5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Craft Show

# 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Craft Show Your first craft show is exciting and terrifying in equal measure. You've made the work, packed the car, and now you're sitting behind a table hoping someone - anyone - stops. Here's what I wish someone had told me. ## 1. Your Display IS Your Product People decide whether to approach your booth in about 3 seconds. If your table looks like a garage sale, they'll walk past beautiful work without a second glance. **What works:** - Varying heights (risers, shelves, stacked crates) - Cohesive color palette in your linens/display - Breathing room between pieces - don't overcrowd - One clear "hero piece" that draws the eye ## 2. Bring Way More Than You Think The general rule: bring 3x what you hope to sell. A full, abundant display looks successful. A sparse table looks like leftovers. Also bring: - Business cards - A price list or clear tags on everything - Bags/wrapping for purchases - A card reader (Square, etc.) - Change if you accept cash ## 3. Talk to People (But Don't Hover) The sweet spot: greet people warmly, let them browse, and be ready to answer questions. Share your process when they seem interested. **Magic phrases:** - "That one's made with [clay type], fired to cone [X]" - "I'm happy to answer any questions" - "Each piece is one of a kind" **Avoid:** Following people around or launching into a 10-minute monologue. ## 4. Not Every Show Is Your Show Some shows attract pottery buyers. Others attract people looking for $5 candles and kettle corn. Research before you apply: - What's the vendor fee vs. expected attendance? - Is it juried (curated) or open to anyone? - What did other potters say about it? One great show beats five bad ones. ## 5. Your First Show Probably Won't Be Amazing (And That's OK) Most potters don't crush their first show. You're learning: - What sells vs. what you love making - What prices people respond to - How to talk about your work - What your display needs Treat it as research. Take notes. Adjust. Show two is always better than show one. ## Track What Works After each show, log what sold, what got compliments but didn't sell, and what was ignored. Over time, patterns emerge. The Potter's Mud Room's sales tracking makes this easy - log it while it's fresh.