How to Set Up a Jewelry Table at a Craft Fair

If you have a cottage jewelry business or want to earn income from a hobby, selling jewelry at craft fairs is a lucrative way to move inventory. Craft fairs are sponsored by organizations, clubs and sometimes shopping centers. Watch for advertisements of upcoming shows in local publications. Ask about area craft show opportunities at local bead or craft stores. Remember that your table only has a few seconds to interest passing shoppers. The display and merchandise must be eye-catching. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Pack your jewelry and supplies in large rubber or plastic containers. Boxes can be crushed or saturated by spilled liquids. Pack your containers so the tablecloth, banner or signs and displays are on top so that you can unpack and set up the table quickly and in an organized fashion.

2

Arrive as soon as the craft fair sponsors allow vendors to set up so you wont be rushing around when shoppers arrive. Check with the sponsors to learn where your assigned booth or space will be if you havent been mailed this information.

3

Arrange your table as far back into the space assigned as you comfortably can. This invites the shopper in to your table and creates a store-like environment rather than just another table in a line selling things. If you have multiple tables, arrange the tables in an L- or a U-shape.

4

Place a solid-color tablecloth in a neutral or rich jewel tone on the table. Pull the tablecloth as close to the floor as possible. Solid-colored tablecloths wont distract from the beauty of the jewelry being displayed. Polyester tablecloths are durable and easy to maintain.

5

Hang a sign or banner on the front of your table or behind you, if there is space. Your sign or banner should list your jewelry website to encourage orders. Customers wont read cluttered signs. A business name and website or phone number tells the customer what they need to know. Be sure to include the word jewelry on the sign.

6

Set up your display units. Place your most eye-catching jewelry display front and center where customers' eyes are most likely to zero in. Velvet-flocked plastic neck/shoulders and hand/wrist displays or velvet cylinder displays allow you to attractively showcase your merchandise. Use baskets, ring boxes or individual zipper plastic bags in the appropriate size to present the jewelry. Set up a mirror on the table so customers can see how the jewelry looks on them.

7

Organize your table in sections to display single units of jewelry, such as a section for earrings, a section for bracelets and a section for necklaces. Have a separate section for sets. This way, customers can immediately focus on the section that features the type of merchandise in which they are interested.

8

Place your most inexpensive items near the front edge of the table. Shoplifting is a sad fact of business. Shoplifters tend to take what is easiest. By putting your least expensive items in front, you reduce your monetary loss if something is stolen.

9

Display prices on small hang tags on each item. Make sure the price is showing on each tag. If the price is not visible and the customers have to ask for it, they generally won't make the effort to do so.

10

Set up small plastic stands to hold your business cards and place them near the front center and at the front ends of each table. Replenish the supply of cards throughout the day.

11

Put away all packing materials or items you won't be using into the plastic containers. Put the lids on the containers and store them beneath your table. You can also use the containers as concealed tables to place your calculator and cash box on. Make sure you have change for your customers.