shop and Janie XY
This would work if you only have one little table. Both of these are big enough that you’re eye is drawn to them. Plus, each gives an idea of the brand. Another option is putting the sign behind your booth, kind of like a backdrop:
Just like the other signs, they’re large enough to grab your attention and let you know who’s booth it is.
Once you’ve decided on a sign, you’ll need to plan out your display. It can be hard deciding how you want your booth to look. the best suggestion, make it as creative as you can. Check out the three below:
The first is set up like a little bakery window, another like a food truck, and the third like a little cafe. All these are eye catching and would stick out from the crowd. You can also get creative with your product display. Check out the pictures below:
From Top Left to Right: Ya-Ya’s Creative Boutique, Flock Home, Julie Mckinney and Gail Ross, Vintage Nest, Cloth and Ink, Artifacts by Jane, Flock Home, Funky Vintage Lovely, and Beau Ideals.
There are so many creative ways to display your handmade items. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a bunch of money to create a fun display either. Almost all the materials in the booths above are recycled. You can use a ladder, an old shopping basket, a clothes drying rack, or come old wooden crates. Another thing to consider is how you want your display to look:
From Left to Right: Soleil Selene, Hello, Friend, Olive Blue, Lizbeth Navarro Ceramics, nickwilljack, Peg and Awl, Elise Joy, Sprouted Designs, and Besserina
You can keep it clean and simple, or you mix it up. The most important thing is that it reflects your brand and stands out from the crowd. If you can do those things, then you’ll have a stellar booth!
Tell us about the coolest craft fair booths you’ve seen. What made them stand out?
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This booth had lots of glassware. They put lighting all around to show off the glassware. You seen it across the room. Because the lighting made the glassware shine so pretty and it caught your eye.
Carolyn
Another thing to keep in mind is portability. Some of these, nice as they look, seem a bit cumbersome for hauling to craft shows. (Maybe they are trade show booths, which is a whole other animal – or shops.)
I agree with Carolyn’s comment about lighting. There’s no such thing as too much lighting in selling!
Good post – thanks for sharing all the great photos!
These are some really great ideas. Some are really thinking outside the box. I love them all but the ones with the rakes really jump out to me. Thanks for sharing this fantastic ideas! Shared!
These are great booth ideas. However, I have had problems with outdoor events being windy. Solid displays and display easels for my necklaces constantly blow over. Even signs blow in the wind and have caused problems with my tent. Any tip displays for outdoor events would be greatly appreciated.
Pamela,
We had the same problem with windy events. We bought some sheer curtains at a thrift store, and when it starts to get windy, we hang them along the side of the tent. The curtains let a little air through, so the tent doesn’t get too hot (we’re in FL), but blocks most of the wind and keeps our displays intact. You have to anchor the curtains with clips or bungee cords so that they won’t knock your stuff down!
, i do not have the answer but I have experienced the problem. I love to make jewelry. I love to make rings, ear rings, sets, etc. I work diligently to make attractive and elegant displays but, the first wind and I have been running. I have tried different things, different displays. I guess, I need to set up a practice display and set the fan on it and see how it weathers before I try the display out in public, lol. i have had to request indoor settings if they were available. The only problem is that those booths costs more and I have lost money or spent too much on overhead costs. So, I am in the same boat that you are I finally became discouraged and stopped for a season. I would so love to profit from my passion. Anyone with any suggestions?
Annie
Was browsing to maybe assist my sister in her endeavor for displaying and starting her card making business when I came across your site. Several times now I have found my scarves displayed in pictures of “Ya=Ya’s Creative Boutique in Fresno, Ca, I can’t take the credit for the display that was Marianne’s (the owner of the shop) idea to display my crocheted scarves but I loved it! Thanks for the memories!
Does anyone have any creative ideas for displaying scarfs? Thanks so much!
All great ideas but keep in mind that a sign displayed low at the front of your table often gets blocked by folks browsing your wares. Although a big crowd is a great thing, it will make even your nicest sign sort of a non-item in your display.
And I do an outdoor weekly upscale farmers’ market every Saturday for 6 months of the year. Nicely colored matching bungee cords are great to have tucked in my basket should the wind come up. They hold tablecloths in place & I can also tuck edges of display items under them as needed.
Some of these items I have thought of using myself without even seeing these first 🙂 It would have been nice if these small pics could have been shown bigger so that we can get a clear look at everything! Pics are really rather small to view all the details, a shame.
Been at this 50 years, now stick to indoor shows, limited hauling, went to using wheeled luggage carriers for stock while back, made matching fitted table cloths with ties at bottom for wind, white tops, dark green sheets for downsides. neat, clean, eye catching, often “stuff” under tables or behind shows up to the shopper, not good. Dress to match in green and white, balance display, take a px and see if it is eye catching to others, change is good. For scarfs I bought heads at Beauty Supply and painted faces, put on eye laches from Dollar store, Good for people stopping by;, when I quit doing scarfs used for hair bows, etc, now have sold the heads. Duel use pays off. Have eight shows this fall , all different layouts but basics work, have two sizes of turntables that assemble, where useable.
I plan to go back to doing craft shows. I will keep these ideas in mind. Thanks!
I make novelty and celebration banners and find it really difficult to display as they are long and narrow.
Any ideas on how to do this with a little artistic input would be appreciated
I am doing my first craft show. I mostly make large signs. I’m looking for some ideas for display racks that are foldable, and light, as I am a one person show, with no one to help. I like those grid wall systems, but I don’t know where to buy. Please help.
StaceyA you can buy them at Home Depot. I use a rolling rack to attach my lattice pieces to