Test set up for craft show.

[sachbvn]

These are a couple pictures from a test set up of my first craft show. I really am not 100% sure how I'm going to do it, I don't think I will go three deep - I think I'll only go two deep. I will be using folder banquet tables so I don't think there will be enough room to go three deep without being crowded, PLUS - it's more people have to reach over.

No table cloth in the photo, though I will have a black one. Also - I'll figure out some other little touches.

Oh! FYI - there are a few pens missing from the bottom left, I had started to put them away before taking the pictures.

Thanks for looking!
Zac

[sachbvn]

Upon looking at the pictures - doesn't seem quite as big as it did when setting it up. Man - I'm going to need to make more pens!!

I do have more pens in the works, several more bottle stoppers. I have high hopes for the show - even though this isn't actually a "craft show" Hopefully I make a few sales, but - if I don't, I'll keep trying. I know the pens are nice, the prices really couldn't be lower and still self respecting. If I get no sales - it's the people or the venue.

Zac

[Joe Lyddon]

I'm no expert, but I think you should have less space between rows... like maybe 1"...

Don't be afraid to show your stuff...

[Doug B]

That is going to be a great setup Zac. And you already are seeing what you are going to need.

I'd like to try to talk you out of the black table cloth though...I could be wrong, but it might not be the best choice. Just like when you take a picture, I think the best background is going to be a very plain and neutral. Luckily my wife handled that or I prolly would have screwed it up, but she decided on a light tan table cloth, and...she's prolly right. A light blue would have been my choice, and I still think that might work OK.

Personally, I like 3 rows of pens, for a couple reasons. I put my most expensive ones on the back row where they would be harder to swipe, middle row for mid priced pens, and the front row has the least expensive ones. The front row pens also are the ones that happen to get picked up most often - something to think about. It also gives me a good way to separate the pens that use different in refills - that way I can say that all the pens on the bottom row take Cross refills and all the rest use the Parker refills.

I am sure you will change things a few times as you figure out what works for you and what needs to be changed. Don't forget to take some visual aids with you. People love the show and tell...I take a couple of the more unusual blanks like color grain and turquoise, and, of course pine cone.

People will ask you if you actually made those pens, and you need to be able to prove that you did

Now, I want to see a close up of your card. What does it look like? Can we get a close up pic of one?

[sachbvn]

Sure Doug - you want the front side or the info side? I'll post tomorrow - I'm getting tired.

That is a good point about the more expensive pens in back, etc... I should really just set up the actual table I am going to use - table cloth and all so that I can get a real good idea on table room, AND what it will look like. I questioned black because I tend to have a lot of darker pens - but I didn't want white...ugh... "white?" come on - I think it would look awful, but a tan color might work pretty well. I will see what I can find. I also want a solid color, no print or lacy crap.

I will probably take a square blank - some deer antler, etc... That way they can see - literally - what the original looks like. Not quite sure how much "visual" stuff I will bring. The problem? For some or possibly much of the show - I will be by myself, I just don't have anyone that can be there early with me. Other show's I'm sure I can get someone, but not this one.

Thanks for the comments guys!
Zac

[Doug B]

Go get some sleep Zac!

White would be really bad for the table cloth. But black is going to show a lot of lint, etc. too. I'm sure you will find something that will work well for you. You really need to get your girlfriend involved in this...the fairer sex really is much better at this color coordinating stuff

[maverick31]

I think your set up is really looking good. I think a light colored table cloth will be best. everything I have read says go neutral so it wont take away from your products. Did you have your price on the info side of the card or will you have to tell everyone who ask about the price?

[Joe Lyddon]

I think a Light Blue would be best...

Blue seems to be very soothing...

IMHO, that's why God made the sky blue... to help calm us down... ;D ;D

[sachbvn]

Joe -

The sky is blue because God loves the infantry.

Zac