Go Bag

Every craft show vendor keeps a go bag.  It's that tote, duffle bag, or backpack that has all those little things you won't miss until you're stuck without them.  I never leave without mine, and keep both necessary items and all those little extras that I might need in unexpected situations.  You don't want to be stuck in need of something, especially if you're running your booth alone.

Photo credit: Priki via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA
Here are some of those things I take to shows and wouldn't want to be without.
Booth supplies

• Pen and paper
• Tape
• Scissors
• Price tags and labels
• Safety pins
• Packaging bags/gift bags/tissue paper
• Any small tools relevant to your craft - measuring tape, needles, pliers, etc.
• Credit card scanner
• Extra change
• Business Cards

Personal supplies

• Sunscreen
• Pills - Pain relievers, allergy meds, bismuth, prescriptions, etc
• Tissues
• Wet wipes
• Ladies - personal hygiene items

What other items do you take?

Table dressing

I just had to chase the cat off my tablecloth and it wasn't even on the table.  I'd left it lying in the floor when unpacking my show stuff, and kitty decided it would make a nice napping spot.  She wasn't happy about being bothered, but was soon content with napping in her bed.

When I started doing craft fairs I was trying to do everything an inexpensively as possible, and did several on a plain table without coverings until I realized just how terrible it is.   Check out these photos to see how much of a difference it makes.

Photo credit: Urban Woodswalker via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND

This booth has nice looking jewelry, but the uncovered table isn't helping the display.  When someone looks at your booth you want them to focus on what you're selling, not your legs, tote bags, or anything else that's under there.   Table dressing gives everything a polished and more professional look, and the better it looks the more sales you will have.  

Photo credit: jannypie143 via VisualHunt / CC BY

This booth's foundation is much better.  The tablecloth looks nice and makes both the product and overall booth more attractive.  You can still see underneath, but the cloth helps keep patrons focused up toward your products.

Photo credit: anneheathen via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

I love this red tablecloth!  The floor length cloth looks professional in any setting, and gives you a great hiding space for bins, back stock, or anything you'd rather keep out of sight. 

Those floor length tablecloths aren't cheap, but there are ways to be budget friendly and still have a nice table.  If you're looking for options, consider the following:

Bed sheets -  Any solid color flat sheet will work. 

Sew your own - If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own.  And...if you sew pennies or washers in the corners, it'll help weigh the corners down if a breeze blows through.

Plastic party tablecloth - They're super cheap.  Unfortunately, they also look that way and don't last for very long.  These aren't the best option, but if you're in a pinch or on a super tight budget, they get the job done.  

Fabric tablecloth -  Discount stores have them in standard sizes, and they're not terribly expensive.  Washable and durable, they'll last a long time and keep you looking great.

Do you have a favorite?  What type of table covering do you usually use?

Keep it down!

The weather here has been exceptionally wet and windy, so much in fact that a large tree fell in my yard. Fortunately there was no serious damage, and I found myself very thankful I won't have to deal with the wind and rain this weekend at my indoor show.  The wind can wreck a craft show booth, and no one wants their tent to end up like this.

Photo credit: Steve and Ruth Bosman via Visual Hunt / CC BY

It happens more often than you'd think.  Someone puts up a tent without weighing it down properly and the wind comes and blows it away, or twists it into a wad of metal.  Its important to take the time to properly weigh down all four legs of your tent!  You'll save yourself the cost of having to replace it if things go bad, and your neighbors' booths from accidental damage.  If you're not sure how to do it, consider these options.

Stakes
When you are on a surface where you can, stake down your tent.  If they weren't included you can use any metal camping stakes.  This is a good starting point, and I very strongly recommend adding additional weights.

Branded weights

I use King Canopy weight bags with my setup. You fill each weight with heavy stuff, wrap it around the tent leg, then stake your tent through a hole at the bottom or tie it off at a hole in the top.  They recommend using gravel or sand in these but I use bricks and they work well.  Since these are made to wrap around the legs and don't have any brand specific fittings, they work on all brands of tents.  Quik Shade and E-Z Up have their own brand specific designs as well.

Cinder blocks

They're cheap, and with a bit of rope are easy to tie to your tent.

Buckets

A bucket of anything heavy can work as an anchor.  Find some sand, gravel, or water, throw it in a bucket with a handle and tie it on.  I'd recommend using a lid too, as it helps with spillage and makes them easier to stack for transport.

Concrete Container

You can fill most any empty container with concrete.  It's a great way to recycle old paint cans, buckets, kitty litter pails and large coffee cans.  A length of 4" PVC pipe with a cap on the bottom can be filled to make good dead weight.  If you use a concrete container, don't forget to add an eyebolt screw in the top.  That way you have a sturdy point where you can tie off.

If you're feeling creative, you can take the extra step of decorating your weights.  A coat of paint works wonders,

What do you think makes the best tent weights?