So today, I can finally say I am recovered from the weekend! A full of fun weekend that started with a football game and some last minute prep for a craft show, followed by a Saturday of selling plus visits from family and friends and a shopping excursion, and ending on Sunday with church, the grocery store, a birthday party and finally breakfast for dinner with a catch up on last week’s episode of Nashville……. I’m tired all over again just typing that! Hold on while I take a quick nap….

For those of you who do craft or vintage shows full time, I high five you and wonder how do you find/make/clean/pack/merchandise your goods without losing your grip on reality/cleanliness of your home/good mood??? Inquiring minds would like to know….!

For me, there is still much learning to be done even after 3 years! I am merely a beginner wanting to play with the big girls, but every year I give it a shot at least once at the most non-threatening of places, my church’s annual Fall Festival and Craft Sale.

Behold my attempt at this year’s space…..

And looking at the pics today I can see that it sort of does…! And all along I thought I was going for a fresh, vintage, collected look! I’m betting all the wood was the culprit…!

I’m digging the varying heights, neutral lace curtain turned table cloth, chalkboard sign pricing, pennant display, and custom Recollected Design signage.

I’m not so in love with the all the wood, the Christmas tree (really there’s a tree holding up those stockings…!) the fact that although the close line idea is cute, the aprons kind of get lost, and did I mention all that wood….!

But all I can do is take note of what worked and what didn’t and try again next time. Design, like life, is a lot of trial and error and live and learn sometimes. Besides I’m a lot closer to what I’m aspiring to than how the display came out last year….

And most definitely an improvement over the inaugural year of 2011…

It’s an obsession I tell you– the making and selling and marketing of things. It’s fun!….It’s thrilling!…. It’s exhausting!! I think I suffer from Crafting A.D.D. too….! In the past 3 years I’ve moved from zip pouches and aprons to slip covering to revamping vintage fabric and other items into new creations. But it’s all good and I’ve made some really cool things along the way, met some awesome people, and learned some great lessons.

So for future reference for me and for any other sellers of cute stuff:

• varied display heights = interesting and pleasing to the eye
• try to have something that draws people over to your booth— the record bowls and scrabble magnets were probably picked up by every man, woman and child there! that’s the key though- get people to stop!
• neutral backdrops make your items stand out… how you doin’?
• cohesive colors on your display props and shelves are a plus…..but unless your goods marry well with the cabin in the woods vibe, skip the wood tones….
• just like high heel shoes, a little height is sexy! Use that vertical display space effectively (I loved borrowing that chalkboard from church, I just wish it would fold up to fit in my truck….!)
• and last but not least- for heaven sakes, smile! Be willing to share with people and above all don’t worry too much about your competition- just find your passion and make what you love!

I’m always open to hearing your crafty tips too! What things have you learned about display and design?

Happy Wednesday everybody : )