What I Bring (As a Vendor) To A Market
Markets and Craft Fairs are a vital way to connect with your customers in person, and it is so delightful to meet wonderful new people and of course, other vendors!
I always think it's really good for a crafter and small business owner to do markets because oftentimes our shop stock is tidied into cupboards and crates and we very rarely get to take stock (I'm punny!) of how much hard work we have done, and setting up a beautiful stall means we get to take a look at our work and feel a little proud of ourselves!
When coming up to a market, it can be a little stressful trying to remember to pack everything you need to really make your work shine and also to make sure your customers have a friendly and easy shopping experience! So I have compiled a short list below of essentials I bring to every market to demystify the process of setting up for a market:
- Sum-Up Machine: So handy if people don't have cash with them.
- Packing Materials: Honeycomb paper, bags, paper tape - means I can package pieces up safely for transporting!
- String & Thumb-tacks: For hanging signs, using venue-supplied displays for wall hangings.
- Logo Sign: Very important! It makes your stall easier to find and customers will remember you!
- Business cards and holder: For the same reasons as above - sometimes customers aren't ready to buy immediately, but having easily accessible business cards means they may pick up a card and order from your website later!
- Spare Pricing Tags (You can never have enough!)
- Display Trays: To make your stall look cozy and beautiful!
- Fairy Lights and Battery Powered Lamps: In case there aren't any plugs near by and you need extra lighting. I also recommend bringing some power banks as well -m particularly for long market days.
- Elastic edged table cover: Good for both indoors and outdoors and prevents the wind from knocking over your displays.
- Risers: Crates, boxes, shelves, hanging displays - you can tuck boxes under your table cover if you can't afford boxes that match your stall's aesthetic as well. The main reason risers are important is to bring your items up to eye level of customers and create variation in height on your stall.
I hope this list can help encourage more folks to have a go at doing markets and craft fairs!
Al x