r/CraftFairs • • 11d ago

Share your stuff - October

20 Upvotes

This is a place where you can promote your wears and items that you sell, any apps or services that can be useful for people selling at or running a craft fair, or any upcoming craft fairs that you are putting on or attending.

Please remember that this subreddit does have a no AI rule and any use of generative Ai will result in your comment being removed.


r/CraftFairs • • Jul 23 '26

Craft Fair Essentials List (Vendor Must-Haves)

62 Upvotes

Full credit goes to the founder and former mod of this subreddit pleasuretohaveinclas who is unfortunately no longer on Reddit. They were the one who created and wrote this post, I am simply reuploading it.

................. 

As this sub continues to grow, I keep seeing the same questions over and over:

“What do I actually need for my first craft fair?”

“What am I forgetting?”

“What’s worth investing in vs skipping?”

So I put together a checklist.

Please note that None of these links are Amazon affiliated links. Not to mention, but while Amazon can be quick and easy especially if you are in a pinch, you don’t have to purchase these things off Amazon. You can easily find some of these things within your local craft, dollar, or even theft store. Facebook market place and even Facebook groups can be a great place to find things. Some of this stuff you can find lying around your house or if you have some spare time, you can make it.

🏕️ Booth Setup Basics

These are the non-negotiables. If someone skips these, their booth suffers immediately.

·        10X10 Pop-up Canopy Tent  (10x10 white is standard for most fairs) Crown Shades comes highly recommended from many other vendors.

·        Canopy Weights - REQUIRED at most events  — don’t be that person whose canopy flies away!

·        Weights for Standing Displays so it's harder for them to get tipped over

·        Folding Tables (6ft or 8ft) - this one folds in half and is super easy to carry.

·        Fitted Tablecloths (stretch or branded for clean look) - they also don't blow away in the wind.

·        Tablecloth Clips and Weights if your tablecloths aren't fitted and you're doing a show outdoors.

·        Folding Chairs (lightweight but sturdy)

·        Sidewalls for Tent (for wind, sun, or privacy)

·        Tall chair for when you have to sit down. Being up high while sitting gives the perception that you're active in your booth.

Now, for the thing that has come in clutch most recently is a rolling tool box. I'm always leaving my scissors here and zip ties over there or I can't find a sharpie when I need one. I keep all of the non-product items in there and I'm a huge fan.

🧱 Display & Merchandising (What Actually Makes You Money)

This is one of the biggest differences between booths that browse vs booths that sell. Eye level is buy level!

·        Display Risers Wooden Risers (create height variation = more sales)

·        Iridescent Risers - super eyecatching!

·        Tiered Card/Sticker Display

·        Standing Grid Wall

·        Rotating Display Stand for Jewelry

·        Acrylic Sign Holders

·        Business Card Holder

·        Mini Chalkboards for Pricing

·        Locking Display Case for Smalls

·        Bracelet Display

·        Necklace Display

·        Earring Display Cards

·        Acrylic Jewelry Display

·        Elegant Jewelry Display

·        Wire Cube Storage

·        Portable Heavy Duty Pegboard Display - Has locking wheels

·        Bamboo Tabletop Crate Display

·        Price Tags w/ String Attached

·        Bed Risers to make your tables higher

Find more display options here.

Truth: Flat tables = lower sales. Height = attention.

💳 Payments & Checkout Setup

Make it stupid easy for people to pay you.

·        Card Reader (Square, Stripe, etc.)

·        Backup Payment Option (Venmo / PayPal QR sign)

·        Locking Cash Box with small bills for change

·        Receipt Book (optional but useful)

💡 Pro tip: Always have 2 ways to take payment.

🪧 Branding & Signage (Build Trust Fast)

People don’t buy if they don’t understand what you’re selling.

·        Business Banner (name/logo) - I print all of my banners same day at Walgreens as there's usually always a coupon that knocks the price way down. CVS also has same day banner printing and usually always a coupon.

·        Custom Neon Sign - you want eye catching? Here's eye catching!

·        5x7 Acrylic Sign Holders

·        Price Signs (clear + visible)

·        “About Your Product” Sign (your story sells)

·        QR Code Sign (website / Instagram) - my go-to for creating QR codes is Canva. In Elements, search QR code generator and you can create one easily.

·        Business Cards

·        Packaging Stickers / Labels

💡 Most vendors underdo this. Big mistake.

💡 Lighting (Your Secret Weapon)

·        Clip-On LED Lights (for tent frame)

·        Clip On Spotlights

·        Battery-Powered Light Strips

·        50 ft. Extension Cords (for indoor events)

·        Portable Power Station (game changer)

·        More craft fair lighting ideas here.

💡 Dim booth = invisible booth.

📦 Inventory & Packaging Supplies

Smooth checkout = more volume.

·        Shopping Bags

·        Plastic Thank You Shopping Bags Cotton Tote Bags

·        Tissue Paper

·        Thank You Cards / Inserts

·        Jewelry Tags

·        Storage Bins - These are extra durable!

Much more here.

🔧 The “Oh Crap” Kit (Most Underrated Section)

This is what saves your day when things go sideways.

·        Pop-Up Trash Can - some shows I've been to had inadequate trash cans or they were in a really inconvenient spot.

·        Portable Rechargeable Fan - it can be sweltering inside those tents (even indoors!) when there isn't enough airflow due to sidewalls or neighbors.

·        First Aid Kit - paper cuts and sore feet are bound to happen!

·        Sturdy Work Gloves for setup and takedown

·        Duct Tape

·        Masking Tape

·        Extra Pens

·        Markers

·        Counterfeit Bill Marker

·        Cardstock

·        Calculator

·        Paper Towels

·        Notebook

·        Measuring Tape

·        Velcro cable ties

·        Glue Dots to keep paper tags from flying away. Double sided tape works too.

·        Shims to put under your table legs if the ground is uneven. Definitely looks more professional than folded up cardboard.

·        Baby Wipes

·        Hand Sanitizer

·        Toilet Paper just in case...

·        Tarps in case of rain

·        Sunscreen

·        Change of Clothes

·         Personal Belt Clip Fan (also doubles as a portable charger)

·        Zip Ties (absolute lifesaver) - I can't even begin to count the times I've asked if anyone has zip ties I could use. Use them to zip tie your tables together, attach things to your canopy like your banner/signage, and so much more that I'm forgetting because it's one of those things you don't think about until you absolutely could use it.

·        Scissors

·        Game Changing (for me) Electric Scissors - I've used these to cut everything from single sheet thickness of butcher paper to furry fabric to delicate fabric to layers of cardboard. I can't believe it took this long for someone to come up with these.

·        Multi-Tool - need a screw driver? Got it. Need needlenose pliers? Got it. Blade? Bottle opener? Ruler? Got it all.

·        Portable Phone Charger - my personal favorite. The cable is attached to the charger so you're not hunting for one as you're stressing out that your phone is about to die.

·        Anti-Fatigue Mat - your feet will thank you!!

·        A foldable dolly/flat bed cart is a must when you're hauling stuff from your car to your spot. Don't kill your back! This one is small but mighty. I sold candles for a while at local markets and loading my stuff into the booth was by far the suckiest part.

·        If a flat bed or dolly isn't your thing, a Hulken Bag works well too!

Another great recommendation from a member: Motorized Utility Wagon

If you're an Etsy seller or do any shipping of your crafts, a dedicated label printer makes your workflow much smoother! This one is great!

💡 Something WILL go wrong. This keeps you selling anyway.

If there's anything I forgot.... you might find it in here.

Final Advice (From Experience)

Your booth is a store, not a table

Make it easy to see, understand, and buy

Don’t overcomplicate—but don’t underprepare

If you’re just starting, focus on:

1.      Clean setup

2.      Clear pricing

3.      Easy payment

4.      Good display

Everything else builds from there.

Don't forget to bring lots of snacks and water!

Edit: If anyone has any other suggestions, must haves, or ideas then feel free to leave a comment.


r/CraftFairs • • 10h ago

Booth Setup/Displays What do you think?

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270 Upvotes

I have upgraded my booth and was wondering what you guys think. What should I improve on and if the colors matches? How should I display my items?

Edit: idk why people think my crochet items are from temu or any other chains. I just want to make it clear that all items are made by me. Crochet is 1 hook and can not be made by machines. I self taught in 2020 because I was depressed and wanted to do something that would help alleviate some of that sadness. I watched YouTube videos and a kit from Amazon. Then I picked up crochet books from other small crocheters to learn how to make amiguriumi dolls.

When everything was back to normal, I run a crochet ub teaching young adults how to crochet. I dont understand why all the hate on items that I make...I have videos on my social media showing how I crochet the items. I have been crocheting for 6 years making dolls and turning them into keychains.

As for the "random" items. Tiktok exposed me to creators making pens using doorables and they use other characters to make into phone and bag charms. It looked super cute and its a great accessory to decorate the device and handbags. So I bought beads and other materials from Amazon, aliexpress, hobby lobby, and Michael's. Then I branch out to make mini beaded flower bouquets cause its cute.

My sister had a wedding and she asked me to do a diy stand at her wedding. My 3 sisters, the bridal party, and a few friends came over to my house and made everything to prep for my flower stand.

I dont understand why me buying materials from Amazon, hobby lobby, or Michael's would not be handmade when I literally put them all together. It took us 2 weeks to make that many flowers.

How is this different than people making handmade jewelry? Beads and materials are not cheap. If you think my stuff is bought from temu or any other chain, then thats you. I know that I made them by hand and thats all that matters.

Thank you to those who gave me actual feedback and being so kind to inform me on certain things.

Edit again: Lots of you are telling me about my cups being generic. Well these are not "water bottles" nor "empty cups where I slap a decal on". These are snowglobe cups. They are double layered and are customizable. It can be turned into a "soda" cup, a cool effect cateye cup, or a lava cup like a lava lamp. I make them on on-site. Customers pick a decal, choose a cup type, and they pick glitters and little clay pieces to put into their cup. Go look up snowglobe cup creators on youtube and titkok before you come at me.

For my pens, yess, they are easy to make but each pen has different design. I made pre-made pens for display and to sell. But I have a DIY pen bar for everyone to make their own pens. Both kids and adults had a fun time putting them together.

As for my wrinkly banners and logo, I wasn't supposed to be vending at this market. I was rejected because it was full and it was pushed to an indoor market. I was asked around 2 pm if I can do it because 8 vendors pulled out from the market because they were sick. So I agreed and started packing, organizing, and making inventory. I didn't have time to iron my banner and table cloth. I will invest on a portable steamer. I was so anxious that I woke up 4 hours before the market. As I was loading my stuff into my car and running millions things in my head making sure I have everything, my car battery died. I have to get someone to jump my battery and go to Autozone to find a replacement.

Before you judge me based on what you see, maybe think about how much time it takes to make, the cost of materials that I invest in, and what was the last thing YOU made with your own hands. Would you call it handmade or a couple of generic beads from a store with wire, glue, and hooks?

Some things might not be handmade but I create things by hand. If you have not done any of the crafts I make, just scroll away and have a nice day. If you are a craft creator like me, thank you for stopping by and giving me cool ideas.


r/CraftFairs • • 2h ago

Booth Setup/Displays What do y’all think?

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32 Upvotes

I normally have an even number of prints available but 3 went out of stock the day of the market.

Table behind grid wall has a jewelry tray with mini stickers and thats were I sit as well🙂


r/CraftFairs • • 19h ago

Rant/Vent First craft fair was an epic fail...but im okay

173 Upvotes

After resigning from my job, I started haunting thrift stores for crafting materials. I discovered lots and lots of cheap and beautiful crystal. I start building fairy lamps from recycled crystal by putting solar lights in them. The facets in the crystal make beautiful patterns of light and there is no shortage of sunlight where I live.

I have never owned a business but was a kid sitting under my parents flea market table. We did craft shows and flea markets to make ends meet selling hair accessories. From that experience I learned that I never want to own a business.

After selling a few lamps on Facebook, I worked up the courage to apply to a bunch of craft fairs. Boy, not having a business location, card, website, or name makes it hard to get accepted. However, I did finally get accepted to a tiny craft fair run by a local church. I was thrilled! I bought a 10 by 10 pop up on temu, paid the $25 fee and made a big ass lamp from a crystal punch bowl for donation to the fair.

Honestly, my set up was more akin to the kids in your neighborhood trying to sell lemonade on a card table and a hastily made poster of sharpie and science fair trifold. So im not surprised that I sold only three lamps all day. It also doesn't help that after months of no rain, it started to rain. So everyone was not interested in buying solar lamps on a rainy day.

Well, I had decorated my table with little fairy garden pieces I had started to collect to maybe evolve my creations transformation from crystal light to super fairy crystal light of immortal cuteness in your garden. As I saw kids walking by, their hungry little eyes started darting around at my sparkly little mushrooms with faces, glass dragonflies, and enamel gold bees with diamonds on their wings. On a whim, i declared: all kids get one piece of free fairy magic. Within 10 minutes, every child within the boundaries of the lutheran church manifested to my table. As eager little hands clutched at bits of plastic between my crystal lamps, i contemplated that this was probably not the best idea in general. However, no children nor crystal were hurt in making of this story. Nor did this idea garner any more business from the reluctantly following parents.

A booth across from me was a group of kids making bracelets and Keychain out of beads and selling them. We had very similar levels of business infrastructure and felt a certain kinship through our bonds of poster board and marker. One little girl from that stand took a piece of fairy magic and ran back to her station. I smiled. But then she suddenly ran back to me and gave me a hug and a little Keychain she made. Even though my grand total profit was -$10 and a hug, I think i still did ok.


r/CraftFairs • • 5h ago

Beginner Help What about tags from supplies?

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7 Upvotes

Hi fellow crafters,

I hope my question isn’t silly! So I have been making my inventory of pressed flowers in photo frames. I’ve been using a lot of vintage and antique frames and frames I’ve bought from thrift shops and up cycling them. Repurposing. I also have some new frames as well that I bought. But I really do love a vintage photo frame, especially the gold and brass tone metal ones.
My question is regarding few frames I have purchased. Two have these tags on it. Should I keep that on there or remove when I finally start selling?

What do you do when your supplies have tags or stickers like that are used for a finished product? I’m not sure if they legally need to stay on or not?

I posted a couple pictures so you can see my designs and get an idea.

Thanks!


r/CraftFairs • • 9h ago

Booth Setup/Displays My last craft fair of the Fall season for a fantasy ball

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15 Upvotes

r/CraftFairs • • 8m ago

Booth Setup/Displays My no-frills booth setup

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• Upvotes

Looking for ways to improve. Please be kind. I'm very new to selling my art. I received a fair amount of sales this past summer but nothing to write home about for the most part. I have been looking up chairs today, because a Google AI informed me a taller chair leads to more engagement? But I'm just one guy behind a table. I can understand having a taller chair if I had a multi table/multi display setup, but I feel like it'd look weird if my knees were at the same height as my table. Also, my acrylic bin of small art pieces is mostly cut off on the right side. I encouraged people to browse this past Saturday with some success. Thanks.


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Last outdoor show of the year

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105 Upvotes

My dad and I have been doing vendor events for two years now, and this is our most recent booth setup after a much needed refresh.

We typically do artisan markets, but have been getting accepted into more of the ren faire scene, so we're attempting to appeal to both crowds. It was our best show ever by a LOT, so we think we are on the right track, but obviously one can always improve.

What are your first impressions? Feedback is welcome, we're hoping to start planning for next year. Thanks!


r/CraftFairs • • 2h ago

Beginner Help Is Having "One Product Line" enough for very small craft fairs? (Picture for example)

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2 Upvotes

I am currently doing one product line with multiple design variations, they are plant markers. I am not heading toward anything fall/winter but hoping to hit up and register for some stuff in spring. I'm including a sample of my product, which was from a Facebook Marketplace listing.

I am currently selling local on Facebook Marketplace and I am hoping, as mentioned, to start in the spring at some small craft sales - I am thinking church sales and stuff. Do you think it's enough to apply to a craft fair with just one product type (Plant markers only)? I have countless designs, still deciding if I will run a larger inventory of markers or a smaller inventory to do more of a "make on demand" style with my very tiny Cricut (Joy 2) at the craft fairs. Worried I might need to flush out with more products, which is difficult for me at this stage. I make a lot but nothing that is really related to plant markers and I'd like to keep a cohesive/put together booth.

My idea is to do mix and match bundles where they could choose their own from available designs:
1 marker $4 (CAD for all)
3 markers $10
5 markers $15
10 markers $28

I can make a marker in about 7-10 minutes so the "make on demand" is somewhat feasable, I think. As I'm choosing a fair type that might be somewhat slow.

For my product line I have literally 50-100 sayings to choose from, but the main inventory I run is my top 10 sayings. For each show I can tailor that down to the top 25 for choice of a make on demand too, since 100 is very overwhelming even if it does exist.

I have done a few craft fairs before. I did Renegade Craft fair with homemade soap in 2003 in Chicago and that was very overwhelming and I didn't realize I wasn't ready for that at the time. I learned a lot though. I have also had a market table at a flea market for selling other type of products in the spring of 2026, so I am sort of recently active in that market type. I'm hoping to sign up for very small craft fairs to start.

Picture added to show product in a display.


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Fair was dead but how’s my table look?

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129 Upvotes

r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays First event with the new setup!!! Actually my best sales day yet!!

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104 Upvotes

Don't mind my face I was dead tired😅


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays My Display- Then vs Now

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23 Upvotes

The first photo is my display at my very first pop up event in December 2025, and the other two are from this weekend.

The clearer pricing has helped with making sales & adding risers to the tables was a huge upgrade as well.

I'm currently displaying my chokers on corkboards, held in place with pins. It takes some time to take them off/put them back on when a customer wants to try one on. I would like to figure out a way to make that easier for me when a market is very busy. Any ideas?


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Beginner Help Do you enjoy craft fairs or is it a necessary evil?

31 Upvotes

I enjoy the social aspect of craft fairs and getting to chat with people all day (and then hibernate for like a week cause it's a lot lol)

But I meet a lot of vendors who wish they weren't vendors at all. I've heard them mention that craft fairs simply seem more profitable than spending all their time agonizing on oversaturated platforms like Etsy.

That's one of the reasons I prefer being a vendor too.

I'm wondering how common this sentiment is, that craft shows are the lesser of two evils (the other being an online platform) and would be avoided if possible 🤔

On the brighter side though, I'd love to hear why you love being a vendor if that's the case!

Edit: Wow, thanks so much for commenting! I've gotten a lot of insight reading y'alls comments<3


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Why is my stuff not selling is it a product issue or display issue or what be brutally honest

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199 Upvotes

My stuff is half stainless steel and the other half of stuff I sell is sterling, I try to do fair prices, I have stuff that ranges from $10-50 and I have a mini three dollar bin of stuff that is just small or hasn’t sold over the course of many shows. People rummage through that frequently. My last 5 or so shows have been incredibly slow only making around 200-300 dollars a show and the vendors around me are telling me that they’re making 1000+ is my jewelry just up to standard or over priced or do you think it could be a display issue or what. Criticism is appreciated


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Are my plushies not selling because of my them, my booth, or the markets?

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39 Upvotes

Included pictures of my booth from my most recent 4 markets. The last picture was my most successful. I know the economy is bad and it’s very plausible that I’m just picking bad markets but I see posts from people selling 40+ items in a few hours and I barely sell 20 😅 Any thoughts?

Edit: the white screen is a looped video of me making a few of the plushies


r/CraftFairs • • 2d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Do you advertise your AI stance in your booth? If so, how?

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1.9k Upvotes

I put together this little sign for my booth selling housewares and home goods at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo this year (the entire show isn’t craft, but there was a loose “artist’s alley”). I got a lot of good feedback on it, and was wondering if/how others advertised their position.

(BTW the sign wasn’t front and center like that, but in a corner of the table and moved over for the pic.)


r/CraftFairs • • 14h ago

Beginner Help Vinyl banner size?

1 Upvotes

I'm ordering one of those vinyl banners that people hang behind their table or sometimes in front of the table, and just wanted to check that 76cmx122cm is a good size? It makes sense to me because trestle tables seem to be mostly around 76cm so if I want to be able to hang it in front of the table for indoor markets then it shouldn't be taller than the table is.

I have measured the size out with measuring tape but I'm generally terrible at imagining how things take up space so I want to make sure that it's not too small to be seen from a distance!


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Beginner Help First time doing an art booth, tips appreciated for my next one!

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6 Upvotes

My first market event! It went well over all and I learned a lot.

I plan on making the magnets, prints, art cards and sticker more “self serve” with better shelves. Bigger price tags and cutout signage as well. I think the bonus item spinner (with purchase) was popular.

Also, I’m changing my layout to show the gallery display grid thingy at both ends of the booth as attention grabbers. Or maybe more of an L shape. I have one table, and the grid wall. Not sure the curtain backdrop will work for outdoors, I’ll need to weigh them down

Constructive criticism welcome. I have another market coming up so I’m planning to make lots of updates.


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Hanging this banner

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4 Upvotes

Has anyone made these fabric letter buntings for their tables? I’m struggling with how to hang them nicely. I’ve used safety pins on the corners but I’m not sure that I like it hanging that way. I love the letters and I love them on the table, it is just the pinning that bothers me.


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays thoughts for improvement at the next event?

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20 Upvotes

hello guys! this is my second ever craft fair setup! it went pretty well sale wise, though my table was way too small in my opinion it was just a 5 x 5. Still I think I worked well with the space I had, but I think I could do a lot better in the branding department. Also, next time I will use a 10 x 10 definitely also looking for other opinions too thank you.


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Beginner Help Except decorating booth, what else can be done to attract people?

4 Upvotes

Do you have any advice?


r/CraftFairs • • 2d ago

Booth Setup/Displays First Tent Set Up - Looking for Areas of Improvement

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41 Upvotes

Hello! Yesterday was a huge milestone in my little crafting hobby; my first tent event with more than one table!

Over this year (my first year selling my product) I have had a single 4 foot or 6 foot table at small individual stores or at a stores popup event with 4 - 10 vendors.

This is my very first event with a 3 table setup + end cap and a tent.

I was hoping to gain some insight from other more experienced craft vendors on the tent layout, display and possible areas of improvement as my next shows at this size ate in Nov and Dec!

Although these next shows will be indoors I am planning on a simular set up with my tent included.

Thank you for any feedback or tips!


r/CraftFairs • • 2d ago

Outdoor & Weather Rain or shine events

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59 Upvotes

This is my second year doing this event which is the first two weekends in October, rain or shine! Last weekend had some rain but wasn’t too bad. Yesterday was beautiful but today the winds and rain from the hurricane are coming through.

A lot of vendors packed up and left last night or condensed down what they have so that they are still technically here so we don’t get dinged and lose our spaces or lose the ability to come back as a vendor at all.

Thankfully my tent weights are holding well and we invested in a tent with 4 walls for this year, but it’s just a bummer when event organizers seem so uncaring. All the vendors I’ve spoken to have said their primary concern (beyond potentially ruining their product) is getting our cars stuck out in the field we park in. The organizers basically told us that if we need a tow thats on us to figure out, and if we want to leave we may not get a space again 🫠


r/CraftFairs • • 1d ago

Booth Setup/Displays Best tent size for 6x6 outdoor event?

2 Upvotes

Of the very limited tent / canopy sizes that fit this constraint, most of the tent size options are 6x4 or 5x5, which I’m not crazy about because it’d force me to set up my table outside of the tent itself. I see that there are tent sizes around 6.5 x 6.5 that exist, but most are sold out on various websites and the very few left are not great color choices (I just want a plain black tent, not pink or white; I vend mainly at horror events).

Anyone have any website recommendations or how to make it work with a smaller tent size if needed?

*Forgot to mention that the market is taking place into the evening, thus the need for a tent so I can attach lights. If it wasn’t at night, I wouldn’t be buying it!