My first craft show + nerves, nerves, nerves

In less than 3 weeks, I’m going to be participating in my very first craft event. Ever.

And instead of tracking down a display table, printing up extra business cards, or doing anything else that a rational human preparing for a craft show might do, I’m actually just sitting in front of my computer trying not to panic.

When I was first starting my business a little over a year ago, I talked a lot about fear. About getting over the fact that everything terrified me, and pushing forward despite being completely freaked out. I guess I was hoping that after being a working artist for a over a year, I’d be past getting jittery.

But, no.

Suddenly, I’m once again asking myself those same ridiculous questions. What if my work is actually terrible? What if no one buys anything? What if the other artists laugh at me, push me down in the mud, and take my lunch money?

Okay, that last one seems a little unlikely.

I guess this is just what leaving my comfort zone feels like. It’s certainly not comfortable, but I wouldn’t call it boring either. And somewhere, deep down inside, probably near my spleen, there’s a tiny voice that’s cheering me on, hollering compliments, and congratulating me on doing this next big, scary thing.

So, if I sell even just one tiny painting at my very first show, I will consider it to be a rollicking success.

Now that I’ve put that little nerve-fest out there, I was wondering if I could ask you for a little guidance. If you’ve ever done a show, or helped someone to do a show, what’s the #1 piece of advice you’d give? Do you have a secret trick for setting up appealing table displays? Is there something you always bring with you that makes all the difference? What are the big no-no’s?

P.S. If you happen to be in the north-west Chicago suburbs on February 11, stop on by!

8 Comments

Meagan January 23, 2012

Oh Adriana! You’ve got to stop by my site this week. I’m right in the middle of a craft show blog series called Steal the Show 2012: Make Your Mark in the Craft Show Scene! I think you’d love it & it would help you so much! It’s from several successful Etsy sellers! Let me know what you think! http://MeaganVisser.com

Reply
- Adriana January 23, 2012
  
  You’re kidding! Cannot wait to go through it! Thanks for the tip, Meagan
  
  Reply
Lara January 23, 2012

You are going to do great at what looks like an awesome event! I wish I could be there to peruse the goods and wear a sandwich board advertising your wares.

Reply
- Adriana January 23, 2012
  
  Thanks for your support, Lara I hope it goes well!
  
  Reply
Chrystina January 26, 2012

I’m so excited for you!! Doing craft fairs are the sorts of things I dream about while living my corporate lifestyle, so I’m glad somebody’s out there getting a chance to do it. It’s a big step, and looking back at your paintings, I’m sure you’ll be great. Also, just think about what you want out of the people at the craft fairs, people who are nice and genuine and make you feel good inside, that way, even if now’s not the right time to buy something, maybe they’ll follow your blog and thing, “that was that really nice lady from the craft fair” and then something more can come of it later. Maybe this is too simplistic, but, hey, gotta start somewhere

Reply
- Adriana January 26, 2012
  
  Thanks so much for the great advice, Chrystina! I think you’re totally right. Now that I think about it, I always end up following up with vendors I didn’t purchase from at craft fairs. Hopefully it will be good practice of getting my little biz ‘out there’ whether or not I made any sales Thanks for stopping by!
  
  Reply
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home January 28, 2012

Don’t be nervous! You’re going to have a BALL, and you’re going to be so sad when it’s over. At the risk of sounding like a maniac, I wish the Renegade Craft Fair was every day. It’s such an amazing high.

Check out their Flickr stream for table top ideas:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renegadecraftfair

Don’t forget things like tape, scissors, a pen and notepad. And make sure you have change – I wear a little money apron that I got from JoAnn’s for about $3. I love that thing.

Reply
- Adriana January 29, 2012
  
  Oooh, that’s such great advice. Thanks, Kim! I hadn’t even thought about a money belt. What would I do without you!
  
  Reply