Join Shannon Mullin as she takes you on her first-ever craft fair experience at Brockholes Nature Reserve in Preston, Lancashire. In her vlog, Shannon shares the process of organizing and preparing for the 2-day event, including mounting prints, buying display items, and setting up her stall. Throughout the video, she offers valuable tips on stall setup and shares her thoughts on display choices. Shannon also encourages viewers to like the video, subscribe to her channel for more content, and support her small business through her art tutorials on Patreon. She advises signing up for Patreon at the beginning of the month to avoid subscription charges at the end. If you’re curious about the experience of participating in a craft fair for the first time and want to learn from Shannon’s journey, this vlog is a must-watch.
Shannon’s excitement and nervousness are palpable as she embarks on her first craft fair adventure. She shares her thought process and decision-making behind purchasing items at a store called Hobbycraft to enhance her display. From a mini easel to a chalkboard and wood slice, Shannon carefully selects each item to create an attractive presentation. She discusses the importance of having products at different price points and decides to display an original drawing on the easel to showcase her artistic talent. Sharing her progress and lessons learned throughout the video, Shannon’s enthusiasm is contagious, urging others to try their hand at craft fairs and discover the joy and motivation that comes with it.
Setting Up and Preparation
Organizing for the Craft Fair
As this is your first-ever craft fair, it’s completely normal to feel nervous and unsure about what you need and what you’re doing. But don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through the process! Before you can dive into the craft fair experience, you need to get organized and prepared. So, take a deep breath, and let’s get started.
First things first, make a checklist of all the things you need to do and items you need to bring to the craft fair. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anything important. Some things to consider adding to your checklist are:
- Prints and artwork: Make sure you have enough prints and artwork to display and sell at the craft fair. Take a look at your inventory and determine how many of each item you’ll need.
- Display items: Think about how you want to showcase your prints and artwork. Consider purchasing display items such as easels, frames, and stands to make your products more visually appealing.
- Business cards or leaflets: Don’t forget to bring business cards or leaflets to promote your small business and provide information to potential customers.
- Packaging materials: You’ll need bags, cellophane rolls, and other packaging materials to protect and package your prints and artwork for customers.
- Price tags and signage: Make sure your products are properly labeled with price tags. Consider creating clear signage to attract customers to your stall and communicate important information.
- Payment options: Decide how you’re going to accept payments at the craft fair. Do you need a cash box and change? Will you accept card payments? Think about what’s most convenient for you and your customers.
Once you have your checklist ready, start gathering everything you need. Take your time and make sure everything is in order before the craft fair. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when the big day arrives.
Buying Display Items
Now that you have your checklist, it’s time to go shopping! One great place to find display items for your prints and artwork is Hobbycraft. Hobbycraft offers a wide range of products that can help you create an attractive and eye-catching display for your stall.
When you visit Hobbycraft, take your checklist with you to ensure you don’t miss anything. Browse through their aisles and look for items that catch your eye. Consider purchasing a mini easel, like the one you found, to showcase a framed original drawing. Having an original piece on display can add a touch of uniqueness to your stall and attract potential customers.
You also found a chalkboard, which is perfect for writing prices or messaging. If you’re not a fan of the white color, you can always paint it to match the rustic look you’re going for. Remember, the overall presentation of your stall is important, so choose display items that align with your brand’s aesthetic.
Additionally, you came across a wood slice and a stand for photos or signs. Although you haven’t decided how to utilize them yet, you thought they looked good and could be useful for displaying small items or adding a decorative touch. Keep experimenting with different display options to find what works best for your products.
Setting Up the Stall
With all your display items ready, it’s time to set up your stall! Find a suitable spot at the craft fair location and start arranging your products. Display your prints and artwork on the easels, frames, and stands you purchased from Hobbycraft. Place the framed original drawing on the mini easel at the back of your stall to showcase your talent and add a festive touch with a Christmas-themed art piece.
Use the chalkboard to write clear and attractive pricing information for your cards. Remember, pricing plays a crucial role in customer decision-making, so make sure it’s easily visible and appealing. Consider painting the chalkboard with a color that matches your stall’s aesthetic to create a cohesive look.
For the wood slice and stand, think about how you can incorporate them into your display. Perhaps you can use the wood slice as a base for small products or place it near the hand sanitizer as a decorative element. Get creative and experiment with different arrangements until you’re satisfied with the overall look.
Lastly, don’t forget to add your business cards or leaflets to a designated area on your stall. This will make it easy for interested customers to grab one and learn more about your small business and your art.
Purchasing Additional Items at Hobbycraft
Visiting Hobbycraft
Before the craft fair, you made a trip to Hobbycraft to purchase some additional items for your display. Hobbycraft is a fantastic store for artists and crafters, offering an extensive range of products to fuel your creativity.
While exploring Hobbycraft, you were specifically on the lookout for items to enhance your stall’s display and make your artwork more visually appealing. You found a mini easel, a chalkboard, and a wood slice that caught your eye.
Description of Purchased Items
The mini easel you purchased is a tabletop easel that cost £9. It’s a perfect size for placing a framed original drawing on display at the back of your stall. The original drawing you chose fits nicely on the easel and adds a touch of uniqueness to your stall.
The chalkboard you bought is a small but stylish addition to your stall. It cost £11, and you plan to write prices for your cards on it. If the white color doesn’t suit your rustic aesthetic, you can easily paint it with the same color as the wall to create a cohesive look. Don’t worry too much about perfection—it’s more important to make it functional and visually appealing.
The wood slice you found was priced at £2. Though you haven’t decided how to use it yet, you thought it would look good in your display. You’re considering placing small items on it or using it as a base for decorative elements. It’s all about experimentation and finding creative ways to make your stall stand out.
Thought Process behind Display Choices
When selecting these items, your thought process was to create an attractive and varied display for your prints and artwork. By utilizing a mix of different display options, you can showcase your products in a way that appeals to a wide range of customers.
The mini easel with the framed original drawing serves as a focal point at the back of your stall. Although you don’t expect it to sell, it adds a touch of artistry and elevates the overall look of your display. It also provides customers with a visual representation of the kind of artwork you create.
The chalkboard serves a practical purpose by displaying clear pricing information. Writing the prices directly on the chalkboard gives your stall a personal and handmade feel. It also adds a bit of nostalgia and charm, especially if you decide to paint it to match your stall’s aesthetic.
As for the wood slice and stand, you purchased them because you liked their look and versatility. You’re still brainstorming ideas on how to incorporate them into your display. By having these unique and eye-catching items, you demonstrate your attention to detail and create a visually appealing stall that attracts potential customers.
Remember, the goal of your display is to capture attention and make people stop and take a closer look at your artwork. By using a combination of different elements, you create interest and intrigue, making it more likely for customers to engage with your products.
Picking Up Prints and Mounts
Receiving a Print Order
Great news! Your print order has arrived, which means you’re one step closer to being fully prepared for the craft fair. Opening the package and seeing your prints can be an exciting moment, so take a moment to savor it.
Ensure that you have enough prints to fulfill the expected demand during the craft fair. Take a look at the prints and confirm that everything looks as it should. Check for any printing errors or imperfections that may have occurred during the production process. It’s important to ensure the quality of your products before selling them to customers.
Once you’ve verified the prints, organize them in a way that makes them easily accessible during the craft fair. Consider sorting them by size or theme to make it easier for customers to browse through your artwork. By presenting your prints in an organized manner, you create a more enjoyable and stress-free shopping experience for potential buyers.
Picking Up Mounts at a Frame Shop
In addition to your prints, you’ve also picked up mounts for your artwork from a frame shop. Mounts are essential to protect and enhance the presentation of your prints. They provide a professional finish and make your artwork ready to be framed.
When picking up your mounts, inspect each one to ensure they’re free from any manufacturing defects or damage. Mounts should be clean, properly cut, and fit your prints perfectly. If you notice any issues, don’t hesitate to discuss them with the frame shop to find a solution.
Mounts are an investment in the quality and presentation of your artwork, so it’s crucial to choose a reliable frame shop that delivers high-quality products. Take the time to find a frame shop with positive reviews and a reputation for excellence. This way, you can feel confident in the mounts you’ll be using to showcase your prints at the craft fair.
Delivery of Supplies
Bags and Cellophane Rolls
To protect and package your prints for customers, you’ve received a delivery of bags and cellophane rolls. These supplies play an important role in ensuring that your artwork remains in pristine condition while being transported and handled by customers.
As you open the package, you notice that the bags are taller than you expected. It’s completely normal to encounter surprises like this along the way. Instead of letting it discourage you, embrace the challenge and find a way to make it work.
Consider folding over the excessive height of the bags to create a more compact and appropriate size for your prints. Although it might not be ideal, it’s a practical solution that allows you to use the bags while still protecting your artwork effectively.
In terms of the biodegradable cellophane roll, you’re delighted to see that it’s bigger than the one you previously purchased. The larger size will give you more flexibility in packaging your prints neatly and securely. However, you realize that it may not fit on your current board properly. No worries—get creative and find a space on the floor to keep the roll. The most important thing is that you have the means to wrap your prints and protect them during the craft fair.
Leaflets for the Fair
Aside from bags and cellophane rolls, you also received a delivery of leaflets for the fair. Leaflets are an excellent marketing tool to educate potential customers about your commissions, demonstrate your artistic style, and showcase testimonials from satisfied clients.
Upon opening the package, you notice that the top of the leaflets hasn’t been trimmed properly. It’s frustrating to receive a product that doesn’t meet your expectations, but it’s important to remain flexible and find a solution. You can manually trim the leaflets to the desired size, ensuring that the top is neat and consistent throughout the batch.
Although the colors on the leaflets didn’t turn out as vibrant as you hoped, keep in mind that printing colors can sometimes vary from the original design. Adjusting the colors in your design file or consulting with a professional printer can help ensure a better result in the future. For now, focus on the content of the leaflets and appreciate the opportunity to market your commissions and showcase positive testimonials.
Remember, the delivery of supplies is an exciting step toward being fully equipped for the craft fair. Embrace any surprises or challenges that come along the way, and find creative solutions to make the most out of each item you receive.
Learning from the Experience
Identifying Needs and Improvements
Reflecting on your first-ever craft fair experience, you’ve identified several areas where you can make improvements and better prepare for future events. Acknowledging these needs and working to address them will help you refine your craft fair setup and ensure a smoother and more successful experience next time.
Need for a Trolley
One of the first things you realized is the need for a trolley to help transport your products and supplies to and from the craft fair location. Carrying everything by hand can be challenging and tiring, especially if you have a significant amount of artwork to bring with you. Investing in a trolley will make the setup and tear-down process much easier and more efficient, leaving you with more energy to focus on engaging with customers.
More Christmas Cards
Based on customer demand and the festive season, you discovered the need to have more Christmas cards available at your craft fair stall. Christmas cards are a popular item during this time of year, and ensuring you have an ample supply can help maximize your sales potential. Take note of which designs are the most popular and consider creating additional stock to cater to the demand.
Clear Signage
During the craft fair, you noticed the importance of clear signage on your stall. Signage helps attract attention, communicate information, and guide customers through your products and pricing. However, you felt that your current signage could use improvement to be more eye-catching and informative. Consider investing in professionally designed signage or take a DIY approach using complementary colors, clear fonts, and concise messaging.
Pegs/Clips
You realized the usefulness of having pegs or clips to secure your prints and artwork on display. This serves the dual purpose of keeping your products in place and allowing customers to browse through your artwork more easily. By securing each piece with a peg or clip, you create a neat and organized display that encourages interaction with your prints.
Displays for Different Price Points
Having a mix of different price points for your products is essential to cater to a wider range of customers. However, you noticed the need for more variety in your displays to clearly indicate the various price points available. Consider using different-colored tags, labels, or stands to distinguish between the higher-end pieces and more affordable prints. This will make it easier for customers to identify products within their preferred price range.
By identifying these needs for improvement, you’re taking active steps toward enhancing your future craft fair experiences. Learning from each event and making necessary adjustments will help you grow as an artist and small business owner.
Conclusion
Participating in your first-ever craft fair was undoubtedly an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. From the moment you started organizing and preparing for the event to reflecting on the lessons you’ve learned, every step has contributed to your growth as an artist and small business owner.
Overall, the craft fair provided you with enjoyment and motivation, allowing you to share your passion for art with a wider audience. You showcased your prints and artwork using carefully selected display items, and you even had the opportunity to receive feedback and connect with potential customers.
Based on your experience, you highly recommend others to give craft fairs a try. It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your talents, gain exposure, and make valuable connections within the art community. Remember, it’s completely normal to feel nervous and unsure in the beginning, but with proper preparation and a positive mindset, you can turn a craft fair into a fulfilling and successful experience.
So, if you’re considering participating in a craft fair or starting your own small business, don’t hesitate to take that leap. Embrace the journey, learn from each experience, and most importantly, enjoy the process of sharing your art with the world. Good luck, and may your future craft fairs be filled with joy, creativity, and success!
