Craft Shows and Booths

I see the question a lot as to what a good display for a booth at a show should look like. Well here is what I have learned from my experiences.

When I started doing shows, I was clueless so I bought 3 folding tables and made black tablecloths for each one, I spent a
lot of time sewing them to fit so as not to blow wildly in the wind.
Well black is usually the first thought to show off sterling silver, due to contrast.
but I learned very quick that I looked like a black hole amongst my colorful neighbors.
No one wants to enter a black hole, and my jewelry was lost in it. I had very few sales.

Then I moved on to purchasing some pale green fabric to put on top of the black. This helped just a tiny bit, customers weren't as intimidated, but it still wasn't what I wanted and it wasn't good enough IMO.

Then I realized that my tables were at waist level, and so was I where I was sitting. People had to look down at my items and I was looking up to them from my short chair. I could not stand for hours. Neither my booth nor myself were very approachable.

I spent a couple of years mulling over how to remedy my problems, I had no ideas at all. (I only ever did about 4 shows per year.

I researched some very expensive displays I came across a company called abstracta, they had a good product with good ideas but cost so much it was out of the question, plus they used glass - and it gets windy on the Cape Fear River.

I needed something which could break down and easily be transported in my van.

My husband all along had been preaching that display didn't matter, the product is all that counts. How wrong that line of thinking is. Remember the black hole - would you go into one.

Big corporations spend mega bucks on merchandising and the appearance of their stores.\\

Then just a couple years ago, before kid #2 which has totally stalled out my show ability. (I will be returning this spring.)
I had an idea....

My husband could barely believe what a fantastic idea this was.
It gets everything at eye level, including me, I could sit and speak eye to eye with customers.
I was very noticeable and bright. Customers came in by the hoards. (though I still haven't been to many shows with my display yet - soon though)
I won a hundred dollars and third place in a show.

It was easy to put up and break down and easy to transport.
I LOVE IT!
ok you wanna see it now don't ya.

here it is (click for much larger view)


The wood shelves slide onto pipes it breaks down flat.
For the blue necklace displays I cut my shape out of plexiglass and painted the back blue. two notches at the top holds the chain, add two more for earrings to match set. Only problem I have to somehow fix now is I have the necklace displays stuck in soap to hold them upright, it is not the best solution, although my tent smells lovely!

The rest of the individual displays were purchased.

My tall director's chair was the icing on top.

I hope this inspires someone out there in how to display their merchandise.