I’ve just begun my third season on the craft fair circuit and every year I try to make some improvements to my booth set-up. I do well enough with the makings of pots and glazes, but when it comes to arranging my work – well, let’s just say that pottery display isn’t my strong suit. I’d be embarrassed to show a photo of what I put together my first year – I used drab beige tablecloths to begin with, and arranged the tables and shelves in a way that only 1 person could fit within the confines of my tent. Last year was a little better – I switched to black tablecloths and rearranged so that I could accommodate more people and easier browsing, but the shelving I used (I found them at a yard sale) were tall and rickety and swayed with the slightest brush of the wind. I’m very lucky I avoided any disasters – I had a fellow colleague lose a whole wall of pottery that way and believe me, it’s the worst sight and sound to a potter’s eyes and ears you could imagine.
So, this year I did some internet research and found a display company that I liked well enough and bit the bullet and ordered two new shelving units and a display/check out counter. When it arrived last week, I set up everything in my basement to make sure I knew how it went together and that it would fit within a 10′x10′ space, then had a talented friend who owns a local art gallery come by and arrange my pottery in a way that looked a whole lot better than anything I had ever done. I also designed an outdoor banner that Staples printed for me which added a touch of professionalism that was truly lacking before. Yesterday was the first day I used the new configuration and looking around at the other booths, I felt for the first time that I had one of the nicest set-ups of the bunch. I had a great selling day too – it did help that it was the day before Mother’s Day and there were a lot of eager buyers looking for those last minute gifts. Now I’m not quite as intimidated to approach what will be my busiest craft fair season yet. All I have to worry about is creating enough work to last me through all of the shows I’ve signed up for between now and xmas – geez, what was I thinking? 
melynn,
that booth looks great! i grew up at a saturday market (both my parents had booths) then later i had my own booth (years back) so i sooooo get it about finally getting the right set-up. you did it it looks really good and i think you are right the more together they look the more customers you get hanging out. congrats. kt
Hi Katy, sounds like you had a great childhood! No wonder you are so creative, growing up and exposed to all of those artists and crafters around you. Did you ever do Saturday Market in Portland? That was one of my favorite places to go when I was living there. What kind of crafts did your parents do? So cool!
Your booth looks grand!
Are you too young to remember the ‘old’ Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach California?? It started down the street from the Laguna Arts Festival, which was ‘real artists’ (paintings, sculpture etc.). The ‘Hippie’ crafters started the Sawdust Festival with ‘rag-tag’ booths; candles, tye-dye, jewelry, blown glass, ceramics etc. etc., Now they are all ‘professional’ craftsmen & women! I have some cherished pieces from ages ago! It’s one area where cratftmanship still exists…in the ‘arts with function’!
I love your work, let me know of any shows in the San Diego area, please?
I’d love to meet you!
Take go*d care, Shaye
Hi Shaye, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog. I don’t recall ever hearing about the Sawdust Festival – not a factor of my age, but probably more so of geography. Sounds fabulous!
Very professional with clean lines, nice booth, wish you weren’t so far away!
Hi bookbabie! Yeah, it would be so great to have you come by my booth and say hi!
Hey Melynn!
Oh, your booth looks so good! Really nice and very professional. Glad to hear you did well, too. I wish I could have seen you at that show. I will see you soon I hope. Did you see Roberta and Lloyd at that show?
Thank you for all the lovely comments you have left me on my blog. I really appreciate them. Talk to you soon.
Hi Erin, so good to hear from you! Yes, I saw both Lloyd and Roberta – seemed like they were having a great day. I love the new stuff you are doing – keep up the wonderful work!
Looks great Melynn…the banner is very “eye catching” !
Nice!
Very nice looking booth! Very professional. Glad you had some good sales also. Good luck the rest of the season.
Hi Melynn,
Sweet setup!!
Thanks sharing some of your beautiful glazes and techniques w/us in class. Your work is amazing!
Hope to see you and your work again sometime!
Katina
Hi Katina, thanks! Hope to see you again sometime too. I’d also love to see how those wonderful cups of yours turned out!