I've been doing craft venues for about 12 years now and offer a few tips. Most events I've been to where tents are required, they limit the size of the tent to a 10x10 size. I made a checkout station out of a folding bookcase, but still didn't feel comfortable with a cash box that could easily be picked up and walked away with. So I made a 4 pocket apron which held cash, my phone and my credit card reader. When starting out most have a tight budget and have to improvise with a lot. I bought the single, full flat sheets from Walmart for tablecloths and boxed the sides via safety pins, which still allow me to pull extra stock from underneath but was unseen. Books, boxes, cigar boxes with fabric draped over them make great risers, just as fabric, wallpaper of shelf paper covered boxes, vintage suitcases, baskets and crates make great display options. The cheaper options for setting up your booths is unlimited. The DollarTree, Dollar General and Family Dollar has lots of options for displays as well. Just rethink an items use for you.
@@EclipseBotanica Oddly enough, even though I build my own risers, I still use a lot of what I started with. It's easier to pack up most of what you're selling in the things you use to display or risers. It sure makes hauling it all fit better if you don't have a huge vehicle to do so. Lol
I agree with the lady above the cash box seems nice but even locked someone could walk away with the entire box and ive heard some horror stories about money being stolen at events if leaving for the bathroom or walking around to see other booths id be having someone watching your booth you trust
What a phenomenal presentation you did! I am 72 years old and seriously thinking about doing farmers markets. all the suggestions you had were fabulous. I’m subscribing and I will be looking for your next video.❤
As a 58 year old guy who does a weekly outdoor farmer's market in Gettysburg, PA, I'd like to offer some unsolicited advice: 1. Get good tent weights. Forget the cheap sand bags that come with some canopies on Amazon, or the weights that are basically water bottles. Get at least 30-40 lbs of weight for EACH leg, because nothing will ruin your day like a sudden gust of wind turning your canopy into a projectile. They can hurt someone severely, they may damage your products or another vendor's, or they can smash into nearby vehicles. It happens often, and I cringe whenever I see a 'noob' vendor show up without adequate weights, because they are a danger to everyone around them. 2. Bring a cooler with a lot of water (and snacks). You will become dehydrated without realizing it, even on relatively overcast or cool days. 3. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Your canopy will not protect you from UV. 4. Get a pack of disposable rain ponchos from Walmart and keep them for your own use, or customers caught in the rain. They're a cheap way to earn some goodwill, and they do make a difference when you suddenly need one. 5. Remember you will need to load and unload, set up and tear down at each event, often in a hurry, so your display should be carefully trimmed to the essentials. If you exhaust yourself during setup, the rest of the event will suffer, and you'll have nothing left in your 'gas tank' at the end of the day, when it is time to break down. None of this is meant to discourage you - it is all intended to fall under the heading of 'work smarter, not harder". Good luck!
I have the same cash box! LOVE IT! I use the cable that came with it to lock it to my table so if anyone thinks of stealing it they are taking a 6’ table with all my product on top also! Lol
As a veteran vendor myself, I recommend getting a 10x10 canopy since that's the most common booth sizes. I am also leaning toward an 8x8 for smaller spaces, too. Also, I never use a cashbox, even if they lock, they can be easily picked up and stuffed into a bag. I actually use a bamboo prep station with 3 drawers I got from Walmart and it goes as a bottom layer under one of my displays. Nobody can tell it's where the cash is.
Great information! I definitely got some ideas! Here is a tip for you, wipe you acrylic stands and signs with a used dryer sheet to keep the static down.
I have the same cash box. I love that it came with a lock strap so it can be attached to a table or something you can loop it to that is large. Just make sure it can't be slipped off.
Those were all amazing! Thanks for sharing. It’s so hard to determine what you might need when going to a show. I like to also include I rug on the floor in my both. I use a cow hide rug, so it folds up really easily and isn’t too heavy to carry. That’s also essential I find - making sure your smart about how you pack everything. And having a foldable cart will save your life and your back 😅
I love Edison style bulbs I had bought them for my patio but they weren’t long enough didn’t think about using them with my canopy! Thanks for the idea
I'm going to be doing a 9 day County Fair at the end of this month. I did make aprons to wear (and sell), but I also purchased a utility cart with a locking drawer. It is twice the size as the little craft room carts. I'm going to be using it as my checkout station. I don't plan to keep the money in there, but if I did, nobody will be walking off with it!
money checking pens only work if they used paper other than the standard currency paper, sounds good, but they're now using solvent to wash the ink out of 1s and 5s and print higher value on top, and will pull the value strip out. Best bet is to compare printed face with watermark face. At this point they haven't figured out how to change that.
Hi... thanks for the ideas... I have thought about doing First Monday... I am a little south of you (Livingston/Trinity area)... I have a new thing I am adding this year (my next show id Trinity fair at the end of September... too old to do the dead of summer)... I am waiting on my Amazon delivery of 2 mini air conditioners... I figure people will pop in just to cool off and while in there they will buy something!! (I know... sneaky...)
I don’t yet, I haven’t had the time with how busy it’s been getting every month closer to Christmas, I’m going to try to do one in the spring when it’s slower 🤍
Very informative video, well done. Please keep one thing in mind regarding the money box, someone can always just walk off with the whole box. I had never actually thought about that but someone once pointed it out to me...
Another way to check if the bill is real with out holding it up to the light.. the collar on the presidents shirt is raised so you should be able to run your finger over and feel the texture.
@@EclipseBotanica I was a head cashier for a while and I hated holding it up to the light didn’t want my customers to feel like criminals so just run it though your hands a few times while talking.
Great video! The last video I tried to watch (of someone else) I could not finish because the sound was not very good, and the lady sounded like she was shouting. Lots of great tips here! Thanks!
Thank you for all the tips and links!! Much Appreciated!! My first event is upcoming, so I’m making my rounds to find helpful videos. Just subscribed too!!
I keep mine close by at all times. If you want something more heavy duty be prepared to spend a lot more money, unless you could build it yourself? There may be a RUclips video on that 😉
You may want to look up how to identify legitimate bills on the FBI website. Most counterfeit bills are printed on bleached $1 bills. The tester pens only check the material composition of the bill itself (and they show up as being legit since they're real bills, just not the correct denomination).
@EclipseBotanica yep! It's about an hour from me. I've never gotten to go to Canton for first Mondays but it stood out to me. I know plenty of people who make that trip 😁
Some places do not allow canopy’s indoors! As it obscures views all around! Outside you really need one as far as lights many charge extra for access to electric sockets , and lit candles are a no no as they have fire rules ! So if you are going to one that you have no knowledge of? Ask what is allowed! Every place differs Many places limit crafters of same stuff !! Be nice if you gave prices for the display items Get a battery operated fan, those are small and work great!
The cashbox is really nice but if you leave the table and box unattended there’s nothing stopping anyone from just picking it up and walking away. I help my daughter sell Girl Scout cookies in front of stores and I have heard of that happening more times than not. People just walking away with the cashbox. It’s really sad and upsetting.
I agree. We hide our cash zippered bag (small- a little more than the length and width of a bill) inside a zippered bag under the table INSIDE the plastic tote which held our set up. TIP: we named our cash bag a girl’s name so if my husband or I need to ask each other for it we can just say, “Have you seen ………(name)?” We are not announcing where our money is.
@@EclipseBotanica yeah I can’t afford to rent a u haul. And I don’t have anyone that could help me. I’m trying to think of the cheapest way to display butterfly shadow boxes, and canvas paintings. That will fit in my car with one trip.
Maybe you can take multiple trips? There are smaller tables too, and a lot of events have vendors at the show that will rent tables to you and you just return them before you leave
We did lots of markets in a four door car. Does the back seat fold down? Use folding tables if you have to take your own. I also use crates and wooden boxes to pack my tablecloth, decorations and items in, then when I get there I flip them over and use them as display risers. You can’t use the large size canopy tent though, you will have to use a small one.
Not many folks use cash boxes anymore, they are way too easy to pick up and walk away with, much better to get a vendor apron with pockets, even better if they have some with zippered pockets.
That’s very true. Someone told me that they handcuff it to their table so if someone tries to steal it they take the whole table with them and make a scene 😆
I enjoyed your video, and I like several of your ideas, but did not agree with all of it. More specifically, I think it is a bad idea to have music playing at live events for the following reasons: 1. It adds to the overall noise level of the event. 2. It causes people to speak louder to be heard over the music. 3. Not everyone will share your musical tastes, so it may drive some customers away. 4. It can cause people to focus on the music instead of your products. 5. It is inconsiderate of your fellow vendors, who may not want your music forced upon them all day. 6. It can cause 'volume wars' if 2 or more people are playing music. 7. For those who are hard of hearing, it can make communication more difficult. But that's just my opinion. Good luck on your future endeavors!
This is all very true! If anyone else has music playing you definetly should not play music as well. The rest is also very true and my opinion on having music playing changed day by day. Thank you for all of your input!! 🤍
@@EclipseBotanica if it is not too personal a question, how is your business doing in the current economic environment? I hope you're doing well still!
people RUN OFF with cash boxes all the time.. i have seen it happen. Always wear a fanny pack. I did not get anything out of this video.
Год назад+2
i completely forgot bout the money pen thing. good looks. my craft show is saturday and todays thursday so no time to ship. but looks like walmart sells them . woot woot.
Thank you for all the tips and links!! Much Appreciated!! My first event is upcoming, so I’m making my rounds to find helpful videos. Just subscribed too!!
I've been doing craft venues for about 12 years now and offer a few tips. Most events I've been to where tents are required, they limit the size of the tent to a 10x10 size. I made a checkout station out of a folding bookcase, but still didn't feel comfortable with a cash box that could easily be picked up and walked away with. So I made a 4 pocket apron which held cash, my phone and my credit card reader. When starting out most have a tight budget and have to improvise with a lot. I bought the single, full flat sheets from Walmart for tablecloths and boxed the sides via safety pins, which still allow me to pull extra stock from underneath but was unseen. Books, boxes, cigar boxes with fabric draped over them make great risers, just as fabric, wallpaper of shelf paper covered boxes, vintage suitcases, baskets and crates make great display options. The cheaper options for setting up your booths is unlimited. The DollarTree, Dollar General and Family Dollar has lots of options for displays as well. Just rethink an items use for you.
I really love all these ideas! I found a lot of thrift stores but deffinetly making new uses out of things you already have is a great idea. 🤍
@@EclipseBotanica Oddly enough, even though I build my own risers, I still use a lot of what I started with. It's easier to pack up most of what you're selling in the things you use to display or risers. It sure makes hauling it all fit better if you don't have a huge vehicle to do so. Lol
Thank you so much for the tips!
Thank you for the great tips … I needed some guidance!😊
I agree with the lady above the cash box seems nice but even locked someone could walk away with the entire box and ive heard some horror stories about money being stolen at events if leaving for the bathroom or walking around to see other booths id be having someone watching your booth you trust
What a phenomenal presentation you did! I am 72 years old and seriously thinking about doing farmers markets. all the suggestions you had were fabulous. I’m subscribing and I will be looking for your next video.❤
Glad it was helpful!
As a 58 year old guy who does a weekly outdoor farmer's market in Gettysburg, PA, I'd like to offer some unsolicited advice:
1. Get good tent weights. Forget the cheap sand bags that come with some canopies on Amazon, or the weights that are basically water bottles. Get at least 30-40 lbs of weight for EACH leg, because nothing will ruin your day like a sudden gust of wind turning your canopy into a projectile. They can hurt someone severely, they may damage your products or another vendor's, or they can smash into nearby vehicles. It happens often, and I cringe whenever I see a 'noob' vendor show up without adequate weights, because they are a danger to everyone around them.
2. Bring a cooler with a lot of water (and snacks). You will become dehydrated without realizing it, even on relatively overcast or cool days.
3. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Your canopy will not protect you from UV.
4. Get a pack of disposable rain ponchos from Walmart and keep them for your own use, or customers caught in the rain. They're a cheap way to earn some goodwill, and they do make a difference when you suddenly need one.
5. Remember you will need to load and unload, set up and tear down at each event, often in a hurry, so your display should be carefully trimmed to the essentials. If you exhaust yourself during setup, the rest of the event will suffer, and you'll have nothing left in your 'gas tank' at the end of the day, when it is time to break down.
None of this is meant to discourage you - it is all intended to fall under the heading of 'work smarter, not harder". Good luck!
I have the same cash box! LOVE IT! I use the cable that came with it to lock it to my table so if anyone thinks of stealing it they are taking a 6’ table with all my product on top also! Lol
Omg that’s genius 😂😂😂
Where did you get the cash box?
You can use baby bed bottom sheets for tables work great! Been doing vendor events for years but I learned a couple th8ngs just from this video
Oh that’s smart! Thank you for the tip!
As a veteran vendor myself, I recommend getting a 10x10 canopy since that's the most common booth sizes. I am also leaning toward an 8x8 for smaller spaces, too. Also, I never use a cashbox, even if they lock, they can be easily picked up and stuffed into a bag. I actually use a bamboo prep station with 3 drawers I got from Walmart and it goes as a bottom layer under one of my displays. Nobody can tell it's where the cash is.
That’s very smart!
Do you have a link for the bamboo station?
I have a cash box with a lock and a bike lock to lock it to the table. I just did one show so I cannot say it it would be best going on,
Great information! I definitely got some ideas! Here is a tip for you, wipe you acrylic stands and signs with a used dryer sheet to keep the static down.
I have the same cash box. I love that it came with a lock strap so it can be attached to a table or something you can loop it to that is large. Just make sure it can't be slipped off.
Mine did not come with that, that sounds awesome!
@Eclipse Botanica I'm sure you purchase one separately.
Those were all amazing! Thanks for sharing. It’s so hard to determine what you might need when going to a show. I like to also include I rug on the floor in my both. I use a cow hide rug, so it folds up really easily and isn’t too heavy to carry. That’s also essential I find - making sure your smart about how you pack everything. And having a foldable cart will save your life and your back 😅
Yes both of those are really good ideas that I learned further down the road lol
Thank you for this! I'm preparing for my first vendor event. Many of these things, I didn't even think of!
You got this!
I love Edison style bulbs I had bought them for my patio but they weren’t long enough didn’t think about using them with my canopy! Thanks for the idea
Ofcourse! 😊
I'm going to be doing a 9 day County Fair at the end of this month.
I did make aprons to wear (and sell), but I also purchased a utility cart with a locking drawer. It is twice the size as the little craft room carts.
I'm going to be using it as my checkout station.
I don't plan to keep the money in there, but if I did, nobody will be walking off with it!
Hello, I have not done an event yet. Still getting things together, so very new with all of this. Thank you for all of the information.
I’m so glad it was helpful
Awesome ideas thank you for sharing. Awesome thank you for sharing. Getting ready for one!!! May you continue to enjoy and succeed in your journey!
Good luck to you! Just in time for Christmas should be exciting! And thank you 😊
This has been the most helpful video i've seen so far! thank you!
I’m so glad 🤍
money checking pens only work if they used paper other than the standard currency paper, sounds good, but they're now using solvent to wash the ink out of 1s and 5s and print higher value on top, and will pull the value strip out. Best bet is to compare printed face with watermark face. At this point they haven't figured out how to change that.
Thank you for all of the great helpful information 🙏
You’re welcome!
Hi... thanks for the ideas... I have thought about doing First Monday... I am a little south of you (Livingston/Trinity area)... I have a new thing I am adding this year (my next show id Trinity fair at the end of September... too old to do the dead of summer)... I am waiting on my Amazon delivery of 2 mini air conditioners... I figure people will pop in just to cool off and while in there they will buy something!! (I know... sneaky...)
Really like your new bigger chalk stands and sandwich board
Do you have a video of your complete setup? Perhaps a video of you actually setting up and breaking down?
I don’t yet, I haven’t had the time with how busy it’s been getting every month closer to Christmas, I’m going to try to do one in the spring when it’s slower 🤍
I find your content super useful thank you!
Thank you for sharing yours info. Good tips
Most helpful video for me do far. Thanks a bunch
Very informative video, well done. Please keep one thing in mind regarding the money box, someone can always just walk off with the whole box. I had never actually thought about that but someone once pointed it out to me...
This is a good tip, my video is old I need to make a new one and make a point to say the cash box is not a good idea lol
I really like that cash box! I am totally grabbing one for my events!
This is soooo helpful! Thank you!
Another way to check if the bill is real with out holding it up to the light.. the collar on the presidents shirt is raised so you should be able to run your finger over and feel the texture.
REALLY? I have to remember this next time that’s some good info!
@@EclipseBotanica I was a head cashier for a while and I hated holding it up to the light didn’t want my customers to feel like criminals so just run it though your hands a few times while talking.
This was a really great video! I've just applied to my first 2 events and am trying to soak in as much as I can beforehand. Thanks for the great tips!
Glad it was helpful! You got this!
This is the video I needed! Thank you!!!
Yay I’m glad!
Great video! The last video I tried to watch (of someone else) I could not finish because the sound was not very good, and the lady sounded like she was shouting. Lots of great tips here! Thanks!
I’m glad to help!
You're awesome 🤗. Thank you for providing such valuable information. I'm gearing up for my first show and this helped me a lot.
Having my first craft show in a couple months and your video really helped, thank you!!
Oh good! Have fun!
i am too!
@@spiciest98 good luck!
Thank you for all the tips and links!! Much Appreciated!! My first event is upcoming, so I’m making my rounds to find helpful videos. Just subscribed too!!
thank you for this! im about to have my first show in 2 weeks and im freaking out....
You’re going to do great!
It’s great that it locks, but it’s so light-what’s to keep someone from just picking it up & walking away with it (then breaking it open later).
I keep mine close by at all times. If you want something more heavy duty be prepared to spend a lot more money, unless you could build it yourself? There may be a RUclips video on that 😉
Wow ! Really impressive ❤, im going to set up my booth alone, first time got so panic and stressful. Many Thanks you made me feel confident 😊🙏
I’m so glad!
I love all these ideas I’m totally going to try this I’m wondering where do you buy your candle scent bottles from
The large amber ones? I got those from Amazon 🤍 they’re on my Amazon store front
You have excellent suggestions
Thank you!
Thank you for these tips and all the links! Much appreciated!
I’m so glad!
Thanks! My 1st show next month!
Good luck and have fun!
You may want to look up how to identify legitimate bills on the FBI website. Most counterfeit bills are printed on bleached $1 bills. The tester pens only check the material composition of the bill itself (and they show up as being legit since they're real bills, just not the correct denomination).
Say whaaaat? I didn’t know that! Thank you so much for the information! That’s deffinetly good to know
@@EclipseBotanica yeah, it's a big problem where I live. The FBI spends a good bit of time here.
I sell Scentsy and these tips are awesome. Thank you so much 😊
Good video.
Thanks a bunch!
You're welcome!
Great Information. Thank you.
I've seen so many vendors with wrinkled tablecloths, what do you think? Does presentation matter, I was thinking of a portable steamer....
Yes to the portable steamer if there's a place to plug it in.
I hate when my tablecloths are wrinkled and have been thinking about a portable steamer
Did you say Canton First Mondays!? That's super local to me 😁
No way!
@EclipseBotanica yep! It's about an hour from me. I've never gotten to go to Canton for first Mondays but it stood out to me. I know plenty of people who make that trip 😁
I have the same money box 👍
Thank you for the info.
Hard to choose but maybe the Edison lights are my fav
Yesss I love them 🤍
Great info.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you This is so helpful I am a candle maker as well and have a craft fair coming up
I’m so glad!
This was awesome, 🎉 you are so cute , great job, very helpful
😆 thank you! I’m so glad it was helpful!
This was helpful ❤
where did you get you mini spoons and do you collect emails
Question about the lights... how do you run electricity to them? Does your booth always come with an electric option?
The ones that I rent from do always have 2 electric outlets. You are required to hook everything up to a power strip
Awesome video
Some places do not allow canopy’s indoors! As it obscures views all around! Outside you really need one as far as lights many charge extra for access to electric sockets , and lit candles are a no no as they have fire rules ! So if you are going to one that you have no knowledge of? Ask what is allowed! Every place differs
Many places limit crafters of same stuff !!
Be nice if you gave prices for the display items
Get a battery operated fan, those are small and work great!
Great ideas! Thank you!
Where do you plug in your Edison lights and fan outside?
I have a booth that’s inside a big steel building and they have outlets in the corners of every spot 🤍
May I ask where you source those frosted glass jars behind you with the spoon and cork top ??
Qosmedix!
The cashbox is really nice but if you leave the table and box unattended there’s nothing stopping anyone from just picking it up and walking away. I help my daughter sell Girl Scout cookies in front of stores and I have heard of that happening more times than not. People just walking away with the cashbox. It’s really sad and upsetting.
I agree. We hide our cash zippered bag (small- a little more than the length and width of a bill) inside a zippered bag under the table INSIDE the plastic tote which held our set up. TIP: we named our cash bag a girl’s name so if my husband or I need to ask each other for it we can just say, “Have you seen ………(name)?” We are not announcing where our money is.
LOVE!! please link me those cork spoon jars
They are on the website qosmedix.com I believe!
What advice can you give to someone who needs to fit everything in to a 4 door sedan car. Those folding tables will not fit in my car.
I never used my 4 door car lol I either had to rent a u haul (wouldn’t recommend) or borrow my mother in laws truck. It can be a pain!
@@EclipseBotanica yeah I can’t afford to rent a u haul. And I don’t have anyone that could help me. I’m trying to think of the cheapest way to display butterfly shadow boxes, and canvas paintings. That will fit in my car with one trip.
Maybe you can take multiple trips? There are smaller tables too, and a lot of events have vendors at the show that will rent tables to you and you just return them before you leave
You can find 6 foot and 4 foot tables that fold in half. I just found 2 on offerup and am planning to use them for my first craft show this month :)
We did lots of markets in a four door car. Does the back seat fold down? Use folding tables if you have to take your own. I also use crates and wooden boxes to pack my tablecloth, decorations and items in, then when I get there I flip them over and use them as display risers. You can’t use the large size canopy tent though, you will have to use a small one.
I like to have a tall-ish folding director’s chair so I can sit up front.
That would be perfect 🤩
Where’d you get those glass jars
My sister had her cash box stolen last week. First time in 15 years.
Oh no! I’ve seen a bunch of ideas to avoid that like hiding it or buying a strap that attaches to something so that can’t happen. That’s so awful!
THANKK UU
Not many folks use cash boxes anymore, they are way too easy to pick up and walk away with, much better to get a vendor apron with pockets, even better if they have some with zippered pockets.
That’s very true. Someone told me that they handcuff it to their table so if someone tries to steal it they take the whole table with them and make a scene 😆
Use a Fanny pack for your cash. It keeps it close to the body.
This is genius
Did you quit crafting 😫
more business videos YOU'RE SO THOROUGH.
Thank you!
What you selling
I enjoyed your video, and I like several of your ideas, but did not agree with all of it. More specifically, I think it is a bad idea to have music playing at live events for the following reasons:
1. It adds to the overall noise level of the event.
2. It causes people to speak louder to be heard over the music.
3. Not everyone will share your musical tastes, so it may drive some customers away.
4. It can cause people to focus on the music instead of your products.
5. It is inconsiderate of your fellow vendors, who may not want your music forced upon them all day.
6. It can cause 'volume wars' if 2 or more people are playing music.
7. For those who are hard of hearing, it can make communication more difficult.
But that's just my opinion. Good luck on your future endeavors!
This is all very true! If anyone else has music playing you definetly should not play music as well.
The rest is also very true and my opinion on having music playing changed day by day. Thank you for all of your input!! 🤍
@@EclipseBotanica if it is not too personal a question, how is your business doing in the current economic environment? I hope you're doing well still!
I guess it's to late , doing my first & got a cash box
😭
Language miss
people RUN OFF with cash boxes all the time.. i have seen it happen. Always wear a fanny pack. I did not get anything out of this video.
i completely forgot bout the money pen thing. good looks. my craft show is saturday and todays thursday so no time to ship. but looks like walmart sells them . woot woot.
Thankyou very helpful never knew all the other supplies trying also to get stated do you have email
Thank you for all the tips and links!! Much Appreciated!! My first event is upcoming, so I’m making my rounds to find helpful videos. Just subscribed too!!
Yay! You’re going to have a great time 🥰