How to Vendor at Your First Craft Show: A Complete Beginner's Walkthrough

Overview

Vending at a craft show for the first time is one of the most nerve-wracking and rewarding experiences a maker can have. This walkthrough covers every phase — from finding your first show to what to do after the last customer leaves.

Step 1: Choose the Right First Show

Don't start big. Your first show should be low-stakes:

• Booth fee under $75
• Local and easy to get to
• Smaller (under 50 vendors)
• Open or non-juried (no jury required)

Check Craftshow Events for shows near you. Read reviews from past vendors if available.

Step 2: Read the Show's Vendor Rules Carefully

Before applying, understand:

• What product categories are allowed
• Whether buy/sell items are prohibited (they usually are)
• Booth size and what's provided (table, tent) vs. what you bring
• Jury requirements (if any) and fees

Step 3: Apply Early

Applications for popular shows fill up fast. Apply as soon as the application opens. For open shows, this is especially important — spots are first-come, first-served.

Step 4: Plan Your Inventory

Build more inventory than you think you need. For a half-day show, a rough guide: if your average item sells for $25, aim for $750–$1,500 in sellable inventory. You won't sell it all — but you'll have a full-looking display all day.

Step 5: Gather Your Display Materials

Essentials for your first show:

• Table cover (fitted tablecloth or drop cloth)
• Display risers (books under fabric work fine)
• Business name sign
• Price tags on every item
• Card reader (Square, SumUp, or Stripe)
• Cash box with $50 in small bills for making change
• Bags or tissue paper for purchases

Step 6: Pack Using a Checklist

The night before, pack everything using a written checklist. See our Packing Checklist for a complete list. Don't pack the morning of — show day is already stressful enough.

Step 7: Arrive Early for Setup

Arrive at the start of your load-in window, not the middle or end. You want time to:

• Find your space and confirm it's correct
• Set up without rushing
• Test your card reader
• Check your display from the aisle perspective before doors open

Step 8: Work Your Booth

During the show:

• Greet every shopper who enters your booth
• Offer information, not pressure — "Let me know if you have any questions" then step back
• Track your sales in real time with a notebook or app
• Restock your display as items sell so it stays full
• Stay engaged — don't look at your phone, eat messily, or appear disinterested

Step 9: Handle the Close Professionally

When the show ends:

• Begin teardown only after the official close time
• Leave your space cleaner than you found it
• Return any items that belong to the venue

Step 10: Follow Up

Within 48 hours:

• Email your list with a thank-you and your next show date
• Post show-day photos on social media
• Review your sales data: what sold, what didn't, what questions customers asked most

Your first show is data. Use it to improve your second.