Selling at an Arts/Crafts Fair takes a lot of planning, preparation, products, and general supplies. You will need to apply or register for fairs, produce enough products to sell, and have adequate supplies for Fair selling. What supplies you need depends on whether you are vending at an indoor or outdoor event. When just starting out it may be hard to tell what will sell at any given fair and what will not. After doing a few fairs, you will get a sense of how much of which items to include in your display.
It is a good idea to set up everything at home beforehand so when you get to the fair you will know where to place everything on your tables/racks. At home you can spend the time casually changing up product placements before you are under pressure to set it all up at a fair. You may also need to take a picture of your set-up for applications and this is a good time to do that. Then you can take pictures at the fairs themselves for future applications.
Here is a general list of Fair Supplies that you may need for a Fair:
- Enough of your product to sell
- Tent with weights if outdoors
- Tables, table covers that hang to the floor (most events require the table covers hide all your excess stock and boxes)
- Display racks if needed
- Folding Chair
- Sign or Banner with Business name
- Cash to make Change
- Cash box, Pouch, Purse, or Belt Bag
- Tax ID (required to display in your booth/table)
- Credit Card Reader
- Paper receipt book – for those wishing a handwritten receipt
- Pens, Notebook, tape, paper clips, scissors
- Multi tool
- Wipes, bandaids
- Business Cards and holder
- Cooler with Drinks, Lunch, and Snacks
- Battery for phone and card reader
- Sunscreen and/or hat
- Paper Towels, napkins, and/or tissues
- In hot weather – a small, cordless fan
- and a wet washcloth kept in a cooler for wiping down your face
- Raincoat and Umbrella for wet weather
- Waterproof shoes or boots for setup (grass can be really wet in the mornings and having wet feet all day is not pleasant!)
- A smile
- A Sense of Humor
Also see this article written by a local promoter on tips for selling at a Fair. Click HERE
Do you have any other tips or supplies for this list? Email them to us at admin@ctcraftfairconnection.com and we’ll add it.