Art fairs and craft shows are a essential parts of most handmade businesses. Throughout the years I’ve participated in many and am still constantly try to improve my setup to draw in more shoppers. An important yet easy way to get your items seen more often at a craft show is to use vertical displays! They will catch the eye of attendees and make your work look more appealing. Let’s talk about a few methods for using vertical space:
Signage:
An art show essential is signage. Whether you use a table-top framed image or a large printed poster, make sure it represents your brand and products. I had a vinyl sign made professionally that I can clip onto my tablecloth at shows and then roll up for easy transport. Some shows will even allow you to hang signs above your booth! Whatever kind of sign you choose it’s important that it’s durable and reusable so it lasts several years.
Walls:
Besides putting signage on your walls (if you have them at a show), find ways to display your products on them. You can buy shelves or hooks that attach to the walls- just make sure to always ask permission first and clean up after yourself! Many shows will issue guidelines beforehand that often include what is allowed on the walls.
Stands:
Another way to use vertical space in your booth setup is to bring standing displays. I make winter accessories including faux fur scarves and mittens and use wooden racks to show them off. The scarves drape over the stand’s bars, while the mittens clip onto ropes on the other stand. Like signage, it’s smart to buy or make a display that is easy to transport and reuse. Your vertical stand should also be sturdy and safe to use in your booth.
Risers:
Table or bed risers are great for adding height to your table at a craft show. Bringing the table up closer to eye level will keep shoppers from having to bend over and make browsing much easier. These bed risers are normally made from hard plastic and can be purchased online or at bedding and hardware stores. They simply go under each leg of your table. Another form of riser is the tabletop version. Using platforms to mix up the vertical levels on your table can add visual interest and keep your display from being boring.
How have you used vertical space to draw in shoppers at craft shows?
By Rebecca George from Purple and Lime.
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I use different shaped plant stands to display my glass blocks. One I have painted gold and another I cover with a pretty sparkly cloth. It’s amazing what a little bit of heighth will do for a display.
Acrylic risers are great for bringing you product closer to eye level. I never thought of a plant stand for my glass blocks, thank you. I have those bed risers again a great idea. Its something when you don’t think to use items that are right in front of you.
I use the old favorites as vertical displays — clotheslines and chains. The clotheslines I string from tent pole to tent pole and use wooden clothespins to attach aprons and children’s clothes. The chain I also hook from tent pole to tent pole or I let it hang down and attach things using S hooks. Easy up, easy down, that’s my motto.
Great ideas! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
I used to sell jewelry and made displays of covered boxes of graduated sizes. I covered the boxes in black velvet, or satin for ‘diamonds’ and used white satin for colored stones. Draping fabric worked, too, but was tricky, as it has to be carefully pinned or secured in some way to avoid an unexpected slide. A battery operated mirrored carousel added to the bling, and drew attention to featured items. I felt it was important to use height and contrast to guide the eyes of shoppers to provide a flow and eliminate confusion. My displays always received compliments from shoppers and the sales told me the rest of the story.